The Effects of Filter Cake on Soil Fertility and Yield of Sugarcane

Filter cake trials with sugarcane in pot and field experiments have shown large yield responses to treatment with filter cake. The first invaders of filter cake were found to be yeasts and bacteria (non-spore formers) which use the free sugars still available in the filter cake. The second invaders were several fungi which were able to attack the available fibrous matter in the filter cake. In a later stage of decomposition an invasion of spore forming bacilli and actinomycetes was found. These micro-organisms were shown to have a positive influence on soil aggregate stability. It may be of considerable practical significance that some micro-organisms which thrive in filter cake are antagonistic to Pythium arrhenomanes, the cause of a root disease in sugarcane.