Europ. J. Agronomy 30 (2009) 2733

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European Journal of Agronomy

journa l homepage: www.e lsev ier .c

Potassi sppartitio ted(Saccha

S.K. ShukIndian Institute ttar P

a r t i c l

Article history:Received 12 ApReceived in reAccepted 26 Ju

Keywords:Dry matter accNutrient uptakeReducing sugarsPotassium supplySugarcane raSugar yield

two cimpssium

ubbleThe cigatiocane

tion of 66kgKha1 with irrigation water in standing plant cane before harvest improved bud sprouting,dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake in ratoon crop. Irrigation in standing plant cane increased

1. Introdu

Ratoonundergroumain cropowing to isaving in ting operatsugar factoearly dehyal., 1946).the plant cof soil fertiuse of app

Stubblein successprotabilitble decline

CorrespoE-mail ad

1 Present ad110012.

1161-0301/$doi:10.1016/jtoon ratoon cane (69.9 t ha1) and sugar yields (7.6 t ha1). This increase for ratoon cane and sugar yieldwas 8.7and 5.55%, respectively over the control. Further, it increased ratoon cane yield by 15.21% (74.1 t ha1) andsugar yields by 13.9% (8.2 t ha1) with K fertigation over the control. Thus, K nutrition holds great promisefor improving growth of ratoon cane and sugar yields.

2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ction

ing is a practice of growing a new crop from sprouts ofnd sugarcane stubble left in the eld after harvest of the. In sugarcane farming, ratooning is an important aspectts low cost of production as compared to plant crop byhe cost of seedbed preparation, seed material and plant-ions. Ratoons help in extending the crushing schedule ofries as they mature earlier than the plant crop due todration of tissues and ushing out of N (Vasudeo Rao etHowever, most often, ratoon crop yields are lower thanropdue to soil compaction (Verma, 2002), decreased ratelity under continuous sugarcane cropping and inefcientlied fertilizers (Sundara and Tripathi, 1999).decline, characterized byprogressive reductions of yieldive crops, is a major constraint to productivity andyof the sugarcane industry. Factorsassociatedwithstub-include genotype, low winter temperatures including

nding author. Tel.: +91 522 2480735/36; fax: +91 522 2480738.dress: sudhirshukla151@yahoo.com (S.K. Shukla).dress: Senior Scientist, Plant Physiology, DMR, IARI, Pusa, New Delhi.

freezing, poor soil aeration and drainage, weed competition andphysiological maturity and health of the cane plant. These factorsare inuenced by growing conditions (Dissanayake and Hoy, 1999).

In subtropical India, after harvest of plant crop, most often,fewer buds sprout due to low temperature. Unsprouted stubblescause gaps in stubble rows resulting in low initial shoot popula-tion and yield of cane. Several agro-techniques viz., trashmulching,polyethylene mulching, intercropping of wheat and potato havebeen used (Kanwar and Kaur, 1977, 1981; Verma and Yadav, 1988)to enhance stubble bud sprouting in the ratoon cane but withoutsuccess. In the present investigation, an attempt has been madeto induce bud sprouting with application of potassium in standingplant cane before harvest. Potassium is important in maintainingwater balance in the stubble thereby enhancing metabolic activ-ities. It regulates water uptake, transport and utilization. Plantsadequately supplied with potassium (K) wilt less under waterstress because K has the major responsibility for turgor changes inthe guard cells of stomata during stomata movements (Marshner,1995). After harvest of the plant crop, it has been observed thatstubble starts drying. Under such a situation, potassiummay provebenecial.

Gaplling is themost importantoperation for successful ratoon-ing in sugarcane. Gaps in ratoons arise due to poor sprouting,mechanical damage to stubble roots and from pests and diseases.

see front matter 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved..eja.2008.06.005um nutrition for improving stubble budning, nutrient uptake and winter initiarum spp. hybrid complex) ratoon yield

la , R.L. Yadav, P.N. Singh, Ishwar Singh1

of Sugarcane Research, Division of Crop Production, P.O. Dilkusha, Lucknow 226002, U

e i n f o

ril 2008vised form 25 June 2008ne 2008

umulation

a b s t r a c t

A eld experiment was conducted fortute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow touptake and ratoon yield by using potaincreased the number of buds per stincreased by 16.7% with K fertigation.tion improved signicantly with K fertcanes, individual cane weight, ratoonom/ locate /e ja

routing, dry mattersugarcane

radesh, India

rop cycles during 20032005 and 20042006 at Indian Insti-rove bud sprouting, drymatter accumulation (DMA), nutrient

fertilizer. Potassium (K) fertigation in standing plant caneand number of stalks in ratoon cane. K content of stubble

ontent of reducing sugars in buds at the time of ratoon initia-n. It improved dry matter accumulation, number of millableand sugar yields. Thus, it could be concluded that applica-

