Sugarcane Ratoon Crop Research Articles

Effect of Liquid Nano Urea Fertilizer on Periodical Growth and Yield of Sugarcane

A field experiment was carried out during rabi of 2021-22 as plant crop and 2022-23 as ratoon crop, at Navsari, Gujarat. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design including treatment comprising of nitrogen levels for soil application with foliar spray of nano urea and urea in both plant-ratoon system of sugarcane. The results recorded in respect to the periodical plant height and dry matter yield (DMY) from 90 to 180 days after planting (DAP) of plant crop and days after ratooning (DAR) of ratoon crop were significantly higher with the application of 100 % RDN (T2) which was at par with treatments T3 and T4. However, at 210 DAP of plant crop and DAR of ratoon crop as well as at harvest plant height and DMY were recorded significantly higher with the application of 75% RDN + 2 spray of liquid nano urea at 90 and 180 DAP which was at par with T2 and T4. In case of No. of tillers/hill at 180 DAP of plant and DAR of ratoon crop was significantly higher when with 75% RDN + 2 spray of liquid nano urea at 90 and 180 DAP which was at par with T2 and T4. In plant crop and ratoon crop of sugarcane, millable cane yield and green top yield were found to be significant highest with the application of 75% RDN + 2 spray of liquid nano urea at 90 and 180 DAP which was at par with T2 and T4. Based on the results, it concluded that for achieving higher growth and yield in sugarcane plant-ratoon cultivation should be fertilized with 100 % of recommended P2O5 and K2O + 75 % RDN + two sprays of either liquid nano urea @ 4 ml/L or 2 % urea at 90 and 180 DAP of plant crop and DAR of ratoon crop. This application effectively replaces the 25% of recommended dose of nitrogen while matching the performance of the 100% RDN treatment.

Trash management and Trichoderma harzianum influencing photosynthesis, soil carbon sequestration, and growth and yield of sugarcane ratoon in subtropical India

Soil organic carbon management is a key component for crop growth and provides sustainability in the cropping system. In subtropical India, soil organic carbon in agricultural soils continuously decreases, and most soils have very low organic carbon content. Trash management in the sugarcane ratoon crop improves soil quality parameters and supports crop growth favourably. Further inoculation of Trichoderma has also shown a synergistic response with trash application on nutrient availability in the ratoon crop. Improving soil quality also influences physiological activity, net photosynthesis, and crop yield. The present investigation aimed to determine the effect of trash management and Trichoderma application on changes in soil chemical and biological properties besides net photosynthetic rate, dry matter accumulation, and nutrient uptake by sugarcane ratoon crop to assess the sustainability of the system. Thus a field experiment was conducted with four treatments viz., (i) sugarcane trash mulching without Trichoderma harzianum, (ii) trash removal without Trichoderma, (iii) trash mulching + Trichoderma and (iv) trash incorporation + Trichoderma in a randomized block design (RBD) and five replications. Trash incorporation and inoculation of Trichoderma influenced net photosynthetic rate (NPR) positively. The lowest NPR (19.14 µmol/m2/s) was recorded under trash removal without Trichoderma. An increment of 16.15 % in total dry matter accumulation was recorded under trash incorporation + Trichoderma compared to trash removal without Trichoderma. Trash incorporation and Trichoderma accumulated the highest N in leaf, cane, and roots. Thus NPK uptake could be improved by the application of trash and Trichoderma application. The mean available K content in soil was significantly improved by 12.48 % compared to the initial level. An improvement of 33.6 kg K/ha was recorded after the harvest of the ratoon crop. The highest soil organic carbon (15.28 Mg/ha) was recorded with mulching of sugarcane trash under Trichoderma inoculation. The highest bacterial population was recorded under trash incorporation with Trichoderma. Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) could be improved by 1.82 times under trash mulching + Trichoderma as compared to the initial status. Trash incorporation and Trichoderma application recorded the highest mean cane weight (1053 g) in ratoon crop. Trash incorporation+ Trichoderma registered an increase of 16.19 % increase in sugarcane yield as compared to trash removal without Trichoderma. However, sugar yield in a similar treatment was improved by 27.8 %. Thus trash application along with Trichoderma harzianum holds great promise in sustaining soil health and sugarcane and sugar yields in subtropical India.

