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Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa
In the imperial Gazetteer of India 1878, Pusa was recorded as a government estate of about 1350 acres in Darbhanba. It was acquired by East India Company for running a stud farm to supply better breed of horses mainly for the army. Frequent incidence of glanders disease (swelling of glands), mostly affecting the valuable imported bloodstock made the civil veterinary department to shift the entire stock out of Pusa. A British tobacco concern Beg Sutherland & co. got the estate on lease but it also left in 1897 abandoning the government estate of Pusa.
Lord Mayo, The Viceroy and Governor General, had been repeatedly trying to get through his proposal for setting up a directorate general of Agriculture that would take care of the soil and its productivity, formulate newer techniques of cultivation, improve the quality of seeds and livestock and also arrange for imparting agricultural education. The government of India had invited a British expert. Dr. J. A. Voelcker who had submitted as report on the development of Indian agriculture. As a follow-up action, three experts in different fields were appointed for the first time during 1885 to 1895 namely, agricultural chemist (Dr. J. W. Leafer), cryptogamic botanist (Dr. R. A. Butler) and entomologist (Dr. H. Maxwell Lefroy) with headquarters at Dehradun (U.P.) in the forest Research Institute complex.
Surprisingly, until now Pusa, which was destined to become the centre of agricultural revolution in the country, was lying as before an abandoned government estate. In 1898. Lord Curzon took over as the viceroy. A widely traveled person and an administrator, he salvaged out the earlier proposal and got London’s approval for the appointment of the inspector General of Agriculture to which the first incumbent Mr. J. Mollison (Dy. Director of Agriculture, Bombay) joined in 1901 with headquarters at Nagpur
The then government of Bengal had mooted in 1902 a proposal to the centre for setting up a model cattle farm for improving the dilapidated condition of the livestock at Pusa estate where plenty of land, water and feed would be available, and with Mr. Mollison’s support this was accepted in principle. Around Pusa, there were many British planters and also an indigo research centre Dalsing Sarai (near Pusa). Mr. Mollison’s visits to this mini British kingdom and his strong recommendations. In favour of Pusa as the most ideal place for the Bengal government project obviously caught the attention for the viceroy.
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ThesisItem Open Access Study of Changes in Soil Properties and Ground Water Quality at Industrial Effluent Disposal Site of Bela at Muzaffarpur District(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) RANI, SONAL; SINGH, A. K.The present investigation had been planned to see a potential change in soil and ground water contamination due to disposal of industrial effluents in surrounding areas of Bela at Muzaffarpur district. Altogether, 15 soil and ground water each sample from various sources were collected at different locations in vicinity of the discharge point of the tannery effluents at 100m interval. The data obtained from the investigation revealed that there was 230% increase in organic carbon, 183% increase in Nitrogen content, 121% increase in Phosphorus, 72% increase in Iron and 318% increase in Chromium in surface soils at discharge point of the effluent water as compared to the farthest point (1400m) from the disposal site. Tannery industrial effluents contains 124% more salt content, 330% more Na, 122% more Chloride, 103% more Ca+ Mg, 113% more carbonate + bicarbonates, 245% more SAR, 18% more Iron and 175% more Cr than groundwater, which makes it unsuitable for irrigation. However, the results indicated that by and large, effluent water contained more amount of much amount of all quality parameters followed by hand pump followed by deep Tube well. Based on the irrigation classes, majority of the ground water samples fall under C2S2 class which indicated that the ground water can safely be used for irrigation purpose. Further, observations confirmed that majority of the ground water