28 S.K. Shukla et al. / Europ. J. Agronomy 30 (2009) 2733

Experience gained in several countries has shown that nearly2530% of the area needs to be gap lled (Hunsigi, 1993). InVenezuela 920 ratoons and in Taiwan 78 ratoons are common. InAustralia 23 ratoonsaregrown,whileHawaii adopts single ratoon-ing (Hunsigi, 1993). In multi-ratooning system where more thantwo ratoon crops are taken, gaps cause more reduction in caneyield. Thus, if bud sprouting increases in rst ratoon, it will cer-tainly benecial for subsequent ratoon crops. Keeping these pointsin view, present researchworkwas takenup to improvebud sprout-ing, growth, nutrient uptake and ratoon cane yield with potassiumfertigation in plant cane.

2. Materials and methods

2.1. The experimental site

A eld experiment was conducted for two crop cycles dur-ing 20032005 and 20042006 at Indian Institute of SugarcaneResearch, Lucknow located at 2656N, 80 52E and 111m aboveMSL with semi-arid sub-tropical climate having dry hot summerand cold winter. A crop cycle means one plant and one subse-quent ratoon crop. The averagemonthly rainfall andmaximumandminimum temperatures received during the crop growth cyclesare depicted in Figs. 1(a and b) and 2(a and b). The soil of theexperimental eld was sandy loam (13.3% clay, 24.5% silt and62.25% sand) of Indo-Gangetic alluvial origin, very deep (>2m)well

Fig. 1. (a) Avehumidity (%) d

Fig. 2. (a) Averaged monthly temperatures during 2005; (b): rainfall and relativehumidity (%) in 2005.

d, at and classied as noncalcareous mixed hyperthermictochrept.re planting of the experimental crop, soil samples from 0m depth were collected by core sampler of 8 cm diame-m ve spots in the eld for determination of bulk density.bulk density at 015 cm and 1530 cm soil depth wasd 1.67mgm3. These samples were pooled together andntative homogeneous sample drawn for determination of

c carbon (Walkley and Black method), available N (KMnO4d), 0.5M sodiumbicarbonate (NaHCO3, pH 8.5)-extractable1N NH4OAC-extractable K, following Jackson (1973). The(7.4) was determined by 1:2.5 soil: water suspension

lass electrode pH meter before experimentation. Organiccontent of the soil was 0.47%, available N 179kgha1

le P content, 12.5 kgha1 and available K content washa1. Thus, these parameters indicated that soil was low) in organic carbon and available nitrogen (

S.K. Shukla et al. / Europ. J. Agronomy 30 (2009) 2733 29

Available N (kgha1) = 31.36 actual volume of H2SO4 used intitration.

Available P (kgha1) =ppm2.24. Available K (kgha1) =C100/52.24.

2.2. Cultiva

The cropon 10th Masetts wererow openedplacing seti.e. 150kgNrows beneaphosphatepyriphos 20to guard aggated 45 dareceived thJune. Whenspaces cultJune, remaiuniformly.

2.3. Cultiva

The crop2005 closeper. After held whileplant crop, dgated to facmoisture atploughwasin the furroratoon crop(N) was aption. Remaithe rows. Inreceived threach irrigatcrop also. H2004 and 18ping seasonand present

2.4. Treatm

In a eapplied wit(variety, ConoK fertilizprior toharvcrop, K3: aption) in placomparedutions. A soluwith irrigatof water. Pltion channecalibrated ation channeto supply 6during irrig

2.5. Studies

Sprouting of buds was recorded at 0 day after harvest of plantcrop. Sprou

er hantenas alorgpot

sampsampcribey maic shodernts hly fsize)ntat

n foriley

gestedi ainatdahlPhosacid

d (Pit of tally ud froller cice ae pung fo

urity

) = {

S= suroseed bultip

atisti

data. ThBartlpoo

957)nichererandmpunces

(2

VE ile vam.tion of main (plant) crop

was planted using 38,000 three-bud cane setts ha1

rch, 2003 and again on 12th March, 2004. These seedplaced horizontally, end to end, in 10 cm deep fur-75 cm apart with tractor drawn furrow opener. Before

ts in the furrows, half the dose of required nitrogen,ha1 and 26kgPand 50kgKha1 were applied in fur-th the cane setts using urea (46.4% N), single super(6.98% P) and potassium chloride (KCl, 49.8% K). Chlor-% EC was sprayed over cane setts before covering themainst termite and early shoot borer. The eld was irri-ys after planting with 7.5 cm irrigation water. The cropree pre-monsoon irrigations, i.e. up to the month ofsoil moisture attained a workable stage, inter-row

