Effect of nitrogen and row spacing on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) varieties

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the main crop seasons of 1992-94 or1 si111dy-loilm soil at Coimbatore, to study the response of 2 early (Co 85002 and Co 85004) and 3 mid-l;~tc (Co 86027, Co 86032 and Co 86038) sugarcane (Saccharurn oflcinarurn L.) varieties to 5 levels olN (0, 100. 200, 300 and 400 kgtha) and 2 row spacings (75 and 90 cm). The number of milli~hlc cancs. Juice- quality characters, yield and yield attributes differed significantly due to row 1rc;llmcnts. ltut row spacings within the variety did not influence the cane and sugar yield. However, incrcilscd planting density at 75 cm, spacing resulted in higher cane and sugar yield in Co 85002. Co 86032 and Co 86038. The different levels of N influenced significantly the number of millablc cilncs. Ici~l-shcalh moisture, cane and sugar yield, but the juice quality was unaffected. The highest cimc ilnd suf;lr yields were recorded at 300 kg Niha. There was a slight reduction in purity (Oh) in early varieties ill 400 kg N/ ha. Significant positive correlation was found between leaf-sheath moisture at ron~l;~livc phtlsc and final cane yield. Quadratic responses to N levels were found significant and based on rnultil1lc-regression equation the optimum N ranged from 239 to 300 kgha for different varieties.