02. Effect of inorganic NPK fertilizers under different proportions on growth, yield and juice quality of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L)
Abstract
To determine the optimum NPK dose for maximum cane and sugar yield, the field experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam, Pakistan, located at 25o25’60’N 68o31’ 60E during 2008-09 and 2009-10. Sugarcane variety Thatta-10 was sown. The experiment, was meant to observe the effect of inorganic NPK fertilizers under different proportions on growth, yield and juice quality of sugarcane; comprised different inorganic NPK fertilizer doses viz. Control (0-0-0 NPK kg ha-1), 100% recommended (225-112-168 NPK kg ha-1), 75% less than recommended (56.25-28.0-42.0 NPK kg ha-1), 50% less than recommended (112.5-56.0-84.0 NPK kg ha-1), 25% less than recommended (168.75-84.0-126.0 NPK kg ha-1) and 25% more than recommended (281.25-140.0-210.0 NPK kg ha-1). In the study agronomic, physiological, quality and nutrient uptake traits viz. tillers plant-1, plant height, stem girth, internodes plant-1,millable canes, cane yield, leaf area plant-1, leaf area index, crop growth rate, dry matter, brix, pol, purity, commercial cane sugar, NPK accumulation and uptake in plant and ratoon sugarcane crops were higher with the application of 100% recommended fertilizer at 225-112-168 NPK kg ha-1 and 25% more than recommended fertilizer at 281.25-140-210 NPK kg ha-1. The mean values of these both NPK levels were statistically non-significant. However, all inadequate applications beyond recommended applications significantly recorded less values of all traits of sugarcane plant and ratoon crop.
Keywords: Fertilizer, Sugarcane, Variety Thatta-10, Growth, Yield and Quality
