Millable Canes Research Articles

Cane yield and quality characters of some promising somaclonal variants of sugarcane

Six tissue culture derived sugarcane somaclones TC-434, TC-435, TC-436, TC-237 and TC-045 from CoC671 and somaclone number TC-338 from Co7219 developed by Biotechnology section of Vasahtdada Sugar Institute, Pune were evaluated for their agronomical and quality attributes during suru season. Somaclone TC-435 gave higher cane yield at 12 months crop age over CoC 671. Somaclone TC-435 had significantly higher millable cane height and number of internodes than that of donor parent CoC671 .Tillering ratio at 120 days was found to be significantly higher in somaclones TC-434 and TC-045 as compared to the donor parent CoC 671. Somaclones TC-045 and TC-434 had maximum sugar content, showing increasing trend from 10th to 12th month crop age. Brix value about 23 was recorded in somaclones TC-237, TC-436 and TC-434 at the age of 12 months. Increasing trend in sugar recovery from 10th month onward was found in somaclones TC-045, TC-434 and TC-435 indicating their earliness in sugar recovery and suitability for early crush if planted in sum season. These somaclones showed higher values of CCS i.e., more than 15 % at 12 months. The promising somaclones are being evaluated in different agro-climatic zones.

Correlation and path analysis in sugarcane ratoon

The experiment was planted with fourteen early maturing high sugar genotypes along with two standards (CoJ64 and CoS687) during spring season of 2003 in randomized block design with plot size of 10 × 3.75 m2 in three replications, which was harvested during 2004 and ratoon was maintained to study the correlation and path analysis among different agronomic as well as quality characters with ratoon yield. The results indicated that the variance for juice quality trait is high. All the quality parameters like juice brix, sucrose per cent in juice and commercial cane sugar percent (CCS%) had highly positive and significant genotypic correlation with Pol percent in cane during November. Among the characters studied, number of millable canes (NMC), single cane weight and cane height showed significant positive correlation with ratoon yield and sugar tonnes per hectare (STH) but there was a weak negative correlation between NMC and single cane weight. Path analysis study reveled that two characters namely NMC and single cane weight showed significant positive direct contribution towards cane yield. This cane weight was contributed by cane height to cane yield. Although all the characters which showed significant positive correlation were important but on the basis of path analysis NMC and single cane weight had contributed more for ratoon yield. Therefore, for selection of high ratoon yield in early maturing genotypes more emphasis on NMC and single cane weight would be of much importance.

Evaluation of Promising Sugarcane Genotypes for Drought

Promising sugarcane genotypes numbering fifteen were evaluated in the field for their tolerance to drought. The reduction in individual leaf area, leaf number, leaf area index and tiller population was significant due to treatment. Number of millable canes was significantly less in drought treatment (67,770/ha) as compared to the control ( 82,200/ha). Cane yield was reduced by 37% in drought treatment. Mean sugar yield was 9.96t/ha in control, while in drought it was 5.59t/ha. Among the genotypes evaluated Co 95003, Co 95005 and Co 95006 recorded higher cane and sugar yield even under drought treatment indicating their resistance potential.

Direct and residual effects of sulphur fertilization on productivity of sugarcane

The experiment was carried out during 1999 to 2001 on two plant and two ratoon crops of sugarcane at Sugarcane Research Station, Jalandhar. The direct effects of application of sulphur @ 0,20,40,60 and 80 Kg S/ha were studied on plant crop and the residual effects on succeeding ratoon crops. The sulphur application did not increase the cane yield in the first year as this experimental site contained 14 ppm of available sulphur that was above the critical limit of 10 ppm. In the second year the soil contained 10 ppm of available sulphur and the crop responded only upto 20 Kg/ha of applied sulphur. The sulphur content of the index leaf as well as the number of tillers and millable canes showed a pattern similar to that of cane yield. In the ratoon crop, significant residual effects wee observed during both the years due to 40 and higher levels of sulphur applied to plant crop. Thee was no residual response to 20 K S/ha. Though the experimental sites contained 14 and 10 kg of available S/ha, in the first and second years suggesting thereby that the critical levels of soil S may be higher for ratoons that for the plant crop.

