Bio-Economic Response of Autumn Sugarcane to Soil Variation, NPK Management and planting Geometry under Arid Climate

Autumn sugarcane crop is commonly fertilized @ 175-60-60 and 300-175-125 NPK kg ha-1 in sandy loam and silty clay soils, respectively. Whether these fertilizer doses are sufficient or otherwise for the fulfillment of this sugarcane crop demand is yet to be established. A comprehensive study (2005-06 to 2007-08) was conducted to identify the optimum NPK dose in sandy loam and silty clay soils. This study was conducted on autumn sugarcane cv. HSF 240 at two different locations, Land Reclamation Research Station 37/TDA, Bhakkar and Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. The experiments were laid out according to randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement. The trial was replicated four times with net plot of 24 m2. Five NPK doses i. e. F0 (0-0-0), F1 (100-100-100), F2 (150-150-100), F3 (200-200-100) and F4 (250-200-100) kg ha-1alongwith four planting arrangements i. e. G1 (60cm), G2 (75cm) single row planting patterns, G3 (30/90cm) and G4 (30/120cm) spaced paired row strip planting patterns were tested. Statistical analysis of three years pooled data showed that NPK doses affected the sugar yield contributing parameters, significantly. Maximum shoot dry weight (1900.8& 1949.2 g m-2) was recorded in F4 G3, while minimum in F0G4 (624.8& 629.2 g m-2) on sandy loam and silty clay soil, respectively. Maximum sugar yield (14.81& 15.52 t ha-1) was recorded in F4G3 and minimum (3.66& 4.03t ha-1) in F0G1 on sandy loam and silty clay soils. Maximum sugar recovery (11.5 and 10.90 %) was recorded in the treatment interaction of F0G4 and minimum (7.67 and 8.64 %) in F4G1 on sandy loam and silty clay soils. Maximum FUE (289.4& 290.2 kg kg-1) was obtained in treatment interaction of F3G3 on both soils. It was concluded that maximum sugar yield, BCR and FUE from nutrient dose of 200200-100 kg NPK ha-1 cum 30/90cm spaced paired row strip planting can be harvested in sandy loam and silty clay soils in arid climate. Sugar recovery percentage was recorded maximum in interaction of control and 30/120cm spaced paired row strip planting. Nutrient application of 200-200-100 NPK kg ha-1 having planting geometry of 30/90 cm paired row strips planting was proved optimum for maximum sugar yield.