Press Mud Research Articles

Assessment of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Soil and Garlic Influenced by Waste-Derived Organic Amendments

Simple SummaryThe utilization of organic wastes, for example, poultry waste, sugarcane press mud, and farmyard manure is extremely common among farmers from South Asia including Pakistan. We assess the biochemical nature and dietary benefit for plants and record the presence of heavy metals in garlic following cultivation in a soil amended with these organic wastes. Present investigation showed the grouping of toxicity and bioaccumulation of heavy metals with a particular link to their source of origin and highlight the hazard of some of them for public health through their excessive utilization. Selecting appropriate manure can significantly reduce health risks for humans.In South Asia, the high costs of synthetic fertilizers have imposed research on alternative nutrient inputs. We aimed to identify potential trace elements (PTE) present in some organic manure that might be a source of environmental pollutions and risk to public health following consumption. The study aims to evaluate how different organic waste (poultry waste, PW; press mud, PM; and farmyard manure, FYM) influences the heavy metal migration in soil, the accumulation in garlic, and their potential health risks. Organic waste caused a higher accumulation of certain metals (Zn, Cu, Fe, and Co), whereas Mn, Cd, Cr, and Pb were in lower concentrations in soil. Amendments of soil with PM revealed a higher accumulation of Cd, Cr, Fe, and Pb, whereas PW resulted in Cu and Zn accumulation in garlic. Treatment of soil with FYM exhibited higher metal concentration of Co and Mn. An environmental hazard indices study revealed that pollution load index (PLI) was highest for Cu following treatment with PM. The health risk index (HRI) was greater for Cd following amendment with PM. Maximum daily intake of metals (DIM) was observed for Zn after treatment with PW. The Pb exhibited maximum bioconcentration factor (BCF) in PM-amended plants. Based on these findings, we concluded that garlic grown on contaminated soil with organic waste may pose serious health hazards following consumption.

Release kinetics of Zn from soil and growing media mixtures in a laboratory study

Aim: To assess the zinc release from soils and various soilless growing media mixtures comprising different organic manures mixed at various proportions and to understand the kinetic behaviour of Zn release. Methodology: An incubation study was conducted to examine the time dependent release of zinc from soil and different growing media mixtures of Cocopeat (CP), Vermicompost (VC), Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Pressmud (PM), Vermiculite (VL) and Composted coco peat (CCP) by adding various levels of ZnSO4 (0, 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50 kg ha-1) for 60 days. The Zn release at required time interval was quantified in soil and growing media mixtures. Results: Higher zinc release was recorded with growing media mixture of Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Pressmud (1:1:1) as compared to other mixtures. The release was linear up to 30 days and dropped at 45 days then increased. Fitting of various kinetic equations for better understanding of zinc release satisfactorily accounted (R2, 0.975 to 0.998, at p ≤0.05) by the zero order kinetic equation. Higher half-life time for Zn release (t1/2) was noticed with Soil + FYM and Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Pressmud mixtures, which confirmed their suitability. A significant negative correlation between pH, C:N ratio with Zn availability as well as linear decrease in organic carbon content prompted zinc release. Interpretation: Based on the amount of zinc released and grouping through principal component analysis with hierarchical clustering, a mixture of Cocopeat +Vermicompost +Pressmud at 1:1:1 was the best growing media mixture. Higher initial zinc availability and half-life time (t1/2) for zinc release makes it more efficient and best growing media mixture to sustain Zn supply to crops for a longer period of time.

Mitigation of Salinity-Induced Oxidative Damage, Growth, and Yield Reduction in Fine Rice by Sugarcane Press Mud Application.