Impact of mosaic infection on growth and yield of sugarcane

Studies were conducted on the impact of sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) on cane growth and yield of two popular sugarcane varieties Co 740 and CoC 671 with virus free and virus-infected seed cane materials. The results revealed a significant reduction in sett germination and tiller production in both the varieties. Similarly a significant reduction in number of millable canes due to virus infection was found in both the varieties at the time of harvest. Virus infection significantly reduced the net CO2 assimilation rate during the grand growth period. At harvest, cane stalks from virus-infected plots recorded a significant reduction in cane diameter, cane weight and number of internodes. Results of juice analysis revealed that virus infection reduced brix, sucrose per cent, purity and commercial cane sugar per cent in both sugarcane varieties. The results indicated that infection of SCMV in sugarcane may severely affect cane growth and sugar yield under field conditions, and sugar recovery to a significant level in the country.

China: An emerging sugar super power

Sugarcane production in China has more than 3000 years of history. Prior to 1840 A.D., China dominated the world trade of cane sugar but the sugar industry became very week since then due to long time of wars and unstable social conditions. It has been developing rapidly again since early 1980s. China has become the third largest sugar producer in the world with 10.02 million tons of sugar output in 2003/04 and sugarcane contributed to 94.0% of the total sugar output. Guangxi is the biggest sugarcane growers Province in China, and it produced 5.88 tons of sugar which occupied 58.4% of the total sugar and 62.3% of the cane sugar in China, respectively in 2003/04. The other two key sugarcane and cane sugar producing Provinces in China are Yuanan and Guangdong Province. The capitation consumption of sugar was 6.9 kg/person in 2002, and it has increased rapidly in the recent years. Drought is the most important constraint for the sugarcane production, and other key limitations include low temperature, frost, insect pests (mainly borers, aphids, thripid and scarabs), diseases (mainly ratoon stunting disease, mosaic, pineapple and smut), weeds and rats. China has established its unique effective technologies for sugarcane production especially for the production in upland which occupied 90% of the total sugarcane growing area in the country. The millable cane productivity remained 60 to 70 tons/ha in China in the recent years. More than 100 sugarcane varieties have been bred and released for commercial sugarcane production since 1950s, and the variety GT11, bred by the Guangxi Sugarcane Research Institute and released since December 1980, boasts the biggest commercialised area, that is, 1.33 million hectares of land area since 1985. The ratoon crops occupied about two third of the total sugarcane growing area, Inappropriate field management and diseases like ratoon stunting disease and mosaic are the most important factors that limit the commercial ratoon cane productivity at present. The milling duration is from mid November to the end of April next year, and chemical ripening has been used to increase the sucrose % cane at early milling stage. The intercropping is very popular in the sugarcane fields with various crops such as vegetables, melons, pulse crops, potato, corn, mushrooms and green manure crops.

Effect of time and mode of application of potassium on the growth, yield and quality of sugarcane ratoon

Studies were undertaken at Sugarcane Research Station, Thiruvalla during 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998– 99 on ratoon crop of sugarcane to determine the effect of time and method of K application. The results revealed that soil application of K at 75 per cent of the recommended dose as basal along with 25 per cent of the recommended dose of K as foliar application at 90 DAP resulted in appreciable increase in millable cane count and cane yield. However, the juice quality remained unaffected with treatment effects. It was also observed that K application beyond 90 days after ratooning (DAR) either through soil or foliar application did not show any significant effects on cane yield and juice quality. Similarly 100 per cent K application as foliar spray could not enhance the cane yield and improve the juice quality.

Analysis of toxic and osmotic effects of sodium chloride on leaf growth and economic yield of sugarcane

