Quality Of Sugarcane Research Articles

Overexpression of expansin EaEXPA1, a cell wall loosening protein enhances drought tolerance in sugarcane

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) contributes to 80% of world sugar production and is a valuable source of biomass for the production of lignocellulosic ethanol making it an important commercial crop. Drought stress is one of the major abiotic stress factors which reduces the productivity and quality of sugarcane. Increase in the intensity and duration of drought coupled with the rising demand of sugar warrants the development of drought-tolerant sugarcane. Genetic engineering offers potential strategies to develop superior sugarcane varieties that improve crop productivity in drought-prone environments. Thus, with a view to develop drought-tolerant sugarcane, in the present study, an expansin gene which confers drought tolerance, was transformed into sugarcane. An expansin gene (EaEXPA1) from Erianthus arundinaceus, a wild relative of sugarcane, was overexpressed in the commercial sugarcane variety Co 86032 through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic lines exhibited significantly higher level of EaEXPA1 expression over the control plants. The performance evaluation of V1 transgenics under the drought stress revealed significantly higher relative water content, cell membrane thermostability, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) and gas-exchange parameters than untransformed control plants. Here, it is reported for the first time that the overexpression of EaEXPA1 in sugarcane enhances drought tolerance. Thus, EaEXPA1 can be a potential target gene for improving drought tolerance in sugarcane.

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.

Effects of tillage practices and fertility levels on crop growth, yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) under South Gujarat conditions

Field experiments were conducted during rabi season of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 at College farm, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari to study the “Effects of tillage practices and fertility levels on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) under South Gujarat conditions”. Total sixteen treatment combinations consisting of four treatment of tillage practices T1: Cultivation with cultivator, T2: Sub soiling (45 cm depth & at 2 m distance in square) + Cultivation with cultivator, T3: Deep ploughing (22.5) + Cultivation with cultivator T4: Rotavator + Cultivation with cultivator and four treatment of fertilizer levels F1: 75% RDN (187.5 N kg/ha), F2: 100% RDN (250 N kg/ha), F3: 125% RDN (312.5 N kg/ha), F4: 150% RDN (375 N kg/ha) was laid out in Split Plot Design with three replications. The sugarcane cultivar used in the study was Co N 13073. Germination of sugar cane setts at 30 & 45 DAP and girth of millable cane at harvest were not differed significantly during both the years due to different tillage practices. While, plant height, number of tillers, number of internode, single cane weight, millable cane length and millable canes per hectare were found significantly higher under treatment the T2 (Sub soiling 45 cm depth & at 2 m distance in square + Cultivation with cultivator). While, treatment having cultivation with cultivator (T1) recorded significantly lower growth parameters and yield attributes than rest of the treatments during both the years as well as in pooled result. The results of present investigation further revealed that growth and yield attributing characters, viz germination of sugar cane setts and girth of millable cane at harvest were not differs significantly during both the years due to different fertilizer levels. While, plant height, number of tillers, number of internode, single cane weight, millable cane length, millable canes per hectare, cane yield were found significantly higher under the treatment 125% RDN (F3) followed by the fertility level 150% RDN (F4). However, treatment 75% RDN (F1) recorded lowest value of all growth parameters and yield attributes during both the years as well as in pooled analysis.Treatment T2 (Sub soiling 45 cm depth & at 2 m distance in square + Cultivation with cultivator) registered maximum gross realization (₹ 4,87,243/ha) and net realization (₹ 3,79,832/ha) with B:C ratio of 3.54. While, the lowest gross realization (₹ 3,73,651/ha) and net realization (₹ 2,70,240/ha) with B: C ratio of 2.61 was obtained under T1 (Cultivation with cultivator) treatment. The highest gross realization (₹ 4,72,537/ha), net-realization (₹ 3,69,535/ha) and B:C ratio (3.52) were obtained with the treatment F3 (125% RDN). While, the lowest gross realization (₹ 3,78,049/ha), net realization (₹ 2,70,755/ha) and B:C ratio (2.62) was obtained under the treatment F1 (75% RDN).