Growth Analysis in Sugarcane Ratoon Crop as Influenced by Potassium Nutrition in Subtropical India

ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted for two cropping seasons during 2016–19 at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, with the objectives to study the effect of i) K nutrition and variable sources of K on growth analysis of sugarcane ratoon crop, ii) the response of K on the photosynthetic rate of crop and iii) contribution of K on yield attributes, sugarcane, and sugar yields. Mean results of two cropping seasons indicated that the application of potassium brought forth a 12.08% improvement in tiller population over no K (107.3 thousand/ha). Potassium application through K2SO4 (SOP) showed the highest net rate of photosynthesis (15.28 µmol/m2/s) which was about 30.71% higher than the control. Among the various sources of K, SOP was found the best in improving sugarcane and sugar yields. Application of SOP resulted in 18.69% ratoon cane yield improvement over the control. Application of 75% K through K2SO4 resulted in a higher sugar yield (12.01 t/ha) which was 25.76% higher than the control (9.55 t/ha). Potassium ammonium sulfate (PAS) and murate of potash could not produce better results as compared to K2SO4. Potassium application through SOP showed the highest net rate of photosynthesis (15.28 µmol/m2/s) during the grand growth phase. Application of 50.4 kg K/ha (75% more than recommended) through K2SO4 increased 18.69% sugarcane (106.7 t/ha) and 25.76% (12.01 t/ha) sugar yields over the control (no K) and was found to the best and could be recommended for improving sugarcane and sugar yields of ratoon in subtropical India.

Effect of organic manure and zero budget technique on soil fertility and productivity of sugarcane plant and ratoon crop

A field experiment was conducted on clay loam soils at Regional Research Station, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Karnal, Haryana for three year (2018-2021) to investigate the effect of different organic treatments such as farmyard manure (FYM), bio fertilizers (BF) and green manuring (GM) with Sesbania or trash mulching (TM) on sugarcane yield, quality and soil fertility status. Cane length, cane girth, number of millable canes and commercial soluble sugar percent increased with the application of FYM, BF and GM/TM as compared to zero budget technique. The treatment that received 30 t FYM ha-1 +BF+GM/TM+ integrated pest management (IPM) recorded 15.8 and 12.3 % increase in cane yield over zero budget technique in plant and ratoon crops, respectively. Both in plant and ratoon crop, higher available nitrogen (145.7 and 147.8 kg ha-1 ), phosphorus (18.57 and 18.43 kg ha-1 ) and potassium (406.8 and 412.8 kg ha-1 ) were recorded where 30 t FYM ha-1 was applied along with BF+GM/TM+IPM. The application of 30 t FYM ha - 1 +BF+GM/TM+ IPM was found at par with treatment 20 t FYM ha-1 +BF+GM+IPM for plant crop and 25 t FYM ha-1 +BF+TM + IPM for ratoon crop. The treatment 20 or 25 t FYM ha-1 + BF + GM/TM + IPM were at par with the RDF treatment. The cane yield and juice quality obtained as a result of application of 20t FYM ha-1 + BF+GM+IPM for sugarcane plant crop and 25t FYM ha-1 +BF+TM+IPM for sugarcane ratoon crop was comparable with that of RDF.

Effect of organic manure and zero budget technique on soil fertility and productivity of sugarcane plant and ratoon crop

A field experiment was conducted on clay loam soils at Regional Research Station, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Karnal, Haryana for three year (2018-2021) to investigate the effect of different organic treatments such as farmyard manure (FYM), bio fertilizers (BF) and green manuring (GM) with Sesbania or trash mulching (TM) on sugarcane yield, quality and soil fertility status. Cane length, cane girth, number of millable canes and commercial soluble sugar percent increased with the application of FYM, BF and GM/TM as compared to zero budget technique. The treatment that received 30 t FYM ha-1 +BF+GM/TM+ integrated pest management (IPM) recorded 15.8 and 12.3 % increase in cane yield over zero budget technique in plant and ratoon crops, respectively. Both in plant and ratoon crop, higher available nitrogen (145.7 and 147.8 kg ha-1), phosphorus (18.57 and 18.43 kg ha-1) and potassium (406.8 and 412.8 kg ha-1) were recorded where 30 t FYM ha-1 was applied along with BF+GM/TM+IPM. The application of 30 t FYM ha-1+BF+GM/TM+ IPM was found at par with treatment 20 t FYM ha-1+BF+GM+IPM for plant crop and 25 t FYM ha-1+BF+TM + IPM for ratoon crop. The treatment 20 or 25 t FYM ha-1 + BF + GM/TM + IPM were at par with the RDF treatment. The cane yield and juice quality obtained as a result of application of 20t FYM ha-1 + BF+GM+IPM for sugarcane plant crop and 25t FYM ha-1 +BF+TM+IPM for sugarcane ratoon crop was comparable with that of RDF.