samples of various sources (away from the disposal sites) may be used as effective sources of irrigation. However, a few samples nearby vicinity of disposal sites were fall under C3S4 class, which were not found safe for irrigation.ThesisItem Open Access RELATIONSHIP OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES WITH SULPHUR FRACTIONS IN CALCAREOUS SOILS OF BIHAR(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) JAISWAL, SHUBHAM; Tiwari, SanjayThe present investigation on the relationship of different physico-chemical properties with different pools of sulphur was carried out on the bulk of soil samples collected from four different districts (Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran and West Champaran). These 160 soil samples from four districts were chosen on the basis of variations in their available sulphur content. Thus, 20 sulphur deficient and 20 sulphur sufficient soil samples were considered for the study. Among the different forms of sulphur, organic sulphur constituted the major fraction of total sulphur, while water soluble-S and sulphate -S being the minor fractions of total-S. The pH, CaCO3, organic carbon and sand fraction emerged as the most dominant soil properties in determining the variations in different forms of S as evidenced by correlation studies. The trend of variations in different pools of sulphur was found as; total S > organic S > residual S > inorganic S > sulphate S > water soluble S among the different districts considered for the study. The significant and positive correlations among different forms of S evinced the existence of dynamic equilibrium among their various forms. Correlation coefficient (r) study between different physico-chemical properties and different pools of sulphur showed that sand, clay, pH, free CaCO3 and organic carbon contents emerged as most promising soil physical and chemical parameters in governing the availability of different forms of sulphur in soils of these four districts.ThesisItem Open Access IMPACT OF LONG-TERM SOIL TEST CROP RESPONSE BASED FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON PHOSPHORUS AVAILABILITY IN CALCAREOUS SOIL UNDER RICE- WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM(DR.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) KUMAR, SHASHIKANT; Jha, ShankarA field experiment was conducted to study the effect of long-term soil test crop response based fertilizer application on phosphorus availability in calcareous soil under rice-wheat cropping system during Kharif 2019 at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur. The treatments comprised of STCR based yield target approach with 35, 40 and 45 q ha-1 with or without IPNS and in IPNS, 5 tonnes of compost ha-1 were applied. Among the different fraction Ca-P was the dominant fraction followed by Residual P. The different phosphorus forms comprised of Labile P (3.17 – 9.93 kg ha-1), Fe/Al P (9.95 – 23.88 kg ha-1), Ca-P (258.27 – 374.19 kg ha-1), Occluded P (16.62 – 33.41 kg ha-1), Residual P (76.34 – 120.28 kg ha-1), Organic P (37.77 – 127.41 kg ha-1) and Total P (405.41 – 661.43 kg ha-1) in surface soil and Labile P (1.10 – 4.42 kg ha-1), Fe/Al-P (5.46 – 8.37 kg ha-1), Ca-P (135.31 – 240.71 kg ha-1), Occluded P (9.49 – 19.86 kg ha-1), Residual P (68.24 – 94.98 kg ha-1), Organic P (16.98 – 45.09 kg ha-1) and Total P (237.97 – 384.29 kg ha-1) in sub surface varied significantly due to different treatment combination. The treatment T9 with YT of 45 q ha-1 + IPNS shows maximum of labile P, Fe/Al-P, Occluded P, Residual P and Organic P in both the depth of soil and Total P was found highest in T9 under surface layer of soil but in sub surface, it was observed highest under T3 receiving general recommended dose. Ca-P was found highest in treatment T3 receiving general recommended dose in both the layer of soils. The soil available P (3.28 – 6.52 kg ha-1 in surface layer and 1.39 – 3.46 kg ha-1 in sub surface layer) before sowing of rice and available P in post harvest soil (2.79 – 5.89 kg ha-1 in surface layer and 1.17 – 2.46 kg ha-1 in sub surface layer) varied significantly as per the treatments. The treatment T9 with YT of 45 q ha-1 + IPNS shows maximum amount of available P in both pre sowing as well as post harvest soil. The