Studies on effect of phosphorus levels, time of it’s application along with arbuscular mycorrhiza on yield, quality and phosphorus use efficiency in sugarcane

A field experiment was conducted in clayey textured soil at N.M. College of Agriculture, Research farm, Navsari Agril., University, Navsari, Gujarat during 2017-18 and 2018-19 with the view to evaluate an appropriate phosphorus level (100 and 75% of RD of P2O5), determining the time of P2O5 application (Basal and 50-50% Split), with and without use of biofertilizer as arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) on the yield, quality and Phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) of sugarcane. The pooled data of two seasons indicated that sugarcane crop responded significantly with phosphorus management. Significantly highest yield attributes, cane, green top and quality of juice were recorded with 100 percent RD of P2O5, splitting of phosphorus and with the use of AM in Sugarcane. Similar significant results in terms of P content in juice and sugar yield were recorded. The Agronomic phosphorus use efficiency and partial factor productivity were enhanced significantly with splitting of P2O5 and AM in sugarcane.

Yield and technological quality of sugarcane under irrigation depths and nitrogen fertilization

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the stalk yield, sugar yield and technological quality of two varieties of sugarcane under different irrigation depths and nitrogen doses. The experiment was conducted in two consecutive years (2015 and 2016) at Olho D’Água Farm, in Itambé, Pernambuco, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks in the split-split-strip-plot scheme, with four replicates. Treatments consisted of four irrigation depths (L1 = 12, L2 = 45, L3 = 100 and L4 = 125% of the crop evapotranspiration - ETc, plant cane) and (L1 = 10, L2 = 40, L3 = 100 and L4 = 125% ETc, ratoon cane), four doses of nitrogen (N1 = 0, N2 = 50, N3 = 100 and N4 = 200 kg ha-1 of N) and two varieties of sugarcane (RB92579 and RB002754). Sugarcane plants irrigated with the highest depths of 1,324.06 and 1,242.3 mm in the plant cane and ratoon cane cycles respectively produced 38.40 and 49.14 t of stalks ha-1 and 0.48 and 1.82 t of sugar ha-1 more, compared to those irrigated with the lowest depths of 124.06 and 99.4 mm. The highest stalk yield was obtained with the combination of 120.7 kg ha-1 of N and 1266.6 mm of irrigation depth. Sugarcane technological quality is positively correlated with the increase of the irrigation depth in the plant cane and ratoon cane cycles and negatively correlated with nitrogen.

Effect of Percent and Stage of Leaf Defoliation on the Quality of Sugarcane, at Arjo - Dedessa Sugar Factory, in Western Ethiopia

Effect of Percent and Stage of Leaf Defoliation on the Quality of Sugarcane, at Arjo - Dedessa Sugar Factory, in Western Ethiopia

Sugarcane Production Based on Mineral and Organic Nitrogen Fertilizers for Ruminant Feeding

Sugarcane may be a potential feed source for ruminants in tropical and subtropical areas. An important factor that can influence the nutritional quality of sugarcane for animal feeding is nitrogen fertilization management, however, studies on this subject are still scarce. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen sources on the quality and productivity of sugarcane as a forage resource. The variety of sugarcane used was RB92579, with application of nitrogen (N) sources (urea, poultry litter, swine manure) and control (without N application). Stalk productivity and dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, Brix, NDF / Brix ratio, and in situ digestibility were analyzed during incubation periods of 6, 24, and 72 hours. At the end of the study, it was found that the N sources did not interfere with sugarcane stalk productivity (P> 0.05), with an average productivity of 102 t ha-1. The N treatments did not influence (P> 0.05) in the nutritional quality of sugarcane, when evaluating the contents of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, Brix and NDF / Brix ratio. The dry matter degradation had an effect (P <0.05) for the different N sources and incubation times, where poultry litter and swine manure treatments showed higher values for degradation at 72 hours of incubation. The different N organic sources did not interfere in the chemical composition and productivity of the sugarcane culture, however it presented better results in the in situ degradability of the dry matter. This, it can be recommended that mineral nitrogen fertilizers can be replaced by organic fertilizers.

Risk Management in the Production of Sugar in Mojo Sugar Factory, Sragen Regency

This research aims to determine the risk, kind of risks and formulate the risk handling strategies in the sugar production in Mojo Sugar Factory, Sragen Regency. The analysis method used the variation coefficients (CV) score and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) approach. The results showed the score of CV is 0.77> 0.5 which means that there is a high risk of sugar production in Mojo Sugar Factory. There are 12 risks identified in this research. The risks with low status are the risk of broken sugar cane and risk of the damaged truck; The risks with medium status miscalculations risk in the yield distribution and the late receipt of funds from PTPN IX. The risk of high status is new tools operation difficulties. The risk of very high status is low sugar cane quality, sugar cane sent to other factories, steam drop, the tools and machines performance stopping while grinding, sugar cane production that is below RKAP, losses, and the total production of sugar that is below the RKAP. The risk management strategies for low-status risks are giving strict punishment to farmers’ partners and more regular and scheduled maintenance. The management strategies for medium status is involving technology in calculating results and implementing wiser based financial management. The management strategy for high-status risk is assisting the operation of new tools by experts. The management strategies for very high status are holding an intensive meeting, conducting education, training programs for employees, benchmarking with other sugar factories which have better performance, make a good relation with the partner.
 