The short-term effects of surface-applied dolomitic lime and gypsum on soil chemical properties and yields of sugarcane ratoon crops in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This study investigated the effects of surface-application of lime and gypsum on soil properties and yields of ratoon sugarcane crops. Treatments involved once-off surface application of dolomitic lime (L), gypsum (G) and dolomitic lime plus gypsum (LG) in factorial combination, with four replications. Soil chemical properties were measured on samples collected at intervals of 20 between depths of 0 and 80 cm in the first and fifth years after treatment application. Yield parameters were measured annually. In the first year, treatment effects were mainly restricted to a depth of 0–20 cm. The LG increased pH(CaCl2) from 3.9 to 4.5, and calcium from 123 to 350 mg L−1. Little treatment effect was observed on yield parameters in the first year. In the fifth year, L and LG generally showed similar impacts on soil properties. The L treatment led to markedly increased pH(CaCl2) and calcium and somewhat decreased magnesium levels in the topsoil. The sucrose and cane yields in LG were significantly higher than in other treatments, which all had similar results. It was, therefore, concluded that LG may be a viable option for the correction of soil acidity through surface application in the sugarcane ratoon crops grown in the sandy soils of KwaZulu-Natal.

An insight to rhizosphere bacterial community composition and structure of consecutive winter-initiated sugarcane ratoon crop in Southern China

BackgroundRatooning in sugarcane is a crucial strategy for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sugarcane industry. Knowledge gap relating to the interaction between rhizosphere microbiome and ratooning crop, particularly the impact of different sugarcane cultivars on the rhizosphere microbiome in consecutive ratooning, requires additional research. The response of two different sugarcane cultivars, viz ZZ-1 and ZZ-13, were evaluated in consecutive ratooning towards the rhizosphere microbial community and cane morphological characters.ResultsSignificant changes in the rhizosphere microbiome were observed in the second ratooning over the years. Several important genera were observed in high abundance during the second ratooning, including Burkholderia, Sphingomonas, Bradyzhizobium, and Acidothermus. Cultivar ZZ-13 caused more alterations in the rhizosphere microbiome than ZZ-1, resulting in a more favorable rhizosphere environment for sugarcane growth. The genotypes also varied in terms of nutrients and enzyme activity over the years. There were significant differences between the genotypes and year for number of stalks and yield was significant for genotypes, years and genotype × year.ConclusionThis finding will help to understand thorough interactions between rhizosphere microorganisms and ratoon sugarcane and lay the foundation for promoting and maximizing yield as far as possible. In the future, this work can serve as guidance in sugarcane husbandry, mainly in Guangxi, China.

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

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

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.

Whole genome sequence insight of two plant growth-promoting bacteria (B. subtilis BS87 and B. megaterium BM89) isolated and characterized from sugarcane rhizosphere depicting better crop yield potentiality

Since sugarcane is a ratoon crop, genome analysis of plant growth-promoting bacteria that exist in its soil rhizosphere, can provide opportunity to better understand their characteristics and use of such bacteria in turn, may especially improve perennial crop productivity. In the present study, genome of two bacterial strains, one each of B. megaterium (BM89) and B. subtilis (BS87), isolated and reported earlier (Chandra et al., 2018), were sequenced and characterized. Though both strains have demonstrated plant growth promoting properties and enhanced in-vitro plant growth responses, functional annotation and analysis of genes indicated superiority of BS87 as it possessed more plant growth promotion attributable genes over BM89. Apart from some common genes, trehalose metabolism, glycine betaine production, peroxidases, super oxide dismutase, cold shock proteins and phenazine production associated genes were selectively identified in BS87 genome indicating better plant growth performances and survival potential under harsh environmental conditions. Genes for chitinase, d-cysteine desulfhydrase and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as found in BM89, propose its selective utilization in defense and bio-control measures. Concomitant with better settlings’ growth, scanning electron micrographs indicated these isolated and characterized bacteria exhibiting healthy colonization within root of sugarcane crop. Kegg pathways’ assignment also revealed added pathways namely carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism attached to B. subtilis strain BS87, a preferable candidate for bio-fertilizer and its utilization to promote growth of both plant and ratoon crops of sugarcane usually experiencing harsh environmental conditions.

Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Sugarcane Ratoon Crop Chlorosis

Sugarcane is the most important sugar and bioenergy crop. Sugarcane ratoon crop chlorosis, caused by deficiencies of Fe, Ca and Mg because of low soil pH and excessive absorption of Mn, is a major crop production constraint in China and reduces cane yield as much as 40%. The molecular basis of the ratoon crop chlorosis is little understood. In this study, we employed TMT-labeling quantitative proteomics approach to study the proteins associated with sugarcane ratoon crop chlorosis using chlorotic leaves collected from the field. An in-house transcriptome database for sugarcane leaf was also constructed. From the proteome database, 7480 sugarcane proteins were identified; among them, 199 and 80 were found to be up- and down-regulated by the chlorosis. By functional characterization and protein–protein interaction studies, we were able to identify the components and pathways that might play a role in sugarcane chlorosis response. In addition to genes associated with photosynthesis, drought-responsive and jasmonic acid biosynthesis genes were also found to be associated with ratoon crop chlorosis in sugarcane. Data obtained in the presented study provide the molecular details of sugarcane ratoon crop proteome response during chlorosis.

Early Accumulation of Sucrose and Expression Behavior of Genes Associated with Sucrose Accumulation in Sugarcane Ratoon Crop Exposed to Gibberellin Influencing Source–sink Dynamics

The present study elucidates gibberellic acid (GA3) induced perturbation of source–sink communication to increase sink demand in winter initiated ratoon crop of two subtropical sugarcane varieties, viz., CoJ 64 and BO 91. The GA3-treated ratoon canes of both the varieties exhibited increase in internodal length by 10–15% (sink capacity), with a significant decrease in Brix (20.25%) and increase in reducing sugar (107.1%) in top internodes of BO 91. This has led to 14.44% decrease in total sugar in top internodes but an increase of 25.07% in bottom internodes compared with control. Expression patterns of sucrose metabolizing enzymes/genes, namely SAI, SuSy, CWI and SPS, augmented these results indicating increased sink strength and sink demand. In CoJ 64, the effect of GA3 treatment was not as pronounced as BO 91, possibly due to its early maturing nature that tends to increase inversion of accumulated sucrose beyond maturity period. GA3 treatment in ratoon crop of BO 91 indicated increased sink strength that would have influenced the high sucrose accumulation in this late maturing variety.

Microbiome analysis of rhizospheres of plant and winter-initiated ratoon crops of sugarcane grown in sub-tropical India: utility to improve ratoon crop productivity

One plant and one to two ratoon crops are the predominant patterns of sugarcane cultivation in sub-tropical part of India. Despite high agricultural inputs, yield of ratoon crop gets dwindled in the subsequent years. The microbial community, particularly bacteria and fungi, in the rhizosphere and their interaction with the root system, in general influences plant productivity. For the present study, an early maturing sugarcane variety (CoLk 94184), was used to establish plant and winter-initiated ratoon crops in 2016-2018. Soils pertaining to both plant and ratoon rhizospheres were subjected to biochemical analysis, microbial DNA isolation and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes to assess the microbial diversity and associated characteristics impacting cane yield. Although alpha diversity of bacterial community was observed high in the soils of both plant and ratoon crops, the species richness/diversity was more in plant crop. Bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere of plant crop was predominantly consisted of phyla Actinobacteria (35.68%), Gemmatimonadetes (29.26%), Chloroflexi (26.73%) and Proteobacteria (16.68%), while ratoon rhizosphere revealed dominance of Acidobacteria (20.77%) and Bacteroidetes (10.7%). Though studies revealed the presence of rich bacterial community in the rhizospheres of both plant and ratoon crops of sugarcane, dominance of Acidobacteria and meager proportion of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in ratoon crop possibly limited its productivity. Along with high total phenols (7.27mg/g dry wt), ratoon crop depicted less active root system as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Dominance of thermophilic bacterial phyla Chloroflexi and Gemmatimonadetes which was observed in sugarcane rhizosphere supports better crop growth in drought. However, management of soil microbial community is required to improve the ratoon crop productivity.

