Response of Silixol Sugarcane to Growth and Physio-Biochemical Characteristics of Sugarcane

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during spring season to study the effect of Silixol Sugarcane on growth, yield and juice quality attributes of sugarcane. Treatments comprised two sets with three doses of Silixol @ 2 ml, 4 ml and 8 ml/l of water: Set I—application was done at five critical stages of growth and Set II—Silixol was applied in every month till maturity. Application of Silixol Sugarcane improved bud germination with increasing dose, highest being @ 4 ml/l. Higher specific leaf weight was observed in treated plants as compared to control. Silixol Sugarcane application showed improvement in plant height at various growth stages, being highest at grand growth stage. Dry matter partitioning in leaf, stalk, leaf sheath and root tissues indicates that Silixol Sugarcane application has positive effect on physiological processes. At grand growth stage, maximum dry matter accumulation was recorded in stalks of all treatments. Activity of nitrate reductase, an indispensible enzyme for nitrogen metabolism, in leaves is improved by Silixol application. Silicon content determined in leaf tissues increased with an increase in the Silixol level; highest was obtained with 8 ml/l, and lowest was in control. Silixol Sugarcane application had a positive impact on cane yield attributes viz., cane length and girth, which contributed to more cane yield. Juice quality attributes viz., Brix, juice purity, sucrose, CCS% juice, were relatively better in treated canes. Monthly application of Silixol even at higher dose has no negative impact on plant growth and yield, indicating that the formulation is completely safe. Findings of the present study indicated that applications of Silixol Sugarcane @ 4 ml/l at five critical stages could lead to a yield increment up to 20%.