Optimizing Sugarcane Productivity and Soil Nutrient Uptake With Sulphitated Press Mud (Spm), Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (Psb) and Trichoderma Viride Integration in Calcareous Soil

This field experiment, conducted during the January 2020-February 2021 to investigate the impact of Sulphitated press mud cake (SPMC) in combination with Trichoderma viride, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and 100 % chemical fertilizer (RDF) on nutrient uptake and the productivity of sugarcane in calcareous soil in randomized block design (RBD).The highest germination (43.5%), number of tiller (170.55 × 10 -1 ha -1 ), plant height (272 cm), number of millable cane (NMC) (125.67 × 10 -1 ha -1 ), cane girth (2.20 cm) and single cane weight (0.831 kg) was observed in the plots receiving SPMC @ 12.5 t/ha along with T. viride + PSB.The addition of sulphitated press mud cake either with T. viride alone and in combination of PSB resulted in profitable yield of sugarcane crop.However, SPMC treatments (SPMC @ 5 -12.5 t ha -1 ) was found at par.The uptake of nutrients by sugarcane plant (NPK and micronutrients) significantly influenced due to application of either SPMC + T. viride or SPMC + T. viride + PSB.Furthermore, the nutrient uptake by sugarcane plants, including NPK (292.54,32.64, 278.55 Kg ha -1 ) and micronutrients viz.Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu (530.53,434.25, 454.12, 109.86 g ha -1 ) was significantly influenced by the application of SPMC, with the highest levels recorded in plots treated with SPMC at 12.5 t/ha along with T. viride and PSB.The integrated approach of SPMC, T. viride, and PSB presents a promising strategy for enhancing sugarcane productivity and nutrient uptake in calcareous soil.This research provides valuable insights for sustainable and highyielding sugarcane cultivation practices.