5. CONCLUSION
Sugarcane mono-cropping degraded SOC, Na,
Ka, Sa and Zn across the cane producing
zones, but enormity of soil degradation was more in EZ soils due to
low-lying area induces multi-nutrient deficiency, and Fe and Mn content.
As a result, lowest soil quality index and highest sensitivity index was
in EZ than WZ and CZ. Reversely, CZ soils observed higher nutrient index
and soil quality due to greater Na, Paand Ka, TCF, FDA, ꞵ-glucosidase, and urease activities.
Na, SOC, AZO and Sa were the common
limiting factors across the cane producing zones but, their
contributions fluctuated towards SQI development owing to variation in
edaphic factor under different cane producing zones. Since, wide
variations existed between recommended doses of mineral fertilizers and
targeted yield equations based fertilization. Hence, it will be better
to cane growers, industry people and policy makers to advise balance
nutrient management based on targeted yield equations for achieving
higher sugarcane productivity, and improving nutrient index and soil
quality. Over all, sugarcane mono-cropping over the decades degraded
nutrient index, microbial activity, and soil quality index adversely due
to imbalance fertilization. This may further increased if using improper
management practices notably in low-lying areas.