Influence of distillery spentwash application on the microbial population dynamics and enzyme activity of maize soil

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the impact of distillery spentwash on soil enzyme activity and microbial dynamics. The pH of the untreated spentwash was acidic whereas the treated spentwash was alkaline in nature. The total solid contents of the untreated, primary and secondary treated spentwash were 83,000, 46,000 and 31,000 mg 1 respectively. The untreated and treated spentwash were rich in plant nutrients and in addition treated spentwash recorded appreciable amount of microbial load and enhanced enzyme activity. The field experiment which was taken up with various levels of spentwash being applied as one time land application prior to crop cultivation revealed that the application of spentwash to soil grown with maize crop recorded higher amylase and catalase enzyme activity. In addition spentwash application also showed significant increase with respect to microbial population viz. bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and Azotobacter. However, the effect of long term application of spentwash on physico-chemical and biological properties of soil and the impact on ground water quality should be carefully monitored.