Number Of Millable Canes Research Articles

Evaluation of Early Maturing Sugarcane Clones for Yield, Quality and Its Contributing Traits in East Coast Zone of Tamil Nadu

The field experiments were conducted at Sugarcane Research Station (TNAU), Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu and consist of four trials viz., Initial Varietal Trial (IVT), Advanced Varietal Trial - I plant (AVT- I plant), AVT- II plant and AVT-Ratoon. Initial varietal trial consists of eight test clones and three standards; in AVT I plant consist of five test clones and three standards, in AVT II plant and Ratoon, four entries and three standards. Observations were recorded for germination per cent (%), number of tillers (x1000/ha), number of millable cane (x1000/ha), stalk length (cm), stalk diameter (cm), single cane weight(kg) cane yield (t/ha), sucrose(%), CCS(%) and CCS yield (t/ha). The results revealed that, in Initial Varietal Trail, the clone CoC 13337 recorded higher CCS yield (17.92t/ha) followed by the clone CoC 13336 (17.25 t/ha). The Cane yield was maximum in the clone CoC 13337 (139.81 t/ha) followed by the clone CoC 13336 (134.26 t/ha). The sucrose per cent was maximum in the clone CoC 13337 (17.61%) followed by the clone CoC 13336 (17.57%). In AVT- I plant, the clone CoA 12322 recorded the higher cane yield (126.70 t/ha) followed by the clone CoA 12321 (123.23 t/ha) and CoA12323 (122.13 t/ha). The CCS yield was maximum in the clone CoA 12322 (15.92 t/ha) followed by the clone CoOr 12346. The CCS % was maximum in CoOr 12346 (12.75) followed by the standard CoC 01061. The clone CoOr 12346 recorded higher sucrose (17.87%) followed by standard CoC 01061 (17.74%). In AVT–II plant, clone CoC 11336 registered the higher cane yield (139.25t/ha) followed by the CoC 10336 (123.34 t/ha). The CCS yield was maximum in CoC 11336 (17.83 t/ha) followed by CoC 10336 (15.39 t/ha). The sucrose content was maximum in the clone CoC 11336 (17.62%) followed by CoC 01061 (17.48%). In AVT ratoon crop, among the test clones, clone CoC 11336 registered the higher cane yield (134.43t/ha) followed by the clone CoC 10336. The CCS yield was maximum in CoC 11336 (17.27t/ha) followed by CoA 11323. Hence, these promising clones in different trial could be advanced for further breeding programme for release as new sugarcane variety.

Determination of critical period of weed competition in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) at Arjo Didessa sugar estate, western Ethiopia

Weeds limit sugar cane production. A field experiment employing cultivar NCO334 and Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was done to assess weed competition crucial period. After planting, experimental plots were either weed-free or weedy (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 DAP). Weed density, weed dry weight, sugarcane sprout, tiller number, cane height, millable cane number, girth, weight, and predicted cane and sugar production traits were evaluated. For different periods, weed competition affects tiller number, cane height, girth, weight, millable cane number, and cane and sugar yield. Tiller production, cane height, girth, weight, millable canes, and cane and sugar output rose with more extended weed-free periods. Weeds in sugarcane caused 90. 5% and 94.6% cane and sugar yield losses, respectively. Cane girth, height, weight, tiller number, cane, and sugar production correlated positively and negatively with weed density and dry weight. weed crop competition begins between 17 and 131 DAP. To limit the impact of weeds on sugar cane yield, weed management measures should be implemented in sugarcane plantations during this important period.