 Keywords— Risk; Risk Management; ERM; Risk Analysis; Sugar

Assessing Yield, Growth and Climate Traits in Agroforestry Systems in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT The relationship between growth, yield and climate variables using multivariate analysis on agroforestry system has not been documented yet. Considering the potential of agroforestry systems as strategy to improve the balance of crop production and environmental health, the aims of this study were (i) to analyze the canonical correlations among groups of tree growth and climatic variables during four seasons of the year; and (ii) to characterize the relationships between sugarcane growth, yield, and quality variables in two agroforestry arrangements and sugarcane monocropping system. A field experiment was conducted from September 2011 to June 2016. The information generated in this study is relevant, as it provides information to farmers and can assist in the planning of new agroforestry systems due to the better knowledge of tree–crop interactions and climate effects in Southern Brazil. In this study, we demonstrated that crops and trees interact dynamically as a result of variations in the interception of solar radiation by trees in time due to the effect of tree age and arrangement, and we concluded that larger tree arrangements are suggested to benefit sugarcane growth and yield in agroforestry systems in Southern Brazil.

Potassium Fertilization in Sugarcane Ratoon Yield Grown in a Tropical Region

ABSTRACTPotassium (K) is closely associated to the improvement of sugarcane quality, acting in the conversion of reducing sugar (RS) to recoverable sugars (TRS). The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of K-fertilization on the yield and technological quality of sugarcane ratoons grown under edaphoclimatic conditions in the Brazilian central region. The experiment was carried out using the sugarcane variety CTC-4, in a Distrofic Latosols, medium texture (270 g clay kg−1). The study was arranged in a randomized complete block design, with five treatments (0; 50; 100; 150 and 200 kg K2O ha−1), and five replicates. Potassium content in soil and plant, biometric variables, stalk yield and the technological quality at harvest were evaluated. The 200 kg ha−1 dose increased the K content in 160, 156, 56 and 3% in 0–0.20 and 0.20–0.40 m layers at 180 and 360 days after budding (DAB), respectively, promoting greater absorption of the nutrient by plants (X ̅ = 15.22 g kg−1). The higher potassium absorption reflected in yield gains, with an increasing of 7.9%, compared to the control treatment, yielding 100.37 t ha−1. However, soil K fertilization did not affect the technological quality of the sugarcane ratoon.Abbreviations: K: potassium; RS: reducing sugars; TRS: recoverable sugars; DAB: days after budding; SB: Sum of Bases; CEC: Cation Exchange Capacity; V: Saturation Base; Kcl: potassium chloride; AWC: Available water capacity; PC: Pol percent in sugarcane; Brix: total soluble solids; dRYL: Dystrophic Red Yellow Latosol; eRYA: Eutrophic Red Yellow Argisol.

Importance of nitrogen source and Fusarium species in sugarcane

In sugarcane, heavy losses in cane and sugar yields are caused due to the incidence of several diseases viz., red rot, smut, wilt, grassy shoot, ratoon stunting, and pokkah boeng. Nitrogen was associated with an improved incidence of Fusarium species in sugarcane. The most important reason for improving sugarcane quality is to extend the nutritional content, primarily the application of protein. Nitrogen is an essential part of sugarcane management has been reported to be associated with high protein content and excessive yield. N is the most widely reported as an element affecting plant diseases, especially fungal diseases, but in sugarcane unfortunately, very little research has been conducted into the impact of cane nutrition on disease susceptibility.

