Effect of zinc on cane population and yield of sugarcane (Saccharum offcinarum) in calcareous soils
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v45i4.3446Keywords:
Zn, Tillering, Calcareous soil, SugarcaneAbstract
A field experiment was conducted during 1994-95 to 1996-97 to study the effect of Zn on cane population and yield of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in calcareous soil. The maximum final stalk number was produced by basal application of 10 kg Znlha. Its splitting could not bring marked effect. The highest cane yield was also owing to basal application of 10 kg Znlha but was at par yith that of its 2 or 3 splits during first 2 years where 1 split was given at the time of planting. Foliar spray did not improve cane yield in the first year, but 0.1% in the .- second year and 0.2% in the third year gave significantly higher yield than control. - Key words : Zn, Tillering, Calcareous soil, SugarcaneReferences
Effect of zinc on cane population and yield of sugarcane (Saccharum offcinarum) in calcareous soils
V.P. SlNGH AND U.K. PRASAD
Sugarcane Research Institute, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur . 'Bihar 848 125
Received: October 1999
A field experiment was conducted during 1994-95 to 1996-97 to study the effect of Zn on cane population and yield of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in calcareous soil. The maximum final stalk number was produced by basal application of 10 kg Znlha. Its splitting could not bring marked effect. The highest cane yield was also owing to basal application of 10 kg Znlha but was at par yith that of its 2 or 3 splits during first 2 years where 1 split was given at the time of planting. Foliar spray did not improve cane yield in the first year, but 0.1% in the second year and 0.2% in the third year gave significantly higher yield than control.
.--Key words :Zn, Tillering, Calcareous soil, Sugarcane
Most of the soils of sugarcane-growing change in stalk number. Keeping above tract in north Bihar are calcareous and facts in view, the present investigation was about 80% of such soils are deficient in Zn undertaken. with mean value of DTPA-extractable Zn
MATERIALS AND METHODS
as 0.70 ppm where its critical limit is 0.78 ppm as reported by Sakal et al. (1982). A field experiment was conducted at
The growth of above-ground portion of Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa the plant is a direct function 'of the number (Samastipur), for 3 years (1994-95 to. of stalks per unit urea and their expansion 1996-97). The soil was sandy loam having in both height and diameter. The maximum 210-218 kg available Nlha, 30-35 kg stalk number is generally reached 5 months available P,O,/ha, 132-140 kg available after planting. Under irrigated condition as &O/ha, 28.6% free CaCO,, 8.3 pH and high as 3 40,000 stalksha were reported by 0.65 to 0.70 ppm available Zn. Thus soil Gosnell(1968). This appears to be an over- was alkaline-calcareous in nature and it was production of stalks, for up to 50% died and also deficient in Zn, as its critical limit in stable stalk population was achieved at 7 the calcareous soil is 0.78 ppm (Sakal et al., months and thereafter, there was little 1982). The experiment was laid out in
SINGH AND PRASAD [Vol.45, N0.4
randomized block design with 3 from those treatments having Zn applied as replications. The treatment consisted of TI, basal dose (T, to T,) and even T7 where Zn No Zn
