SUGARCANE YIELD AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE UNDER PLANT GEOMETRY AND VARIETY IN RELATION TO MECHANIZATION

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted for 2 years (2010-11 and 2011-12) at Main Sugarcane Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat to find out the plant geometry and variety of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) feasible under mechanization. The results indicated that plant geometry 120 cm normal row spacing found significantly superior in increasing number of internodes (23.00), cane length (251.28 cm), number of millable canes (114745 ha^-1), cane (127 tha^-1) and CCS (17 tha^-1) yield as compared to 90 cm, 150 cm and 30:150 cm row spacing. The increase in cane yield was 8.06 %, 7.60 % and 7.95 % over 90 cm, 150 cm and 30: 150 cm row spacing respectively. Moreover, it showed significantly higher N (195.56 kgha^-1), P₂O₅ (113.33 kgha^-1) and K₂O uptake (300.08 kgha^-1). Various varieties had significant impact on yield parametres and nutrient uptake. Variety CoN 05071 increased number of internode (23.00), cane girth (2.53 cm), cane length (252.69 cm), cane (132 tha^-1) and CCS (18 tha^-1) yield significantly as compared to variety CoN 08072, Co 86032 and Co 99004. Wide row spacing with erect variety is found suitable for mechanized operation. Thus, higher production of sugarcane can be achieved by planting setts at 120 cm normal row spacing with variety CoN 05071 while mechanization is feasible under plant geometry 120 cm normal row or 30:150 cm twin rowwith variety CoN 08072.