Cane Juice Quality Research Articles

Nano-selenium enhances sugarcane resistance to Xanthomonas albilineans infection and improvement of juice quality

Selenium is an important trace element that is beneficial to human health and can enhance plant resistance and crop quality. The occurrence of up-to-date nanotechnology greatly promotes the beneficial efficiency of this trace element on crops. The discovery of nano-Se increased the crop quality and reduced plant disease in different plant. In this study, we reduced sugarcane leaf scald disease incidence by exogenously spraying different concentrations (5 mg/L and 10 mg/L) of nano-Se. Additional studies revealed that spraying of nano-Se reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and H2O2 accumulation, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities in sugarcane. The nano-selenium treatments also increased the content of jasmonic acid (JA) and the expression of JA pathway genes. Furthermore, we also found that use nano-Se treatment in an appropriate way can enhance the quality of cane juice. The brix of the cane juice of the selenium-enriched treatment was significantly higher than that of the control group, which was 10.98% and 20.81% higher than that of the CK group, respectively. Meanwhile, the content of certain beneficial amino acids was increased, with the highest being 3.9 times higher than the control. Taken together, our findings inferred that nano-Se could act as a potential eco-fungicide to protect sugarcane from can be used as a potential ecological bactericide to protect sugarcane from Xanthomonas albilineans infections, and improve sugarcane quality. The results arising from this study not only introduces an ecological method to control X. albilineans, but also provides a deep insight into this trace elements for improving juice quality.

Assessment of optimum mineral zinc fertilizer rate for quantitative and qualitative production of sugarcane in north-western India

Sugarcane crop has tremendous potential to increase the farmers income, however the deficiency of micronutrients especially zinc (Zn) deficiency in Indo-Gangetic plains regions is one of the major constraints in improving the sugarcane productivity and quality of cane juice. Farmers are using Zn fertilizers injudiciously and hence a field experiment was planned to optimize the Zn fertigation rate to obtain higher sugarcane yield, Zn content in cane juice and nutritional quality of juice. The field experiment comprised of 5 levels of Zn i.e. no Zn(Zn-0); Zn@12.5 kg ha−1 (Zn-12.5); Zn@25 kg ha−1 (Zn-25.0); Zn@37.5 kg ha−1 (Zn-37.5) and Zn@50 kg ha−1 (Zn-50.0). Among various treatments, highest cane yield (117.2 t ha−1) was observed with treatment Zn-37.5, which was 18.3 percent higher over no Zn application. The agronomic efficiency (0.49) and Zn concentration in cane juice (3.62 mg l−1) and cane trash (28.3 mg l−1) were also higher in the treatment Zn-37.5. Mineral zinc fertigation also improved the content of total soluble solids (21.5oB) and other minerals viz. Ca, Mg, K, Cu, Fe and Mn and found maximum with treatment Zn-50.0. Hence, recommended NPK fertilizers along with Zn@37.5 kg ha−1 was found best for higher sugarcane yield and improved quality of cane juice under Zn deficient soil.

Sequential Injection System for Analysis of Degree Brix, Orthophosphate and pH in Raw Sugarcane Juice Applicable to Sugar Industry.

This work presents, for the first time, a new sequential injection analysis (SIA) method to simultaneously analyze degree Brix, orthophosphate and pH in raw cane juice. These key parameters relate to price of harvested sugarcane and quality of cane juice for sugar production. The SIA system employed two detectors: the first detector is a diode-array spectrophotometer, equipped with a regular flow cell, for measurements of degree Brix and orthophosphate. Quantitative of degree Brix (°Bx; ca. % (w/w) sucrose) was based on manipulation of the schlieren effect at the interface between plugs of sample and water. Orthophosphate analysis was carried out based on the molybdenum blue method with significant reduction in consumption of the reagents. Compensation of the schlieren effect from sucrose for determination of orthophosphate was achieved by using a dual-wavelength spectrometric detection. Second detector is a pH-sensing device, called ion-selective field-effect transistors (ISFET). The ISFET is based on the current through the ISFET arising according to the H+ concentration in solution. Our developed SIA system provides linear calibration graphs fitting for purpose in analysis of sugarcane juice (pH: 0–14, °Bx: 1.0–7.0 and P2O5: 20–200 mg L−1). Simultaneous analysis of sugarcane juice for pH, °Bx and P2O5 is carried out within 5 min (12 sample per h). Precision of SIA system is acceptable (RSD < 3%). Our SIA system gave quantitative results insignificantly different, as compared with conventional methods for analysis of pH, °Bx and P2O5 in sugarcane juice.

