Performance of High Yielding Promising Sugarcane Variety for Western Zone of Tamilnadu

Sugarcane is an important commercial crop cultivated in over 23,000 ha in Erode district of TamilNadu state. Attempts were made by researchers and extension workers to improve the productivity of sugarcane by adopting high yielding varieties and improved production technologies. The on-farm trials were conducted during Kharif 2017 and 2018 in five farmers’ field to assess the performance of high yielding promising sugarcane varieties suitable for Western Zone of TamilNadu. The varieties selected for trial were Co 86032 and Co 0212. The study revealed that Co 0212 recorded more number of productive tillers per plant (10.4), intermodal length (14.51 cm), stem girth (11.22) and individual cane weight (1.511 kg) which was superiorly higher than the existing variety Co 86032. Similarly Co 0212 recorded the yield of 127.5 ton / ha during 2017 which was 17.24 per cent higher yield than the existing variety and 138.86 ton / ha recorded and 30.68 per cent yield advantage was noticed in the ratoon crop. The highest benefit cost ratio of 2.44 was recorded in Co 0212 in ratoon crop and 2.05 in first crop where as 1.73 and 1.86 BCR observed in Co 86032 in first and ratoon crop respectively. Considering the above facts, Co 0212 would be identified as a better alternate variety suitable for the Western Zone of TamilNadu

Effect of Foliar Application of NPK and Micronutrient (Zn and Fe) on the Yield and Quality of Sugarcane Crop

The foliar application of nutrients help the plant leaves to readily absorb the applied nutrients through the nutrient solution and increases the nutrient use efficiency and thus improves the crop yield. The field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to find out the affect of foliar spray of NPK and micronutrient on cane yield, yield parameters and juice quality of sugarcane during 2019-20 and 2020-21.The present study was carried out on clay loam soils of Research farm of Regional Research Station, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Karnal, Haryana. The research revealed that cane yield and yield parameters i.e., cane length, and cane weight was significantly affected with the foliar spray of NPK and micronutrient but non-significant effect was observed for cane girth and number of internodes. With respect to juice quality parameters viz., commercial cane sugar (CCS) %, pol % and sugar yield, significantly affected with foliar spray of NPK and micronutrient. The highest cane yield, cane weight and cane length was recorded with the foliar application of 2% NPK (19:19:19) + 0.5% ZnSO4 +1% FeSO4 (78.16 t/ha, 1.21 kg and 207.3 cm) followed by foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 1% FeSO4+ 2.5% urea recorded 76.75 t/ha, 1.20 kg and 207.1 cm, respectively. The lowest cane yield (70.68 t/ha) was recorded with the application of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) alone. The highest CCS % (12.16), pol % (17.36) and sugar yield (9.51 t/ha) was observed in the treatment 2% NPK + 0.5% ZnSO4 +1% FeSO4. Thus, foliar application with NPK and micronutrient could significantly improve the cane yield, yield parameters and juice quality of sugarcane crop.

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

Ratooning is common practice done in sugarcane with purpose of reducing 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 main plot factor while four harvesting dates as sub plot factor with three replications. Observations of 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 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 (0.757kg), cane diameter ( 2.11cm), plant height(1.82m)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 Plant Density and Nitrogen Management for Realizing Higher Cane Yield under Bud Chip Method of Planting in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur, during 2018-19 to study the effect of plant density and nitrogen management for realizing higher cane yield under bud chip method of planting in sugarcane (Saccharum officinerum). The treatments were plant geometry and nitrogen doses with three and four splits of application in split plot design. The recommended dose of nitrogen was 250 kg N ha-1. Among the geometry, 150 x 60 cm spacing recorded significantly higher cane length which was statistically at par with 150 x 30 cm. 150% RDN (375 kg N ha-1) with four splits of application recorded significantly higher cane length. Among the split application of nitrogen, four splits with 150% RDN at basal, 60, 90 and 120 DAP recorded significantly higher number of tiller at 90 and 120 DAP. Significantly higher single cane weight was recorded in 150% RDN with four splits of application in 150 x 60 cm. Significantly higher cane yield was recorded in 150% RDN with four splits of application in 150 x 60 cm spacing and was statistically at par with 150 x 30 cm spacing. This was followed by 100% RDN with four splits of application in 150 x 60 cm spacing.

