The effect of a novel system of vinasse application on sugarcane growth and yield in China.

A PRACTICAL, feasible method of vinasse application for upland sugarcane plantation areas of Guangxi was developed, which does not impede cane sugar productivity and soil health. This method comprised pre-emergence liquid-line application of vinasse in furrows through valve controlled pipes, followed by covering with plastic film. Vinasse was applied @ 45 t/ha, 75 t/ha and 105 t/ha, mixed with water and experimentation was done at six locations in China. This method showed improvement in tillering, stalk elongation and sugar productivity. However, the response varied with the rate of vinasse application. Application of vinasse at 45 t/ha, 75 t/ha and 105 t/ha improved cane yield as compared to non-fertiliser control by 13.24%, 17.55% and 14.92%, respectively. The field data suggest that the vinasse treatments were also good for sugar accumulation as compared with the conventional fertilisation application. Vinasse has excellent nutritional qualities, and is a very good complete organic fertiliser for sugarcane. It produced significant increases in cane tonnage, and the benefit-cost analysis favoured its large-scale application under upland conditions. The application of 75 t/ha vinasse showed the best economic benefit in this study.