Cumulative Effect of Continuous Cropping and Manuring of Sugarcane on Organic Matter and NPK Status of the Soil

Continuous cropping with different manure-fertilizer schedules for 29 years, had no marked change on EC and pH of the soil. Organic C content had increased markedly, particularly in the surface layer soil in the treatments that received pressmud for every crop of sugarcane. There was no appreciable build up of N and K in the soil inspite of application of these nutrients to each crop over the years. There was a significant build up of P in the soil in treatments receiving P every year. Available P status was appreciably higher in treatments receiving pressmud than in treatments without pressmud.