Evaluation of early maturing promising sugarcane clones for nutrient use efficiency

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate promising sugarcane clones for nutrient use efficiency. Twelve early maturing sugarcane clones including two standards were planted in a clay soil (Typic Haplustert). Dried plant materials were analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in dry leaves, green tops and stem. Total uptake of nutrients in above ground parts was determined. Total N uptake ranged from 66.30 kg/ha in Co 93003 to 43.30kg/ha in Co 85004 with a mean of 109.66 kg/ha. The lowest uptake of N per tonne of cane was recorded by Co 94005 (0.76 kg) and the highest was in Co 94004 (1.40 kg). Clones Co 94005, Co 93003 and Co 94008 showed better utilization of nitrogen. The lowest total uptake of phosphorus by above ground parts (24.91 kg/ha) was observed in Co 93001, while the highest was observed in CoC. 671 (59.98 kg/ha). The variation of kg P per tonne of cane was from 0.285 in Co 93001 to 0.585 in Co 94002. Clones Co 93001, Co 94005, Co 93003 and Co 94003 removed relatively lower quantity of phosphorus for producing a tonne of cane. With regard to potassium, Co 85004 recorded the highest K uptake of 293.61 kg/ha and the lowest of 87.91 kg was registered in Co 94003. Clone showing the lowest K uptake to produce a tonne of cane (1.09 kg) was Co 94003 and the highest was Co 85004 (2.75 kg). Clones Co 94003, Co 93003, Co 93001 and Co 94005 removed comparatively lower amounts of potassium to produce a tonne of cane. Clones Co 93003 and Co 94005 were found to be more efficient in utilization of NPK nutrients. i.e. produce more tonnage of cane per unit quantity of nutrients taken up.