mean bulk density value ranged between 1.30 – 1.40 Mg m-3 and water holding capacity ranged between 31.51 – 35.18 %. Lowest bulk density and highest water holding capacity found in the treatment T9 with YT of 45 q ha-1 + IPNS. Alkaline phosphatase activity found much higher over Acid phosphatase might be due to calcareous nature of soil. The treatment T9 with YT of 45 q ha-1 + IPNS shows significant higher activity of alkaline phosphatase (41.09 μg PNP g-1h-1 in surface and 24.20 μg PNP g-1h-1 in sub surface soil), acid phosphatase (0.527 μg PNP g-1h-1 in surface and 0.081 μg PNP g-1h-1 in sub-surface layer of soil) and PSB (19.27 104 cfu g-1) over control. Overall, the highest plant P uptake was also observed in the treatment T9 (13.59 kg ha-1) with YT of 45 q ha-1 + IPNS followed by T6 (12.89 kg ha-1) with YT of 45 q ha-1. Grain yield and straw yield is a direct function of different growth and yield attributes of plants like plant height, number of tillers/m2, number of grain/panicle, test weight etc. The treatments T9 with YT of 45 q ha-1 + IPNS shows maximum plant height (125.9 cm), number of tillers/m2 (199), number of grains/panicle (135) followed by T6 with YT of 45 q ha-1. Test weight didn’t show any significant changes amongst the different treatments. This increase in all the growth and yield attributes of plants under T9 resulting in increase in grain and straw yield. Grain and straw yield of T9 (4.43 and 5.52 t ha-1) was observed significantly higher over the control. P balance was found negative under the control and it shows increasing trend with increase in fertilizer dose. Lower P balance was observed in integrated plot might be due to low input, more uptake and better utilization of nutrients. Available P was found positively and significantly correlated with alkaline phosphatase, PSB, acid phosphatase, different forms of P except Ca-P and water holding capacity in surface soil. It was found to be negatively correlated with bulk density of soil. Under sub-surface condition, available P was found to be positively and significantly correlated with alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, all other forms of P except Ca-P and Total P. STCR based IPNS treatment not only helps in achieving the yield target with least use of input but also helps in improving the condition of soil health and increasing the farm income.ThesisItem Open Access Screening of nitrogen efficient rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under nitrogen deficient calcareous soil(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2021) SAHOO, SANKET; SINGH, PANKAJ‘A field experimentation was led at Dr. RPCAU Soil Science Research field, under A.I.C.R.P. project, during Kharif season of 2020-21 in a nitrogen deficient (mineralizable nitrogen = 198.9 kg ha-1) sandy loam calcareous soil to study about yield, nutrient uptake capacity and ‘nitrogen use efficiency’ of ten rice genotypes under different ‘levels of nitrogen’ and screening of nitrogen use efficient genotype. The experimental design was split-plot, assigning three levels of nitrogen (0, 60 and 120 kg N ha-1) to the main plot and ten rice varieties (CNN-1, CNN-2, CNN-3, CNN4, CNN-5, BCV-1, MTU-1010, Vardhan, Rasi, T1-93) to the subplots with three replications. Sub-plot size was 7.2 m2 and recommended doses of fertilizer was N : P : K :: 120 : 60 : 40 and ZnSO4 @ 25 Kg ha -1. The results of this investigation were found as, yield and nitrogen uptake of varieties increase linearly with nitrogen doses. But, yield and uptake between genotypes varies on the basis of their genotypic characteristics. The highest agronomic efficiency and physiological efficiency was attained by genotype CNN-5, while the highest apparent nitrogen recovery and utilization efficiency was attained by genotype TI-93, the highest Agro-physiological efficiency was attained by both CNN-5 and CNN-3. However, the highest ‘physiological efficiency index of nitrogen’ and ‘nitrogen harvest index’ was attained by CNN-3. On the basis of ‘Grain Yield Efficiency Index (GYEI)’ BCV-1, Vardhan, MTU-1010 and CNN-5 were found nutrient efficient genotypes, CNN-2 and Rasi were found nutrient inefficient genotypes and CNN-4, CNN-3, CNN-1, TI-93 genotypes were found moderately susceptible. On