Evaluation of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) germplasm for quality, yield traits and effects of flowering on cane traits

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is an important commercial crop grown globally for its sugar-rich stalk.Low genetic variations and unwanted flowering in modern sugarcane varieties affect sugarcane quality and production. Therefore, a panel of 628 genetically diverse sugarcane clones were evaluated under field conditions at the Regional Research Station, Kapurthala, Punjab Agricultural University during 2019–20, for quality, yield and yield traits. The effect of flowering on quality and yield traits on a sub-set of 34 flowering sugarcane clones was also studied. A panel of 628 sugarcane clones showed greater genetic diversity for all the traits. HR brix per cent varied from 14–24%, number of millable cane (NMC) varied from 13–80 and single cane weight varied from 0.4–2.6 kg in 628 clones under field conditions. Non-flowering sugarcane clones’ mean performance was greater than flowering clones for most of the traits. However, no significant differences in quality traits among the clones at different flowering stages (flag leaf, tip emergence and complete flowering) were observed. Therefore, there is a huge genetic diversity in sugarcane germplasm for quality and yield traits and it should be exploited by breeding community for the development of sugarcane varieties with improved yield and better quality.

Comparative evaluation of growth, yield and yield attributing traits in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) under different soil moisture regimes

A field experiment was conducted during spring season of 2014–15 and 2015–16 at CCS HAU, RRS, Karnal to evaluate the response of four sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) varieties differing in their maturity i.e. CoS 767 (Mid late), CoH128 (Mid late), CoJ 64 (Early) and Co 0238 (Early) to deficit irrigation. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replications. Based on available soil moisture (ASM), three treatments i.e. irrigation at 50% ASM (control), 40% ASM (mild stress) and 30% ASM (severe stress) were imposed in main plot and sugarcane varieties in sub-plot. Under deficit irrigation, leaf area, leaf area index (LAI), crop grown rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR), significantly, reduced at 30–60 and 60–90 DAP in all the varieties and the varieties Co 0238 and CoS 767 showed least reduction. The yield parameters, viz. number of millable canes, cane length, internodal length and single cane weight reduced significantly under water limited conditions and proved to be the most sensitive yield components responsible for decrease in cane and sugar yield. Cane yield and sugar yield reduced by 36.18% and 40.47%, and 27.5% and 31.09% at 30% and 40% ASM level, respectively. Co 0238 produced highest average cane yield and sugar yield (83.05 and 10.17 t/ha) followed by CoS 767 (68.23 and 8.28 t/ ha). Moreover, after stress revival Co 0238 and CoS 767 were able to recover faster which qualified these varieties to face short periods of drought without major losses in the initial phase of development.

New Research on Sugarcane Production through Single Eye Bud Culture

An experiment was conducted for two consecutive years at Main Sugarcane Research Station, IIMT University, Meerut, India during 2019-20 to 2020- 21 to study effect of inter and intra row spacing on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane by using single eye bud sets. It comprised total sixteen treatments of four inter row spacing viz., planting of single eye bud sets at 100 cm row spacing (R1), planting of single eye bud sets at 115 cm row spacing (R2), planting of single eye bud sets at 130 cm row spacing (R3) and planting of single eye bud sets at 155 cm row spacing (R4 ), planting of single eye bud sets at 50 cm (S1), planting of single eye bud sets at 65 cm intra row spacing (S2), planting of single eye bud sets at 80 cm intra row spacing (S3) and planting of single eye bud sets at 90 cm intra row spacing (S4) were evaluated in SPD with three replication. On the basis of pooled analysis, the growth attributes such as number of tillers at 90, 115, 185 days after planting and number of shoots at 245 days after planting and yield attributes such as millable cane height, cane girth, number of inter nodes per cane, average cane weight and number of millable canes were improved. The planting of single eye bud sets at 60 cm gave significantly superior cane yield at harvest than rest of treatments. On the basis of pooled results, it is concluded from the study that for getting higher yield of sugarcane crop can be achieved with 125 cm x 60 cm (R2S2) inter and intra row spacing, respectively through single eye bud sets under west uttarpradesh condition.

