Site-specific Nutrient Management Recommendations for Sugarcane Culture in Kamphaeng Phet series (Kp), Northern of Thailand

Abstract

The North is another important sugarcane growing area in Thailand. Although sugarcane production technology is currently highly efficient, there is still relatively little research on fertilizer management specific to soil characteristics. Therefore, this research aims to find guidelines for area-specific or soil-type-specific sugarcane fertilizer management, tested on the Kamphaeng Phet soil series. The study compares 4 fertilizer management methods: T1 = using fertilizer according to the area-specific sugarcane fertilizer recommendations for the Kamphaeng Phet soil series, T2 = using fertilizer based on the Department of Agriculture's soil analysis for sugarcane, T3 = using fertilizer according to farmers' practices, and T4 = using integrated fertilizer management according to the T1+T2 method in Khon Kaen 3 sugarcane variety, both for planted and ratoon sugarcane. Growth data collected included height and number of stalks at 4, 6, 8, and 10 months. Yield data collected at 12 months included yield per rai, sugar yield per rai, and C.C.S. value. And evaluate the economic returns from the 2024/2025 sugarcane price (1,160 baht/ton: Sor., 2024). The research results showed that the growth of all formulas was not statistically different (P>.05) at all stages, both for planted and ratoon sugarcane. For planted sugarcane, formula T1 had the highest average yield (23.33 tons per rai), which was higher than formulas T2, T3, and T4 (20.16-20.20 tons per rai). Sugar yield per rai and C.C.S. values Highest in the T3 recipe (2.74 tons C.C.S. per rai and 13.25 C.C.S.) For the T4 ratoon cane, the highest average yield (16.31 tons per rai) and sugar content (2.72 tons C.C.S.) were obtained. /rai) was higher than the T1, T2, and T3 recipes (14.06-14.72 tons per rai). As for the C.C.S. value, for all ratoon cane formulations tested, there was no statistically significant difference. The economic return for T1 was the highest in terms of yield and profit per unit area because it had the lowest fertilizer cost per rai (501.79 baht per rai) compared to formulation T3 (the farmers' original method, 1,512 baht per rai). In conclusion, using fertilizer according to the specific fertilizer recommendations for the soil series can reduce production costs (fertilizer) and provide higher net returns.