the basis of average yield of genotypes at low nitrogen level and average Physiological Efficiency Index of Nitrogen (PEIN) of genotypes, BCV-1 and CNN-5 were found efficient and responsive (ER), although both have different yield potential, Vardhan, MTU-1010 were found efficient and non-responsive (ENR), however only CNN-3 was non-efficient and responsive (NER) genotype and CNN-1, CNN-2, CNN-4, Rasi and TI-93 were non-efficient and non-responsive (NENR) genotypes. Among all genotypes under study, BCV-1 was found the best genotype in calcareous soil.ThesisItem Open Access SOIL ORGANIC CARBON POOLS UNDER SIXTEEN YEAR OLD FRUIT ORCHARDS IN CALCIORTHENTS(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2021) BHADANI, MEGHA; Das, Dipty KumarSoil organic carbon (SOC) and its different fractions in three sixteen-year-old fruit orchards established at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Birouli, Samastipur (Bihar) were compared. Fruit orchards were Mango (Mangifera indica) var. Malda, Litchi (litchi chinensis) var. China and Aonla (Emblica officinalis) var. NA-7. Total SOC, oxidisable SOC, soil inorganic carbon (SIC), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), potassium permanganate oxidisable organic carbon (KMnO4-C), four pools of SOC, carbon management index (CMI), Bulk Density (BD), pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), sulphur, available macro and micronutrients were measured. All the orchards significantly improved SOC showing 13 to 44 % higher than that in open (without trees). The total SOC stock upto the soil depth of 0-30 cm in the soil profile was found to be higher in the fruit orchards as compared to the open (without trees) and followed the order: Aonla (31 Mg ha-1) > Litchi (29 Mg ha-1) > Mango (28 Mg ha-1). The SIC of the soil followed a reverse trend with the SOC. All the orchards had significantly lower SIC as compared to the open. Among the fruit orchards, Aonla orchard had significantly lower SIC followed by Litchi and Mango. Significant increase was recorded in KMnO4-C in all the orchards as compared to the open. The KMnO4-C increased in the range of 8% in Mango to 33% in Aonla orchard at the surface soil (0-15cm), whereas at the subsurface soil (15-30 cm) percentage increase was 17 % in Mango to 34 % in Aonla orchard. The MBC significantly increased under fruit orchards over the control. Maximum MBC (0.129 g kg-1) was found under Aonla orchard, while other two fruit orchards i.e. Litchi and Mango exhibited statistically at par with each other. Per cent contribution of SOC pools to the total SOC followed as: Non labile (47 %) > Very labile (25 %) > Labile (16 %) > Less labile (12 %).All the carbon fractions were found to be significantly higher in the surface soil (0-15 cm) in contrast to the sub-surface soil (15-30 cm). All the fractions including total SOC and MBC showed positive and highly significant correlation among themselves except SIC which showed negative and significant correlation with the SOC pools. The ‘r’ value of total SOC varied significantly with its different fractions and decreased in the order of VLC (r = 0.955**) > LLC (r = 0.952**) > LC (r = 0.896**) > NLC (r = 0.762**). The mean CMI ranked as Aonla orchard (149.9) > Mango orchard (138.1) = Litchi orchard (137.8) > Open (115.0). Increase in available N, P2O5 and K2O was observed under all the fruit orchards. Maximum build up was under Aonla orchard followed by Litchi and Mango. Irrespective of the soil depths, soil available sulphur increased by 7 % (Mango) to 32 % (Aonla) as compared to open. Increase in available Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and B was recorded under all the fruit orchards. Among the orchards, Aonla showed the highest and significant enhancement in all available micronutrients followed by Litchi and Mango. The values of the soil available micronutrients significantly reduced in the subsurface soil in contrast to the surface soil. Soil organic carbon showed significant and positive correlation with the Available Fe (r = 0.905**), Zn (r = 0.882**), Cu (r = 0.795**), Mn (r = 0.929**) and B (r = 0.924**). Thus, Aonla orchard may be considered as the best orchard production system to sequester carbon. Hence, its promotion and