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) an important sugar crop, shows high sensitivity to salinity at various growth stages. This study was conducted to determine the comparative response of a salt-tolerant (CP-4333) and a salt-sensitive (CP-71-3002) sugarcane clone to the toxic or osmotic effects of sodium chloride at two growth stages. Clones indicated significant differences in terms of reductions in dry weight and area of leaves under salinity at the grand growth stage. Leaf dry weight was more affected than leaf area, resulting in reduced specific leaf weight. The tolerant clone produced supplementary tillers in greater number that appeared to offload the ion excess. Clones indicated significant difference with regard to increase in leaf Na+ and Cl- and decrease in K+, but no difference in K+:Na+ ratio. Na+ and Cl- were negatively correlated while K+ was positively correlated with leaf growth parameters, indicating an adverse effect of Na+ and Cl- and importance of K+ to salt tolerance. The tolerant clone displayed higher water content, water, and turgor potentials of leaf than sensitive clone, but the osmotic potential did not significantly change. Soluble sugars of tolerant clone indicated a ~2 fold increase over control, indicating their osmo-protective role. Free proline accumulation was more specific to the sensitive clone and was correlated with Na+ and Cl- showing its synthesis due to ion-toxicity. At maturity, increased salinity reduced the millable cane yield, extractable juice and juice-brix percentage, but increased juice osmolality. All these parameters were negatively correlated with EC, Na+, and Cl- and displayed their specific effect on the sugar levels in the internodes. In summary, ion-toxicity was the main determinant of salt tolerance at the grand growth stage while the osmotic component of NaCl mainly appeared to affect the transport of sucrose to stalks, followed by stimulated sucrolytic activity in the internodes, resulting in reduced final cane yield.

Effect of sustained sodic and saline-sodic irrigation and application of gypsum and farmyard manure on yield and quality of sugarcane under semi-arid conditions

A field experiment was conducted for 10 years (1989–1990 to 1998–1999) to study the effect of long-term irrigation with sodic and saline-sodic waters in the presence and absence of amendments on soil properties and their influence on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane on a well-drained sandy loam Typic Ustochrept soil. Irrigation water treatments included: a good quality water (CW), sodic water (RSC, 10 me l −1) and saline-sodic water (RSC, 10 me l −1 and EC, 3 dS m −1). Two amendments viz. FYM at 20 t ha −1 every year and gypsum applied with each irrigation to neutralize 7.5 me l −1 of RSC, were superimposed on these water treatments. Long-term irrigation with sodic and saline-sodic waters increased pH, EC and ESP of the soils. The harmful effects were relatively severe under saline-sodic irrigation. The cane yield and yield contributing parameters (cane height, average number of millable canes and cane thickness) decreased significantly over the years under sodic and saline-sodic irrigations. The beneficial effect of gypsum was more pronounced in increasing cane yield under sodic (30%) compared to saline-sodic irrigation (13%). On the other hand, FYM was more effective under saline-sodic (38%) than under sodic water irrigation (23%). The significant complimentary effects of both the amendments applied together were observed only under sodic irrigation. Under saline-sodic irrigation, both the amendments applied together were at par with FYM treatment but significantly better than the gypsum treatment. The percent commercial cane sugar (% CCS) significantly decreased under these treatments and had the lowest values under saline-sodic irrigation in most years. These irrigations also significantly increased the EC and Na, Cl and SO 4 content of the juice. The harmful effects of sodic and saline-sodic irrigation became severe in case of sugar yield over the years. Compared to 12.2 t ha −1 under CW irrigation, sugar yield was 10.2 and 8.3 t ha −1 after the first year and it further decreased at 0.29 and 0.18 t ha −1 per year under sodic and saline-sodic irrigation, respectively. The beneficial effects of the amendments in improving % CCS and sugar yield were similar to those observed in case of cane yield. Complimentary effects of these amendments in improving sugar yield were observed under sodic irrigation (12.3 t ha −1). In case of saline-sodic irrigation, sugar yield under the FYM treatment (10.8 t ha −1) was at par with gypsum plus the FYM treatment but was significantly higher than under the gypsum treatment (9.0 t ha −1). The results of the study suggest that sustainable cane and sugar yields with good quality juice can be obtained by applying gypsum/FYM or both under sodic and only FYM under saline-sodic water irrigation.

Ethephon : A versatile growth regulator for sugar cane industry

In many sugarcane growing areas of the world, sugar productivityper se is low due to physio-biochemical constraints and adverse climatic conditions during growth and ripening. The cane growth and sucrose accumulation are severely impeded due to many factors such as poor sprouting and low tillering, climatic impediments during cane maturation, poor sprouting of winter initiated ratoon, sub-optimal quality of stand-over crop and undesired flowering in commercial sugarcane plantation. Plant growth regulators have been found to mitigate the adverse affects of these constraints to some extent. Studies carried out at many places show that application of plant growth regulating chemical such as ethephon (ethrel or 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) leads to enhancement in seed cane sprouting under normal and late-planted conditions. The tiller number, millable canes, and biomass productivity per unit area increases following ethephon treatment. It’s efficacy has been demonstrated in improving sprouting of winter initiated ratoon of early maturing varieties, with consequent increase in ratoon tillers at a later stage. Ethephon also hastens the cane maturation process which favours early milling and suppresses flowering as well as sustains quality during late-milling. Ethephon application on sugarcane could be an important agrotechnology from cane grower’s and miller’s point of view due to its multiple benefits. It is an eco-friendly chemical and has tremendous potential to augment cane yield and sugar productivity.

