Performance of sugarcane under distillery effluent application of sugar industries

An experiment was conducted during 2006-07 at Dhenkanal, Orissa to assess the effect of distillery effluents of sugar industries on sugarcane growth, yield, juice quality and relevant soil physico-chemical properties. Application of nutrient enriched distillery effluents without dilution affected plant growth parameters [(plant height (2.5 m), number of leaves/cane (5.3), number of tillers/hill (4.3) at harvest; yield (42.7 tonnes/ha) and quality of cane juice (pH 5.6, EC 10.6 dS/m, specific gravity 1.096 g/cm(3), Brix 21.1 %, Polarity 17.2%).] at significant level, but improved these parameters when combined with freshwater at various levels. Alternate application of distillery effluent and freshwater gave the highest cane yield (133.8 tonne/ha) with sugar concentration (18.5 tonnes/ha). It also improved other growth parameters, nutrient contents and overall fertility status of soil. Plant nutrient loaded distillery effluent of sugar industries with high organic matter (soluble) content is thus proved a good irrigation source and soil amendment.