Utilization of Sugarcane and Sugar Industry Wastes for Sustainable Sugarcane Production and Post-Harvest Quality Management

This 4 year collaborative study between STAI, UPCSR, and the Dalmia Bharat and Sugar Industry Limited, Nigohi, examined the utilization of sugarcane and sugar industry by-products to enhance sustainable sugarcane production. Conducted on farmers' fields using the early-maturing variety Co 0118, the study evaluated ten treatments integrating inorganic fertilizers, organic amendments (press mud compost, bagasse, biocompost with fly ash and K-ash), and biofertilizers. The results demonstrated improved soil health, crop yield, and sugar quality. Organic carbon content increased by up to 85.71% in T6, while microbial populations rose significantly, reaching 3.7 × 10⁹ cfu/g. Treatments incorporating organic inputs reduced dependency on chemical fertilizers while maintaining or improving yield, with T6 (PMC at 20 t/ha, biofertilizers Azotobacter and PSB at 10 kg/ha each, and irrigation with treated sugar industry wastewater) achieving the highest yield (99.2 t/ha in plant cane, 96.12 t/ha in the first ratoon, and 86.11 t/ha in the second ratoon). Sucrose content improved across growth stages, reaching 17.22% in plant cane, 18.23% in the first ratoon, and 18.32% in the second ratoon, while CCS yield (t/ha) increased by 11.7% in plant cane, 12.1% in the first ratoon, and 11.0% in second ratoon compared to conventional treatments. Post-harvest deterioration, including moisture loss and dextran formation, was minimized in treatments integrating biofertilizers and organic inputs. However, logistical challenges such as the large-scale application of organic amendments and initial cost considerations were noted. These findings underscore the potential of integrating sugar industry by-products into mainstream agronomic practices, promoting circular bioeconomy principles, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, and enhancing soil health for sustainable sugarcane cultivation.