Abstract
The addition of agricultural by-products to mineral soils has the potential to improve crop production. This study aimed to determine the effects of the readily available sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) milling by-product bagasse as a soil amendment on yields of sugarcane grown on a sandy Entisol of South Florida. The field trial was conducted on a commercial sugarcane farm for three annual crop cycles (plant cane and two ratoons). Four treatments including 5 cm bagasse (85 ton ha−1); 10 cm bagasse (170 ton ha−1); 10 cm bagasse (170 ton ha−1) plus 336 kg ha−1 ammonium nitrate; and a control (without bagasse and ammonium nitrate) were evaluated. Results indicate that one single application of bagasse increased sugarcane biomass and sugar yield by approximately 23% in the plant cane year. A higher application rate of bagasse (10 cm of bagasse) was recommended since it had a longer effect on increasing sugarcane biomass and sugar yield. Bagasse application enhanced silicon (Si) supply and increased Si plant nutrition. However, the effects of bagasse on the other leaf nutrients were not significant.
Highlights
The sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) industry is a major economic driver in Florida, with a total value of over $4.5 billion annually [1]
Magnesium leaf concentrations were deficient for all treatments and the control in plant cane crops, except for Mg for the 5 cm bagasse for which Mg was in the marginal range
Our results showed that bagasse application increased sugarcane biomass and sugar yield by approximately 23% in the plant cane year, while bagasse applied at a higher rate (10 cm bagasse) presented a significant increase in the first-ratoon sugarcane yield and in the second-ratoon sugar yield
Summary
The sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) industry is a major economic driver in Florida, with a total value of over $4.5 billion annually [1]. Mineral soils used for sugarcane production in South Florida are low in soil organic matter (OM) (10–40 g kg−1) and clay contents (0–30 g kg−1), resulting in low water and nutrient holding capacities [3]. These mineral soils account for approximately 28% of the total sugarcane acreage in South Florida [4]. Sugarcane producers and environmental researchers in Florida and elsewhere are interested in examining innovative nutrient management practices involving organic sources to reduce fertilizer costs and environmental risks
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