Effect of organic wastes amended with Trichoderma and Gluconacetobacter on physicochemical properties of soil and sugarcane ratoon yield in udic ustochrept

A field experiment was conducted during 2005–2008 at Lucknow to relate the changes in the water stable aggregates, soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient availability to sustaining sugarcane ratoon growth and yield in udic ustochrept. Eight combinations (absolute control, control-200 kg N/ha through inorganic fertilizer, 10t/ha farmyard manure (FYM) alone, FYM enriched with 20kg/ha Trichoderma virde, FYM enriched with 12.5kg/ha Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, 7.5t/ha trash mulch, trash mulch enriched with 20kg/ha Trichoderma viride and trash mulch enriched with 12.5 kg/ha Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus were applied in sugarcane ratoon (first and second ratoon in succession). Inoculation with Trichoderma viride enhanced total water stable aggregates (WSAs) and macro aggregates (>0.25 mm). Trichoderma enriched trash significantly increased mean weight diameter (0.71 mm) of aggregates. Higher rate of increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) was observed under inoculation of Trichoderma with FYM compared to trash mulch. Inoculation with Trichoderma and Gluconacetobacter improved N, P and K availability at all the growth stages. Bioagents inoculated FYM gave higher mean sugar yield (8.89 t/ha) as compared to bioagents inoculated trash (7.97 t/ha).