Effect of Solubilization of Phosphorus Accumulated in the Soil Supplied with Bagasse Charcoal by Phosphorus Dissolving Bacterium as a Carrier on the Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Sugarcane in Ratooning Cultivation

Abstract

The growth of ratoon sugarcane on dark-red soil in Miyako island in Okinawa, Japan was promoted by application of bagasse charcoal and bagasse together with phosphorus dissolving bacteria strain-22 identified as Bacillus thuringiensis. Strain-22 was thought to survive in the pores of bagasse charcoal using both bagasse and molasses as organic carbon sources while generating organic acids. The pF-water curve of carbide, showed that the bagasse charcoal retained more water than woody charcoal. The results of this study implied that phosphorus dissolving bacteria such as strain-22 can facilitate solubilizing of accumulated phosphorus in the soil when it is used in conjunction with organic carbon sources such as bagasse and molasses. This resulted in an increase in absorption of phosphorus and nutrient uptake in sugarcane in ratooning cultivation.