Abstract
Sprinkler equipment carried on a truck was developed for the application of aerated swine effluent to sugarcane fields. The system consists of a spray hose, hose reel, sprinkle/suction pumps, and engine, which is transported on a four-ton truck with a lorry tank. The system can be operated by one man by the extension of a 50-75 meter hose of 32mm in diameter across the field and controlling the winding system by radio control, so that the workload is reduced. The price and operating costs of the developed sprinkler equipment, including the truck and tank, are cheaper than for application by a conventional septic tank truck, and the working capacity per person is also superior. It is shown that the treated sewage can be substituted for chemical fertilizer in sugarcane cultivation. The production of sugarcane is increased more by the application of the nitrogen-based aerated swine effluent than by the conventional chemical fertilizer. The aerated swine effluent can be applied without any negative effects on sugarcane quality until the start of typhoon season, around August, as the effective duration of the manure is shorter than that of solid chemical fertilizer. This can lengthen the application period for sugarcane cultivation.
