Effects of sugarcane pressmud on agronomical characteristics of hybrid cultivar of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) under field conditions

Abstract

Purpose: The field experiments were conducted to utilize the sugarcane pressmud in the farming of Solanum melongena as an organic fertilizer. Methods: For growing of S. melongena, six agricultural fields were selected for the six amendments of sugarcane pressmud, viz., 0 % (garden soil as control), 20 % (20 % sugarcane pressmud + 80 % garden soil), 40 % (40 % sugarcane pressmud + 60 % garden soil), 60 % (60 % sugarcane pressmud + 40 % garden soil), 80 % (80 % sugarcane pressmud + 20 % garden soil) and 100 % (100 % sugarcane pressmud). S. melongena was grown in sugarcane pressmud-amended soil till harvest and impact of sugarcane pressmud on the soil and agronomical characteristics of S. melongena were determined. Results: The results showed that the sugarcane pressmud was rich in various nutrients and produced significant (P < 0.05/P < 0.01) changes in the soil characteristics in both seasons. Among various treatments, the maximum agronomic performance of S. melongena was observed due to 40 % treatment in both the growing seasons. The contamination factor (Cf) of various metals were recorded in order of Zn > Mn > Cd > Cu > Fe > Cr for the soil and Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn > Cd > Cr for S. melongena in both growing seasons after treatment with sugarcane pressmud. Conclusions: This study concluded that application of sugarcane pressmud treatments increased the soil fertility and as a result agronomical performance of S. melongena. Therefore, it can be used for the soil amendments in the lower proportion (up to 40 %) to improve the yield of S. melongena.