Effects of Water-Logging on Juice Quality and Yield of Sugarcane

Chemical quality and yield performance were studied in six new sugarcane genotypes at normal and water-logging condition. The highest chemical indices, Brix % (22.20) and pol % (20.53) were found in January 2002 in I-93/93 and I-110/93 respectively and the lowest in I-39/94 (Brix %: 14.93; pol %: 12.52) at water-logged cultivated cane in all months. The highest of purity % (95.79) and recovery % (13.05) were found in I-110/93 in the month December 2001 and January 2002 respectively and the lowest in Isd 20 (purity % : 77.44; recovery 6.49 in September 2001) at water- logged and normal cultivated cane respectively. The highest R.S. % (1.51) was found in I-39/94 in all months and the lowest in I-110/93 (0.09) at water-logged cultivated cane. Result showed that the highest tiller (183.3 x 1000 ha-1 in I-110/93), millable cane (117.8x 1000 ha-1 in 1-8/95), Yield (162.8 t ha-1 in I-8/95) and TSH (16.63 ton sugar ha-1 in I- 110/93) were found in normal cultivated and the lowest were found in water- logged cultivated sugarcane (tiller 107.6x 1000 ha-1 in Isd 20; millable cane 73.38x 1000 ha-1 in Isd 30; yield 59.4 t ha-1 in Isd 20 and TSH 6.75 ton sugar ha-1 in Isd 20). It is concluded that the highest percentage in juice quality were found in water-logged condition cultivated cane, on the other hand growth & yield performance were also found in highest in normal cultivated cane. In aspect of sugar production some tested cultivars showed (Isd-20,1-93/93 and 1- 8/95) similar performance in normal and water-logged cultivated sugarcane due to genetic potentiality and environmental adaptation on quality, yield and growth.

Evaluation of different formulations ofbacillus thuringiensis against sugarcane early shoot borerchilo infuscatellus snellen

FiveBacillus thuringiensis Berliner formulations,viz., Delfin, Biobit, Halt, Dipel (Bt. ssp.kurstaki and Spicturin (Bt. ssp.galleriae) were evaluated in two field trials in Tamil Nadu, India, against sugarcane early shoot borerChilo infuscatellus Snellen. Shoot borer infestation in bothBt. formulations and Sevidol treated plots decreased significantly by 42.59 to 62.41 per cent in the first experiment and 29.42 to 50.12 per cent in the second field experiment over untreated control. The number of millable canes (NMC) per plot at harvest was significantly high in Delfin (413.0) followed by Biobit (411.0), Dipel (396.3), Halt (390.0) and Spicturin (385.7) as compared to Sevidol (388.0) and untreated control (352.3) in the first experiment. A more or less similar trend was noticed in the second experiment. Cane yield, commercial cane sugar (CCS) per cent and sugar yield significantly increased due toBt treatments compared to control. In both the experiments, the order of efficacy ofBt formulations was Delfin> Biobit > Dipel > Halt > Spicturin. The currently recommended insecticide Sevidol was less effective compared to Delfin, Biobit and Dipel.

Correlation and path analysis for cane yield, juice quality and their component traits in sugarcane

Investigation was carried out at the Karnataka Institute of Applied Agricultural Research (KIAAR), Sameerwadi, during January 1998 to January 1999 to know the character association and path coefficient analysis in sixty sugarcane (saccharum officinarum L.) genotypes. Among twenty characters, single cane weight, number of millable canes per plot, leaf area and germination percent had positive and highly significant association with cane yield as well as with commercial cane sugar yield. Path coefficient analysis of cane yield per plot revealed that commercial cane sugar per plot and commercial cane sugar percent at harvest along with dry matter and number of internodes were the major contributors to cane yield per plot, where as sugar yield was largely depended on both cane yield and sucrose percent.

