Performance of sugarcane under distillery effluent application of sugar industries

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2006–07 at Dhenkanal, Orissa to assess the effect of distillery effluents of sugar industries on sugarcane growth, yield, juice quality and relevant soil physico-chemical properties. Application of nutrient enriched distillery effluents without dilution affected plant growth parameters [(plant height (2.5 m), number of leaves/cane (5.3), number of tillers/hill (4.3) at harvest; yield (42.7 tonnes/ha) and quality of cane juice (pH 5.6, EC 10.6 dS/m, specific gravity 1.096 g/cm3, Brix 21.1%, Polarity 17.2%)] at significant level, but improved these parameters when combined with freshwater at various levels. Alternate application of distillery effluent and freshwater gave the highest cane yield (133.8 tonne/ha) with sugar concentration (18.5 tonnes/ha). It also improved other growth parameters, nutrient contents and overall fertility status of soil. Plant nutrient loaded distillery effluent of sugar industries with high organic matter (soluble) content is thus proved a good irrigation source and soil amendment.