Microbial Composting of Press mud and Its Impact on Soil Productivity for Sugarcane

Abstract

A field trial was set up at U. P. Council of Sugarcane Research Farm, Shahjahanpur, U.P. (INDIA) during 2007-2010 to assess the impact of decomposed pressmud (organic matter) on soil productivity for Sugarcane yield and quality. Four replicates of 5 treatments: control (no amendment), 2/3 RDN through inorganic source, 100% RDN through inorganic source, 1/3 RDN through biocompost + 2/3 RDN through inorganic source and 1/3 RDN through biocompost. The data showed that sugarcane yield and other quality parameters were influenced by the different treatments. Its impact on soil productivity was found that 1/3 of recommended dose of nitrogen given by the biocompost plus 2/3 by inorganic source gave more than 10 percent higher sugarcane yield over 100 percent recommended dose of nitrogen through inorganic source. Slight improvement in juice quality was also observed in biocompost application.