expansion as land-use practices in the calcareous belt of north Bihar will be helpful for food security and mitigating climate change.ThesisItem Open Access POTASSIUM DYNAMICS, USE EFFICIENCY AND BALANCE IN CALCAREOUS SOILS AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE UNDER RICE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2021) Kumari, Kinga Priyanka; Singh, S.P.Rice wheat cropping system (RWCS) is the main fundamental for employment, livelihood and income for the people in Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP) regions of our India, Pakistan,Nepal and Bangladesh. The area covered by all these countries under IGP is 13.5 mha. Out of this 10.5m ha is under India only and it contributes 40% of country’s total food basket. With introduction of high yielding varieties (HYV’s) through green revolution, the productivity of RWCS in these regions was remarkably increased. The intensive practices of cultivation lead to inadequate replenishment and heavy removal of nutrients and resulted in deficiencies and depletion of nutrient reserves in soil. In these types of uneven situations, change of farming system from conventional to conservation agriculture will help in maintaining the soil health with care from which plant getting its requirements. The straw is a rich source of potassium and also its availability varies with tillage practices, so the present study on “Potassium dynamics, use efficiency and balance in calcareous soils after fifteen years conservation agriculture under rice-wheat cropping system” was carried out in randomised block design with 3 replications and 11 different treatments combinations of conservation agriculture practices during kharif-2020 under a long term trial of BISA-CIMMYT, Pusa running since kharif-2006. The different treatments were T1:Puddled and Transplanted Rice –Conventionally Tilled Wheat (PuTR-CTW), T2:Puddled and Transplanted Rice-Zero/No Tilled Wheat (PuTr- ZTW), T3: Permanent Beds of Directly Seeded Rice-Permanent Beds of Directly Drilled wheat (PBDSR-PBDDW); T4: Permanent Beds of Directly Seeded Rice-Permanent Beds of Directly Drilled wheat- First time intensive tillage after 15 years of no tillage and then fresh beds of Directly Seeded rice and wheat every year (PBDSR-PBDDW-ITDSRW), T5:Zero/No-Tilled Direct Seeded Rice-Conventionally Tilled Wheat (ZTDSR-CTW), T6: Zero/No-Tilled Direct Seeded Rice-Zero/No-Tilled Wheat Without Residue (ZTDSR-(ZTW-R)), T7: Zero/No-Tilled Direct Seeded Rice-Zero/No Tilled Wheat Without Residue-Intensive Tillage after 15 years and then continuing the tillage for Direct Seeded rice and wheat every year (ZTDSR-(ZTW-R)-(CTDSR-CTW)every year), T8: Zero Tilled Direct Seeded Rice-Zero Tilled Wheat with Residue Retention (ZTDSR-(ZTW+R)), T9: Zero/No-Tilled Direct Seeded Rice-Zero/No Tilled Wheat With Residue-Intensive Tillage after 15 years and then continuing the tillage for Direct Seeded rice and wheat With Residue Retention every year (ZTDSR-(ZTW+R)-CTDSR-(CTW+R)every year), T10:Unpuddled Transplanted Rice-Zero Tilled Wheat (UPTR-ZTW) and T11: Zero Tilled Rice- Sesbania Brown Manure-Zero Tillage Wheat (before 2010,Wet Direct seeded Rice(WDSR)-Zero tilled Wheat rotation was practiced (ZTR-BM-ZTW). The results indicate that available K and water soluble K was maximum in surface soil and declined with depth. Intensive tillage after 15 years did not show any significant changes in rice yield over their respective untilled one treatment. But, significant increase in K availability in the intensive tilled plots without crop residue retention was recorded, while, it declined significantly under the intensive tilled plots with crop residue retention. Crop residue retention enhanced the potassium content and uptake by the rice crop and also helps in the partitioning of K more towards de-husked rice grain than the husk. In all the treatments, overall contribution of muscovite mineral K was highest (52%) followed by feldspar (42%) and biotite (6%). Significant and positive correlation among various forms of K indicates dynamic equilibrium in soil.Application of crop residue with conservation tillage improved the potassium use efficiency than the conventional method. The negative potassium balance was observed under all the treatments