Application of distillery spent wash and its effect on sucrose content in sugarcane

Effect of distillery spent wash (DSW) was studied on plant and ratoon crop of on three sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) genotypes viz, CoS 95255 (early maturing and high sugar), CoS 767 (mid-late and medium sugar) and B091 (late maturing and medium sugar). The DSW was applied through irrigation water during early growth stage (60 and 90 DAP) at three different concentrations, viz. 25, 50 and 100 %. In control plants, normal irrigation was given. The effect of different concentrations of DSW was observed on the Brix and sucrose profile in cane juice during the whole crop cycle (from 180 to 330 days after treatment). The suitability of different genotypes for different concentrations of DSW was also observed. The study revealed that all cane varieties showed improvement in total soluble solids (TSS %) by addition of 25% DSW, but showed negative response at higher doses. Early maturing variety (CoS 95255) showed greater accumulation during winter months as compared to late maturing variety (BO 91). Application of vinasse @ 25% concentration showed marked improvement in sucrose accumulation in all the three varieties and this trend was recorded till harvest. The ratoon crop showed almost similar trend, indicating that vinasse application elicited same physiological response in plant as well as ratoon crops of sugarcane. Variety CoS 95255 was found to be best suited for the application of DSW @ 25% concentration.