This section studied the phosphate fixation capacity of soils in the area of Sahakar Maharshi Shankarrao Mohite Patil SSK which was between 44.85 to 89.88 percent and it was positively correlated with free calcium carbonate content in the soil. Based on the results special programme of phosphate fertilizer management was given to the factory.
The representative soils from 30 sugar factory areas of Maharashtra indicated 69% soil samples were low in zinc and 32% samples were low in iron. Use of 10kg ZnSO4 and 25kg FeSO4/ha has been recommended in these soils.
The physical and chemical properties of R & D Farms of Vasantdada Sugar Institute were studied by detailed soil survey using the methods described in USDA soil survey manual and classified according to soil taxonomy. The soil map has been prepared. The soils of the Vasantdada Sugarcane R & D Farms were studied for their fertility status. Out of 35.60 ha area, 4.07 ha. area is under saline-alkali and alkali soils. The soils of R & D farm, Naigaon were studied for their fertility status.
Computer software for use in the soil testing laboratory has been developed. This will be useful in recommendations about soil management and fertilizer doses. The errors in the recommendations will be reduced.
The studies on organic manuring showed that application of FYM 20t/ha, PMC 10 t/ha and fertilade 50 kg/ha increased average sugarcane yield by 19 t/ha in plant crop and 16.37t/ha in ratoon crop over that of control.
The sulphur research studies indicated that over 1337 surface soil samples 12.7 percent samples had less sulphur than that of 10 ppm as a critical limit where as 23.5% plant samples had less sulphur content than that of 0.13% as a critical limit. There was response upto 60kg S/ha dose application. Sugarcane yield was increased by 18.0% at 60 Kg/ha S level over control in which moderately alkaline and calcareous soil, elemental S was superior sources of S, while in sandy clay, slightly alkaline non-calcareous soil and gravelly clay neutral soil condition; phosphogypsum produced the highest sugarcane yields.
Effect of different levels and sources of Potassium on yield and quality of sugarcane variety Co 86032 in Alkali soils was studied. Overall the study revealed that sugarcane crop responded to the higher levels of potassium fertilizers. Sulphate form of potassium fertilizer (SOP) has been found an edge over chloride form of potassium fertilizer (MOP) in alkaline soil conditions of sugarcane growing region. Therefore, the recommendation "For higher sugarcane yield, CCS yield and net monetary returns, the application of potassium @ 225 kg K2O/ ha through Sulphate of Potash is recommended for sodic soils of Maharashtra" accepted in AGRESCO 2007.
The field study conducted on Site Specific nutrient management for maximum yield and quality of sugarcane revealed that the sugarcane yield was higher (131.74 MT/ha) in the integral package of site specific nutrient management where N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe and Mn were applied in 250:180:120:20:20:50:10 proportion. The sugarcane yields were increased with the increased levels of P while K application did not showed significant effect under high K soil condition. Besides NPK, the secondary and micronutrients viz sulphur, Fe and Zn except Mn were found to be important for yield maximization. Among all the options of fertilizer recommendations, integral package of SSNM found to be beneficial (131.74 t/ha) compared to state soil based method (117.21 t/ha), State recommendation (118.94 t/ha) and average farmers practice of fertilizer application (117.74 t/ha).
Multimacronutrient and multimicronutrient liquid fertilisers have been developed at VSI. The combine application of Multimicronutrient @ 12.5 lit./ha and Multimacronutrient @ 12.5 lit./ha in two splits i.e. at 60 and 90 days after planting found to be beneficial for increasing the sugarcane yield.
Field experiments conducted (2003-04 to 2008-09) to study the response of levels and sources of silicon in medium black soils concluded that application of Silicon minimum to the level of 400 Kg ha-1 through calcium silicate increased the sugarcane and sugar yield, however, locally available sources viz. pond ash, fly ash from thermal power station and bagasse ash from sugar factory were equally beneficial as calcium silicate and economical for plant cane and succeeding two ratoon crops. Therefore, the recommendation "In medium black soil, only one application of silicon @ 400 kg ha-1 through Bagasse ash (1.5 t ha-1) or Calcium silicate (832 kg ha-1) as a basal dose for increasing sugarcane and Sugar yield of plant cane and its two successive ratoon crops is recommended" is accepted in Joint AGRESCO 2009.
Integrated use of FYM @ 20 t ha-1, Acetobacter sett treatment @ 3 L ha-1 , Phosphate solublising culture @ 2.5 l ha-1 and soil application of 50 % RDF through NPK I (13.6:23:24) briquettes at planting (NPK 10:50:50 % of RDF), Urea:Sulphur (US) briquettes (45 % of RDN) at 45 days after planting and NPK-II (23:13:13) briquettes at earthing up (NPK 45:50:50 % of RDF is recommended for increasing sugarcane and sugar productivity.
SSAC1 :	Fertilizer economy through use of fertigation, biofertilizer and foliar application of multinutrients in sugarcane.
SSAC3 : Effect of fertilizer levels and foliar application of Multinutrient liquid fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane.
SSAC4 : Effect of humic acid with chemical fertilizer on nutrient availability, uptake, yield and quality of sugarcane.
SSAC5 :	To Study the Effect of Late Application Potash on Yield and Juice Quality of Sugarcane (New trial).
Application of Remote sensing and GIS for delineation of soil fertility in Sugarcane growing soils of Maharashtra. Project submitted to Sugar Development Fund, Govt. of India.