This study introduces a novel method for stabilising expansive subgrade soils by integrating microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) process with a synergistic combination of waste sugarcane bagasse and recycled polyester fibres. This innovative approach aims to enhance strength properties and reduce volume susceptibility. The study demonstrates increases in Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), Split Tensile Strength (STS), and California Bearing Ratio (CBR), while substantially decreasing linear shrinkage, swell strains and pressures, indicating improved soil stability. The study also investigates the microstructural and chemical transformations through SEM-EDS, FTIR, and DSC-TGA, further corroborated by 16S metagenomic sequencing to understand microbial dynamics. Optimal stabilisation results were obtained with 0.5% fibre content and a four-day mellowing period, enhancing soil structure and durability by calcite precipitation and leveraging the combined benefits of natural and synthetic fibres. These fibres strengthen the soil structure and facilitate calcite nucleation, ensuring lasting stability, particularly valuable for stabilising expansive subgrade soils.

A tractor-operated sugarcane single bud sett cutter planter was designed and developed at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research in Lucknow for precision and resource conservation during sugarcane plantation. This planter has a serrated circular blade for cutting complete canes into single bud setts, as well as furrow openers, fertilizer measuring device, insecticide tank, soil-covering shovels, and tamping roller. Developed planter attached to the tractor via three-point linkage and operated by the PTO shaft. Field studies conducted on silty loam soil at the IISR farm showed that the planter could produce setts averaging 98 mm in length and 50 g in weight, with a cutting efficiency of 98% and minimal bud damage 1.56%. The planter had a cutting capacity of 3,600 setts per hour, high sett quality index of 93.08%, field capacity of 0.144 ha/h, and field efficiency of 64%. The average spacing between single bud setts during field operation was 205-228 mm, with miss index of 8.2-10.2% and seed rate of 2540-2670 kg/ha. Compared with conventional methods, the operational costs were 68% cheaper, at Indian Rupee15,800 per hectare. Other performance indicators were multiple index of 16.67-20.46%, quality of feed index of 69.34-73.99%, and precision coefficient of 25.75-27.5%. Germination tests revealed that two bud setts had a minimal advantage 1-2% higher, showing that single bud setts perform similarly under ideal conditions. This planter provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and precise alternative for sugarcane planting, with significant benefits for resource conservation and farm output.

With growing concerns over the sustainability of conventional farming systems, perennial crops offer an environmentally friendly and resilient alternative for long-term agricultural production. Perennial grain crops provide numerous benefits, such as low input investment, reduced tillage, soil conservation, better carbon sequestration, sustainable yields, and enhanced biodiversity support. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is the fifth most-grown cereal crop grown for food, fuel, and food grain in the world. The development of perennial sorghum offers a substitute for traditional annual sorghum crops by providing long-term environmental, economic, and agronomic benefits. Sugarcane aphid (SCA; Melanaphis sacchari), a phloem-feeder, is considered a major threat to sorghum production. Since its first report in 2013, it caused $40.95 million in losses in South Texas alone by 2015, accounting for about 19% of the total value of sorghum production in the region. In this study, we screened diverse perennial sorghum genotypes using no-choice and choice assays to determine their innate antibiosis and antixenosis resistance levels to SCAs. Based on aphid reproduction and plant damage rating, no-choice bioassay classified the 43 perennial sorghum genotypes into four clusters: highly susceptible, moderately susceptible, moderately resistant, and highly resistant. To further investigate the resistance mechanisms, we selected two genotypes, X999 > R485 (SCA-resistant) and PR376 similar to Tift241 (SCA-susceptible) that showed the greatest variation in resistance to SCA, for subsequent experiments. Choice bioassay results indicated that aphids chose PR376 similar to Tift241 for settlement, whereas no significant preference was observed for X999 > R485 compared to the control genotype. Electrical penetration graph (EPG) results demonstrated that aphids feeding on the SCA-resistant genotype spent significantly less time in the phloem phase than the susceptible genotype and control plants. The identification of SCA-resistant perennial sorghum genotypes will be valuable for future sorghum breeding programs in managing this economically important pest.

