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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Canal Point, Florida » Sugarcane Field Station » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #210300
Title: Comparison of mill mud, soybean cropping system, and fertilizer nutrient sources for sugarcane on a sandy soil.

Author
item GILBERT, ROBERT - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item Morris, Dolen
item PERDOMO, RAUL - FLORIDA CRYSTALS CORP
item POWELL, GERALD - FLORIDA CRYSTALS CORP
item EILAND, BARNEY - FLORIDA CRYSTALS CORP
item RAINBOLT, CURTIS - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item MCCRAY, JIM - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/2007
Publication Date: 6/13/2007
Citation: Gilbert, R.A., Morris, D.R., Perdomo, R.E., Powell, G., Eiland, B., Rainbolt, C.R., McCray, J.M. 2007. Comparison of mill mud, soybean cropping system, and fertilizer nutrient sources for sugarcane on a sandy soil. American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. 70(1):22-23.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Improving soil organic matter and soil fertility are important factors in the sustainability of sugarcane production. A 3-yr field trial was established in 2004 on a sand soil (greater than 90% sand) in Florida to compare the effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on soil fertility and sugarcane production. The three nutrient sources, compared were: 1) Mill Mud (filter cake, cachaza) applied at sugarcane planting (0 or 100 tons/acre), 2) Fertilizer (0 or commercial rate), and 3) Cropping System prior to sugarcane (soybean as green manure, soybean with above ground biomass removed for forage, and weedy fallow). Addition of soybean green manure increased sugar yield 20%, whereas the below ground biomass in the soybean forage treatment did not provide a sugarcane yield benefit in plant cane. Statistical analysis indicated that 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. The application of mill mud resulted in a 49% sugar yield increase in first ratoon and a 167% increase in second ratoon whereas inorganic fertilizer application increased sugar yield by 31 and 49% in first and second ratoon, respectively. Over the 3-year crop cycle addition of mill mud alone led to 1.8 tons sugar/acre greater than inorganic fertilizer alone whereas soybean green manure alone produced 1.2 tons sugar/acre less. However, combinations of nutrient sources with mill mud had additive effects in the ratoon crops, leading to highly significant 3-year yield increases when mill mud + fertilizer or mill mud + green manure were applied compared to either source alone. Our results indicate that mill mud was more effective than soybean green manure or inorganic fertilizer in increasing sugarcane yields on a sand soil. However, growers should fertilize ratoon crops when mill mud has been applied to achieve maximum sugarcane yields.