Screening and Physico-chemical Study of Quality Jaggery Prepared from Different Early and Mid Season Sugarcane Varieties

Background: Jaggery, a traditional sweetener is produced from the sugarcane juice and its quality mainly depends on cane juice quality. It is specific to check, which sugarcane variety is producing the best jaggery in terms of its quality and recovery. Thus, this study was undertaken to screen five different promising early (CoH 160, Co 89003, Co 0238) and mid season (CoH 119, CoH 167) sugarcane varieties and to prepare and evaluate jaggery qualitatively.Methods: The different sugarcane varieties were harvested at proper maturity, weighed and crushed to extract juice in November, January and March. The juice was analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters viz., total soluble solids (oBrix), purity, pol, juice recovery (%) and commercial cane sugar (%). Good quality jaggery was prepared and evaluated for the sensory characteristics. The jaggery was evaluated quantitatively for physico-chemical parameters (reducing sugars, total sugars, sucrose, net rendement value, hardness and minerals. Result: The jaggery was found to have 8.50-10.70 per cent moisture, 68.82-78.95 per cent sucrose, 7.67-8.83 per cent reducing sugars and 1.45-2.63 per cent ash. The jaggery prepared from Co 89003 had significantly highest sensory scores over jaggery made from all other varieties. Jaggery made from CoH 160 variety was comparable with that of Co89003 variety. The early sugarcane varieties Co 89003 and CoH 160 were found to produce good quality jaggery as compared to mid-late varieties.

Effect of Organic Amendments on Soil Carbon Stock, Yield and Quality of Sugarcane Ratoon

A field experiment was conducted during 2018-20 to evaluate the effect of different organic amendments on yield and quality of sugarcane ratoon in calcareous soil at Crop Research Centre, farm at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with 8 treatments viz. control, FYM (farmyard manure) @ 20 t ha-1, biocompost (BC) @ 20 t ha-1, vermicompost (VC) @ 5.0 t ha-1, green manure with moong, sugarcane trash @ 10 t ha-1, FYM + BC+ VC (1: 1: 0.5) @ 20 t ha-1 and recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) as NPK (170: 50: 60 kg ha-1) and replicated thrice in sugarcane plant-ratoon system. The sugarcane plant crop was taken and after harvest of plant, the ratoon crop was initiated. Addition of organic amendments significantly increased the number of tillers, millable cane and ratoon cane yield which was at par with recommended dose of fertilizer. The cane juice quality was not affected due to different treatments. The mean cane yield (61.7 - 77.1 t ha-1) and sugar yield (4.06-10.56 t ha-1) varied significantly in organic added plots t ha-1 which was found at par with RDF. The sugar yield followed the similar trends of cane yield. The SMBC (soil microbial biomass carbon), CO2 evolution and carbon stocks were significantly higher in organic amendment added plots indicating improvement in soil carbon status. The highest value of CO2 evolution, SMBC and carbon stocks were observed in the treatment receiving FYM+BC+VC in combination (1: 1: 0.5). Organic amendments had beneficial impact on restoration of soil carbon status, cane and sugar yield of ratoon crop of sugarcane in calcareous soil.