PERFORMANCE OF PROMISING EARLY VARIETIES OF SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM SPP. HYBRID COMPLEX) AND THEIR ROLE TO BOOST SUGAR INDUSTRY UP IN WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Sugarcane provides raw materials to the sugar industry (Khaitan India Ltd located at Plassey, Nadia) in West Bengal having very low cane crushing ability (69,000 Metric Ton) & recovery (5.1%) during 2017-18 leading to poor paying capacity to farmers. The main objective of this study is to introduce the newly released promising varieties of sugarcane with high sucrose and high recovery of commercial cane sugar and further testing of the varieties most suitable for this region. Replacing the existing old varieties like BO 130 and promoting early promising varieties is in urgent need to boost up the sugar industry is also one of the important objectives of this study. In this context, a field experiment was conducted during 2017-‘18 and 2018-’19 crop season at Sugarcane Research Station, Bethuadahari, Nadia, West Bengal, India to assess the performance of promising early varieties of Sugarcane on yield and quality of juice. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with five early varieties (viz. CoLk 94184, CoSe 01421, Co 0232, CoB 99161 &CoSe 95422) and BO 130 as check with four replications. The data were recorded on single cane weight, number of millable canes, cane yield, brix (%), sucrose (%), Commercial Cane Ssugar(CCS%) and CCS yield. There were significant difference among the varieties for yield and yield attributing characters. Pooled analysis of the results showed that the early variety CoLk 94184 recorded the maximum Commercial Cane Sugar (CCS) yield (10.23t/ha) followed by CoB 99161, CoSe 95422, CoSe 01421 and Co0232, whereas minimum CCS yield (6.28t/ha) was found with the standard variety BO 130. Therefore, the replacement ofthe existing standard varieties with the promising new early varieties would be most economic and profitable and can easily boost up the sugar factory by increasing the recovery (%) and able to produce sugar of improved quality.

Influence of INM on sugarcane productivity and soil fertility under Indo-Gangetic plain

A field experiment was conducted during 2016-17 at Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Kapurthala, Punjab, India with nine treatments comprising various combinations of farmyard manure (FYM), biofertilizers and different levels of chemical fertilizers in a randomized block design (RBD). Our results demonstrated that application of FYM @ 20 t/ha with soil test based application of nutrients recorded significantly highest number of millable canes of 134.3 thousand/ha and number of shoots (142.2 thousand/ha) at 150 DAS. However, cane length, cane diameter, single cane weight, cane yield and sugar yield were statistically at par with either application of 100% RDF plus FYM @ 20 t/ha or with the soil test based application of nutrients along with biofertilizers and 10 t/ha of FYM. With 20 t/ha of FYM and chemical fertilizer, the build-up of organic carbon content, N, P, K, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn were significantly higher than the treatments containing either 10 t of FYM/ha or no manure. Application of FYM or biofertilizers or both along with RDF or STB nutrient application resulted in 12.8 to 17.9% higher cane yield, resulting in additional net returns of ₹ 20592 to 45230/ha as compared to recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers alone. Our study showed that higher cane and sugar productivity and economic returns can be achieved by applying either 20 t of FYM or 10 t of FYM along with bio-fertilizers.

Response of Stubble Shaving Times on Ratoon Yield of Different Sugarcane Genotypes

Ratooning is common practice done in sugarcane with purpose of reducing the total cost of cultivation and early cane maturity. More than 35% of sugarcane productivity is lost due to improper attention of the farmers towards ratoons. Majority of farmers reported that the ratoonability wasn’t good when harvested in December-January. This experiment was carried out to find the appropriate ratoon shaving time with response to different varieties in sugarcane ratoon crop in the year 2018/19 at national sugarcane research project, Jitpur, Bara. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with four levels of cane genotypes as Co – 0238, CoLk – 94184, Co – 0233 and CoS – 07250 as the main plot factor while four harvesting dates as sub plot factor with three replications. Observations of a number of millable canes, single cane weight, plant height and single cane diameter were recorded, tabulated and analyzed in R-studio. Ratoon stubble shaving in the month of November had the highest number of millable canes (88079/ha) which wasn’t significantly different from the stubble shaving in the month of December, January. Likewise, highest cane yield (60.04 mt/ha), single cane weight (0.757 kg), cane diameter (2.11 cm), plant height (1.82 m) were found in early stubble shaving dates. Cane Yield and various yield parameter shows better performance in early ratoon shaving periods i.e. from November to January than late ratoon shaving dates.

