The Integrated Effect of Organic Manure, Biofertilizer and Inorganic Fertilizer on Soil Properties, Yield and Quality in Sugarcane Plant-ratoon System under Calcareous Soil of Indo-gangetic Plains of India

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, to devise nutrient management strategies aimed at sustaining soil health, quality and sugarcane production within the sugarcane plant-ratoon system. The experiment evaluated the efficacy of various fertilizers on the solubility of applied inorganic fertilizer during the spring season in calcareous soil. Results from the combined data analysis showed significant variations in the number of millable cane (NMC), cane yield, and sugar yield due to the integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizers along with bio-fertilizers in both the plant and ratoon crops. Treatments combining organic and inorganic fertilizers with bio-fertilizers demonstrated a noteworthy increase in NMC, cane yield, and sugar yield compared to the control group. The treatment that received 75% NPK of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) along with Acetobacter, PSB, and Bio-compost at a rate of 7.5 t ha-1 exhibited the highest NMC (103.0 × 103 ha-1), cane yield (85.8 t ha-1), and sugar yield (11.21 t ha-1). Furthermore, the residual effect of the treatment combining organic and inorganic fertilizers with bio-fertilizers showed a pronounced impact on NMC (92.4 × 103 ha-1), yield (79.6 t ha-1), and sugar yield (9.36 t ha-1) in the ratoon crop under treatment T9. Bio-compost notably enhanced the overall performance of sugarcane. Nutrient uptake by both plant and ratoon followed a similar trend as cane yield. Application of RDF alongside various bio-fertilizers significantly enhanced sugarcane productivity compared to the control group. Notably, the efficacy of bio-fertilizers was more pronounced when used in conjunction with inorganic treatments. Treatment with organic inputs through bio-compost resulted in reduced pH and increased electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, and available nutrients (N,P, and K) in post-harvest soil. Enzymatic activities including glycosidase, urease, acid phosphatase, and dehydrogenase were also recorded.

Exploring the Impact of Organic-Inorganic Coupling on Nutrient Use Efficiency and Cane Yield in Calcareous Soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

“…Similar nding was recorded by Umesh et al (2013). Furthermore, when nutrients from both organic and inorganic sources were supplied along with biofertilizers, a considerable increase in the quantity of millable canes was produced (Patel, 2006;Sinha et, al., 2024). The sugarcane's cane length, cane diameter, and single cane weight did not signi cantly differ across the treatments.…”

“…To meet the high crop nutrient requirement, it is not viable to completely replace inorganic fertilisers with organic fertilisers. Therefore, it is crucial to employ organic manure along with inorganic fertilizer or integrated nutrient management to stop the loss of soil fertility (Sinha, et. al., 2024).…”

Geospatial Analysis of Soil Fertility in Muzaffarpur District, Bihar: Integrating GPS and GIS Technologies

“…Land use and soil management strategies have an impact on soil fertility, which varies spatially from eld to eld (Sun et al, 2003;Kumar et al, 2023). Maintaining soil's fertility status is necessary for sustainable crop production through e cient nutrient management (Sinha et al, 2024;Kumar et al, 2024). Fertility management based on soil tests has been shown to be a successful method for boosting the productivity of agricultural soils with substantial geographical variability brought on by a combination of physical, chemical and biological processes.…”

Resource Use and Technical Efficiency of Soybean Production in Madhya Pradesh: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

“…The study conducted by S.K. Sinha et al [5] delves into the integrated effects of organic manure, biofertilizer, and inorganic fertilizer on soil properties, yield, and quality in sugarcane plant-ratoon systems in the calcareous soil of the Indogangetic Plains of India. This research offers insights into agricultural practices and resource management, paralleling the theme of resource use and technical efficiency.…”