but its intensity was low in the treatment where conservation tillage practices with crop residue retention was followed in comparison to conventional method. Thus, conservation agriculture practices with no tillage and crop residue retention is a good option for enhanced crop productivity and improved potassium dynamics and its balance in soil.ThesisItem Open Access Optimizing Levels of Fertilizers and Spacing on Sugarcane Genotypes and Soil Nitrogen Fractions under Calcareous Soil(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2021) MOURYA, BUDDHA PRIYA; Kumar, VipinA field experiment was conducted to optimize the levels of fertilizer and spacing for better performance of sugarcane genotypes and soil nitrogen fractions under Calcareous Soil during 2019-20 at Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University Bihar. The treatment combination comprised two spacings (row to row-90 cm and 120 cm), three levels of fertilizers (100 % NPK of RDF, 125 % of NPK of RDF and 150 % of NPK of RDF) and six different sugarcane genotypes (CoLk 15466, CoLk 15467, CoP 15436, CoSe 15452, CoSe 15455, CoLk 94184) with having a total of thirty-six treatment combinations and three replications. The recommended dose of fertilizer 150:85:60 kg N: P2O5: K2O ha-1 was applied through urea, SSP and MOP. The half dose of N was used through basal dose, and the remaining half was used in two equal split doses. The P and K were applied as basal doses. Sugarcane crop was planted during the spring (February 2020) season. The effect of row spacing on germination at 30 DAP and 45 DAP was statistically non-significant and significant, respectively. Germination per cent was highest in treatment with 90 cm of row spacing compared to 120 cm of the row spacing at both the stages of plant growth, i.e., at 30 DAP (27.8%) and 45 DAP (31.6%). At 30 DAP, fertilizer levels didn’t significantly affect, whereas, at 45 DAP, the effect was significant. The highest germination per cent at 30 DAP (27.8%) was recorded in treatment with 150 % NPK of RDF, whereas the highest germination per cent at 45 DAP (32.4%) was recorded with 100 % NPK of RDF. At last, coming to genotype, it was concluded that at both the stages of plant growth, i.e., at 30 DAP (30.7%) and 45 DAP (34.2%), genotype CoP 15436 recorded the highest germination per cent (30.7%). Also, at both stages, the effect of genotype on germination per cent was found to be significant. The effect of row spacing on plant population at both the stages of crop growth, i.e., at 120 DAP and 150 DAP, was statistically significant. Fertilizer treatment with 150 % NPK of RDF showed significantly the highest effect on plant population at both stages of plant growth. Genotype CoP 15436 also showed significantly superior results over the rest of the genotypes concerning plant population at both stages of plant growth. Significantly higher cane yield (85.0 t ha-1) was recorded in treatment with a narrow spacing of 90 cm compared to cane yield (74.8 t ha-1) in treatment with wider row spacing of 120 cm. Significantly higher juice recovery was found in treatment with 90 cm spacing (64.88 %) than 120 cm spacing (63.16 %). The effect of spacing on available soil nitrogen was observed to be non-significant. Availability of nutrients in the soil is strongly affected by 120 cm row spacing, 150% NPK of RDF and genotype CoLk 15467 and hence proved beneficial for improving the fertility status of the soil. In the case of nutrient uptake by sugarcane plant, we concluded that 90 cm row spacing, 150% NPK of RDF and either of the three genotypes viz., CoLk 15466, CoP 15436, CoSe 15452 proved best which enabled the plant to utilize the nutrients from the soil efficiently. The effect of spacing on nitrate-nitrogen was non-significant. However, levels of fertilizer were found to have a statistically significant impact on nitrate-nitrogen fraction. Significantly highest nitrate-nitrogen content was observed in treatment with 150% NPK of RDF (23.6 mg Kg-1). Genotype was also found to have a significant effect on nitrate-nitrogen fraction. Genotype CoLk 15467 received the significantly highest value (23.9 mg Kg-1) for nitrate-nitrogen. While looking over data obtained on soil nitrogen fractions, whether it be inorganic fractions (NO3-- N + Exchangeable NH4+-N) or organic fractions (Hydrolyzable ammonical-Nitrogen + Hexose amine-Nitrogen + Amino acid-N + Unidentified-N), we concluded that 120 cm row spacing, 150% NPK of RDF and genotype CoLk 94184 supposed to maintain the nitrogen dynamics in the soil.