Soil fertility and yield of sugarcane As Influenced by phosphorus management in Kharif rice-autumn sugarcane raised with or without intercrop of greengram cv. co-4

Field experiment was conducted during 2004–05 and 2005–06 on deep black soil. Results revealed that the application of 40 tonnes pressmud biocompost ha⁻¹ to preceding rice recorded significantly higher millable cane yield, intercrop yield, sugarcane equivalent yield, total nutrient uptake and available P₂O₅ status of soil after harvest of sugarcane during both the years of study. Available N, K₂O and S status of soil after harvest of sugarcane were also improved with application of pressmud biocompost but not up to significant level. Application of recommended dose of P/ha (54.59 kg/ha) to sugarcane raised without and with intercrop of greengram recorded significantly higher millable cane yield, sugarcane equivalent yield, total nutrient uptake and available nitrogen and phosphorus status of soil after harvest of sugarcane over the other levels of phosphorus. The available potassium and sulphur content of soil reduced and increased, respectively with increased level of phosphorus. However, it failed to attain the levels of significance during both the years.