Macronutrients Absorption and Surface Runoff Losses Under Different Fertilizer Treatments in Sugarcane Field

The present experiment was conducted to assess the soil and plant nutrient content and their uptake by sugarcane plants after applying vinasse as liquid fertilizer. The impact of vinasse application on environment and risk assessment of its application has also been studied. Three treatments used in the experiment were CK1 (no fertilizer + 105.0 t/ha water), CK2 (181.7, 450.0 and 1,327.5 kg/ha of N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively + 105.0 t/ha water) and vinasse (75.0 t/ha vinasse + 166.7 kg/ha P2O5 + 30.0 t/ha water). The vinasse treatment decreased N content and increased P and K content in sugarcane plants compared to controls. It also enhanced total P and K content in soil, and decreased the surface runoff losses for N, P and K. In conclusion, the use of vinasse as liquid fertilizer contributed enough P and K for the growth and development of sugarcane crop, improved the soil organic matter content and reduced the N, P and K losses through surface runoff water by enhancing the nutrient retention capacity of the soil.