Study on application of near infrared (nir) spectroscopy for sugar cane juice analysis to replace conventional analysis methods

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy appears as a promises method for faster analysis method in replacement of conventional analysis method. In this work, NIR was used as a replacement for conventional analysis method in sugarcane juice analysis. The cane juice samples for this study were taken from the hydraulic press juice in the core sampler system at Glenmore Sugar Factory. NIR spectroscopy equipment used was FOSS DS 2500. The partial least square regression (PLS) was used to develop calibration model. The NIR results were evaluated from correlation coefficient (r2), low standard error of calibration (SEC) and high ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD). The experimental results show that for %brix analysis: r2 = 0.988, SEP = 0.333, RPD = 5.441and for %pol analysis: r2 = 0.986, SEP = 0.283, and RPD = 6.125. The results have shown a good potential of NIR Spectroscopy for cane juice quality analysis as replacement of conventional analysis methods.

Classifying Hybrids of Energy Cane for Production of Bioethanol and Cogeneration of Biomass-Based Electricity by Principal Component Analysis-Linked Fuzzy C-Means Clustering Algorithm

The biggest challenge facing in sugar-energy plants is to move towards the biorefinery concept, without threatening the environment and health. Energy cane is the state-of-the-art of smart energy crops to provide suitable whole-raw material to produce upgraded biofuels, dehydrated alcohol for transportation, refined sugar, yeast-fermented alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, silage and high-quality fodder, as well as to cogenerate heat and bioelectricity from burnt lignocellulose. We, accordingly, present fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering algorithm interconnected with principal component analysis (PCA) as powerful exploratory data analysis tool to wisely classify hybrids of energy cane for production of first-generation ethanol and cogeneration of heat and bioelectricity. From the orthogonally-rotated factorial map, fuzzy cluster I aggregated the hybrids VX12-0277, VX12-1191, VX12-1356 and VX12-1658 composed of higher contents of soluble solids and sucrose, and larger productive yields of fermentable sugars. These parameters correlated with the X-axis component referring to technological quality of cane juice. Fuzzy cluster III aggregated the hybrids VX12-0180 and VX12-1022 consisted of higher fiber content. This parameter correlated with the Y-axis component referring to physicochemical quality of lignocellulose. From the PCA-FCM methodology, the conclusion is, therefore, hybrids from fuzzy cluster I prove to be type I energy cane (higher sucrose to fiber ratio) and could serve as energy supply pathways to produce bioethanol, while the hybrids from fuzzy cluster III are type II energy cane (lower sucrose to fiber ratio), denoting potential as higher fiber yield biomass sources to feed cogeneration of heat and bioelectricity in high temperature and pressure furnace-boiler system.

Quality Parameters of Cane Juice and its Liquors During the Processing Stages of Raw Sugar under Prevailing Industrial Conditions.

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the changes in cane juice quality and its liquors during the main stages of raw sugar processing under prevailing industrial condition at Kom Ombo raw sugar factory, Aswan, Egypt during 2016/2017 working season. Results revealed that a noticeable inversion of sucrose content due to microbial action in mill train system in compared with mixed juice. Also the mud filtrate juice was characterized by low purity and glucose ratio, the clarification process had no effect on the quality with the exception of the reduction of fructose level may be due to alkalinity and high temperature. Results showed also glucose was the dominating reducing sugar through the extraction and clarification steps. The starch content of the factory clear juice was much lower than those of the crude juice. Although the pre-evaporation, evaporation and syrup sulphitation steps had no remarkable effects on the carbohydrate ratios of the sugar liquors. The apparent purity of strike A (mixed of sugar crystals and liquors which obtained from crystallization and cooking processes) was higher than the other of the syrup indicating the addition of rich liquors at crystallization step. The final molasses had 42.1 purity and 70.7 RS%S. although the glucose was still the dominant reducing sugar in molasses. Fructose was present in relatively a high amounts indicating the inversion of sucrose or conversions of other reducing sugars into fructose. On the other hand starch remained in the final molasses revealed to its separation in the centrifuges, yet appreciable amounts were present in raw sugar due to the selective absorption of starch during sugar crystallization.