Salinity stress is one of the major global problems that negatively affect crop growth and productivity. Therefore, ecofriendly and sustainable strategies for mitigating salinity stress in agricultural production and global food security are highly demandable. Sugarcane press mud (PM) is an excellent source of the organic amendment, and the role of PM in mitigating salinity stress is not well understood. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate how the PM mitigates salinity stress through the regulation of rice growth, yield, physiological properties, and antioxidant enzyme activities in fine rice grown under different salinity stress conditions. In this study, different levels of salinity (6 and 12 dS m–1) with or without different levels of 3, 6, and 9% of SPM, respectively were tested. Salinity stress significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA, 38%), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 74.39%), Na+ (61.5%), electrolyte leakage (40.32%), decreased chlorophyll content (32.64%), leaf water content (107.77%), total soluble protein (TSP, 72.28%), and free amino acids (FAA, 75.27%). However, these negative effects of salinity stress were reversed mainly in rice plants after PM application. PM application (9%) remained the most effective and significantly increased growth, yield, TSP, FAA, accumulation of soluble sugars, proline, K+, and activity of antioxidant enzymes, namely, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD). Thus, these findings suggest a PM-mediated eco-friendly strategy for salinity alleviation in agricultural soil could be useful for plant growth and productivity in saline soils.

Microbial biomass production using sugarcane industrial by-products and their application to Nile tilapia aquaculture

The sugarcane industrial wastewater is considered as one of the main sources of River Nile pollution. Here we study the possibility of using sugarcane wastewater effluent amended with molasses and clay factory as a culture medium for growth and biomass production of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Azotobacter chroococcum and the possibility of using this biomass for Oreochromis niloticus aquaculture. Results of this study indicated that some physico-chemical analyses of waste water are non-compliant with Law 48/1982 such as decreasing values of dissolved oxygen (0.77 mg/1), increasing temperature (40-50°C) and increasing values of chemical oxygen demand (31.5 mgO2/l). These pollutants were dealt for growth and biomass production of Azotobacter chroococcum and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii after amendment with molasses and industrial clay (press mud). Results showed that the wastewater amended with 1% press mud, 1% molasses and 0.5g/l CaCO3 was the best for A. chroococcum. In addition, high growth of Chlamydomonas was obtained in the sugarcane wastewater amended with 1% molasses with 0.5% press mud. Moreover, addition of Azotobacter had positive effect on growth of Chlamydomonas especially when added after 24 hours of Chlamydomonas growth. Biomass of both C. reinhardtii and A. chroococcum (which was grown on sugar can industrial by-products) has high potential for Oreochromis niloticus aquaculture, where highest weight gain and specific growth rate of fish were recorded. Further research work is needed to confirm the safety and viability of this microbial biomass produced from industrial sugar cane by-products in Nile tilapia aquaculture.

A case study of sugarcane crushing profile of sugar factories in Solapur district

Sugarcane plays a pivotal role within the agro industrial economy of India and really within the real economy. India is that the world’s second largest nation after ones Brazil in sugar production. Employment and dependency on the industry is big. Massive mass of agriculture labour area unit concerned in sugarcane cultivation, harvesting and different activities. Sugarcane is taken into account crop for the longer term thanks to its contribution to production of sugar, jaggery, khandsari and lots of by product like syrup molasses, bagasses and press mud and additionally bound renewable sources of green energy within the variety of bioethanol and many bio-based products. Production of sugar in India is from sugarcane as a result most of the sugar factories area unit placed within the states. Maharashtra state has the highest number of sugar mills followed by Uttar Pradesh. The paper aims to analysis the performance of sugar industry of solapur district. This study includes sugarcane production, sugar production, number of factories in operation, etc. The study has targeted on the sugar crushing state of affairs of solapur district in past four years and Secondary information was obtained from ‘Pradeshik Sakhar Sahsanchalak Karyalay’ Solapur.