ivated manually using hand hoe. In the last week ofning dose of 75kgNha1 through ureawas top-dressed

tion of ratoon crop

was harvested on 11th March, 2004 and 14th March,to the ground level by specially designed steel chop-arvest, dry cane leaves were stripped and left in thegreen top leaves were separated. Soon after harvest ofry cane leaves left in the eldwere burnt and eld irri-ilitate stubble sprouting for ratoon cropping. When soiltained a workable condition, bullock operated countryrun close to stubble rows on both sides to cut old roots,ws opened on both sides along the stubble rows. In the, 200kgNha1 was applied. Half amount of nitrogenplied in inter-row spaces at the time of ratoon initia-ning half N was applied in second week of April alongter-row spaces were also ploughed up. The ratoon cropee pre-monsoon irrigations up to the end of June. Afterion, intercultural operations were done in the ratoonarvesting of ratoon crop was done on 15th December,th December, 2005, respectively during both the crop-s leaving border rows and net plot yield was recordeded in t ha1.

ents

ld experiment, three treatments of potassium wereh irrigation water in standing sugarcane plant cropSe 92423). These treatments were, K1: no irrigation andation1monthprior toharvesting,K2: irrigation1monthestingbutnoK fertilization in standing sugarcaneplantplication of 66kgKha1 with irrigation water (fertiga-nt cane 1 month prior to harvesting. Treatments werender randomizedblockdesign (RBD)witheight replica-tion of KClwas preparedwithwater for application of Kionwater. An amount of 16.6 kg KClwas dissolved in 50 lastic tank with KCl solution was placed over the irriga-l (brick channel). Tap of tank was opened and ow wasccording to discharge rate and ow of water in irriga-l. Thus, 132.8 kg KCl in 400 l of water would be required6kgKha1 Solution was stirred with a wooden stickation to avoid settling of particles.

day aftthe cotent won soil(P) andTheseneousas desand drPerioding borve plarandom(2mmrepresein ovesteel Wwet-diand indetermby Kjel1972).chloricmethocontenmetricselectetical ropol% ju

Juicfollowi

Juice p

CCS (%

whereSuc

describafter m

2.6. St

Thearatelyusingneous,Cox (1not sigsentedunderwas codiffere

C.D. =

wherethe tabfreedoted buds were sampled from stools at ratooning (0rvest of plant crop) and after 21 days for determiningt of reducing sugars (Nelson, 1944). Stubble K con-so determined at ratoon initiation. The observationsanic carbon (OC), available nitrogen (N), phosphorusassium (K) content were recorded at ratoon initiation.les were pooled together and representative homoge-le was drawn for determination of available nutrientsd earlier. Ten shoots were excised from sample rowstter accumulation in leaf and stem was determined.ot population density was counted in every plot leav-

rows and presented in thousands per ha1. At harvest,aving intact leaves (both dry and green) were selected

rom whole plot harvest lot. The plants were choppedand homogenized. From this chopped material, 500give sample was collected and kept for drying at 70 C72h. The dried samples were ground in a stainlessmill. Ground plant sample of 1 g each was taken andd in concentrated H2SO4 for determination of total Ncid mixture (HNO3 and HClO4 mixed in 4:1 ratio) forion of total P and K. Nitrogen content was determinedmethod using Kjeltec auto-analyzer (Blakemore et al.,phorus content of digested samples in nitric and per-s was determined by vanadomolybdate yellow colorper, 1966) using a UV-spectrometer. Total potassiumhe digested plant sample was determined ame photosing lter for potassium. At harvest, ve canes werem each plot and crushed through power-operated ver-rusher. Thus, sugarcane juice was extracted and brix,nd purity determined.rity and commercial cane sugar were calculated by thermulae.

(%) = Sucrose percent in juicecorrected brix

100S (B S) 0.4} 0.73

crose percent in juice; B = corrected brix.(%) in juice was determined by as per the methody Meady and Chen (1997). Sugar yield was calculatedlying CCS (%) and ratoon yield.

cal analysis of data

of each crop season were statistically analyzed sep-en the homogeneity of error variance was testedetts 2-test. As the error variance was homoge-led analysis was done according to Cochran and. Since the variation between the two seasons wasant, the mean data of two crop seasons are pre-for discussion. Various treatments were compared

omized block design. The critical difference (CDted to determine statistically signicant treatment

VE r1) t5%

s the error variance, r is number of replications, t5%lue of t at 5% level of signicance at error degree of

