Influence of Sugar Industry Wastewater on Sugarcane Juice Quality and Soil Health
Influence of Sugar Industry Wastewater on Sugarcane Juice Quality and Soil Health
Ghulam Muhiyuddin Kaloi1* and Mehrunisa Memon2
ABSTRACT
Sugar industry wastewater could be handled positively for agricultural purpose. The wastewater is a nutrient rich plant material well known for its high biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and soluble salts. Its injudicious use may be hazardous for soil health. Study was conducted to evaluate significance of wastewater in context of sugarcane juice quality and soil health. Wastewater was tested on experimental field of Matiari Sugar Mills in a randomized complete block design with factorial combination of five concentrations of wastewater (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) and four rates of inorganic fertilizers (0, 1/3rd, 2/3rd and full) besides additional control (full recommended NPK). A total of 12 irrigations of wastewater were applied after two months of planting up to harvest of sugarcane (CPF-237). Application of 10% wastewater did not show any adverse effect on sugarcane quality and soil health rather improved juice quality and soil fertility. It gave maximum sugar recovery (12.27%) and sugar yield (11.25 t ha-1). Whereas, integration of 10% wastewater × 2/3rd inorganic fertilizers gave 12.30% sugar recovery and 12.70 t ha-1 sugar yield. It increased soil N by 50, P 119 and K 243% and organic matter 53%. The SAR and ESP were significantly reduced with a slight increase (0.1-7.5%) in pH, EC, Cl and HCO3.
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