Enhancing Soil Fertility in Calcareous Soil through Sulphitated Press Mud (SPM), Trichoderma viride and Biofertilizer Integration in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

The study conducted with the aim of investigating the impact of sulphitated press mud cake (SPMC) in combination with Trichoderma viride, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and 100 per cent chemical fertilizer (RDF) on soil fertility of sugarcane in calcareous soil at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar during 2020-2021 showed that the application of SPMC with T. viride and biofertilizer significantly increased the availability of macro and micronutrients in soil over control after sugarcane harvest. The treatment receiving SPMC @ 12.5 t ha–1 along with T. viride + PSB recorded maximum availability of macro (NPK and S) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn). The population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes varied significantly and increased due to addition of SPMC, treated with T. viride and PSB. The highest bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes population were recorded in plot receiving SPMC @ 12.5 t ha–1 along with T. viride + PSB. The addition of SPMC indicated a significant improvement in bulk density, soil moisture content and pore space of post-harvest soil and being the highest in plots receiving SPMC + T. viride along with PSB. However, SPMC treatments (SPMC @ 5-12.5 t ha–1) was found at par. Based on experimental findings it may be concluded that application of SPMC @ 5.0 t ha–1 + T. viride along with PSB could bring about significant improvement in the physical, chemical and biological properties of calcareous soil.