Sugarcane (Saccharum sp. hybrids) crops typically grow for 16-24 months in the subtropics, with nitrogen (N) fertiliser generally applied as a single dose between 150 and 250 kg N ha(-1) early in the season. High N fertiliser application coupled with intense rainfall in the subtropics can lead to nitrate leaching and denitrification events that result in low N fertiliser use efficiency and damage to the environment. We investigated whether the use of a slow-release N fertiliser, polymer coated urea (PCU), may be more agronomically effective than urea as an N fertiliser source, by better matching soil N supply to sugarcane N demand. Multi-rate N fertiliser trials comparing biomass production and N accumulation responses of ratoon sugarcane crops to urea and PCU products were conducted across four commercial sugarcane farms in the Australian subtropics, with N fertiliser applied in a band 100-150 mm below the soil surface 2-12 weeks after the previous cane crop was harvested. At two sites, buried mesh bags containing 90 d and 270 d PCU products were destructively sampled over 12-15 months to assess the N release rate under field conditions. Sugarcane biomass yields were responsive to applied N at two of the four sites (P < 0.05) and crop N accumulation was responsive to N fertiliser application at all four sites (P < 0.1). While the mesh bag study clearly indicated a delayed release of N from the PCU products over time, there was no significant effect of N fertiliser source (urea vs PCU) on crop biomass or N accumulation at any site. The lack of any improvement in agronomic N efficiency with the PCU products is attributed to the presence of active roots in ratoon crops combined with the absence of large rainfall events in the months following N fertiliser application in the seasons of study. Modelling, coupled with an understanding of the N release dynamics of PCU products across a different soils and climatic conditions, is required to develop recommendations for PCU products for sugarcane growers in the region, although further trials across a wider range of seasons may be warranted to verify any modelling predictions.

Civil engineering structures made upon expansive soils known in India as Black Cotton (BC) soils are susceptible to structural damages due to their seasonal swell-and-shrink behaviour. This study focuses on assessing the mechanical performance of BC soil stabilised using unconventional binders, specifically Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) with different proportions. The experimental evaluation included Compaction tests, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests, Triaxial tests, and Atterberg's limits tests. Additionally, mineralogical and morphological studies were carried out using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and chemical analysis using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis (XRF). The results showed that the mixture containing 21% SCBA and 9% GGBS produced cementitious-siliceous-hydrate (C-S-H) molecule, which improved the strength. Based on the soil-binder percentage ratio obtained from UCS tests, a regression equation was developed to estimate consolidated soil strength. The regression model, exhibiting an impressive R2 value of 93.69%, was analysed within the framework of existing empirical correlations by other researchers. This statistical model, with its good fit, is a useful tool for evaluating the compressive strength of stabilised expansive soil. The findings provide insights into successful stabilisation solutions for expansive soils found locally and globally.

This study examines the effectiveness of the bi-stabilization of clay soils using cane molasses and coconut fiber, focusing on improving the geotechnical and mechanical properties of clay. The performance of the two stabilizers, both individually and in combination for bistabilization, was assessed. The geotechnical properties were determined through sieve analysis, Proctor tests, and Atterberg limit methods, while the mechanical properties were measured using a hydraulic press. The results showed that cane molasses reduced plasticity, enhanced soil cohesion, and increased dry density with molasses content. The Atterberg limits (liquid limit, plastic limit, and consistency index) were maximized at a 4% molasses content, with respective increases of 9.28%, 44.80%, and 37.9% compared to clay without molasses (CB). Coconut fiber improved the flexural strength by 361.9% for CF1, whereas molasses improved the compressive strength by 12.24% compared to plain clay. Bi-stabilization allowed for a maximum improvement in flexural strength of 509.52% compared to CB, 49.42% compared to molasses-stabilized clay bricks (CSM), and 31.96% compared to clay composites with coconut fiber (CF). The compressive strength improved by 22.54% compared with CB, 9.21% compared with CSM8, and 14.94% compared with CF 1/2. In summary, bi-stabilization with sugarcane molasses and coconut fiber provided enhanced performance compared with their individual use.

