Sugarcane response to mill mud, fertilizer, and soybean nutrient sources on a sandy soil

Authors: GILBERT, ROBERT - UNIV FL, EREC, BELL GLADE; Morris, Dolen; PERDOMO, RAUL - FLORIDA CRYSTALS; POWELL, GERALD - FLORIDA CRYSTALS; EILAND, BARNEY - FLORIDA CRYSTALS; RAINBOLT, CURTIS - UNIV FL, EREC, BELL GLADE; MCCRAY, JAMES - UNIV FL, EREC, BELL GLADE

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/7/2007
Publication Date: 6/5/2008
Citation: Gilbert, R.A., D.R. Morris, C.R. Rainbolt, J.M. McCray, R.E. Perdomo, B. Eiland, G. Powell and G. Montes. 2008. Sugarcane response to mill mud, fertilizer and soybean nutrient sources on a sandy soil. Agron.J. 100:845-854

Interpretive Summary: Improving soil organic matter and soil fertility are important factors in the sustainability of sugarcane production. A 3-year field trial was established in 2004 on a sandy soil in Florida to compare the effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on sugarcane production. The three nutrient sources were: 1) mill mud (filter cake, cachaza), 2) fertilizer, and 3) soybean cropping system prior to sugarcane. Soybean green manure increased surgar yield 20% in first year cane, however when aboveground biomass was removed soybean did not provide a sugarcane yield benefit. Fertilization was not required if mill mud was added to first year cane. In contrast to first year cane results, soybean green manure did not improve second and third year can yields. The application of mill mud resulted in a 49% sugar yield increase in second year sugarcane and a 167% increase in third year sugarcane whereas inorganic fertilizer application increased sugar yields by 31 and 49% in second and third year sugarcane, respectively. Over the 3-year crop cycle addition of mill mud alone led to 1.8 tons sugar per acre greater than inorganic fertilizer alone whereas soybean green manure alone produced 1.2 tons of sugar per acre less. However, combinations of nutrient sources with mill mud had additive effects in the second and third year crops. Our results indicate that mill mud was more effective than soybean green manure or inorganic fertilizer in increasing sugarcane yields on a sandy soil. However, growers should fertilize second and third year crops when mill mud has been applied to achieve maximum sugarcane yields.

Technical Abstract: Improving soil organic matter and soil fertility are important factors in the sustainability of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) production. A 3-year field trial was established in 2004 on a sandy soil in Florida to compare the effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on sugarcane production. The three nutrient sources were: 1) mill mud (filter cake, cachaza), 2) fertilizer, and 3) soybean cropping system prior to sugarcane. Soybean green manure increased sucrose yield (TSH) 20% in plane cane, however when aboveground biomass was removed soybean did not provide a sugarcane yield benefit. Fertilization was not required if mill mud was added to plant cane. In contrast to plant cane results, soybean green manure did not improve sugarcane ratoon crop yields, and there were not significant interactions in the ratoon crops. The application of mill mud resulted in a 49% TSH increase in first ratoon and a 167% increase in second ratoon whereas inorganic fertilizer application increased TSH by 31 and 49% in first and second ratoon, respectively. Over the 3-year crop cycle addition of mill mud alone led to 4.1 TSH greater than inorganic fertilizer alone whereas soybean green manure alone produced 2.6 TSH less. However, combinations of nutrient sources with mill mud ad additive effects in the ratoon crops. Our results indicate that mill mud was more effective than soybean green manure or inorganic fertilizer in increasing sugarcane yields on a sandy soil. However, growers should fertilize ratoon crops when mill mud has been applied to achieve maximum sugarcane yields.