STUDY ON FARMLAND APPLICATION OF VINASSE FROM SUGARCANE MOLASSES

By  CHEN YAN and SHINOGI YOSHIYUKI
National Agricultural Research Organisation
305-8609 2-1-6, Kannondai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, Japan

Abstract

DURING bio-ethanol production from sugarcane molasses, large amounts of vinasse, which is
strongly acidic with high COD and BOD, is produced as a by-product. Disposal of vinasse is
one restrictive problem for sustainable bio-ethanol production.
In this study, possible application of vinasseto farmland was investigated. First, the
staple characteristics of vinasse were determined. Second, availability of nutrients such as
nitrogen and potassium to crops and dynamics inthe soil environment were studied in the
laboratory and, thirdly, crop growth experiments were carried out in the field.
In conclusion,
1)  potassium is the most common nutrient in vinasse;
2)  large amounts of chloride are also present;
3)  high COD and pigment from rind of sugarcane were also observed.
Farmland application of vinasse as a substitutefor one third of the potassium showed
no significant damage to the growthof red-radishes and tomatoes.
When large amounts of vinasse are applied to farmland as a substitution for the
nitrogen in traditional chemical fertilisers, nitrogen deficiency symptoms, especially
immediately after application, are expected.
In addition, it is necessary to take into consideration the leaching of ions and the
pigment in the vinasse for proper timing of application and soil conditions.


KEYWORDS: Sugarcane Molasses, Pigment,
Incubation Test, Tomato and Radish Cultivation.

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Agricultural Engineering Posters Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 27, 2010 
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