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0.919 Impact Factor
2349-1965 ISSN Number
International Journal of Basic & Applied Science Research (IJBASR)
A Peer-reviewed, Multidisciplinary Journal
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A STUDY ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SUGARCANE MULCH

a Department of Environmental Science, Kanya Gurukul Campus, Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar -249407, Uttarakhand, India

Received: 01-01-2015,  Revised: 22-02-2014,  Accepted: 22-02-2014,  Available online: 30-04-2015


Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the physico-chemical and microbiological properties of sugarcane mulch. The results showed pH- 7.75, moisture content- 26.44%, water holding capacity- 93.4%, available phosphorus- 4.86%, organic matter- 9.54%, nitrogen- 1.54% and potassium- 0.84%. The microbial respiration was observed 0.0180 μgCg-1 after 35 days. 0.67 gCm-2d-1 microbial biomass carbon was found during present study. Two different media were used for the identification of mycoflora from sugarcane mulch viz., Sabouraud’s agar and Czapek-Dox agar media. Aspergillus niger, Mortierella elongata and Mucor circinelloides were the common species found in both the media whereas two more number of species viz., Mortierella uniramosa and Mucor microsporus were identified from Sabouraud’s agar media and nine more number of species viz., Alternaria sp., Aspergillus clavati, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Helminthosporium sp., Penicillium sp., Pythium sp., Scopulariopsis sp. and Ulocladium botrytis were observed in Czapek-Dox agar media. The analysis of the study revealed the possibility to use sugarcane mulch in agriculture purposes as an alternative to chemical fertilizer after an appropriate decomposition.

Keywords: Sugarcane mulch, Microbial respiration, Microbial biomass carbon, Sabouraud’s agar and Czapek-Dox agar medium.

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How to Cite

Neelam, N., Joshi, N., Aga, S. (2015). A STUDY ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SUGARCANE MULCH. International Journal of Basic & Applied Science Research (IJBASR), 2 (1), 132-141