Decomposition of Raw Material Waste in Sugarcane Fields: Impact on Manorial Value of Soil Environment

摘要

Decomposition of sugarcane trash (dried leaves of cane) placed on the soil surface or buried inside the soil with or with amendment was studied under field conditions. Normally, this precious material is burnt in the field to facilitate subsequent cultural operations in a succeeding ratoon crop or planting/sowing of another crop. There is a need to change this evil practice. Researches have proven that chopped trash is decomposed quickly, if buried/mixed in soil simultaneously with the use of certain amendments/fungal culture. At a minimum level of assessment, it is capable of adding 14 kg N, 63 kg P_2O_5 and 32 kg K_2O per hectare. It ultimately leads to the formation of a highly colloidal, very slow degradable compound known as humus. Formation of this compound is capable of improving the physical and chemical properties of soil. The present study was conducted as a possible alternative method for the current practice of open air burning of post harvest sugarcane residue and thereby polluting the environment. A mechanical device to incorporate residue was developed, which chops trash into 1 to 2 cm long bits. Eight tons of trash per hectare were incorporated into the soil with two doses of N (75 kg and 150 kg), and aztobacter (10~4 No). Soil samples were drawn periodically at 0 (before giving treatment), 90, 180, 270 and 360 days of incubation. Trash with 8 t/ha with aztobactor and N 75 kg/ha gave significant improvement to the physical properties of the soil.