Cadmium (Cd) and other heavy metals are significant micropollutants originating from excessive industrial activities, inappropriate fertilizer use, and atmospheric deposition. The availability and movement of Cd can be minimized through adsorption using potential adsorbents like sugarcane bagasse (SB) and sugarcane bagassederived biochar (SB-BC). It has been reported that organic amendments such as SB and SB-BC affect the bioavailability of heavy metals. A field study assessed the impact of SB and SB-BC on the physiological and biochemical properties of maize plants grown in Cd-contaminated soil. Compared with High Stress Cadmium (HSCd), in No Stress Cadmium (NS-Cd), the combined application of 1% SB and 1% SB-BC displayed maximum response in plant physiological and biochemical properties; improved the performance of IRGA traits, chlorophyll content (CHL), relative water content (RWC) get increased as leaf chlorophyll (52%), RWC (29%), A (11%), E (57%), Gs (41%) and Ci (24%)a marked decrease in shoot (15%) and root (27%) Cd concentration, enhanced antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic response: Up-regulated the superoxidase (SOD) by 34%, peroxidase (POD) by 44%, catalase (CAT) by 29%, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) by 22%, and total phenolics (TP) by 55%, ascorbic acid (ASA) by 33%, glutathione (GSH) by 34%, glutathione reductase (GR) by 19%; the decreased lipid peroxidation and membrane damage: rebated the level of H2O2 2 O 2 (55%), O2 2 (43%), content which alleviated the malondialdehyde (MDA) content by 46% and electrolyte leakage (EL) by 53% in maize plant; aggravated the profiling of compatible solutes: 18% proline content (PC), 43% soluble sugars (SS), 31% soluble proteins (SP), and 26% glycine betaine (GB) accumulation amplified, relative to their respective treatments of control and LS-Cd and HS-Cd groups. The combined application of SB and SB-BC (each at 1%) can be an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to stabilize the Cd within the contaminated soils.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) improve crop growth and mitigate the adverse effects of drought stress. This study explores the effects of various PGRs including melatonin (MT), indole-butyric acid (IBA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on drought-tolerant Zhongzhe 9 (ZZ9) and Xintaitang 22 (ROC22), as well as drought-sensitive varieties Guitang-44 (GT44) and Funong 41 (FN41) varieties. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the foliar application of these hormones alone or in combination on sugarcane seedlings under drought stress conditions. At the sixth leaf stage, drought stress was induced by reducing soil moisture to 40%-45% field capacity. Results showed that the drought-sensitive variety GT44 had the highest plant height (17.97 cm), while PGRs application enhanced the relative water content (RWC) in FN41 by 0.96%. PGRs treatment also increased plant height by 33.98% and RWC by 3.26% compared to controls. MT application significantly increased chlorophyll a and b contents in FN41 by 4.82% and 4.51%, respectively. Antioxidant enzyme activities superoxide dismutase and peroxidase increased by 16.39% and 12.57%, respectively, indicating enhanced oxidative stress defence. Moreover, PGRs applications reduced hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, signifying decreased oxidative damages. The combinations of MT + GA3 and MT + IBA + GA3 significantly improved the plant growth attributes, antioxidant enzymes, osmolytes and reduced the accumulation of ROS and MDA content in both tolerant and sensitive varieties under drought stress. Thus, combined application of MT + GA3 and MT + IBA + GA3 treatments effectively mitigated drought stress in sugarcane seedlings, providing valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices.

Sugarcane bagasse ash is a kind of agricultural waste with a large quantity and good volcanic ash reactivity, it is necessary to find a way to reasonably utilize it to prevent environmental pollution caused by long-term accumulation. In this paper, the effect of sugarcane bagasse ash on the short-term mechanical properties of coastal cement soil were studied, and unconfined compressive tests and triaxial shear tests were carried out. The sugarcane bagasse ash content was set to 0 %, 1 %, 2 %, 3 %, 4 % and 5 %, respectively, the cement content was set to 5 %, and the curing age was set at 7d. The test results show that sugarcane bagasse ash can effectively improve the unconfined compressive strength and triaxial shear strength of cement soil, exhibiting a trend of increasing first and then decreasing with the increase of its content. When the sugarcane bagasse ash content is 1 %, the unconfined compressive strength reaches the maximum value of 2040 kPa, which is 56 % and 8 % higher than that of cement soil with 5 % and 7 % cement content, respectively. Compared with cement soil with 5 % cement content, the triaxial shear strength increases by 12 %similar to 17 %, the internal friction angle phi and cohesion c increases by 3 %similar to 8 % and 2 %similar to 11 %, respectively. The SEM test results show that the addition of bagasse ash can promote the hydration of cement to produce hydrated calcium silicate and other hydration products, fill the internal pores of the sample, and make the microstructure of the modified cement soil tend to be dense. The research results provide a reference for the application of sugarcane bagasse ash modified cement soil in practical engineering.

Expansive soils can cause large-scale damage to the infrastructure. Soil stabilization with Portland cement and lime has been widely utilized as a solution to this problem. However, these stabilizers are non-renewable and energy-intensive. Alkali-activated binders are alternatives with lower carbon dioxide emissions. This research evaluated an expansive soil stabilization with an alkali-activated binder produced from sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), hydrated eggshell lime (HEL) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Free-swelling tests alongside a statistical analysis evaluated the influence of dry unit weight (12.5 and 14.5 kN/m(3)), binder (4 and 10%) and moisture content (19.7 and 24.7%) and curing time (0 and 7 days) on the stabilized mixtures. A four factors factorial design with duplicates and central points was outlined. To better understand the NaOH and SCBA influence over the soil expansion additional tests were performed. In general, an increase on the studied factors reduced swelling, especially binder content. However, the alkali-activated cement presented no clear correlation between higher density and higher expansion. Swell reduced from 13.8% (12.5 kN/m(3) and 19.7% moisture) and 8.8% (12.5 kN/m(3) and 24.7% moisture) to 2.5% and 0%, respectively, after 7 days and 10% binder addition for the alkaline cement. For Portland cement, swell reduced from 13.8% (10.2 kN/m(3) and 22.5% moisture) and 12.5% (10.2 kN/m(3) and 27.5% moisture) to 1.8% and 1%, respectively, after 7 days and 4% binder addition. Samples containing NaOH expanded less than samples molded with only water. Finally, the alternative binder might be a viable option to replace Portland cement for expansion control.