Effect of time of nitrogen application on yield and quality of early maturing sugarcane varieties under rainfed conditions

Field experiments were conducted for three consecutive kharif seasons (1991 to 1993) at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle to suggest a suitable variety and optimum time of nitrogen application for sugarcane grown under rainfed conditions. The results revealed that the varieties 83 A 30 and Co 6907 are more suitable for rainfed cultivation than 81 A 99 and 85 A 261. Application of recommended dose of nitrogen (75 kg/ha) in two equal splits either at planting and within 30 DAP or at 30 and 60 DAP benefited the crop to produce more number of longer millable canes at harvest which ultimately resulted in higher cane and sugar yields. Juice quality was unaltered due to application of nitrogen at different periods of crop growth.

Talc formulated fluorescent pseudomonads for sugarcane red rot suppression and enhanced yield under field conditions

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) belonging to fluorescent pseudomonads group were isolated from sugarcane rhizosphere and sugarcane stalk tissue. Induction of systemic resistance againstColletotrichum falcatum Went causing red rot disease in sugarcane by PGPR strains were studied under field conditions. The PGPR formulation was applied three times, sett treatment while planting and soil application twice in the field. Talc formulation of five PGPR strains significantly reduced red rot disease incidence when the treated canes were challenge inoculated with pathogen. When PGPR strains were evaluated for their efficacy against the disease in endemic locations, strains ofPseudomonas fluorescens such as EP1, Pf1 and CHAO andP. putida KKM1 strongly suppressed the red rot disease development in two field trials. In addition to their efficacy against red rot disease in sugarcane, the strains significantly improved sett germination, number of millable canes (NMC) and cane yield in the field. Analysis of cane juice characters revealed that PGPR treatments have positively improved juice characters viz., sucrose %, brix % and commercial cane sugar % as compared to the control in the field. The efficacy of PGPR strains against red rot pathogen, enhanced cane and sugar yields suggest that these bacterial strains could be exploited for management of red rot disease in sugarcane.

Evaluation of tissue culture raised sugarcane for yield and quality

Tissue culture plants registered 17.4 and 9.8 per cent increased cane yield over sett planting and poly bag planting, respectively. There was 0.40 per cent increased CCS per cent in tissue culture plants when compared to sett and poly bag planting. Increased cane yield in tissue culture plants was due to higher number of millable canes and increased CCS percent was due to uniform maturity of canes.

Application of insecticide for termite control and its effect on yield contributing characters in sugarcane

Field experiments were conducted at three different locations of district Shahjahanpur, UP, India during 1995-96 and 1996-97 to determine the effects of insecticide treatments (applied for termite control) on yield contributing characters of sugarcane. It was evident from the results that sett treatment with 0.20% solution of Gaucho 70 WS, soil treatment with phorate 10 G 2.50 kg ai/ha, Chlorpyrifos 15 G 2.50 kg ai/ha and Chlorpyrifos 20 EC @ 1.00 kg ai/ha were the best in controlling the termite infestation and hence promoting the sugarcane yield contribution characters viz., number of shoots, millable canes, stalk height and diameter.

Effect of fertility levels and weed-management practices on yield potential, nutri- ent uptake and economics of spring-planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