Long-Term Effects of Different Nitrogen Levels on Growth, Yield, and Quality in Sugarcane

Nitrogen (N) plays an important role in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) growth and development; however, long-term effects of N application levels on cane and sugar production in different sugarcane cultivars under field conditions remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the agronomic, yield, and quality traits in three sugarcane cultivars (GT11, B9, and ROC22) under different N levels (0, 150, and 300 kg/ha urea) from 2015 to 2019. Continuous four-year field experiments of plant and ratoon crops were carried out by using two-factor split-plot design. The results showed that N fertilizer application improved the tillering rate, stalk diameter, plant height, stalk weight, millable stalks/ha, cane yield, sugar yield and juice rate of cane, and the difference between N application and non-N application was significant. The cane yield, millable stalks/ha, juice rate, and juice gravity purity increased with the increase of N application, but the milled juice brix and sucrose % cane decreased with the increase of N application. The sugar yield was the highest at 150 kg/ha urea application, while the cane yield was the highest at 300 kg/ha urea application. Different N fertilizer application levels significantly regulated the activities of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and the contents of chlorophyll and nitrate N in plant leaves, which reflected the regulation in nitrogen metabolism and alteration in dry matter production and distribution, cane yield and sugar accumulation in different sugarcane cultivars. During the four-year experiment duration, the cane yield and sugar yield generally showed ROC22 > B9 > GT11. These data suggested that 300 kg/ha urea application was suitable for the plant and first ratoon crops, and 150 kg/ha urea application was suitable for the second and third ratoon crops. Both cane and sugar yields could be the highest in a four-year production cycle under this circumstance.

Effect of Stabilized Ortho Silicic Acid on Pre and Post-Harvest Quality Attributes of Plant and Ratoon Sugarcane

India is the second largest producer and consumer of sugar in the world. Lower cane yields coupled with post harvest losses are key factors limiting sustainability of Indian sugar industry. Silicon is a beneficial nutrient for plants and in some plants (silicon accumulators like sugarcane), it is absorbed in the range of essential primary nutrients viz. nitrogen, potassium or phosphorous. The present study was undertaken to explore the impact of stabilized ortho silicic acid (OSA, silixol 0.8%), when applied as foliar sprays on two contrasting sugarcane varieties: CoS 08279 (high yield and low sugar) and UP 05125 (low yield and high sugar) for three consecutive years (two plant and one ratoon crop). Impact of OSA was assessed on both plant and ratoon crop for yield attributes as well as pre and post-harvest quality parameters. Number of tillers per hectare for ratoon crop increased by 8% and number of millable canes (NMC) by 155 and 1312 canes per hectare in low yield/high sugar variety compared to 3% increase in tillers and 772 and 319 NMC per hectare in high yield/low sugar following the foliar application of OSA. The cane height was increased by 5.9 and 14 cm in plant and ratoon of UP 05125 and by 9.1 and 16 cm in plant and ratoon of CoS 08279 respectively,which ultimately leads to higher cane yield. Additionally other yield attributes like cane girth and cane weight increased in the treated areas compared to control ones. Commercial cane sugar (CCS %) increased by 13% and 7% in the plant and ratoon crop, respectively of high yield/ low sugar variety. Likewise, OSA application showed higher acid invertase activity during grand growth phase in both treated plant (0.95 and 1.25 units) and ratoon cane (0.46 and 1.38 units) of UP 05125 and CoS 08279,however, the activity was reduced during ripening stage as compared to control cane which resulted in higher accumulation of sucrose in treated canes. OSA treatment exhibited a profound impact on post- harvest quality losses. Almost 10% less decline in weight and 0.5 (plant canes) to 0.87(ratoon canes) units low reduction in sucrose percentage were recorded after 240 h of harvest for both the varieties. Our findings of the present study indicates that application of ortho silicic acid not only helps in ameliorating yield and quality of sugarcane and juice but also helps in reducing the quality deterioration in harvested cane up to a significant level. The data also suggests that the use of OSA would increase remuneration of the crop for both the grower and the millers.

Determining optimum period of withholding irrigation for inducing maturity of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) in Southern Ethiopia

Withholding irrigation before harvesting is important for inducing maturity in sugarcane. The study was carried out to determine the optimum period of withholding irrigation for inducing maturity in sugarcane in southern Ethiopia. Field experiments were conducted on two sugarcane varieties, N Co 334 and B 52 298 by five treatments of withholding irrigation periods for 20, 30, 40 50 and 60 days in randomized complete block design at the crop age of 11.3 months during 2014-15. The data on soil moisture content, top to bottom ratio of Brix in cane juice by hand refractometer, Brix, pol, purity and reducing sugars percent juice, and recoverable sugar percent cane, estimated sugar yield were recorded. Error variances for all characters except top to bottom ratio of Brix and reducing sugars in canes in experiments of both varieties were homogeneous and thus the data were also analyzed in split-plot design with varieties as the main plot and withholding irrigation period (WIP) treatments as subplots. The soil moisture percent differed at different WIPs with lowest at WIP for 60 days. Quality characters, top to bottom ratio of Brix in juice, Brix, pol or sucrose, purity, and sugar recovery percent cane increased significantly with the increase in WIPs, being highest at 50 and 60 days. Reducing sugars percent juice declined significantly with lowest at WIPs for 60 days. Estimated sugar yield increased significantly with the maximum at WIP for 50 and 60 days. The optimum period for withholding irrigation was 50 to 60 days for inducing maturity in sugarcane if not offset by rains. It was, therefore, suggestive that the irrigation could be withheld to sugarcane crop of about 12 months for 50 to 60 days but the quality of sugarcane should be determined before harvesting for obtaining maximum sugar yield in southern Ethiopia

