Soil chemical response to the application of vinasse from the first cut of sugarcane

• Grant number: 09/17070-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2010
• End date: September 30, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Soil and Water Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Jarbas Honorio de Miranda
• Grantee: Lucas Marin Viani
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Vinasse is a byproduct of the fractional distillation of sugarcane to produce ethanol. On average the production of a liter of ethanol is accompanied by the production of 11 liters of vinasse. It is rich in potassium, has high levels of organic matter and dissolves easily in water, and is very attractive for use in fertigation.. However, sugarcane producers and environmentalists are concerned about its impact on the environment as it can be corrosive if mishandled, and could contaminate soil, and surface and groundwater. It is of economic and environmental importance, therefore, to understand the fate and transport of vinasse is the soil. The objective of this research project is to characterize the chemical changes of different soil profiles to which vinasse is applied, by monitoring pH, electric conductivity of the soil solution (EC) and K+ (potassium), Ca2+ (calcium) and NO3 - (nitrate) ions concentrations in soil columns.