Utilization of Pressmud as Amendment of Acid Soil in Nagaland

Pressmud, a waste product of sugar industry has been utilized for ameliorating acid soils in Nagaland. The effective dose of pressmud was 20 q/ha producing 129.4 and 65.2% increase in maize and wheat yield over control in its direct and residual values, respectively and the net return was appreciably high. In another experiment, 100.8 % higher yield of wheat (over control) was recorded with its application at 20 q/ha. Application of pressmud effectively increased the pH, exchangeable Ca and Mg, lime potential in soils and phosphorus and calcium uptake by crop. The significant and positive correlation values of soil properties with crop yield are corroborant of the ameliorative effect being induced by pressmud in acid soils. Curvilinear regressions of pH with yield, pressmud dose and vice versa were equated to predict the amount of pressmud to be applied and the subsequent crop yield.