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Application of distillery effluents to agricultural land: is it a win-win option for soils and environment

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Relation http://oar.icrisat.org/2641/
 
Title Application of distillery effluents to agricultural land: is it a win-win option for soils and environment
 
Creator Karanam, P V
Joshi, H C
 
Subject Soil Science
 
Description Molasses based distilleries in India generate approximately 40 billion litres of effluents annually
characterised by high organic load and salts posing a major disposal problem. The post methanation distillery
effluent (PME) also being rich in plant nutrients (K, N), its use as ferti-irrigation source in agriculture is an
attractive disposal option. The paper discusses the experimental results of effects of PME application
(treatments: 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 per cent of PME (5000 mg/l)) in agricultural field on the soil microbial
population and chloride levels; thereby know whether soil is a good sink for recycling this nutrient rich
effluent. Microbial enumeration studies revealed a beneficial effect of PME irrigation up to 30 per cent
concentration due to the presence of carbon and nutrients that enhanced the soil microbial activity. Soil
chloride levels and effluent colour were highest in the 0-30 cm soil depth, and beyond 45 cm their
concentration decreased significantly suggesting soil acted as a good medium. Crop growth and soil health
were negatively affected at higher PME concentrations or when applied without dilution. Therefore,
monitoring and integrated approaches are needed to effectively utilize PME as valuable resource in
agriculture and reduce its negative effects on the environment.
 
Date 2010
 
Type Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Language en
 
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Identifier http://oar.icrisat.org/2641/1/ApplicationOfDistilleryEffluentsToAgriculturalLand.pdf
Karanam, P V and Joshi, H C (2010) Application of distillery effluents to agricultural land: is it a win-win option for soils and environment. In: 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World, 1-6 August 2010, Brisbane, Australia.