Identification of Drought-Tolerant Co-canes Based on Physiological Traits, Yield Attributes and Drought Tolerance Indices

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of water stress on early and mid-late categories of Co-canes, i.e., [Co 98014, Co 0118, Co 0238, Co 07023, Co 15023 (early) and Co 0124, Co 05011, Co 11027, Co 15027, Co 12029 (mid-late)]. The experiment consists of stress treatments in main plot, i.e. (control and water stress) and ten Co-canes in subplot were laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The water stress was imposed by withholding irrigation during formative phase. The observations recorded on morphological, physiological and yield attributes have suggested possible key characteristics of water stress tolerance. Leaf area and cane length exhibited 37.3% and 26.53% reduction under drought condition in comparison to the control. Co 05011 (78.77%) and Co 0238 (76.88%) showed/maintained better RWC under stress condition with mean reduction of 16.70% over Co-canes RWC. Water stress also caused reduction in gas exchange traits and the associated pigments by 56.57% in stomatal conductance (gS), 56.55% in photosynthetic rate (pN), 38.21% in transpiration rate (E), 28.01% in internal CO2 (Ci) and 16.86% in the chlorophyll content. Maximum water use efficiency (pN/E) under drought stress was recorded in Co 0238 (4.12) and Co 98014 (3.93). Total number of tillers, number of millable canes, single cane weight and cane yield were also reduced under water stress but Co 98014, Co 05011, Co 0238, Co 12029 and Co 15023 showed lesser reduction in these traits. Further, the cane yield data were subjected to different drought tolerance indices viz. stress susceptibility index, stress tolerance index and yield index. Results obtained from physiological and yield attributes as well as tolerance indices indicated that Co 98014, Co 05011, Co 0238 and Co 12029 had the potential to grow well under water stress conditions for sustaining sugarcane production and hence could be used as tolerant germplasm in crop improvement programs.

Exploring potential of different fungicides for management of red rot of sugarcane under sub-tropical India

Red rot is one of the most devastating diseases of sugarcane which imposes major limitations to the profitable cultivation of this crop. The disease is primarily transmitted through sett borne inoculum in field. Although fungicides have been effectively used for disease control in several crops; there have been limited studies exploring potential of fungicides for management of sett transmitted red rot under field conditions. As such, field experiments were carried out over two crop seasons (2018–2019, 2019–2020) to evaluate six systemic fungicides and one systemic resistance inducing chemical (salicylic acid) for red rot management. The fungicides and salicylic acid (SA) were applied as sett treatment at time of planting to red rot pre-inoculated setts of variety Co 1148 and data on red rot, number of millable canes (NMC) and yield recorded in the experiment. In both years, highest red rot incidence was recorded in control plots (55–59%). Application of the fungicides and SA showed a reduction in red rot incidence over control but the extent of reduction varied considerably (10.6–39.4% reduction) across the treatments over the 2 years. Overall, among the seven fungicides evaluated, sett treatment with two fungicides (Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin and Thiophanate methyl) consistently resulted in > 30% reduction in red rot incidence over control in both years along with significantly higher NMC over control. Significant variations were also recorded in yield among the treatments with the above two fungicides exhibiting > 40% yield increase over control during 2018–2019 and > 27% yield increase during 2019–2020 crop season. The current study establishes that the fungicides Thiophanate methyl and Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin have the potential to control sett borne inoculum of red rot, which is the primary mode of red rot transmission in nature, to the tune of 30–40%. These fungicides have the potential to be exploited further either alone or in combination with other management options as part of developing effective red rot management strategy.

