Vol. 11, Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
Ghodke SK, Bhilare RL, Thorave DS, Nalawade SV and Raskar BS

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted at Central Sugarcane Research Station, Padegaon Farm Tal Phaltan Dist. Satara (M.S.) in pre-seasonal sugarcane (2018-19) with object of to assess effect of foliar sprays of plant growth regulators and fertilizer nutrients on yield and quality of sugarcane, nutrient uptake of sugarcane and to find out the most effective combination of plant growth regulators and fertilizer nutrients for yield maximization in sugarcane. It consists of main plot treatment as plant growth regulators with sub plot treatment comprising fertilizer nutrient spray. The total five successive foliar sprays of plant growth regulators and fertilizer nutrients were taken from 45 to 125 days after planting with an interval of 20 days. In plant growth regulators foliar spray of GA₃ + Six BA 40 ppm each recorded significantly higher cane yield, CCS yield, average cane weight and number of millable cane (187.19 t ha^-1, 24.97 t ha^-1, 1.91 kg and 102.33 ‘000’ ha^-1, respectively) and at par with foliar spray of IBA + GA₃ + Six BA 40 ppm each. However, In foliar nutrient spray significantly higher cane yield, CCS yield, average cane weight and number of millable cane (186.52 t ha^-1, 24.92 t ha^-1, 1.92 kg and 101.89 ‘000’ ha^-1, respectively) were observed in foliar spray of 1% 19:19:19 + 0.25% chelated micronutrient + 0.5% silicon and at par with foliar spray of 1% 19:19:19 + 0.25% chelated micronutrient_. The soil chemical properties were also improved in both foliar spray of plant growth regulators and nutrient fertilizer. Significantly the highest total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake were recorded in foliar spray of GA₃ + Six BA 40 ppm each in plant growth regulators and 1% 19:19:19 + 0.25% chelated micronutrient + 0.5% silicon in fertilizer nutrient spray. The spraying of plant growth regulators, nutrient and their interactions were found non-significant influence on juice quality parameters. In plant growth regulators higher gross return, net return and B:C ratio were recorded in foliar spray of GA₃ + Six BA 40 ppm each (Rs. 514773 ha^-1, Rs.371641 ha^-1 and 2.60, respectively) and in fertilizer nutrient foliar spray of 1% 19:19:19 + 0.25% chelated micronutrient + 0.5% silicon recorded significantly higher gross return and net return (Rs. 512930 ha^-1 and Rs. 364211 ha^-1) while higher B:C ratio (2.49) was noticed in foliar spray of 1% 19:19:19 + 0.25% chelated micronutrient. The foliar application of Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) + Six Benzylaminopurine (Six BA) 40 ppm each with 1% 19:19:19 + 0.25% chelated micronutrient + 0.5% Silicon with general recommended dose of fertilizer (FYM 25 t ha^-1, 340:170:170 N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg ha^-1) were found most effective beneficial combination for increasing sugarcane and commercial cane yield.