Long‐term impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil organic carbon dynamics in a rice‐ wheat system

AbstractDeep soil carbon (C) plays an important role in the global carbon cycle because it is more recalcitrant and remains in the soil for a longer period. Yet, very few studies have reported the impact of long‐term fertilization on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in deep soil in a rice‐wheat system (RWS). Hence, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the long‐term fertilization impact on carbon sequestration and C pools in RWS in the Indo‐Gangetic Plain (IGP) of India. Application of 90 kg N, 20 kg P and 25 kg K ha−1 through mineral fertilizers (NPK) + green gram incorporation (GR) + 30 kg N ha−1 through farmyard manure (FYM) sequestered more C (25.86 Mg ha−1) in the 0–105 cm soil depth compared with mineral fertilizer alone (1.25 Mg ha−1). The C‐sequestration rate ranged between 0.61 to 1.23 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 under treatments having organic fertilizer and mineral fertilizer, whereas it varied from 0.06 to 0.39 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 in the treatments receiving mineral fertilizer only. Total C and critical C input were 197 Mg kg−1 and 1.94 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, respectively under NPK + GR + FYM treatment. Integrated application of mineral fertilizers and organics in treatments NPK + FYM, NPK + SPM (sulphitation press mud), NPK + GR, NPK + GR + FYM and NPK + CR (crop residue) resulted in higher sustainable yield index of RWS compared to mineral fertilizer alone. We conclude that application of organic material along with mineral fertilizers is essential to mitigate the atmospheric C load through C‐sequestration in deep soils and to attain sustainable RWS productivity in the IGP.

Combined Application of Organic and Inorganic Amendments Improved the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Forage Sorghum

The use of organic amendments is seen to be a promising method for enhancing crop productivity and soil health. Therefore, this study was performed for two consecutive years (2019 and 2020) to determine the effects of organic biochar (BC), sugar industry press mud (MUD), and poultry manure (PM) combined with inorganic amendments on the yield and nutritional quality of forage sorghum at the College of Agriculture, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahadur sub-campus, Layyah, Pakistan. The treatments were comprised of the following: control (no inorganic or organic amendments added); recommended dose of NPK (59:72:30 kg ha−1); half dose of NPK (29.5:36:15 kg ha−1); recommended dose of poultry manure (PM) at 5 t ha−1; recommended dose of press mud (MUD) at 40 t ha−1; recommended dose of biochar (BC) at 11 t ha−1; BC + half NPK; MUD + half NPK; PM + half NPK; PM + BC + half NPK; PM + MUD + half NPK; BC + MUD + half NPK; PM + BC + MUD + half NPK. The treatments were carried out in a triplicate randomized complete block design. Results revealed that combined application of PM + BC + MUD + 1/2 NPK significantly enhanced the plant height (201 cm), number of leaves (17), stem diameter (18 mm), stem dry weight (201.7 g), leaf dry weight (30.4 g), leaf area (184.3 cm2), green forage yield (31.8 Mg ha−1), and dry biomass yield (12.7 Mg ha−1) compared with the control treatment. Forage quality traits, including crude protein (CP), brix percentage, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL), showed maximum value with the combined application of PM + BC + MUD + 1/2 NPK. ADF and ADL are linked with lower digestibility; therefore, it was concluded that the combined application of PM + BC + MUD + 1/2 NPK can improve the productivity, dry biomass yield, and CP of sorghum, but reduces the digestibility under semi-arid conditions, such as those in Central Pakistan.

Indigenous bacterial consortium-mediated cypermethrin degradation in the presence of organic amendments and Zea mays plants