Effect of foliar application of NPK on sugarcane yield and its parameters

Sugarcane is important cash crop of India as well as Haryana. Haryana is 7th largest producer of sugarcane in the country. In India sugarcane is cultivated all over the country from latitude 80 N to 330 N, except cold hilly areas like Kashmir valley, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. The experiment was conducted at Regional Research Station, Uchani (Karnal) of CCS Haryana Agricultural University. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar application of NPK on cane yield, yield attributes (NMC (number of millable canes) (000 ha-1), cane girth (cm), and cane length (m) of sugarcane variety CoH119. The experiment included 14 treatments of RDF (recommended dose of fertilizers) plus different combination of foliar spray which were used in RBD design of plot size of 6m x 6m. The highest number of cane yield (78.60 t/ha), NMC (92010/ha), cane length (1.51m) and cane girth (2.60cm) was found in RDF + 3% urea + 3% DAP + 3% MOP over control i.e. 67.8 t/ha, 82942/ha, 1.20m and 2.16cm and followed by the treatment RDF + 2% urea + 2% DAP + 2% MOP i.e. 78.00/ha, 91274/ha, 1.45m and 2.58 cm respectively. The results suggest a need for revision of already recommended NPK rates to get maximum output and its foliar application in sugarcane growing areas of India and possible other areas of the world.

Evaluation of chemical pesticides for the management of Top Borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis Walker) in sugarcane

An experiment was conducted at research field of National Sugarcane Research Program, Jeetpur, Nepal in 2014 and 2016, to evaluate the efficacy of chemical insecticides against sugarcane top borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis Walker). Nine different treatments viz. Chlorantraniliprole 0.4 G, Cartap hydrochloride 4 G, Fipronil 0.3 G, Carbofuran 3 G (standard check) as soil application and foliar spray of Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, Thiodicarp 75 WP, Spinosad 45 SC, Chlorpyrifos 20 EC (standard check) and one untreated check (control) were used in randomized complete block design with three replications. The top borer susceptible genotype, Co 0238 was planted on February and single application of these insecticides was done on July at brood stage against top borers. The lowest 10.65 and 12.43, 13.68, 14.61, 14.15 percentage of top borer damage was found in foliar application of Chlorantraniliprole @ 35g a.i. /ha followed by Spinosad @ 125g a.i. /ha and soil application of Cartap hydrochloride @ 1500g a.i /ha and foliar application of Thiodicarp @ 1500g a.i. /ha and Fipronil @ 100g a.i. /ha. The infestation percentage reduction over control was found highest in Chlorantraniliprole (69.40%) followed by Spinosad (64.29%) treated plots. Furthermore, the cane yield was highest in Chlorantraniliprole (92.30 mt/ha) and Spinosad (90.06 mt/ha) treated plots than that of other insecticide treated plots. The number of millable canes and cane diameter in the plots among the treatment was found non-significant. Based on the infestation reduction rate, foliar application of the chemical insecticide (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC and Spinosad 45 SC) could be better option for chemical management of sugarcane top borer.

AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF RARE HYBRIDS WITH FEMALE RESTITUTION IN INTERSPECIFIC CROSSES OF COMMERCIAL CULTIVAR OF SUGARCANE AND SACCHARUM SPONTANEUM L.SACCHARIPHAGUS INDICUS (KAPUR) IN SUGARCANE

High compatibility in interspecific crosses among species of Saccharum with peculiar chromosome transmissions in the progeny is well documented. It depends upon the species combination used in the interspecific crosses. Though 2n + n transmission is common in Saccharum officinarum x S. spontaneum, which led to the success of the first man made interspecific commercial hybrid Co 205, it is an uncommon phenomenon with commercial cultivar x S. spontaneum. Recently, 2n+n transmission with female restitution in two hybrids from the crosses of Co 89029 (2n=110) x S. spontaneum (2n =88) and Co 89029 (2n=110) x S. spontaneum (2n = 112) has been identified. These hybrids, 04-2153 with 2n=153 and 04-244, 2n=166 were evaluated for their agronomic characters. Improvement over the female parent was observed for number of millable canes (74.3%), plant height (15.0 % ), cane yield (7.37 %), dry matter production (67.14%), fibre (59.62 %) and pollen fertility (97.16 %) in the hybrid 04-2153 while the hybrid 04-244 had shown considerable improvement over the female parent for number of millable canes (49.85 %), cane yield (25.59 %), pollen fertility (46.83%), dry matter production (34.27) and fibre content (46.15%). Performance of these hybrids and their utilisation in commercial breeding programme are discussed.