Effect of Eppawela High Graded Rock Phosphate (HERP) Applied with Vinasse on Yield and Quality of Sugarcane (Variety CO775)

The disposal of Vinasse, effluent from the ethanol industry is a main pollutant to the environment. HERP is a locally available cheap source of Phosphorous fertilizer, manufactured from Eppawela Rock Phosphate deposit in Sri Lanka, which is less soluble and has limited use in sugarcane cultivation. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different rates of HERP as the P source, and Vinasse on Sugarcane yield and quality. This was conducted at the fields of Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI), UdaWalawe, using variety CO775. Five levels of HERP (50, 75, 100, 125, 175 P2O5 kg/ha) with and without Vinasse were tested on the yield, juice quality, leaf P and available soil P of Plant crop and first Ratoon. Vinasse was applied at the rate recommended by SRI to furrows of both Plant and Ratoon crop. The study revealed that the cane yield and millable cane count in ratoon crop has significantly increased by applying Vinasse. Leaf P content of Plant and Ratoon crop has improved by the application of vinasse. Moreover, Vinasse has improved available soil P tested after plant crop harvest. In addition, cane juice quality parameters in both plant and ratoon crop were not affected by applying HERP as P source with or without Vinasse. Thus, there is a potential to use HERP with Vinasse as a cheap source of Phosphorous for sugarcane in Sri Lanka.

PENGARUH SUHU PEMASAKAN NIRA DAN KECEPATAN PENGADUKAN TERHADAP KUALITAS GULA MERAH TEBU

Research of the effect of cooking temperature and stirring speed on the quality of brown sugar cane were processed by vacuum vertical evaporator have been done. Brown sugar cane produced from purified green cane juice. The purification was done with addition of Ca(OH)2. Pure juice cooked with cooking temperature of 60, 70, and 80 oC, and the stirring speed of 200 and 250 rpm. Brown sugar cane was analyzed for color, moisture content, ash content, sucrose, and organoleptic test (hedonic quality test for color, flavor, and texture of hardness). The results showed that the higher of cooking temperature, the better the quality of color, flavor, and hardness brown sugar cane produced. While the higher stirring speed, lower moisture content of brown sugar, so the hardness of brown sugar was better. Besides effect of cooking temperature and stirring speed, quality of brown sugar cane was affected by the quality of cane juice and juice purification process. Good quality of cane juice will produce high yield, low moisture content, high sucrose, and good color, flavor, and hardness. The best result was obtained on brown sugar cane produced by cooking temperature of 70 oC and stirring speed of 250 rpm, which was obtained yield of 8.23%, sucrose of 75.37%, hardness of 4.52 kg/cm2, bright and high color intensity of brown sugar cane. Keywords: cane sugar, vacuum evaporator, brown sugar, stirring, cooking temperature

Late season sugarcane performance as affected by soil water deficit at the yield formation stage in commercial farms of northern Ivory Coast

A field trial was carried out in Ferke 2 Sugar mill located in northern Ivory Coast, in order to study sugarcane growth and yield response to deficit irrigation imposed over the yield formation stage. The crop used was a first ratoon Co 957 , a non flowering late season sugarcane variety. The experiment was completely randomized following a one-factor design with 4 water deficit treatments in 3 replicates. It came out that the optimum water deficit treatment reached 20%, i.e., 80% of crop water requirements were satisfied through irrigation. That treatment gave an irrigation water use efficiency of 7.9 kg cane/m 3 or 0.98 kg sugar/m 3 . Relatively low crop growth rates (0.2 – 0.4 cm/day) as well as low cane yields (24.5 – 78.4 t/ha) were obtained as a result of an intensive and persistent dry season occurred over the yield formation stage. In line with prevailing climatic conditions, cane juice quality measured was particularly high (15.7 – 16.7 pol%) on Co 957 which used to be a moderately performing variety in Ferke 2 sugar mill. Keywords : Water deficit, yield formation, growth rate, cane yield, water use efficiency, Ivory Coast

