ASSESSMENT OF VARIATION IN GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUGAR CANE CROP BY USING DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF NPK FERTILIZERS

Abstract

To determine the optimum NPK dose for maximum cane and sugar yield, the field experiment was conducted at Fatima Sugar Research and Development Farm, FSML. Variety of sugarcane US127 was grown at farm. The experiment was conducted to sort out a suitable fertilizer timing schedule and appropriate dose for the area. This promising variety was evaluated for inorganic N, P and K at different growth stages throughout the year. Each fertilizer treatment had 60 m long and 3 rows at random. Center to center distance of each row was 1.35 m with a total plot size of 1215 m2 . Three budded cane sets were prepared and dipped in 0.25% solution of Thiophanatemethyl. There were 5 treatments and each treatment had 3 replications. The lay out plan used for the experiment was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Qualitative and quantitative parameters i.e. germination %, number of tillers, stem elongation rate, stem girth, sucrose contents and yield were recorded. Significant differences of fertilizer treatments on yield and yield contributing factors were validated. Studied variety responded significantly not only from miller’s and breeder’s point of view but also regarding the sugarcane growers. T2 was comparatively least significant while T4 was 2nd and T5 was 3rd most suitable treatments when comparative analysis was done with T1 (control). By evaluating all the studied parameters, treatment T3 (Source: Fatima Sarsabz) was most suitable timing schedule and dose of NPK fertilizers.