BIOLOGICAL NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT FOR ENHANCING YIELD AND QUALITY OF SEEDCANE
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Date
2023-11-10
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Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University
Abstract
A field experiment titled “Biological nutrient management for enhancing yield and quality of seedcane” was conducted during 2019-20 and 2020-21 on sandy clay soil at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with the treatments consists of three main plot treatments viz., a control and two organic sources-biofertilizer mixture (Azospirillum, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria, Potassium Releasing Bacteria each @ 1250 ml ha-1 and VAM @ 12.5 kg ha-1) and trash mulching with bio-decomposers and six sub plot treatments viz., S1-75% STBNK (Soil Test Based Nitrogen and Potassium) at planting, 30, 60, 90, 120 DAP + additional dose of 25% recommended K one month before harvesting, S2-75% STBNK at planting, 45, 90, 135 and 180 DAP, S3-100% STBNK at planting, 30, 60, 90, 120 DAP + additional dose of 25% recommended K one month before harvesting, S4-100% STBNK at planting, 45, 90, 135 and 180 DAP, S5-125% STBNK at planting, 30, 60, 90, 120 DAP + additional dose of 25% recommended K one month before harvesting, S6-125% STBNK at planting, 45, 90, 135 and 180 DAP, in three replications. A high yielding commercial cane variety CoA 92081 (87A 298) was used.
Germination percentage was not significantly influenced either by organic sources or time and dose of N and K given to seed crop of sugarcane. The growth parameters viz., plant height, number of tillers and shoots and drymatter production were influenced with application of biofertilizer mixture and it was comparable with trash mulching (M3) and both found to be
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significantly superior to control. Among sub plot treatments, 125% STBNK + additional 25% RDK (S5) resulted in taller plants with more tiller and shoot population and drymatter production and found at par with 100% STBNK + additional 25% RDK (S3). A significant interaction between organic sources and different doses and time of N-K application was observed for drymatter production at 180 DAP during both the years of study and in pooled data. Yield attributes viz., stalk population, cane length, diameter, single cane weight, weight of 100 three bud setts and cane yield were maximum with application of biofertilizers (M2) and trash mulching (M3) and found significantly superior to control. Among different sub plot treatments, significantly higher yield attributing characters were recorded with application of 125% STBNK + additional 25% RDK (S5), but it was found statistically comparable with 125% STBNK (S6), 100% STBNK + additional 25% RDK (S3) and found superior to S1 and S2 treatments. Seedcane yield showed significant interaction between organic sources and different rates and timing of N-K application. Application of less fertilizer dose along with biofertilizers (M2S1) and with trash mulching (M3S1) was found on a par with that of M1S5. Quality parameters of seedcane were not influenced by the organic sources, however the sub plot treatments showed significant influence on moisture per cent, reducing sugars per cent, germinability of setts and seedling vigour index. Application of 125% STBNK (S6) significantly improved quality parameters of seedcane over S1 and S2 and was at par with S3 and S4 treatments. Combined application of biofertilizers or trash mulching along with 125% STBNK or 100% STBNK applied at 30 days interval + additional 25% RDK one month before harvesting recorded higher N, P and K content, uptake and availability in soil after harvest. A significant interaction between organic sources and different rates and timing of N-K application was observed with N uptake at 180 DAP and P uptake at harvest. The higher N and P uptake were registered with M2S5 whereas, lower were with M1S2 and M1S1 treatments. Gross returns, net returns and BC ratio were higher with application of biofertilizers or trash mulching along with 125% STBNK + additional 25% RDK (S5) and it was comparable with 100% STBNK + additional 25% RDK (S3). A significant interaction between organic sources and different rates and timing of N-K application was observed with net returns. The higher net returns were recorded with M2S5 treatment. Whereas, lower net returns were observed with M1S2 and M1S1 treatments.
From the experiment conducted for two consecutive years, with organic sources and different rates and timing of N-K application, it can be concluded that combined application of biofertilizer mixture or trash mulching with bio-decomposers and 100% STBNK at 30 days interval + additional dose of 25% recommended potassium one month prior to harvest was found to be optimum and profitable for improving yield and quality of sugarcane seed crop on sandy clay soils of North Coastal Zone.