Comparative Impact of Release Frequency of Trichogramma chilonis Ishii against Chilo sacchariphagus indicus (Kapur) in Sugarcane

The egg parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis Ishii, is widely used for the management of the internode borer (INB), Chilo sacchariphagus indicus (Kapur), in South India. However, there have been controversies regarding the dosage and frequency of releases required to attain desirable level of INB suppression. In the present study, two on-farm trials were conducted during 2008-09, comparing six releases of T. chilonis with continuous releases (from 5 months and 5½ months, respectively in trial I and II to one month prior to harvest) of T. chilonis at weekly intervals for their relative impact on INB incidence, intensity, dead hearts, number of nodes and yield, besides juice quality attributes. The cost-benefit ratio of the releases was also worked out. Continuous releases of T. chilonis were found to be better than six releases in both the trials. In the first trial, 31.1% and 56.46% reduction in the dead heart incidence was observed with six releases and continuous releases, respectively, while the yields were improved by 10.32% and 25.62%, respectively, with reference to control. In the second trial, continuous releases of T. chilonis resulted in significantly lower incidence, intensity, dead hearts and 12.15% increased yield than six releases and control, which were similar. The per cent dead hearts in control was 20.9% and 19.4% in the trial I and II, respectively. The studies also indicated the special benefits from continuous releases when the INB incidence was high. In both the trials, there was a beneficial impact on cane juice quality in terms of significantly improved % polarity and commercial cane sugar (CCS) in continuous releases in relation to control, while in the second trial percentage purity was also found to be significantly enhanced. In two separate assessments on the effect of different grades of INB infestation on the quality, there was a mixed trend in the parameters tested. The yesteryears' work and the present results on the usage of T. chilonis with reference to multiple releases for the management of borers are compared and discussed. It is recommended that in situ decisions on the frequency of releases are required because even though continuous releases are necessary to maintain the population and damage of INB low, the cost-benefit ratio tilts in favour of six releases in the present study.

Bio-formulation of fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. induces systemic resistance against red rot disease and enhances commercial sugar yield in sugarcane

Isolates of Pseudomonas spp. collected from the rhizosphere of sugarcane and cane stalks were screened for their antagonistic activity against Colletotrichum falcatum causing red rot disease in sugarcane. Talc formulations of the selected Pseudomonas spp. isolates improved the sugarcane vegetative sett germination and sugarcane growth under field conditions. Optimal talc formulations were assessed for their effect on induction of systemic resistance against the pathogen in the canes under artificial inoculation. All the four isolates CHAO, EP1, KKM1 and VPT4 were effective in inducing systemic resistance against C. falcatum in two seasons. In other studies, the bacterial formulations were assessed to induce resistance in sugarcane in a sick plot situation. In pathogen-infested soil the isolates KKM1 and CHAO suppressed the red rot disease development in susceptible sugarcane cultivar. Pseudomonas strains also protected sugarcane in a disease-endemic location. Pseudomonas spp treatment substantially improved the cane juice quality parameters affected by the pathogen infection. Standardization of talc formulations and application methods in the field offers potential for large-scale application of biocontrol formulations for the management of red rot disease in sugarcane growing regions.

