Residual and Cumulative Eeffects of Filter Mud Applications on Sugarcane Production and on Soil Chemical Properties

Abstract

To investigate the residual and cumulative effects of filter mud applications on sugarcane yield and quality and on soil chemical properties, a field experiment was established in the year 2005 at the Kenana Research Farm for three consecutive seasons. Five treatments i.e. 0, 10, 30, 100 dry tons FM ha-1 and the standard chemical fertilization dose were included in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Sugarcane variety CO6806 was used. Results showed that, in the first season the addition of 30 and 100 tons FMha-1 resulted in cane yields comparable to those obtained from plots receiving the standard chemical fertilization dose (165 kg N ha-1+ 55 kg P ha-1). In the second season, the highest yield was obtained from treatment residual 100 tons FMha-1. In the third season despite there were no significant differences in cane yield between the filter mud treatments, but there was an increase in the cane yield with the increase of FM dose. In all seasons high sugar quality was obtained and chemical analysis of soil showed a concurrent increase in organic carbon, total N, total and available P with the increase of FM concentrations.