Effect of dhanzyme granules on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane

A field experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Research Institute, Shahjahanpur during 2016-17 and 2017-18 with variety CoS 08279, to study the efficacy of Dhanzyme on sugarcane. The layout was in a randomized block design (RBD) replicated thrice with five treatments i.e. T - Dhanzyme granules @ 16.0 kg/ha at the time of first irrigation with urea, T - Dhanzyme granules @ 20.0 kg/ha at the time of first irrigation with urea, T3 - Dhanzyme granules @ 25.0 kg/ha at the time of first irrigation with urea, T - Dhanzyme granules @ 30.0 kg/ha at the time of first irrigation with urea, T5 - Untreated control. Results indicated that the application of Dhanzyme granule produced higher tillers, millable canes in comparison to control, among the treatments. Dhanzyme granules @ 25 kg/ha and 30 kg/ha produced more tillers and NMC over control. Dhanzyme granules significantly increased cane yield over control. It is concluded that Dhazyme granule @ 25 kg/ha in the optimum dose for yield increasing attributing characters and cane yield of sugarcane..

EFFECT OF LEVELS, DOSES OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER AND SEEDING RATES ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF SUGARCANE

Two field experiments were conducted at Shandaweel Agricultural Research Station, Sohag Governorate, Egypt (latitude of 26 61° N, longitude of 31 52° E and altitude of 72 m above sea level) in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons to assess the effect of levels and number of doses of nitrogen fertilizer as well as seed rates on yield and quality of sugarcane. This work included 27 treatments, represent the combinations among three rates of seeds [1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 rows of 3-budded cane cuttings (25200, 37800 and 50400 buds/fed)], three levels of N (180, 210 and 240 kg N/fed), and three N doses (each N level was split and applied as 2, 3 and 4 equal doses). The sugarcane cultivar namely G. 2004-27 (Giza-4) was used as a planting material. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used a split-split plot arrangement and replicated three times. The main-plots were devoted for seed rates, N levels were randomly applied in the sub plots, while number of N doses were distributed in the sub-sub plots, in both seasons. The results revealed that seed rates had a significant effect on all studied traits of sugarcane at harvest time. Planting sugarcane using 2.0 rows of cuttings (50400 buds/fed) improved millable cane height, number of millable canes/fed, cane and sugar yields/fed, while significant improvements in millable cane diameter, millable cane weight, brix%, sucrose% and sugar recovery% was recorded in case of growing sugarcane using 1.0 row (25200 buds/fed), in both seasons. Increasing N fertilizer level to 240 kg N/fed resulted a significant increase in millable cane height, diameter, millable cane weight, number of millable canes/fed, cane and sugar yields/fed, while the application of 210 kg N/fed led to a significant increase in brix, sucrose and sugar recovery percentages, in both seasons. The results indicated that increasing the number of N doses from 2 to 4 had significant positive effects on millable cane height, diameter, millable cane weight, number of millable canes/fed, cane and sugar yields/fed, along with brix, sucrose, and sugar recovery percentages, in both seasons. Under conditions of this work, it was found that growing Giza-4 sugarcane variety using 2.0 rows of cane setts (50400 buds/fed) with add 240 kg N/fed into 4- doses can be recommended to get the maximum cane and sugar yields

Impact of organic manures on soil health, yield and quality of pit planted sugarcane

An experiment was conducted at Organic Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari to study the effect of different proportion of organics on productivity of pit planted sugarcane during three consecutive years of 2013, 2014 and 2015. The experiment was conducted at fixed plot site with 8 set of organics treatments and 1 inorganic treatment as control (250:125:125 kg NPK/ha) arranged outside the experimental plot, laid down in randomized block design replicated thrice. Significantly higher millable cane height, number of internodes/ millable cane and single millable cane weight were recorded when crop nourished with 50% RDN each of vermi compost and castor cake. Further, application of vermi compost (50% RDN) along with neem cake or castor cake (50% RDN) were found equally effective and recorded significantly higher millable cane and trash yields. In organics vs inorganic analysis, application of 100 per cent RDF through inorganic fertilizers recorded significantly higher values of growth and yield parameters and yields of sugarcane crop. For producing higher and profitable cane yield of sugarcane, the crop should be fertilized with 100% RDF (250:125:125 NPK kg/ha) under south Gujarat condition. Further, it is also inferred that for organic production of sugarcane crop, application of 50% RDN through vermi compost and remaining 50% RDN either through castor cake or neem cake was found remunerative.