Enhancing cane and sugar productivity applying variable modes of plant growth regulators in sugarcane (Saccharum sp. complex) cultivation under coastal climatic conditions of India

A field experiment was carried out for three crop seasons at Sugarcane Research Station, Nayagarh (Odisha) during spring seasons of 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 to assess the effect of ethrel and gibberellic acid on growth, yield attributing characters, yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum sp. complex). Pooled data of three years study indicated that different treatments with plant growth regulators had significant effect on growth, yield and quality parameters of sugarcane. Germination percent of cane buds was the highest in the treatment involving planting of sugarcane setts after overnight soaking in 100 ppm ethrel solution followed by foliar application of gibberellic acid @35 ppm at 90,120 and 150 days after planting (DAP). Other sugarcane growth parameters, viz. number of tillers and plant heights were significantly higher with the application of growth regulators which produced higher number of millable canes (at harvest) than that of other treatments in the test. Overnight soaking of cane setts in 100 ppm ethrel solution followed by foliar application of gibberellic acid @35 ppm at 90,120 and 150 days after planting also produced significantly higher yield parameters, viz. number of millable cane (84.26’ 000 ha-1), cane length (313.6 cm), cane girth (2.94 cm) and single cane weight (1.64 kg) as compared to conventionally planted sugarcane crop. There was no significant influence on juice quality parameters due to various treatments in this study. However, overnight soaking of setts with 100 ppm ethrel solution followed by foliar application of gibberellic acid @ 35 ppm at 90, 120 and 150 days after planting showed comparatively higher values in all the juice quality parameters. Significantly higher cane and sugar yields of 116.14 t/ha and 12.82 t/ha, respectively were obtained with planting of sugarcane after overnight soaking in 100 ppm ethrel solution followed by gibberellic acid spray @ 35 ppm at 90, 120 and 150 days after planting. The above higher yields were attributed mainly to marked improvement in growth and yield attributes in response to application of plant growth regulators. Therefore, it can be concluded that combined application of ethrel and gibberellic acid had the positive effect to improve the growth parameters, yield and quality of sugarcane.

Studies of genetic parameters for productive traits in early maturing sugarcane clones and selection of superior clones

In an experiment, 16 early maturing sugarcane clones along with 2 checks were planted in Randomized Block Design with three replications during spring season 2016-17 at Dr. RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar to study the genetic parameters for productive traits in early maturing sugarcane clones and select the superior clones. The productive traits under studied were germination percentage at 45 & 90 days after planting (DAP), number of shoots at 120 & 240 DAP (000/ha), plant height at 150 days, 240 days (cm) & 300 days(at harvest), cane diameter (cm), fibre per cent, single cane weight (kg), number of millable cane (000/ha), juice quality traits viz, brix, pol & purity per cent at 8 & 10th months stage, respectively, CCS per cent, cane and sugar yield (tonne/ha) at harvest. Analysis of variance revealed that highly significant differences among the clones for all the productive traits under study. Maximum range was found for the trait plant height at 150 days followed by plant height at 240 days and cane yield. The phenotypic coefficient of variance was greater than genotypic coefficient of variance for all the traits. The traits namely, cane yield, sugar yield, single cane weight, number of shoots at 120 DAP, cane diameter and germination percentage at 90 DAP showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean. On the basis of per se performance of six productive traits the clones namely, CoP 15437, CoP 14436 CoP 11437, CoLk 12207 and CoP 12437 were selected as superior early maturing genotypes. All these clones can be utilized by the farmers as well as Sugar Factories to get high yield and high sugar in early phage of crushing and also its can be further utilization for sugarcane crop improvement programme.

