Effect of Long-Term Vinasse Application on Physico-chemical Properties of Sugarcane Field Soils

The present experiment was conducted to study the effects of vinasse application on physico-chemical properties of soil. Different treatments, viz., (i) spraying water at 105.0 t/ha (CK), (ii) conventional fertilization ? spraying water at 105.0 t/ha (CF) and (iii) soil application of vinasse at 75.0 t/ha + spraying water at 30.0 t/ha, have been applied in two sugarcane fields in Fusui County, Guangxi, during 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, respectively. The results showed that, after 2-3 years of continuous vinasse application to sugarcane fields, the soil bulk density declined, while the total porosity and capillary porosity increased in the plow layer of soil. The soil water stable aggregate content enhanced, but the soil clay content decreased. Soil K content increased, and soil did not showed the phenomenon of acidification. The vinasse application in sugarcane fields resulted in improved physicochemical properties of soil, and soil hardening and soil acidification were not detected in the field. The present study not only provides the basis of using vinasse as a liquid fertilizer in agriculture fields but also help in reducing the environmental pollution imposed due to disposal of non-treated sugar industry effluents.