Effect of calcium silicate slag on growth parameters, yield, quality and nutrient uptake by sugarcane and nutrient status of Alfisol of Konkan region of Maharashtra

摘要

A field experiment was conducted in Alfisol during 1997-98 in the warm sub-humid tropical region on the west coast of the Maharashtra State of India with an objective to investigate the influence of calcium silicate slag (CSS) containing 45 percentSiO_2 applied in graded doses @ 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 t/ha on the growth parameters, yield, quality and nutrient uptake by CO-92013 cultivar of sugarcane and nutrient status of soil. Application of CSS in gradation resulted into significant increase in cane yield and commercial cane sugar of the said cultivar. Incorporation of 2, 4, 6 and 8 t CSS/ha in combination with recommended dose of NPK fertilizers resulted in increase in cane yield by 11.3, 12.3, 25.4 and 34.5 percent respectively over application ofrecommended dose of fertilizers alone. This is due to corresponding increase in uptake of Si and major nutrients such as N, P, K, Ca and Mg by sugarcane in the treatments receiving 2 to 8 t CSS/ha. Maximum yield of cane as well as commercial cane sugar were recorded in the treatment receiving 8 t CSS/ha in conjunction with recommended dose of fertilizers. No adverse effect on juice quality was observed as judged from the sucrose content and purity percentage. Nutrient status of soil in respect of available Si and major nutrients like P, Ca and Mg was also found to be improved due to application of CSS in Soil.