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of Pressmud and Biofertilizer on Soil fertility and Productivity of sugarcane in calcareous soil(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2021) RAM, BHOJA; SINHA, S.K.The field experiment was conducted to study the “Effect of Press mud and Biofertilizer on Soil fertility and Productivity of sugarcane in calcareous soil”. during 2020 2021 at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. The treatment s compris ed of sulphitat ed press mud cake ( with Trichoderma viride , phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and 100 % chemical fertilizer ( were replicated in RBD. The application of SPMC along with T. viride and PSB significantly reduced the pH and increased EC of soil. The highest pH was recorded in control (8.46) and lowest in plots receiving SPMC + T. viride and PSB in combination (8.01). The mean EC varied (0.39 - 0.47 dSm-1) significantly. The mean organic carbon varied (0.39 - 0.51 %) significantly with maximum increment (23.80 %) in the plots receiving SPMC @ 12.5 t/ha along with T. viride + PSB over control. The application of SPMC with T. viride and biofertilizer significantly increased the availability of macro and micronutrients in soil over control after sugarcane harvest. The mean NPK and S content varied and ranged from (235.33 - 283.70 kg/ha), (11.75 - 19.96 kg/ha), (103.08 - 157.10 kg/ha) and (14.7 - 18.5 kg/ha). The mean value for available micronutrient viz. Fe (9.81 - 14.68 mg/kg), Zn (0.64 - 0.74 mg/kg), Cu (1.31 - 1.65 mg/kg) and Mn (3.82 - 5.71 mg/kg) varied significantly. The treatment receiving SPMC @ 12.5 t/ha along with T. viride + PSB recorded maximum availability of macro (NPK and S) and micro nutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn). The population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes varied significantly and increase due to addition of SPMC, treated with T. virideviride and PSB. The highest bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes population were recorded in receiving SPMC @ 12.5 t/ha along with T. virideviride + PSB. The addition of SPMC indicated a significant improvement in bulk density, soil moisture content and pore space of post-harvest soil and being the highest in plots receiving SPMC + T. virideviride along with PSB. The growth characteristics, yield attributes and cane yield increased significantly in all the SPMC treatments over control. The highest germination, no. of tiller, plant hight, NMC, cane girth and single cane girth was observed in the plots receiving SPMC @ 12.5 t/ha along with T. virideviride + PSB. The mean cane yield varied (57.83 - 71.98 t/ha) significantly. The addition of sulphitated press mud cake either with T. virideviride alone and in combination of PSB resulted in profitable yield of sugarcane crop. However, SPMC treatments (SPMC @ 5 - 12.5 t/ha) was found at par. The effect of the treatment on the cane juice quality viz. brix, sucrose, purity and CCS was found to be non-significant. The commercial cane sugar remained unchanged. The sugar yield varied (5.34 - 8.37 t/ha) significantly in plots treated with SPMC over control. The uptake of nutrients by sugarcane plant (NPK and micronutrients) significantly influenced due to application of either SPMC + T. virideviride or SPMC + T. virideviride + PSB. The uptake of NPK and S enhances significantly in organic added plots as compared to control. The uptake of N (218.74 - 292.54 kg/ha), P (16.90 - 32.64 kg/ha), K (198.65 - 278.55 kg/ha), and S (25.37 - 38.93 kg/ha) varied significantly. The mean value varied for Fe (227.91 - 530.53 g/ha), Zn (168.90 - 454.12 g/ha), Cu (75.87 - 109.86 g/ha) and Mn (174.67 - 434.25 g/ha). Based on above findings it may be concluded that application of SPMC @ 5.0 t/ha + T. viride along with PSB was found suitable for obtaining higher cane and sugar yield with significant improvement in the physical, chemical and biological properties of calcareous soil.