A field experiment was carried out during the spring seasons of 200708 and 200809 at Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh to study the effect of NPK levels and weed-management practices on yield potential, nutrient uptake and economics of sugarcane ( Saccharum officinar um L.). The crop was fertilized with 75% recommended dose of fer- tilizer (RDF), 100% RDF (150:60:60 kg/ha of N: P O : K O) and 125% RDF in combination with 7 weed manage- 2 5 2 ment practices, viz. weedy check; weed free; three hoeing at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting; one hoeing at 30 days after planting followed by atrazine @ 2.0 kg a.i./ha; atrazine @ 2.0 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergence (PE) + 2,4-D @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha at 60 days after planting; glyphosate @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha at 25 days after planting + one hoeing at 60 days after planting and Sesbania sowing in inter-row space followed by 2,4-D @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha at 45 days after planting. The crop fertilized with 125% RDF being at par with RDF resulted in the highest cane yield and number of millable canes, being 15.5 and 22.3% higher respectively, than lower fertility level mainly because of remarkable improvement in individual cane weight, cane girth, cane length, tillering and lower mortality. The dose of 125% RDF was found economically more sound, as it generated the highest return of 86,740/ha with benefit: cost ratio of 2.35. The highest nutrient uptake by sugarcane and total nutrient removal by sugarcane + weeds was recorded with 125% RDF which was significantly higher over RDF. The total uptake of nutrients followed the trend similar to that of nutrient removal by sugarcane. Among the weed-management practices, 3 manual hoeings at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting being at par with the treatment post-emergence application of glyphosate @ 1.0 kg a.i. at 25 days after planting + one hoeing at 60 days after planting proved efficient in controlling the weed population and dry-matter production all the growth stages, as evident by the highest weed control efficiency. The cane yield, millable canes and nutrient removal were witnessed higher under glyphosate @ 1.0 kg a.i. at 25 days after plant- ing + one hoeing at 60 days after planting, followed by 3 manual hoeing at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting. Under weedy check plots, weeds removed the maximum nutrients, whereas lower uptake was observed under weed free conditions. Glyphosate @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha at 25 days after planting + 1 hoeing at 60 days after planting was the best weed-management practices for higher net return ( 91,067/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.60) when it was com- pared to other treatments.

Effect of nitrogen application on juice quality and sugar yield in sugarcane varieties

A field experiment was conducted at Lakhaoti during 1993 94 and 1994 95 to assess the impact of nitrogen levels (0,60, 120, and 180 kglha) on juice quality . and sugar yield of some promising sugarcane genotypes ( Co 11 48 , CoS 767, CoS 687 and CoJ 64 ) planted in spring season. Genotypes differed significantly in terms of per cent extraction brix, sucrose, purity, available sugars, reducing sugars, millable canes, cane yield, and commercial cane sugar (CCS) yield. CoJ 64 had the best quality, followed by CoJ 687 , Co 1148 and CoS 767 . However, the highest sugar yield was recorded with Co 1148 . Nitrogen had an adverse effect on juice quality attributes. The highest commercial cane sugar yield was obtained with 120 kg Nlha and it declined by 8.2% with further higher dose of 180 kglha.

Yield, quality, nutrient uptake and economics of spring sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) as influenced by balanced fertilization in clay loam soils of Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted from 201112 to 201314 at Agricultural Research Station, Kota, Rajasthan, to find out suitable nutrient-management practices for sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). The experiment was consisted of 13 nutrient management practices, viz. control, N , N P , N P K (RDF), N P K +S , 200 200 60 200 60 40 200 60 40 40 N P K +Zn , N P K +Fe , N P K + Mn , N P K +S +Zn , N P K +S +Zn +Fe , N P K +S + 200 60 40 5 200 60 40 1 200 60 40 1 200 60 40 40 5 200 60 40 40 5 1 200 60 40 40 Zn +Fe +Mn , N P + S +Zn kg/ha as soil-test recommendation (STR) and FYM @ 20 t/ha were laid out in ran- 5 1 1 150 50 25 4 domized block design with 3 replications. Balanced fertilization of N P K along with S +Zn kg/ha had signifi- 200 60 40 40 5 cant influenced on tillers, number of millable canes (126,060/ha), single cane weight (880 g), cane yield (91.70 t/ha), commercial cane sugar yield (11.96 t/ha) and net profit ( 90,974/ha) over rest of the treatments being on a par with treatments of N P K +S , N P K +Zn , N P K +Fe , N P K +Mn , N P K +S +Zn +Fe , 200 60 40 40 200 60 40 5 200 60 40 1 200 60 40 1 200 60 40 40 5 1 N P K +S +Zn +Fe +Mn , N P +S +Zn kg/ha. Maximum nutrient uptake of N, P and K (265.3, 21.3 and 260 200 60 40 40 5 1 1 150 50 25 4 kg/ha) was recorded with application of N P K +S +Zn kg/ha over rest of the treatments and it was observed 200 60 40 40 5 higher positive net gain of N, P, K and S (8.5, 3.4, 16 and 3.7 kg/ha) was recorded over initial status of soil. The result showed that balanced application of N P K +S +Zn kg/ha may be recommended for obtaining higher 200 60 40 40 5 millable cane yield, net return and sustained soil health in spring planted in clay loam soils of Rajasthan.