Efficacy of Sugar Industry and Distillery Waste in Integration with Gypsum for the Reclamation of Sodic Soil
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Date
2004
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MPUAT, Udaipur
Abstract
A field experiment entitled “Efficacy of sugar industry and distillery waste in integration with gypsum for the reclamation of sodic soil” was carried out for two consecutive years during 2001-02 and 2002-03 at Live Stock Research Station (MPUAT), Vallabhnagar, district Udaipur (Rajasthan). The basic objective of the study was to assess the effect of pressmud or spentwash incorporation in integration with phosphogypsum on the physico-chemical properties of the sodic soil and yield of wheat. The soil of experimental field was sandy clay loam in texture, calcareous sodic in nature having CaCO3 ranging from 9.5 to 13.5 per cent and ESP ranging between 28 to 34, medium in available macro and micronutrients status and having impervious dense surface, subsurface and subsoil layers, indicating extremely poor soil drainage. The treatment comprised of one time application of four levels of pressmud (0,5,10 and 15 t ha-1) or spentwash (0,2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 lac L ha-1) in integration with three levels of phosphogypsum incorporation (0,25 and 50% GR) making in all two sets of twelve treatment combinations. These treatments were tested in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) replicating each treatment thrice taking wheat cultivar Raj. 3077 as a test crop.
The results of investigation indicated that incorporation of pressmud at 15 t ha-1 or spentwash at 7.5 lac L ha-1 solely or in integration with phosphogypsum at 50% GR decreased bulk density, pH, EC, ESP, exchangeable Na+ and CaCO3 content of the soil and increased porosity, hydraulic conductivity, water holding capacity, water retention at 33 and 1500 kpa, structural indices, CEC, exchangeable Ca++, Mg++ and Ca+++Mg++ during both the years of investigation.
Like wise, the fertility status (NPK and metallic cations) of the soil also increased as a consequence of phosphogypsum incorporation in integration with either pressmud or spentwash during both the years of investigation. The status on metallic cations (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb) in soil were within narrow range indicating that use of pressmud or spentwash as soil amendments is not hazardous for soil health and crop productivity.
Phosphogypsum incorporation at 25 % GR either with pressmud or spentwash significantly increased the grain yield of wheat. However, phosphogypsum incorporation beyond 25 % GR under both the sets of experimentation did not affect grain and straw yield of wheat on calcareous sodic soil and thus a saving in gypsum equivalent to 25% GR is possible.
An improvement in physico-chemical properties and nutritional status of the soil led to the highest value of NPK and metallic cations (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb) content and uptake by wheat grain and straw under the treatment receiving phosphogypsum at 50% GR alone or in integration with pressmud at 15 t ha-1 or spentwash at 7.5 lac l ha-1. Incorporation of soil amendments increased the net returns and B: C ratio of wheat crop.
Based on above findings of the present investigation it can be concluded that the calcareous sodic soil of this region can be effectively reclaimed and good yield of wheat could be obtained by the integrated use of pressmud at 15 t ha-1 or spentwash at 7.5 lac L ha-1 with phosphogypsum at 25% GR. Utilization of these industrial by-product in agriculture not only improve the agricultural productivity but also save the environment from its degradation through their disposal in the near by vicinity of the industries.
Description
Efficacy of Sugar Industry and Distillery Waste in Integration with Gypsum for the Reclamation of Sodic Soil
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Citation
Pagaria and Pradeep, 2004