Growth and yield promoting effect of NPK fortified with pressmud compost on sugarcane

Combined application of press mud compost and inorganic fertilizers is a cost effective way to manage soil fertility in a sustainable way. To evaluate the results of press mud compost and inorganic based synthetic fertilizers, the present study was planned and research was conducted at Sheikhoo Sugarcane Research Farm located at Sheikhoo Sugar Mills, Kot Addu. The experiment was consist of six treatments namely T1 = No fertilizer, T2 = NPK 228-114-124 kg ha-1, T3 = 25 t ha-1 compost, T4 = NPK 228-114-124 kg ha-1+ 20 t ha-1 compost, T5 = NPK 114-57-62 kg ha-1+ 20 t ha-1 compost and T6 = NPK 228-114-124 kg ha-1+ 10 t ha-1 compost and was laid out in RCB design having four replications with a net plot size of 6 m x 8 m. Sugarcane growth and yield parameters including soil fertility levels (pre planting and post harvesting) were studied. Results showed that lower pH value (8.42) and higher organic matter contents (0.42) were recorded in treatment having compost @ 25 t ha-1. Whereas, higher N (0.028 %), P (7.27 ppm) and K (68.25 ppm) were found in those soils which were treated with NPK 228-114-124 kg ha-1+ 20 t ha-1 compost. Results regarding sugarcane growth and yield showed that maximum number of tillers (138.50 x103 ha-1) 135 days after planting, number of millable cane (104.25 x103 ha-1), number of nodes (25.25/ cane), cane girth (7.54 cm), cane length (3.89 m), cane yield (111.75 t ha-1), brix (22.08 %), pol (19.80 %) and sugar recovery (10.75 %) were observed in those plots treated with NPK 228-114-124 kg ha-1+ 20 t ha-1 compost. It can be concluded that the combined use of press mud compost and inorganic NPK fertilizers remained successful to promote the growth as well as the yield of sugarcane and soil fertility improvement in an efficient way.

Irrigation and fertigation scheduling effect on phenology and yield of spring sugarcane (Sachharum officinarum)

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi to evaluate better irrigation water supply with nitrogen fertilization scheduling option to achieve maximum yield of spring planted sugarcane (Sachharum officinarum L.). Experiment was laid out in split plot design. The treatment consisted of three irrigation methods, viz. flood, furrow and drip; five nitrogen scheduling, viz. farmers practice, 4 splits, 6 splits, 8 splits and 10 splits. Results of the study indicated that higher number of tillers, leaf area index, number of millable canes and cane stalk yield were found under drip irrigation as compared to flood and furrow irrigation. Drip irrigation increase 22.30% cane stalk yield than irrigation through flood method. Significantly highest phenological growth, yield attributing characters and cane stalk yield were recorded with 6 splits of nitrogen application. Nitrogen application through farmers practice reduced 8.83 and 9.56% cane yield during two consecutive years, respectively. The overall effect of nitrogen application scheduling was in the order of 6 splits > 8 splits >10 splits >4 splits >farmers practice.

Yield and quality of some sugarcane varieties as affected by irrigation number

T Two field experiments were conducted at Shandaweel Agricultural Research Station, Sohag Governorate, Egypt (latitude of 26 61° N, longitude of 31 52° E) in 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons to assess the effect of number of irrigations on yield and quality of some sugarcane varieties. This work included 12 treatments, represent the combinations among (16, 18 and 20 irrigations/season) and sugarcane genotypes namely G.2004-27, G.2003-47, G.T.54-9 and 2005-47 genotype. A randomized complete block design was used in a split plot arrangement. Phenotypic, genotypic coefficient of variation and heritability% of growth, quality traits and yields of cane varieties were studied. Supplying sugarcane with 20 irrigations significantly increased number of millable canes, cane and sugar yields/fed sucrose% and sugar recovery%. Sugarcane varieties differed markedly in all studied traits. SugarcaneG.T.54-9 variety recorded the highest cane yield/fed, while G.2003-47 was superior in sucrose% and sugar recovery% and sugar yield/fed. Stalk height recorded the highest values of genotypic (σ2g) and phenotypic (σ2p) followed by cane yield/fed. Sugar recovery% recorded the highest values of GCV and PCV. Significant and positive correlation was found between cane yield, cane weight and number of millable canes. Sugar yield/fed was significantly and positively correlated with juice purity%, followed by sugar recovery%, then sucrose%. Planting the commercial variety viz. G.T.54-9 given 20 irrigations is preferable to get the highest cane yield/fed, without significant difference with G.2004-27 at 16 irrigations. Planting G.2003-47 supplied with 16 irrigations can be recommended for the highest sugar yield/fed, without variance with G.T.54-9 at 20 irrigations.