Cypermethrin is a toxic pyrethroid insecticide that is widely used in agricultural and household activities. One of the most serious issues is its persistence in the environment, because it is easily transported to the soil and aquatic ecosystem. The biodegradation of cypermethrin is emerging as an environmentally friendly method for large-scale treatment. This study examined the application of a novel binary bacterial combination-based (Bacillus thuringiensis strain SG4 and Bacillus sp. strain SG2) approach used for the enhanced degradation of cypermethrin from the environment. The bacterial strains degraded cypermethrin (80% and 85%) in the presence of external nitrogen sources (KNO3 and NaNO3). Furthermore, when immobilized in agar disc beads, the co-culture degraded cypermethrin (91.3%) with a half-life (t1/2) of 4.3 days compared to 4.9 days using sodium alginate beads. Cereal straw, farmyard manure, press mud compost, fresh cow dung, and gypsum were used as organic amendments in the soil to stimulate cypermethrin degradation. Cereal straw promoted the fastest cypermethrin degradation among the different organic amendments tested, with a t1/2 of 4.4 days. The impact of cypermethrin-degrading bacterial consortium on cypermethrin rhizoremediation was also investigated. Bacterial inoculums exhibited beneficial effects on plant biomass. Moreover, Zea mays and the bacterial partnership substantially enhanced cypermethrin degradation in soil. Six intermediate metabolites were detected during the degradation of cypermethrin, indicating that cypermethrin could be degraded first by the hydrolysis of its carboxyl ester bond, followed by the cleavage of the diaryl linkage and subsequent metabolism. Our findings highlight the promising potential and advantages of the bacterial consortium for the bioremediation of a cypermethrin-contaminated environment.

Diversification Options in Sugarcane-Based Cropping Systems for Doubling Farmers' Income in Subtropical India.

Crop diversification provides an opportunity for farmers to maximize their profits, fulfilling multiple needs, avoid monsoon threats, and make the crop production system sustainable. Inclusion of various pulse/oilseed/vegetables/cereals/medicinal/aromatic crops with sugarcane brings forth cultivation of these crops in irrigated agro-system and improves the yields of component crops. Besides, the component crops improve soil fertility and create a favorable environment for the further growth of sugarcane crops. Sprouting in winter-initiated sugarcane ratoon could be enhanced by adopting fodder legumes such as Indian clover and Egyptian clover. Intercropping vegetables provides an ample opportunity for mid-season income generation and improves profitability. Besides, high-value medicinal and aromatic crops such as tulsi (holy basil), mentha could also be included in the sugarcane-based system. Crop residue management has been recognized as a critical issue in managing the crops in the various cropping systems. Including multiple bio-agents for fast decomposition of crop residues provides scope for managing soil organic carbon through crop residue recycling in the system. Resource use efficiencies, nutrient use, water use, and weed control could be increased by adopting suitable crops in intercropping systems. An integrated farming system involving crop, livestock, and fisheries options could improve farmers’ profit besides employment generation in rural India. Recycling of bye products and co-products of other enterprises influences the viability and farmer’s profitability of the system. Trash, press mud cake, vinasse, composted bagasse, rhizodeposition of stubble play a significant role in sustaining soil fertility and increasing crop productivity. New emerging crop diversification options, viz., intercropping of rajmash, winter maize, and garlic in autumn cane generate mid-season income and enhance the system's profitability for small and marginal cane growers. Dual-purpose legumes, viz., cowpea, and green gram as intercrops with spring-planted cane increase the pool of soil microbial biomass nitrogen capitalize allelopathic effects and sustain soil health. In the present paper, these issues have been discussed. Due to the adoption of location-specific and farmers-centric systems, farmers’ profitability could be increased, providing sustainability to the sugarcane-based systems.

Release Kinetics of Iron (Fe) from Soil and Growing Media Mixtures: An Incubation Study

ABSTRACT An incubation study was conducted to examine the time dependent release of iron from the soil and growing media mixtures of Cocopeat (CP), Vermicompost (VC), Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Pressmud (PM), Vermiculite (VL), and Composted cocopeat (CCP) with various levels of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) application for 60 days. Higher Fe release was recorded in the growing media comprising soil + composted cocopeat (1:1) followed by Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Press mud (1:1:1). Fitting of various kinetic equations for better understanding of iron release satisfactorily accounted (R2, 0.867 to 0.998, at p ≤.05) by the zero-order kinetic equation. Higher half-life time for Fe release (t1/2) as well as initial Fe concentration (q0) was noticed in Soil + Composted cocopeat and Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Pressmud. A significant negative correlation between pH, C/N ratio with Fe availability as well as higher organic carbon content prompted iron release. Based on the released amount of iron and principal component analysis with hierarchical clustering, Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Press mud (1:1:1) and Soil + Composted cocopeat (1:1) were grouped as best growing media mixtures. Higher initial Fe availability, release rate, and half-life time for iron release was observed in Soil + Composted cocopeat and Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Pressmud growing media which makes them more efficient as those can sustain the Fe supply for a longer period of time with higher availability to crops.

