~ 890 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2021; 10(3): 890-892 ISSN (E): 2277- 7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.23 TPI 2021; 10(3): 890-892 © 2021 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 06-01-2021 Accepted: 24-02-2021 Rashmi Priyadarshi Department of Soil Science, Sugarcane Research Institute Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India SK Thakur Department of Soil Science, Sugarcane Research Institute Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India CK Jha Department of Soil Science, Sugarcane Research Institute Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India Corresponding Author: Rashmi Priyadarshi Department of Soil Science, Sugarcane Research Institute Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India Influence of organic nutrient sources on soil fertility and performance of sugarcane in calcareous soil Rashmi Priyadarshi, SK Thakur and CK Jha DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/tpi.2021.v10.i3l.5904 Abstract A field experiment was conducted during 2018-19 to evaluate the effect of organic amendments on soil fertility, yield and quality of sugarcane in calcareous soil of Bihar. The treatments consisted of organic and inorganic nutrient sources viz., control, FYM, biocompost, vermicomposta -1 ,green manure, sugarcane trash and combination of organics FYM + BC+ VC (1: 1: 0.5) along with recommended dose of fertilizer (150: 85: 60 kg ha -1 ) in RBD. The application of nutrients through various organic sources significantly influenced the cane and sugar yield. However, highest cane yield was observed in RDF (85.86 t ha -1 ) which was at par with organic treated plots. Significant improvement in soil fertility in terms of organic carbon and available NPK was noticed due to addition of organic nutrient sources. The soil organic carbon, available N and K status was found highest in the treatment receiving FYM + BC+ VC (1: 1: 0.5) in combination. Application of vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha -1 was found superior for improving availability of P in soil. Addition of organic nutrient sources was found beneficial for improving the soil fertility and enhancing the cane and sugar yield in calcareous soil of Bihar. Keywords: Organic nutrient source, soil fertility, cane yield Introduction Sugarcane (Saccharum sp. hybrid) is one of the important cash crops of industrial importance next only to cotton in India. It is also called as 'wonder cane' due to its multifaceted utility and the vast capability to encounter the demands of the increasing population. This highly productive C4 grass is used as the main source of sugar and more recently to produce ethanol, a renewable transportation fuel. Apart from this it is used for various purposes like production of jaggery, spirit, bio-fuels for generating electricity, and this particular sector has acquired the most prosperous status as one of the pivotal agriculture based industries. It is cultivated in an area of about 5 Mha with an average productivity of 68 t ha -1 while, in Bihar, it is cultivated in an area of about 3 Mha with an average productivity of 50 t ha -1 . It is long duration and nutrient exhaustive crop which removes about 1.2, 0.22, 2.83 kg N-P-K t -1 of cane produced Menhi Lal and Singh (2002) [3] grown extensively in tropical and subtropical climate.The status of soil carbon in Bihar is declining day by day which led to deterioration physical condition of soil available nutrient status and microbial population. So restoration of soil carbon is essential for maintaining soil health and cane productivity. The present investigation was therefore undertaken to evaluate the effect of organic amendments on soil fertility, yield and quality of sugarcane in calcareous soil of Bihar. Materials and Methods The field experiment was carried out during the year 2018-19 at Crop Research Centre of Pusa farm, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar. The experimental plot was medium upland, well drained and having uniform topography. The farm was situated at 25°98’ N latitude, 85°67’ E longitude and at an altitude of 52.0 m above mean sea level. The climate of the experimental site was subtropical. The soil was collected before and after harvest of sugarcane plant of mid-late group (CoP 2061) for analysis. The experimental soil was sandy loam in texture, rich in free CaCO3 (29.62%) with moderately alkaline pH, low in organic carbon and available N, K and medium in P. The treatments were control, FYM @ 20 t ha -1 , biocompost (BC) @ 20 t ha -1 , vermicompost (VC) @ 5.0 t ha -1 , green manuring with moong (Vigna radiata), sugarcane trash @ 10 t ha -1 , FYM + BC+ VC (1: 1: 0.5) @ 20 t ha -1 and recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) as NPK (150: 85: 60 kg ha -1 ), in randomized block