30 S.K. Shukla et al. / Europ. J. Agronomy 30 (2009) 2733

Table 1Effect of K fertigation on growth, juice quality and sugarcane (plant crop) yield

Treatments Millable canes (in Cane length Cane diameter Cane weight (g) Brix Pol% juice Purity (%) Sugarcane yield (t ha1) Sugar yield (t ha1)

K1 17.80 86.4 71.6 9.06K2 17.25 88.0 76.8 9.14K3 17.60 87.1 78.2 9.45

S.E.M. 0.26 1.20 1.58 0.22CD (P

S.K. Shukla et al. / Europ. J. Agronomy 30 (2009) 2733 31

Table 4Dry matter accumulation in different plant parts (t ha1) in ratoon cane

Treatments April May June July

Stem Leaf Total Stem Leaf Total Stem Leaf Total Stem Leaf Total

K1 0.31 0.61 0.92 0.89 1.39 2.28 4.10 3.80 7.90 6.93 3.57 10.50K2 0.36 0.68 1.04 1.01 1.38 2.39 4.35 3.85 8.20 7.17 4.03 11.20K3 0.45 0.72 1.17 1.06 1.56 2.62 5.42 4.26 9.68 8.06 4.74 12.80

S.E.M. 0.007 0.0013 0.024 0.018 0.022 0.051 0.11 0.10 0.22 0.17 0.11 0.21CD (P

32 S.K. Shukla et al. / Europ. J. Agronomy 30 (2009) 2733

was mainly due to higher ratoon yield with application of K overno K fertilization.

Economics of sugarcane ratoon crop was worked out and aver-aged for botvariation inB: C ratio wgation withprotability

4. Discussi

Indian sThis primarsoils are ricizer (Tewarrate in mos(Hunsigi, 20agriculture,are mined oapplicationas well (Staing K appliPhilippines1993).

Irrigatioincrease nuHowever, intion of watwas obtaineadversely adid not occgation in stin ratoon stigation masugars (Krathesis of pro(Haeder andregion maylites and thK+ (Kramersynthetic m

Role of Kis advocatednutrients toIrrigation toin vicinity otillers (WidK applicatioattributed tpresent inmight haveand increasitated deveof stalks pe

K fertigaavailabilityfundamenthydrates anproved thathate in sugIrrigation penzymes thincreased sment withhigher orde

tion increased availability of nitrogen and phosphorus to sugarcanecrop. Reduced water stress and fertilization near the time of max-imum shoot formation increased tiller survival. Higher number of

le canin r

n milicats thaillaus plaringcapailat

incrion otentuum.tassigreaponsoncatiop K+

o dinitieabsot excrientate sK fethatingthe

owthcatiose ofoontionequaappdequgi, 19per Klongaprots (Mtione of, tra. A nes ass to ral annionis resorsase ehered duy antille

tubbler ae contakeh the cropping seasons. Cost of production varieddue tocost of fertiliser and irrigation in different treatments.ith K fertigation was higher (2.91) as compared to irri-no K application (2.83) and control (2.66). It indicatedof growing sugarcane ratoon with K fertigation.

on

oils are not being replenished by potassium fertilizer.ily has beendue tomisunderstanding that these alluvialh in K and need no extraneous application of K fertil-i, 2006). If total soil K content is adequate, the releaset cases has not been enough to meet crop requirement01). In thepresentday intensive andhighyieldorientedthere is negative K balance and consequently, the soilsf the essential nutrient (Roy, 2000). The response to Kis site and crop specic and, in many cases, economicuffer et al., 1995). However, increased tonnage follow-cation is reported in South Africa, Jamaica, Australia,, West Indian Islands, Cuba and tropical India (Hunsigi,

n 1 month prior to harvesting of plant cane could notmber of millable cane and individual cane diameter.crease in individual cane weight was due to absorp-er and K through roots. Thus, higher plant cane yieldd. It was clear that juice quality of plant cane was notffected. Thus, sprouting of stubble buds in ratoon caneur at the cost of quality of plant cane. Potassium ferti-anding plant cane increased number of sprouted budstubble that increased number of initial stalks. K fer-intained its superiority and showed highest reducingmer et al., 1980). Role of potassium in increasing syn-tein, lipid andcellwall in growing regions is establishedMengel, 1972;Mengel andHaeder, 1977). Increase sinkspeed the conversion of sucrose to synthetic metabo-is promotes translocation in to those sinks enriched inet al., 1980). The role of K+ nutrition as a cofactor inetabolism is recognized (Rains, 1976).inwater relations iswell recognized and a late dressingagainst moisture stress (Hunsigi, 1993). Availability ofthecrop increased in the rhizospherewithK fertigation.the crop provided congenial atmospheric conditions