Influence of Mahanarva fimbriolata (Stål) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) injury on the quality of cane juice

Mahanarva fimbriolata (Stål) is an important pest in Latin America and causes significant reduction in sugarcane productivity. There is no information regarding the effect of this pest on the quality of cane juice used for sugar and alcohol production. This work aimed at evaluating the quality of sugarcane juice from plants attacked by spittlebugs. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with 15 replications, and comprised two treatments: control and chemical treatment with thiamethoxam. An average of 9.2 +/- 4.44 spittlebug nymphs m-1 were found in the plots prior to insecticide application. Nymphs were counted 18, 35, 55, and 82 days after the initial sampling (december/2003). During the mid growing season (July 2004), the juice was extracted from stalks and analyzed for Brix, Pol, RS, pH, fiber, purity, TRS, dextran, starch, and total phenolic compounds. Stalk yield was also measured. Chemical treatment was efficient in reducing spittlebug population, and elevated both stalk yield and juice pH. The accumulated infestation expressed as insect-days was significantly and negatively correlated to yield, Pol, pH, and purity. The concentration of phenolic compounds increased with pest infestation, while dextran and starch levels were not affected. The infestation of 2.4 and 7.3 nymphs m-1 day-1 caused reductions of 8.3% and 29.8% in yield; 1.9% and 5.8% in Pol; 0.4% and 1.1% in pH and 0.4% and 1.2% in purity, respectively, in comparison to areas where the pest population was extremely low (< 0.1 nymphs m-1).

Effect of spacing, seed rate and nitrogen on growth yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum oflcinarum)

A field experiment was conducted during 1990-91 to 1992-93 to study the effect of 6 different row spacings-cum-seed rateand 3 nitrogen levels (75, 150 and 225 kg Nha) on the growth, yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum ofJicinarum L.) At narrow spacing (30 : 60 cm) cane yield (765.07 qha) increased significantly. Tiller production, plant height, millable canes, length of internodes, cane heightlplant, girth were also significantly increased with same treatments (30 : 60 cm + 80,000 three- - budded settsha). Although seed rate-cum-spacing did not affect quality of cane juice, but maximum sucrose (%) in juice was observed at 30 : 60 cm row spacing. Sugar (%) as well as yield were also maximum with the same treatments. The growth, yield and.yield attributes were significantly influenced by varying levels of nitrogen. Application of 225 kg Nha gave maximum cane yield (751.93 qha) and sugar (86.08 qha). Sucrose and commercial cane sugar (5%) decreased with every increase of nitrogen levels, whereas sugar yield increased with increasing levels of nitrogen.

Integration of green manure intercropping and fertilizer-N for yield and juice quality and better soil conditions in sugarcane grown after mustard and wheat in different plant arrangements

The effects of different plant arrangements (conventional single rows v. paired rows at a standard density of 55–67 thousand three-bud setts/ha) with different intercropped green manuring strategies with Sesbania aculeata (none v. ploughed in after 4 and 6 weeks) and with different amounts of nitrogen (N) fertilizers (0,75 and 150kg/ha) were studied in sugarcane crops planted after wheat or mustard and in its first ratoon. The yield of millable cane from the planted sugarcane was not affected by intercropped green manuring or plant arrangement but was increased by fertilizer N after both wheat and mustard. The residues from the green manuring and fertilizer N both increased the yield of the following crop of ratoon sugarcane by 9–10% with the residues increasing the numbers and length of millable canes and the fertilizer N the number, girth and weight of the millable canes. None of the treatments affected the quality of cane juice in either the planted cane or the ratoon crop. Residues from the green manures and the N fertilizer treatments increased the organic carbon content and available N in the soils.

Borer damage and estimation of losses caused by Sesamia grisescens Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in sugarcane in Papua New Guinea

Sesamia grisescens Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a serious pest of sugarcane in Papua New Guinea. Field studies on borer damage and potential crop losses were carried out at Ramu Sugar estate between 1986 and 1996. Apart from the direct losses in cane weight (cane yield) due to boring from the larvae, cane juice quality is also adversely affected, resulting in lower recovery of sucrose in the factory. Estimated cane losses were 0.82 tonnes cane ha- 1 and sugar losses were 0.13 tonnes sugar ha- 1 for every 1% bored and rotting stalks. In 1987 losses of up to 32 tonnes cane or 3 tonnes sugar ha- 1 valued at more than US$ 1800 were observed. Other indirect losses are also discussed.

