Article
Turning Trash into Treasure
by Dr Ash Martin PhD BSc(For)Hons
A helpful fungus called Trichoderma can use sugarcane leaves (trash) left on the field to improve the soil and the next crop of sugarcane (ratoon). To get a good understanding a study compared leaving the trash as mulch, burning it, or removing it, with and without adding the Trichoderma fungus.
What they did: For a couple of growing seasons, they tried these different ways of managing the sugarcane trash and looked at what happened to the soil and the sugarcane yield. They measured things like how much organic matter and phosphorus were in the soil, how compacted the soil got, how much the soil “breathed” (a sign of microbial activity), how many microbes were living in the soil, and how much nutrients the sugarcane took up.
What they found:
- Trash mulch + the good fungus was a winning combination: Leaving the sugarcane trash as mulch and adding Trichoderma had the best results for soil health and the next sugarcane crop.
- More organic matter and phosphorus: This combo increased the amount of organic matter (the good stuff that feeds the soil) and phosphorus (an important nutrient for plant growth) in the soil.
- Looser soil: Burning the trash made the soil more compacted (harder and less air for roots). Leaving the trash as mulch helped keep the soil looser.
- Happier soil microbes: The soil “breathed” more (meaning more active microbes) when Trichoderma was added, especially with trash mulch. The number of microbes also increased with mulching and Trichoderma. Burning or removing the trash without the fungus actually reduced the number of microbes.
- Better nutrient uptake: When they used trash mulch and Trichoderma, the sugarcane was able to take up more nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) – all vital for healthy growth.
- Bigger yields: The sugarcane yield was significantly higher (almost 13 tonnes per hectare more!) when they used trash mulch along with Trichoderma compared to just removing the trash and not using the fungus.
- Why it works: The sugarcane trash acts like food for the soil microbes, including the beneficial Trichoderma. This creates a good environment for the fungus to work with the plant roots, helping them get more nutrients.
What this means for you:
- Don’t burn or remove your sugarcane trash if you can avoid it! Leaving it as mulch is good for your soil.
- Trichoderma viride could be a valuable tool for your ratoon sugarcane. Inoculating with this beneficial fungus can boost your soil health and your next crop.
- Healthier soil means better nutrient use and bigger yields. By improving the soil with mulch and Trichoderma, your sugarcane plants can access more of the good stuff they need to grow strong.
- It’s all connected: The sugarcane trash feeds the soil life, the good fungus helps the plants, and in return, you get a better crop. It’s a win-win for your soil and your pocket!
In simple terms, this research shows that keeping the sugarcane leftovers on the field and adding a helpful Trichoderma fungus can make your soil healthier, leading to better nutrient uptake and a bigger sugarcane harvest in your ratoon crop.
> Try it out!: Our Microbe Activity Wise and Microbe Activity Wise Pro tests measure your soil’s potential microbial activity using respiration. The Pro version includes estimates of potential nitrogen and phosphorus availability.
Read the in-depth article:
Yadav et al. (2009). Trichoderma inoculation and trash management effects on soil microbial biomass, soil respiration, nutrient uptake and yield of ratoon sugarcane under subtropical conditions. Biology & Fertility of Soils. 45:461-458.
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