Strength and Durability of Cement Stabilized Expansive Soil Amended with Sugarcane Press Mud

The present investigation delved into the performance of cement stabilized soil amended with sugarcane press mud (PM), an organic waste residue from the sugar industry. An expansive soil was stabilized using 3% and 8% ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and modified with 1%, 3% and 5% PM. Cylindrical samples of dimensions 38 mm diameter and 76 mm height were cast and cured for 7, 14 and 21 days for all combinations considered. After the designated curing periods, the specimens were strained axially until failure to determine the strength of the samples. Samples were also subjected to alternate cycles of wetting and drying and the resistance to loss in weight was determined. The results of the investigation revealed that PM can be considered as a strength accelerator due to enhancement in early strength of the samples at 7 days of curing but beneficial strength gain could not be sustained over extended curing periods considered. However, 1% and 3% PM modified specimens were more resistant to weight loss when compared to pure cement stabilized specimens. Based on the results of the investigation, PM can be considered as a potential auxiliary additive to cement stabilized soil for improving the durability performance of the soil.

Anaerobic co-digestion of pre-treated press mud and Molasses-based distillery wastewater enhanced biogas production

With goals in determining the effect of diluting the distillery wastewater (DWW) and of varying the amount of DWW and press mud (PM), anaerobic co-digestion study was carried out at mesophilic condition in a 2-L Erlenmeyer flask, with a working volume of 800 mL for Batch 1 and 1500 mL for Batch 2 experiments. For Batch 1, two different ratios of DWW and tap water, with 2:3 and 3:2, were used to assess the effect of dilution on the methane yield, where same volumetric amount of PM was added. For Batch 2, following ratio of PM and DWW were used: a) 1:0, b) 1:1, c) 1:1, d) 2:1, and e) 1:2. All samples had the same amount of inoculum, except that Batch 1 samples had bagasse. The parameters that were assessed after 42 days of digestion were: pH, COD, BOD, TSS, VS, Cu, Ca, Mg, Mn, TOC, TN, and methane yield. For the effect of dilution, a significant difference in the methane yield between samples with higher and lower dilution ratio was seen, and in the first batch, the optimal dilution ratio of DWW and H2O, with 3:2 gave higher methane yield of 78.23% (v/v). Meanwhile, optimal volumetric ratio of DWW and PM from the Batch 2 experiments, with value of 1:2, gave the highest methane yield of 79.43% (v/v).

Sugarcane Press Mud and Coconut Shell Ash: Promising Industrial Wastes as Admixtures for Concrete Block Pavement

Sugarcane Press Mud and Coconut Shell Ash: Promising Industrial Wastes as Admixtures for Concrete Block Pavement

Biological Control of Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita in Psoralea corylifolia Plant by Enhancing the Biocontrol Efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum Using Press Mud

Meloidogyne incognita is a plant pathogen causing root-knot disease and loss of crop yield. The present study aimed to use Trichoderma harzianum as a biocontrol agent against plant-parasitic nematodes and used press mud, which is a solid waste by-product of sugarcane, as a biocontrol agent and biofertilizer. Therefore, the combined application of T. harzianum and press mud may enhance nematode control and plant growth. Elemental analysis of press mud using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) integrated with an Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer revealed the presence of different elements such as C, O, Mg, Si, P, K, Ca, Cu and Zn. In addition, a greenhouse study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of press mud and T. harzianum on M. incognita reproduction and growth and the biochemical features of Psoralea corylifolia. The results showed that plant length, dry biomass, leaf area, the number of seeds per plant, chlorophyll a, chl b, carotenoid content, nitrate reductase, carbonic anhydrase, and nitrogen content were significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) in the T2 plants (plants were treated with 100 g of press mud + 50 mL T. harzianum before one week of M. incognita inoculation), over inoculated plants (IC). Antioxidant enzyme activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the foliage of P. corylifolia was significantly increased when plants were treated with press mud + T. harzianum. A significant reduction in the number of egg masses, nematode population, and root-knot index (RKI) was found in plants with T2 plants. These results suggest that the combined application of T. harzianum and press mud has the potential to control the M. incognita infection and can be used as an environmentally safe alternative to chemical nematicides and also help in the removal of sugarcane waste that causes environmental pollution.