Water use and yield response of sugarcane under different irrigation schedules and nitrogen levels in a subtropical region

Field studies were carried out for 3 years (1986–1988–1989) on silty loam soil (udic Haplustalf) in the north-western foothill region of India to determine the water use, water use efficiency and yield performance of sugarcane (Var. COS 767) in response to irrigation schedules and nitrogen fertilization. Irrigation scheduling was based on different ratios between irrigation water (IW) and cumulative pan evaporation (CPE), e.g. IW/CPE. Irrigation of 6 cm depth was applied on the basis of IW/CPE ratio of 0, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2. Pan evaporation data was recorded daily using standard USWB-Class A open pan. CPE values were computed after accounting for rainfall in each year, individually. Nitrogen was applied at the rate of 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha to the test crop. Irrigation and nitrogen had favourable effects on growth and yield of sugarcane. The yield and yield attributes were highest and irrigation efficiency was maximum when irrigation was applied at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0. Water use efficiency decreased with increase in irrigation efficiency. Nonetheless, relatively more water was extracted from the upper layer in IW/CPE ratio of 1.2 treatment as compared to other treatments. However, soil moisture extraction from deeper layer was comparatively more under lower ratios (0.6 and 0.8) than 1.0 and 1.2 ratios. Nitrogen applied up to 200 kg/ha increased the yield of sugarcane significantly. Irrigation and nitrogen had no pronounced effect on the quality of juice; however, the highest dose of nitrogen (300 kg/ha) resulted in poor quality of cane juice.

Effect of humic acids on the growth, yield and nutrient content of sugarcane

Effect of humic acids (HA) extracted from lignite was studied in a sugarcane crop during a field experiment conducted between October 1988 and September 1989. The soil was a sandy loam with pH 8.0 (soil:water ratio = 1:2.5), ECe 0.61 dSm −1 (electrical conductivity of the soil-water saturation extract expressed in deci Siemens per meter) and oxidisable carbon 4 g/kg. HA extracted from lignite was sprayed on the soil surface as K-humate. Cane setts dipped in 0.3% HA solution were compared with two levels of HA 3 and 6 g/m 2 applied to the soil at planting and on the 35th day after planting. A control plot did not receive any treatment. Fertilizers were applied uniformly to all plots. At maturity, the yield of cane and quality of cane juice were recorded. Leaf blades and sheaths were analysed for mineral nutrients. HA at 6 g/m 2 significantly increased the cane yield compared with other treatments while HA 3 g/m 2 was on a par with cane setts dipped in 0.3% HA solution. HA addition improved the sugar yield as well as the concentration of nutrients in the leaf blades and sheaths. Time of application of HA did not show any difference in yield of cane.

Sugarcane response to irrigation and straw mulch in a subtropical region

In Northern India, insufficient soil moisture and excessively high soil temperatures are reported to restrict growth of crops during the hot, dry months of April–June. A 3-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of three irrigation schedules based on ratios of 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 times pan evaporation, and two levels of paddy straw mulch of 0 and 6 tons/ha on yield and quality of sugarcane for a sandy loam. The differential irrigations were restricted to 10–12 weeks before the monsoon season. Both irrigation and straw mulching had favourable effects on plant height and yield. Cane yield increased by an average of 13.8% for the 1.00 over the 0.50 times pan evaporation. Similarly, yield averaged 13.8% higher with mulch than without it. Interestingly, the pan evaporation ratio of 0.50 with mulch gave a higher yield than the ratio 1.00 without mulch. For the same yield, irrigation under mulching averaged 34 cm less than under no mulch. These beneficial effects were attributed to better soil moisture and temperature regimes with mulching. Irrigation and mulching had no effect on the quality of cane juice. These results indicate that straw mulching and early season irrigation to sugarcane based on 1.00 times pan evaporation is a promising practice for increasing sugarcane production in subtropical areas.