Character Association among Yield and Quality Traits in Early Maturing Sugarcane Clones

Eleven early maturing sugarcane clones were planted in Randomized Block Design for this study. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships among the yield and quality parameters with cane yield and sugar yield in sugarcane, in order to provide information to help breeders in adopting traits for developing high yield and quality varieties. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for eleven yield and quality characters. Highest cane yield (176.66 t/ha) was recorded in clone 2015R10 and highest Commercial Cane Sugar (CCS) % (14.16) were observed in Co C 671. Correlation coefficient results indicated that cane yield was positively correlated with germination (0.166), number of millable canes (0.210), cane length (0.650), cane girth (0.610), single cane weight (0.880), CCS yield (0.518) whereas Brix% (-0.838), Sucrose% (-0.821), Purity % (-0.720) and CCS % (-0.812) showed negative correlation with cane yield. Sugar yield per hectare is positively correlated with purity% (0.187), cane length (0.413), cane girth (0.503), single cane weight (0.515) and cane yield (0.518). Results indicate that the genotypes should be selected on the basis of cane length, cane girth and single cane weight for getting higher sugarcane yield.

Genetic Variability Analysis of Early Maturing Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Clones Using Morphological Characters

An investigation was undertaken to identify sugarcane clones suitable for the identification of early maturing genotypes for higher sugar yield at Research Farm of DRPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar in Randomized Block Design with three replications during spring season 2018-19. Variability, correlation, and path analysis in twelve early maturing clones of sugarcane for twenty-one different morphological and juice quality characters were studied in relation to the checks viz. CoLk94184 and CoSe95422. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences for all characters studied. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was highest for Sugar yield (CCS) at harvest (t/ha) among the early maturing clones. The highest heritability was obtained for Brix at 8-month stage, Pol in juice at 8-month stage and Brix at 10-month stage. Genetic advance as per cent of mean was found to be highest in sugar yield (CCS) at harvest, cane yield and single cane weight indicating effectiveness of selection due to preponderance of additive gene action and breeder may consider these traits as main selection criteria.

Shoot thinning of Semillon in a hot climate did not improve yield and berry and wine quality

Aim: Shoot thinning is a common canopy management practice used to obtain a desired shoot density and to improve canopy microclimate. Since thinning is often carried out manually, the cost can be high. In this study the effect of severe shoot thinning (50 % of shoots removed) applied at EL 15 was investigated by comparing yield components, canopy size, berry and wine chemistry, and sensory attributes to a non-thinned control for the variety Semillon. The objective was to determine whether shoot thinning could change canopy architecture and lead to improved fruit and wine chemistry and sensory characteristics.Methods and results: The trial was carried out over four consecutive growing seasons (starting in 2014-15) in the Semillon block of the Coombe vineyard (Waite Campus, the University of Adelaide). Canopy architecture was monitored at key phenological stages in each season and yield components were assessed at harvest. The harvested fruit was used for chemical and sensory analysis of the berries. Wines were made and their chemistry and sensorial attributes assessed. Shoot thinning reduced the total leaf area in only two of the four seasons, but single shoot leaf area and cane weight were higher in shoot-thinned vines in all seasons. Shoot thinning did not reduce yield, despite a large reduction in bunch number, because of increased bunch weight. Shoot thinning did not change berry and wine chemistry. Similarly, little differences were observed in the sensory profile of berries and wines, and the assessors preferred the wines obtained from shoot thinned vines in the last season only.Conclusions: In this study, shoot thinning increased the leaf area per shoot and the cane weight, but yield and grape and wine chemistry were unaffected. The vine balance indices leaf area/yield and yield/pruning weight were also unaffected by the treatment, despite its intensity (50 % of shoots removed).Significance and impact of the study: The practice of shoot thinning when applied at EL stage 15 (8-9 leaves separated) was not effective as a technique to improve canopy microclimate and berry and wine chemistry for the white variety Semillon in a hot Australian climate. By not applying shoot thinning growers could potentially make significant savings without affecting yield or wine properties. Further research is needed to explore the effect and timing of shoot thinning on other varieties and in different environments.