Effect of in situ recycling of sugarcane crop residue and its industrial wastes on yield and quality of sugarcane and soil sustainability in Inceptisol

A field experiment was conducted at Central Sugarcane Research Station, Padegaon Farm Tal Phaltan Dist Satara (M.S.) during 2015-16 to 2018-19 as a one plant cane and its three successive ratoon with object of to assess the effect of recycling of sugarcane crop residues and it’s industrial wastes on yield, quality and nutrient uptake of sugarcane, study the soil properties as influenced by decomposition of sugarcane crop residues and it’s industrial wastes, to assess the changes in soil organic carbon as influenced by various treatments of in situ decomposition of sugarcane crop residues and industrial wastes and to assess the possibility of saving of chemical fertilizers.The experimental results recorded and mentioned during harvest of second ratoon. It consists of main plot treatment as sugarcane crop residue and industrial wastes management with sub plot treatment comprising fertilizer levels. In situ recycling of sugarcane crop residues + pressmud compost + Post biomethanated spent wash + bagasse ash recorded significantly higher cane yield, CCS yield and number of millable canes per hectare also improved physico chemical properties of soil. However, effect of fertilizer levels results showed that the fertilizer level receiving 100 % recommended dose of fertilizers recorded significantly higher cane yield, CCS yield and number of millable canes and it was at par with 75 % recommended dose of fertilizers. While in terms of soil chemical parameters showed significant results for organic carbon, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium as compared to soil initial status. The higher gross and net return were observed in the In situ recycling of sugarcane crop residues + pressmud compost + Post biomethanated spent wash + bagasse ash (Rs.2,72,857 and Rs.2,02,815) with higher benefit cost ratio (2.90). The 100 % recommended dose of fertilizer recorded significantly higher gross and net return (Rs.2,78,614 and Rs.2,00,093) with higher benefit cost ratio (2.55). Thus, result shows that recycling of sugarcane crop residue and industrial wastes along with 100% or 75 % recommended dose of fertilizers found to be better for enhance farmers income as well as improves soil health.

EVALUATION OF INTRA-SPECIFIC HYBRIDS OF SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM FOR YIELD, QUALITY AND INCIDENCE OF YELLOW LEAF DISEASE

Improvement of parental clones of Saccharum officinarum L. through repeated cycles of intra-specific hybridization and selection was undertaken at ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI), Coimbatore during 1987 to 1996. Thirty one clones selected from six polycrosses involving 13 parental clones of S. officinarum constituted cycle 1 (C1) population. Intermating among fourteen C1 clones followed by selection resulted in identification of 33 clones in cycle 2 (C2) population. Fourteen clones selected in C2 and C1 were inter-crossed. From the progenies, 50 clones were selected to constitute cycle 3 (C3) population. As the original parental clones of S. officinarum had low number of millable canes (NMC) and poor cane yield, in each cycle of selection emphasis was given to select progenies with high NMC, single cane weight and cane yield. The C1, C2 and C3 population, totalling 114 (designated as population-improved S. officinarum clones or PIO clones) were evaluated at ICAR-SBI Research Centre, Agali during 2015-16 and 2016-17 for NMC, single cane weight, cane yield per plot, brix%, sucrose% in juice and resistance to yellow leaf disease (YLD). Generation-wise improvement in the targeted traits was estimated. Significant improvement in NMC /ha (37.18 per cent), single cane weight (16.67 per cent) and cane yield (61.51 per cent) was achieved in two cycles of selection. Ten YLD-free improved clones with acceptable agronomic traits were identified for further use. They are: PIO 94-847, PIO 94-875, PIO 99-633, PIO 00-513, PIO 00-547, PIO 00-638, PIO 00-757, PIO 00-769, PIO 00-772 and PIO 00-840. These improved PIO clones would serve as new parental gene pool in the interspecific hybridization programmes and for diversifying the genetic base of commercial sugarcane varieties.