Effect of Trichoderma inoculated trash, nitrogen level and biofertilizer on performance of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) in calcareous soils of Bihar

Field experiments were conducted during 2006–07 to 2008–09 at Sugarcane Research Institute, Pusa, Bihar to study the effect of Trichoderma inoculated trash, nitrogen level and biofertilizer on yield, nutrient uptake, juice quality of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and soil nutrient availability in calciorthents. Trash was inoculated with Trichoderma viride @ 500 g/t, one week before planting and applied @ 10 t/ha alone or in conjunction with different levels of N (75,112.5 and 150 kg/ha). Application of trash alone increased the mean cane yield by 1.8% over control (45.4 t/ha) and with N levels 75,112.5 and 150 kg/ha, increase in cane yield were 5.5, 3.3 and 0.8%, respectively over N applied alone. Trash applied with 75,112.5 and 150 kg N/ha improved the organic carbon by 8.2, 11.3 and 13.6%, respectively over N applied alone while, available N by 7.0, 10.3 and 8.6%, P by 2.9, 7.6 and 4.6% and K by 7.4, 4.6 and 5.3%, respectively. Addition of trash and biofertilizer alongwith recommended dose of nitrogen (150 kg/ha) gave the highest net income (Rs. 22,832/ha) and B:C ratio (1.43). Hence, addition of Trichoderma inoculated trash @10 t/ha alongwith 150 kg N/ha and Azotobacter @ 4 kg/ha were found beneficial for sustaining soil health, enhancing sugarcane productivity and getting higher net returns.