Composted Sugarcane By‑product Press Mud Cake Supports Wheat Growth and Improves Soil Properties

Restoring soil fertility is essential to sustain crop production in order to meet the needs of the ever-blooming population. In this light, the present investigation was carried on the same soil for two consecutive years (2014-15 and 2015-16) in Punjab, Pakistan, to determine the influence of press mud compost (PMC) and mineral fertilizers (NPK) on wheat growth, yield and soil properties. The experiment was composed of an unfertilized control and five inter-exchanging combinations of NPK and PMC (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100). 100% PMC (900 kg ha-1) was intermediate in wheat growth and yield between unfertilized and 100% NPK, this latter being the recommended dose of mineral nutrients (120, 100 and 60 kg ha-1 of the respective N, P2O5, and K2O). The 50:50 combinations of NPK and PMC determined the best growth and final yield (+19% vs. 100% NPK), despite an approximately 40% lower nutrient supply with respect to 100% NPK. Soils traits bulk density, pH, organic matter, total N, and available nutrients P and K significantly improved with 100% PMC. Based on the ANOVA, the 50:50 combinations of NPK and PMC was no worse than 100% PMC in bulk density, available P and K, and it was a good compromise between 100% NPK and 100% PMC in organic matter content. Therefore, conjunctive use of PMC and NPK fertilizers appeared a good choice to improve wheat productivity and soil properties. Additionally, the use of PMC will lower the reliance on mineral fertilizers while restoring soil fertility and assuring environmental protection.