Utilization of Distillery Industrial Wastes for Maize (Zea mays L.)

Utilization of industrial effluent after proper treatment in agriculture has raised the hope of recycling the effluent in a constructive way. The concept of one time controlled land application and fertigation of Treated Distillery Effluent (TDE) is very recently advocated as unlike other industrial wastes it does not contain any hazardous material that is detrimental to soil health & plant growth, Moreover, it contains considerable amount of N and P, rich in K, Ca, Mg & SO4 and trace amount of Zn, Cu, Fe & Mn Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the third most important cereals, next to wheat and rice in the world as well as in India. It is one of the most versatile crops and can be grown over diverse environmental conditions and also diversified uses in human food, animal feed and a source of large number of industrial products. Maize is a miracle crop called as “Queen of Cereals” and is grown in more than 130 countries. The world maize cultivation area is 146 million hectares with a production of 685 million tonnes and an average productivity of 4700 kg/ha