Developing High-Yielding Cultivation Technology for Sugarcane Ratoon Crops in Northeast Thailand: Evaluation of the Effects of Deeper Planting on Bud Germination, One-Stalk Weights, the Number of Millable Stalks, and Yields of New Plants and Ratoon Crops (Initial Report)

Developing High-Yielding Cultivation Technology for Sugarcane Ratoon Crops in Northeast Thailand: Evaluation of the Effects of Deeper Planting on Bud Germination, One-Stalk Weights, the Number of Millable Stalks, and Yields of New Plants and Ratoon Crops (Initial Report)

Effect of integrated nitrogen management on cane yield, juice quality and nutrient uptake of sugarcane ratoon crop

A field experiment was conducted in sugarcane ratoon crop at Sugarcane Research Station, Vuyyuru with an objective to study the effect of integrated management of nitrogen by substituting the recommended doses of nitrogen with organics such as neem cake, castor cake, vermicompost, azospirillum and green manures. Six treatments were replicated four times in randomized design. Variety tested was 99 V 30. The treatments include T1: 50% N through urea + 50% N through press mud cake + RDP & K, T2: 50% N through urea + 50% N through vermicompost + RDP & K, T3: 50% N through urea + 50% N through castor cake + RDP & K, T4­: 50% N through urea + Azospirillum @ 5kg/ha + 25% N through green manure + RDP & K, T5: 50% N through urea + 50% N through neem cake + 100% RDP & K and T6: 100% N through urea + RDP & K. Substitution of nitrogen up to 50% with organics rerecorded more yield compared to 100% recommended dose of nitrogen. Among the sources tried, castor cake resulted with highest shoot population at different stages of crop growth, cane yield, sugar yield and nutrient uptake by sugarcane ratoon crop followed by pressmud cake.

Productive Potential of Nitrogen and Zinc Fertigated Sugarcane

The relevance of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in the agribusiness is irrefutable because it not only contributes greatly to the development of countries but is also an important source of job creation and income generation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stalk productivity (SP) and sugar and alcohol yields of plant and ratoon crops of sugarcane (variety IACSP 95-5000) under N and Zn fertigation treatments using a central pivot, in Cerrado Red Latosol soil. The experiment was conducted under field conditions, in the municipality of Jataí, Goiás (GO), Brazil. A randomized block design was used, with a 4 × 5 split-plot arrangement and three replications. The fertilization treatments consisted of four doses of N (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha−1) and five doses of Zn (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kg ha−1) in plant and ratoon crops. N fertilization treatments, in the form of urea, were divided into three applications from 60 days after planting. Zn fertilization, in the form of Zn sulfate, was applied in a single application. Sugarcane was harvested 330 days after planting. The productivity (SP) was determined by weighing the stalks present in the respective subplots. Sugar and alcohol yields were calculated from the amount of raw sugar determined in the technological analysis. The sugar and alcohol yields of sugarcane (variety IACSP 95-5000) were improved with the fertigation of 180 kg ha−1 of N, in relation to Zn doses. Compared with the control (without N fertigation), sugarcane productivity (plant and ratoon crops) increased by 38.90% and 13.70% when treated with 180 kg ha−1 of N at the Zn dose of 10 kg ha−1. Sugarcane (variety IACSP 95-5000) has productive performance, sugar and alcohol yield, optimized and maximized when fertigated with 10 kg ha−1 of zinc and 180 kg ha−1 of nitrogen.

Production Potential and Nitrogen Fractionation of Sugarcane-Based Cropping System as Influenced by Planting Materials and Nitrogen Nutrition

A field experiment was conducted during the spring season of 2013–2017 at Pusa to assess the effect of various planting materials (three bud setts, poly bag raised settlings and bud chip raised settlings) and nitrogen levels (0, 75, 100, 125 and 150% N/ha) on productivity and nitrogen fractionation of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid complex) plant–ratoon system. Amongst the planting materials, three bud setts and poly bag raised settlings both being at par produced higher dry matter and cane diameter compared with bud chip raised settlings in plant and ratoon crops. The maximum sugarcane yield (83.5 and 76.2 t/ha) was recorded under three bud setts which was found at par with poly bag raised settlings in plant and ratoon crops, respectively. Three bud setts gave significantly higher net returns, B:C ratio and N uptake over others, with greater N-use efficiency (167.2 and 147.9 kg cane/kg N applied) and apparent N recovery (59.1 and 49.7%) in plant and ratoon crops, respectively. The higher nitrogen levels were associated with higher growth, yield attributes and yield of plant and ratoon crops of sugarcane than those of lower nitrogen levels. The highest cane yield (92.9 and 84.4 t/ha), net returns (Rs. 1,43,900 and 1,45,300 /ha; 1US$=INR~70.00) and B:C ratio (1.57 and 2.08) were obtained with 150% of recommended N, which was statistically at par with 125% of recommended N and significantly higher over lower levels in plant and ratoon cane, respectively. Similar trend was also observed for N uptake. The maximum N-use efficiency (176.3 and 149.2 kg cane/kg N applied) and apparent N recovery (58.6 and 50.5%) were observed at 125% of recommended N, and thereafter, it decreased with the increase in the N level in plant and ratoon crops, respectively. The relative contents of these fractions were in order: non-hydrolysable N > amino acid–N > unidentified –N > hydrolysable NH4+ –N > exchangeable NH4+ –N > hexoseamine –N > NO3– –N. All the fractions except NO3– –N were in dynamic equilibrium as indicated by significant and positive correlation amongst them. Correlation studies between plant parameters of sugarcane and soil N fractions indicated that the yield of sugarcane and sugar yield were significantly and positively correlated with all N fractions except NO3– –N.

