Effect of Filter Cake and Ammonium Sulphate Nitrate (ASN) on Yield of Sugarcane at Metahara Sugar Estate

Abstract

A study was conducted at Metahara sugar estate, Ethiopia, to determine the optimum rates of filter cake and nitrogen fertilizer for sugarcane production. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Five levels of filter cake (0, 30, 60, 90, 120t/ha) with four levels of N (0, 52, 78, 104 kg ha^-1 as ASN, Ammonium Sulphate Nitrate) were studied as treatment combinations. Filter cake was applied after land leveling operation (ie, before furrowing) and nitrogen (as urea) was applied at 2.5 months after planting. The results indicated that filter cake by nitrogen fertilizer combinations had highly significant (P≤0.01) effect both on cane and sugar yields. Moreover, application of filter cake resulted in improved fertility status of soils especially that of phosphorous status. In addition filter cake application showed promising response at all rates each applied with 78kg N ha^-1. Cost-benefit analysis of adjusted sugar yield also revealed that 30t ha^-1 and 60t ha-1filter cake rates each applied with 78kg N ha^-1 were found to be economically viable treatment combinations. Thus, based on sugar yield response, cost benefit analysis result and residual effect of filter cake on soil properties, 30t filter cake ha^-1 was recommended to be applied with 78kg nitrogen ha^-1 as ASN regardless of soil types to ensure sustainable sugarcane production.