Effect of planting geometry, nitrogen and potassium application on yield and quality of ratoon sugarcane in sub-tropical climatic conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Lucknow during 2005–08 to study the effect of planting geometry and N and K application on yield of ratoon sugarcane. The crop was planted using 4 planting geometries, ie single rows at 60, 75 cm spacing, paired rows at 75:45 and 105:45 cm spacing. Paired row planting at 75:45 cm gave significantly higher number of stubble with viable buds (32 280/ha), dry matter accumulation, millable canes (1 34 000/ha) and cane yield (76.44 tonnes/ha). Application of 200 kg N and 80 kg K/ha recorded significantly improved yield attributes, dry matter accumulation and cane yield over their respective control. The highest ratoon cane, sugar yield and net returns were obtained by paired row planting at 75:45 cm and application of 200 kg N and 80 kg K/ha