Effect of organic raw and treated press mud with inorganic fertilizers NPK on maize (Zea mays) plant

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the different combinations of sugarcane raw press mud +cow dung + inorganic fertilizer NPK at a rate of (120:60:40 kg N: P2O:K2O ha-1) and the same treatment with treated press mud. The raw and treated press mud can be used as organic fertilizer to increase the maize (Zea mays) plant height and number of leaves. T1- absolute Control,T2-Soil +cow dung 5 MT/ha- + raw press mud (RPM) 5 MT/ha-1 + inorganic fertilizer NPK at rate of 120:60:40 kg N:P2O:K2O ha-1 , T3-Soil +cow dung 5 MT/ha- + raw press mud (RPM) 7.5 MT/ha-1 + inorganic fertilizer NPK at rate of 120:60:40 kg N:P2O:K2O ha-1 , T4-Soil +cow dung 5 MT/ha- + raw press mud (RPM) 10 MT/ha-1 + inorganic fertilizer NPK at rate of 120:60:40 kg N:P2O:K2O ha-1 ,T5- Soil +cow dung 5 MT/ha- + treated press mud (RPM) 5 MT/ha-1 + inorganic fertilizer NPK at rate of 120:60:40 kg N:P2O:K2O ha-1, T6- Soil +cow dung 5 MT/ha- +treated press mud (RPM) 7.5 MT/ha-1 + inorganic fertilizer NPK at rate of 120:60:40 kg N:P2O:K2O ha-1 ,T7-Soil +cow dung 5 MT/ha- + treated press mud (RPM) 10 MT/ha-1 + inorganic fertilizer NPK at rate of 120:60:40 kg N:P2O:K2O ha-1. The first 30 DAS, without using the inorganic recommended dose of (RDF), show increased growth of maize plants due to the availability of plant nutrients in RPM and TPM. After 30DAS, RDF was applied and at 60 DAS increased the maize plant height and number of leaves. Significantly highest plant height and number of leaves showed in treatment T7.

Effect of Fertilizers on yield attributes of Green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under Guava (Psidium guajava L.) based Agri-horti system in Vindhyan region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

A field experiment was conducted in Factorial Randomized Block Design during kharif 2018 farm, Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Barkachha, Mirzapur (RGSC), Banaras Hindu University (U.P.) to effect of fertilizer and biofertilizer on growth and yield attributes in green gram (V. radiata L.) under guava (P. guvajava L.) based agri-horti system. The twelve year old guava (P. guvajava L.) orchard was planted in August 2006 as spacing of 7m x 7m. Seven treatment combinations viz., control, Rhizobium culture, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, press mud, Rhizobium culture plus fertilizer, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria plus fertilizer, press mud plus fertilizer. Application of press mud plus fertilizer performed better by recording number of pod per plant (35.6), length of pod (11 cm) and test weight (35.1 g) yield attributes viz., grain yield (1090.25 kg ha-1) and Stover yield (2808.01 kg ha-1) However, significantly superior to the rest of the treatment over the control.

Evaluation of Matured Vermicomposts Quality Derived from Rice Straw Co-Digested with Press Mud and Cow Dung Using E. Fetida: A Perspective Approach of Waste to Waste Treatment

Evaluation of Matured Vermicomposts Quality Derived from Rice Straw Co-Digested with Press Mud and Cow Dung Using E. Fetida: A Perspective Approach of Waste to Waste Treatment

Integrated Nutrient Management Improves Productivity and Quality of Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum L.)