Organic Manures and Industrial by-Products Influence the Yield Attributes and Yield of Sugarcane

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of organic manures and industrial by-products on cane productivity. The soil type of experimental site was sandy loam. The treatments consisted of T1 – Seasoned pressmud @ 25 t ha-1, T2 – T1 + Lignite flyash @ 25 t ha-1, T3 – T1 + Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1, T4 – Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + Lignite flyash @ 25 t ha-1, T5 – Biocompost @ 5 t ha-1, T6 – T5 + Lignite flyash @ 25 t ha-1, T7 – FYM @ 10 t ha-1, T8 – NPK alone (RDF). The results revealed that yield attributes and cane yield improved in addition of organic manures and industrial by-products. The addition of integrating Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + Seasoned Pressmud @ 25 t ha-1 along with RDF (T3) significantly recorded yield attributes of (125.83 ´ 1000) of millable cane ha-1, 2.57 cm of cane girth, 27.82 internodes cane-1, 1.37 kg of individual cane weight and cane yield of 165.18 t ha-1. It was observed that vermicompost, seasoned pressmud and chemical fertilizers enhanced yield attributes and yield of sugarcane.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters in Early Maturing Sugarcane Clones for Yield and Quality Traits

Aims: To make pragmatic selection of best performing sugar cane clones, it is compulsory to know traits having high values of heritability. Hence, this work was initiated with the aim of estimating genetic parameters of twelve sugarcane clones planted in randomized block design with three replications. The tested clones were significantly different for all most all the traits at 1% and 5% level of significance. Genotypic and phenotypic variance, GCV and PCV, heritability in broad sense (h2) and genetic advance as percent of mean was calculated for all traits taken. Results: Low genotypic variances were obtained as compared to the corresponding phenotypic variances for the traits taken. High GCV and heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent mean were obtained for Shoots at 240 DAP (Days After Planting) (1000/ha), Single cane weight at harvest (Kg), commercial cane sugar (CCS) at 8 months stage (%), CCS at 10 months stage (%), Sugar yield at harvest (t/ha) and Cane yield at harvest (t/ha). Hence, selections based on these characters are appropriate for varietal improvement.

IMPROVING THE PRODUCTIVITY AND SUGAR RECOVERY OF CANE BY POTASH NUTRITION UNDER DIFFERENT PLANTING METHODS

Potassium-nutrition is a subject of great consideration, as research has revealed its importance in increasing sugar recovery in sugarcane. While it cannot achieve its genetic expression of yield without proper planting technology. Therefore, the present study was conducted to optimize the planting method and K level to improve the yield and sugar recovery of sugarcane at University of Agriculture Faisalabad in 2014-2016. Treatments comprised of four planting methods viz. i) 90 cm spaced pits with a diameter of 90 cm, ii) 90 cm spaced pits with a diameter of 90 cm in diagonal fashion, iii) 90 cm spaced double row strips and iv) 120 cm spaced trench planting in combination with four K nutrition levels i.e., 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha K2O. Results revealed that K application improved the growth, cane yield and sugar recovery irrespective of planting method. However, maximum number of tillers were recorded in sugarcane sown in diagonal pit planting at 90 cm with 100 kg/ha K2O. Likewise, Leaf area index and net assimilation rate were substantially improved with K application in all planting methods. More cane weight (15%) was obtained at sugarcane sown in 120 cm spaced trenches with 200 kg/ha K2O during both the years. Stripped cane yield was maximum in diagonal pit planting at 90 cm with 100 kg/ha K2O (113.7 t/ha) during the plant crop year and diagonal pit plantation + 200 kg/ha K2O (98.22 t/ha) during the ratoon crop year. Likewise, maximum potassium use efficiency (KUE) i.e. 99.5 and 88.2 kg /kg were recorded in planting of sugarcane in diagonal pits at 90 cm with 100 kg/ha K2O during plant crop year and 120 cm trenches +100 kg/ha K2O during the ratoon crop year, respectively. Sugar recovery was also enhanced by all the K nutrition levels over control. The cultivation of sugarcane in 90 cm spaced pits with the supplementation of potash at 100 kg/ha gave the maximum sugar yield of 15.8 t/ha in plant crop year and 13.2 t/ha in the ratoon crop year. The combined economic analysis over two years (plant + ratoon year) revealed that sugarcane planting was more beneficial at 120 cm spaced trenches, with 100 kg potash/ha (3678$); which was followed by 90 cm diagonal pit plantation +100 kg/ha K2O which gave the combined benefits of 3611$. Sugar cane may be planted in 90 cm diagonal pits and 120 cm spaced trenches with 100 kg/ha potash to improve the cane yield and sugar recovery