Abstract
Balanced use of micronutrients in soils is essential for optimized nutrient use efficiency, environmental conservation and long-term sustainability of agro-ecological systems. As a result, maintaining correct micronutrient levels in the soil is essential not only to meet plant needs and maintain agricultural productivity but also to avoid nutrient build-up. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of micronutrient application on the yield and sucrose content expressed as the polarization of sugar cane juice (POL%) under field conditions. There were seven treatments, viz. T0 = No micronutrient application (control); T1 = ZnSO4 at the rate of 30 kg ha−1; T2 = CuSO4 at the rate of 10 kg ha−1; T3 = FeSO4 at the rate of 30 kg ha−1; T4 = borax at the rate of 2 kg ha−1; T5 = half dose of ZnSO4, CuSO4, FeSO4 and borax at the rate of 15, 5, 15 and 1 kg ha−1 and T6 = full dose of ZnSO4, CuSO4, FeSO4 and borax at the rate of 30, 10, 30 and 2 kg ha−1, arranged in randomized complete block design in triplicate. With the application of ZnSO4 at 30 kg ha−1 along with recommended doses of NPK, 30% more income was generated as compared with the control. Fist plant and ratoon crop yields were 19.08% and 22.03% higher, respectively, than in the control. Similarly, Zn application resulted in 5.91% and 8.64% greater sucrose contents (POL%) in plant and ratoon crops, respectively, when compared with the control. The application of ZnSO4 at the rate of 30 kg ha−1 along with recommended doses of NPK had a significant impact on the yield and sucrose contents of sugarcane.
Highlights
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a sustainable agricultural resource that produces sugar, ethanol, manure and fiber
Stripped cane height was enhanced non-significantly with the application of micronutrients under almost all treatments compared with the control (Figure 2)
In treatment T1, 8.35% and 3.55% higher stripped cane height was noted in plant and ratoon crop, respectively, than control
Summary
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a sustainable agricultural resource that produces sugar, ethanol, manure and fiber. It is one of the world's most important commercial sugar crops [1–3]. It is a key cash crop, which contributes greatly to the economic prosperity of farmers around the world. Even though the present cultivars have a high production potential, yet more could be achieved with the use of balanced fertilizers [3]. Soil micronutrient deficiency is one of the yield-limiting variables. Organic matter depletion and micronutrient shortages were caused by intensive farming, mono-cropping without appropriate crop rotation and the adoption of high-yield hybrid varieties [4]
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