Physio-agronomic performance of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid complex) genotypes under various planting geometry

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar during spring season of 2017–18 to study the physiological parameters, yield and economics of sugarcane genotypes under different planting geometry. The treatments comprised two planting geometries, viz. 90 and 120 cm row spacing with six genotypes, viz. CoLk 09204, CoLk 12209, CoP 12438, CoSe 12438, BO 91 and CoP 9301 in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. Planting with 90 cm row spacing recorded maximum number of tillers (179 900/ha) 11.26%, 11.71% higher leaf area index (LAI) and higher number of millable canes respectively, as compared to 120 cm row spacing. Moreover, row spacing of 90 cm produced highest cane yield (94.1 t/ha), net returns (`141600/ha) and B:C ratio (2.08) than 120 cm row spacing. Genotype BO 91 registered significantly higher germination (26.5%), number of tillers (208 100/ha), LAI (4.23) and millable canes (124 600/ha) than other genotypes. The quality parameters of juice did not undergo significant changes due to different spacing, but higher value of brix (20.3%) and pol (18.04%) of juice were recorded in the genotype CoP 9301. Whereas, CoLk 09204 gave 20.42, 40.57, 18.16, 14.36 and 48.60% higher cane yield over the genotypes CoLk 12209, CoP 12438, CoSe 12453, BO 91 and CoP 9301. Moreover, CoLk 09204 recorded highest sugar yield (12.8 t/ha), net returns (`180100/ha) and 14.35, 17.73% higher B:C ratio than BO 91 and CoSe 12453, respectively. Thus, sugarcane should be planted at 90 row spacing and genotype ‘CoLk 09204’ may be adopted to enhance productivity and profitability of sugarcane.