Sugarcane is one of the major important sugar yielding crops in Bangladesh. As an exhaustive crop, sugarcane removes a huge amount of plant nutrients from the soil. However, the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers can be a good approach to deal with nutrient depletion and promote sustainable crop production as well as improve soil health. Therefore, an attempt was made to identify the most fruitful and profitable integrated nutrient management on the aspects of growth, yield and quality of sugarcane in two consecutive growing seasons. Seven treatments: T1 = Control, T2 = 165:55:120:30:10:2.5:4 kg N:P:K:S:Mg:Zn:B ha−1, T3 = Poultry Litter (PL) at 5 t ha−1 + 95:51:87:9:10:2.5:4 kg N:P:K:S:Mg:Zn:B ha−1, T4 = Cow Dung (CD) at 15 t ha−1 + 36:52:60:17:10:2.5:4 kg N:P:K:S:Mg:Zn:B ha−1, T5 = Press Mud (PM) at 15 t ha−1 + 10:50:43:0:10:2.5:4 kg N:P:K:S:Mg:Zn:B ha−1, T6 = Mustard Oil Cake (MOC) at 0.5 t ha−1 + 140:54:115:25:10:2.5:4 kg N:P:K:S:Mg:Zn:B ha−1 and T7 = GM (Green Manure) at 5 t ha−1 + 140:53:100:28:10:2.5:4 kg N:P:K:S:Mg:Zn:B ha−1 were used in this experiment. Two years data showed that treatment T3 produced the maximum amount of tillers, total dry matter yield, millable sugarcane, cane yield and sugar yield, followed by the T4 treatment. The highest stalk heights were recorded in the T3 treatment, which was statistically similar to all other treatments except T1 and T2. The juice quality parameters viz., brix and pol in cane were found significant in treatment T3 while the highest purity was obtained in the T7 treatment. All the data of Jaggery (goor) quality parameters, the highest sucrose content, color transmittance, Jaggery (goor) recovery and the lowest ash content of Jaggery (goor) were observed in the T3 treatment, which was statistically similar to the T4 treatment in both seasons. The highest cost of production was obtained from the T6 treatment while the highest gross return, net return and BCR were recorded in the T3 treatment. No significant changes were found in one cycle of sugarcane in initial and post-harvest soil characteristics viz., pH, organic carbon, total N, and available P, K and S contents due to integrated use of different fertilizer packages. From the experimental findings, it was concluded that treatment T3 followed by T4 treatment would be the better productive and profitable integrated nutrient management technology for ensuring higher yields and quality of sugarcane without soil fertility degradation in the High Ganges River Floodplain soils.

Cashew nut shell ash as a supplementary additive in lime stabilized expansive soil composites

In recent times, agro-industrial wastes have been valorized as supplementary additives in soil treatment and improvement of soft and poor soils. One such agro-industrial waste viz. Cashew Nut Shell Ash (CNSA) was evaluated to comprehend its performance as a supplementary additive to lime in treating expansive soils. The experimental programme investigated the performance of stabilized soil composites (SSC), stabilized using combinations of 3%, 5.5% and 7% lime modified with 0.25%, 0.5%, 1% and 2 % CNSA. The SSC were cast in to cylinders of dimensions 38 mm × 76 mm, air cured in sealed covers for seven days and tested for their uniaxial compressive strength. Comparison of the outcomes with the strengths developed by some other wastes like bagasse ash (BA), egg shell ash (ESA) and press mud (PM) available from literature was also done. It was revealed that CNSA as a supplementary additive to lime was able to boost the early strength of the lime SSC after seven days of curing but only when the lime dosage was 5.5%.

Sustainable Management of Sugarcane Press Mud Waste as a Ternary Additive in Cement-Lime Stabilization of an Expansive Soil

Sustainable Management of Sugarcane Press Mud Waste as a Ternary Additive in Cement-Lime Stabilization of an Expansive Soil