Recycling of sugarcane industries byproducts for preparation of enriched pressmud compost and its influence on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Purpose Field experiment was conducted to investigatethe effect of enriched pressmud compost prepared fromsugarcane industries byproducts on soil nutrient availability,growth, yield parameters and yield of rice.Method The effect of five levels of pressmud compost, viz.,0.00, 1.25, 2.50, 3.75 and 5.00 t ha-1 in two varieties, viz.,ADT36 andADT43 and a hybridADTRH1 during theKharifseason of 2009 was studied. The experiment was conducted ina factorial randomized block design with three replications.Results The results of the field experiment revealed that thehybrid ADTRH 1 manifested higher grain and straw yield,whereas the variety ADT 43 and ADT 36 registered lowergrain and straw yields, respectively. With regard to the enrichedpressmud compost, the application of 1.25 t ha-1 ofenriched pressmud compost recorded higher straw and grainyields and it was comparable with 2.50 t ha-1 of enrichedpressmud compost. Nutrient availability, growth, yield andefficiency parameters of rice were comparable with applicationof 1.25 and 2.50 t ha-1 of enriched pressmud compost.Conclusion Considering the input cost, incorporation of1.25 t ha-1 enriched pressmud compost as basal along withrequired remaining nitrogen through inorganic fertilizer astop dressing in three splits may be recommended for ricecrop to realize maximum yield in kuruvai (kharif) season.