Effect of fertilizer management and zinc foliar on growth and yield of sugarcane

Abstract

    Effect of fertilizer management and zinc foliar on growth and yield of sugarcane var. LK9211 was studied at Khanu Woralaksaburi district, Kamphaeng Phet province. The experiment was laid out in 3 × 2 factorial in RCBD with 2 treatments including no-fertilizer (control), organic and chemical fertilizer and zinc application rates of 0 (0Zn) and 26.5 mgL-1 (+Zn) and 4 replications. The fertilizers were applied thrice each at top-dressed, 6 and 9 months after planting and zinc applications were foliar twice each at 6 and 9 months after planting. Growth and yield of sugarcane were collected at 13 months after planting. The results showed that numbers of stalk per hill, stalk diameter and total soluble solids were not statistically difference. Stalk length and yield of sugarcane grown in organic fertilizer treatment were higher than control and chemical fertilizer treatment. Zinc foliar displayed higher stalk length and yield than not foliar. Moreover, stalk length and yield of sugarcane grown in different fertilizer management were differently response to Zn application. Stalk length of +Zn was increased from 0Zn up to 36.8% when grown in control, while the increasing was 22.1% in chemical fertilizer treatment and only 10.9% in organic fertilizer treatment. In addition, yield of +Zn sugarcane was increased for 30.3% and 26.5% in control and chemical fertilizer but not differed in organic fertilizer. The result indicates that Zn foliar enhance growth and yield of sugarcane grown in low fertility soil.