Effect of integrated nutrient management with mycorrhizal bio-fertilizer on physical and bio-chemical properties of soil in planted and ratoon crop of sugarcane

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy research farm of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on soil properties and yield of sugarcane. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications and twelve treatments. The treatments consisted of three rates of MBF mycorrhizal bio-fertilizer @ 10, 15 and 20 kg/ha at the time of planting and same amount MBF after three months of planting in combination with three levels of RDF (100, 75 and 50% RDF). These treatments were evaluated in three replications with Sugarcane (var. COS- 88230) during 2013–15 on plant–ratoon in sequence. Microbial population (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) and higher availability of nutrients in soil were recorded with the treatment T3 MBF @ 20 kg/ha at the time planting and three months after planting) + 100% RDF which was showed impressive improvement in microbial population and availability of nutrients ahead sustainable manner with nature through use of MBF-MBF in combination with inorganic fertilizers.

Studies on sustainable sugarcane initiative (SSI) technology in north eastern agro climate zone of Tamil Nadu

Field experiments were conducted at North-eastern Agro Climatic Zone of Tamil Nadu to find out the influence two methods of sugarcane cultivation on cane productivity. The experiments were conducted in farmer’s holdings in hands with sugar factory during 2012 to 2014. Each experimental plot is large sized with more than 0.40 ha non- replicated with sub surface drip irrigation system. The results indicated higher plant height at harvest stage under SSI method (276cm) than conventional system (Sett) of sett planting (247cm).Study found that sugarcane yield was higher under SSI method (143 t ha-1) as compared to conventional method (126 t ha-1) in main crop. Likewise, SSI registered higher sugar yield (15.30 t ha-1) than conventional system (11.48 t ha-1). Total water consumption and water productivity of SSI method showed less water consumption of 1669 mm and more water productivity of 8.57 kg/m3 as compared to conventional system of planting (1787 mm and 7.04 kg/m3 respectively).SSI method of crop establishment also recorded Rs.33,100 as additional income than conventional method with a B: C ratio of in the main crop of 1.97 and 1.80 respectively. Similar trend was also noticed in sugarcane ratoon crop yield, water productivity and net profit.

Enhancing Sugarcane Plant–Ratoon Productivity Through Bud Chip Transplanting Geometry

A field experiment was conducted for three consecutive seasons on sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid complex) plant–ratoon system (2013–2016) at Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, to study the effect of planting distance and row spacing on productivity of sugarcane planted with bud chip raised settlings by furrow-irrigated raised bed method of planting. The results revealed that growth and yield attributes, viz. leaf area index, drymatter accumulation, plant population, plant height, net assimilation rate, cane diameter and millable canes, were significantly influenced due to planting distance and row spacing. The mean higher cane yield (81.7 and 74.6 t/ha) in plant and ratoon crops was obtained at 30 cm planting distance. Though the differences between 30 and 45 cm planting distance were not significant, the higher benefit/cost ratio was obtained at 45 cm planting distance. Among row spacing, planting at 90 cm row spacing showed the highest drymatter accumulation (30.6 and 28.1 t/ha), millable canes (102,000 and 116,300/ha), net returns (Rs. 137,700 and 140,600/ha) and benefit/cost ratio (1.67 and 2.40) in plant and ratoon crops, respectively. Planting of bud chip raised settlings at 90 cm row spacing significantly increased the yield of plant and ratoon canes during all the years of experimentation as well as on mean basis. Sucrose content juice was not affected by planting distance and row spacing. Correlation studies between cane yield and sucrose content with different growth and yield parameters of sugarcane plant and ratoon crops indicated that the yield of sugarcane was significantly and positively correlated with most of the growth and yield parameters.