Incorporation of Soybean Biomass that was treated by Bradyrhizobium and Phosphorus in Soil Improved Sugarcane Yield and Juice Attributes under Intercropping System

Abstract

This study was initiated to investigate the effect of intercropped soybean biomass incorporation on sugar yield at Metahara Sugar Estate. The treatment consisted of combined application of four P rates and three levels of inoculation and was laid out in randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Results showed that incorporation soybean biomass treated with P and Bradyrhizobium increased the OM and available P. Sole sugarcane produced higher millable stalk when compared than sugarcane planted in intercropping. However, sole sugarcane produced inferior stalk diameter and juice purity. It was also found that significantly higher cane and sugar yields were recorded in plots amended with soybean biomass and sole sugarcane cultivation. Intercropping improved land equivalent ratio and net return compared with the sole cropping of soybean/sugarcane. Hence, these results recommend that soybean-sugarcane intercropping and the need of inoculation and P application to increase the profitability of the suggested cropping system.