Effect of Blended Fertilizer and Levels of Phosphorus on Yield and Juice Quality of Sugarcane at Fincha Sugar Estate, Ethiopia

High yield production and juice quality is essential in commercial sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) production. And this is possible is partly influenced by fertilizers. However, especially the effect of phosphorus and blended fertilizers was not known at study area. Field experiment was conducted at Fincha Sugar Estate, Ethiopia in 2018-2019 aiming to determine the effect of blended fertilizers and levels of phosphorus on yield and juice quality of sugarcane. The treatments were arranged in factorial combinations of three blended fertilizers (NPS, NPSB, and NPSBZn) and five phosphorus levels (0, 57, 76, 114, and 152 kg ha-1) and the experiment was laid out in randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications. Data on sugarcane yield and juice quality parameters (Brix%, pol%, purity) and sugar yield were collected and analyzed. The result revealed that the main effect and interaction effects of blended fertilizers at different levels of phosphorus were highly significantly (p<0.001) for all parameters studied except for cane yield and Brix%. Accordingly, maximum cane yield was recorded in blended fertilizer NPSBZn at levels of phosphorus 152 and 114 kg ha-1 producing 242.5 and 233 t ha-1, respectively. Thus, cane yield ranged from 106.04 to 242.5 t ha-1 depending on blended fertilizers and levels of phosphorus. The juice quality Brix%, pol%, purity and sugar yields of NPSBZn at a level of 114 kg ha-1 phosphorus was superior. Therefore, the finding show the application of blended fertilizer NPSBZn with a level of 114 kg ha-1 phosphorus was resulted in high cane yield and juice quality of sugarcane.

Post-harvest deterioration of green billeted and green whole stalk sugarcane in Northeast Thailand

This study considered post-harvest deterioration of green billeted and green whole stalk on sugarcane. A yield deterioration assessment was conducted in the Northeast of Thailand. To have an appropriate assessment, several sugarcane quality parameters such as sugarcane weight (kg), Brix %, juice purity %, commercial cane sugar (CCS) % of cane, reducing sugar % Brix, mannitol, lactic acid, and dextran in mg/kg Brix unit were used to investigate post harvest sugarcane deterioration due to bacterial activity. The deterioration trial was undertaken over 13 days to investigate the green billets (GB) and green whole-stalks (GWS). All sugarcane quality parameters, CCS %, reducing sugar % Brix and juice purity % showed a faster deterioration rate of GB than GWS under identical time and climatic conditions. Mannitol, lactic acid and dextran were useful as an indicator of deterioration and estimating the juice purity drop during post-harvest sugarcane deterioration.

Growth, Nutrient Use Efficiency and Quality of Spring Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) under Different Planting Method and Nitrogen Level

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Research Station, Karnal, CCS Haryana Agricultural University during spring 2017 to study on different planting method and nitrogen level on growth parameter and nitrogen use efficiency of sugarcane. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprises of four methods of planting viz. conventional planting at 75 cm (M1), half ridge open furrow irrigation planting at 75 cm (M2), wide bed and furrow paired row planting (M3) and wider planting (M4) at 120 cm and six different nitrogen levels viz. control (N1), 75 (N2), 100 (N3), 125 (N4), 150 (N5), 175 kg N ha-1 (N6). Germination count was significantly affected by planting methods at 30 and 45 DAP, however, it was found to be non significant among nitrogen levels. Neither the planting methods nor the nitrogen levels had any significant effect on nutrient use efficiency, brix, pol, juice purity and commercial cane sugar. Significantly higher sugar yield (11.9 t/ha) was recorded in wide bed and furrow paired row planting which was 22.7, 8.2, and 6.3 per cent higher than conventional, wider planting and half ridge open furrow method, respectively. Lower sugar yield (9.7 t/ha) was recorded in conventional method. Among nitrogen levels, sugar yield increases with successive increase in nitrogen application upto recommended dose of 150 kg N/ha.