f root stubble that improved emergence and growth ofeneld, 1995; Berding et al., 2005; Bonnett et al., 2005).n also decreased aggregate stability. The decrease waso an increase in the proportion of exchangeable cationsmonovalent form (Graham et al., 2002). K applicationimparted resistance against biotic stress (Krauss, 2001)edorganic acidsandnitrate reductaseactivity. This facil-lopment of vigorous stubble, which increased numberr stubble.tion improved shoot population density due to higherof nutrients to crop (Aide andPicker, 1996). Potassium isal to sugarcane for the synthesis, translocation of carbo-d for accumulation of sucrose. It has been conclusivelyt there is decrease translocation of labeled photosyn-arcane under conditions of K deciency (Hartt, 1969).rovided favourable microclimate and activated severalat improved reducing sugars content of stubble andhoot population density. It facilitated crop establish-production of greater number of both primary andr shoots (Bell and Garside, 2005). Potassium applica-

millabformedshare i

Appof tillerand Guvarioucrop du(sink)of assimis thatcentratK+ concontinand po

Thedent uthe reatranslotake uleast twlow afsium iselemen

Nutaggreglowing2002)increasents inroot grtransloresponand ratInteracand adyield. KThus, a(Hunsi

Proroot estudiesproducpromoor morloadingtissuesincreasappearstomatNO3 anitrateprecurreduct

Higrecordprimarondaryfrom sdiametsucrosand upe in ratoonwithK fertigationwasdue to vigorous tillersatoon canewith application of K that contributed largerllable cane formation.ion of K further improved rate of emergence and vigourt culminated intohigherdrymatter accumulation (Cruzme, 1999). The increased accumulation of drymatter innt parts resulted due to adequate supply of K+ to thethe season. K+ stimulates the formation of high storagecity through higher photosynthesis and better supplyes to the sink (Michael and Beringer, 1980). The reasonease dry matter yield resulted because of higher con-f nitrogen in leaf tissues through sustained supply of

in the presence of sufcient K+ availability in soilplantAn application of K at higher rates increased nitrogenum uptake (Mengel et al., 1976).ter shifting of dry matter from leaf to stem is depen-sustained supply of K+ throughout the season. This iswhy sustained supply of K+ enhanced the activity ofn of more assimilates from source to sink. Plant rootsfrom a wide range of soil concentrations, utilizing atstinct plasmamembrane, uptake systemswith high ands for K+, respectively (Kochian and Lucas, 1998). Potas-rbed by plants in larger amount than any othermineralept nitrogen (Daliparthy et al., 1994).uptake might have been facilitated by decrease in

tability and enlargement of total root surface area fol-rtigation (Fuentes-Ramirez et al., 1999; Graham et al.,enabled the roots to explore larger mass of soil andaccess to more phosphorus and other mineral nutri-soil. Phosphorus uptake improved due to vigorous, higher photosynthetic rate and better carbohydraten in sugarcane. Several research workers recordedK and irrigation in increasing dry matter production

cane yield (Mishra and Singh, 1991; Wideneld, 1995).of N and K is often encountered under eld conditionste fertilization is essential for improved cane and sugarlication results in drop in leaf N and sheath moisture.ate K is required to utilize the assimilated N in cane93).nutrition increases N and P uptake, disease resistance,tion and thickness (Aide and Picker, 1996). Variousvided evidence of K+ in promoting the translocation ofengel and Viro, 1974; Mengel and Haeder, 1977). Thiswill occur if a higher level of K+ nutrition causes onethe following to increase net carbon exchange, phloemnsport sinks andmetabolic conversion of sucrose in sinkumber of studies have shown that net carbon exchangea result of increased K+ fertilization of plants. Low K+

educe net carbon exchange through an increase in bothd mesophyll resistance. As a cation, K accompanies theas it is transported from the roots to the shoot whereduced to NH3 to be incorporated in to amino acids theof protein. So it might have increased activity of NO3

nzyme (Marshner, 1995), which increased N uptake.number of millable canes with K application wase to synchronous tillering and greater contribution ofd secondary tillers to millable canes. Primary and sec-rs in sugarcane get larger duration for growth and foode. Thus, they turn into millable canes of higher length,nd weight (Verma et al., 1996). Sugarcane yield andtent in stalks improved with increasing soil K contentby crop plants (Holford, 1968; Krauss, 1991). Higher

S.K. Shukla et al. / Europ. J. Agronomy 30 (2009) 2733 33

benet: cost obtained with fertigation indicated protability of Kapplication. Increase in ratoon cane yield (15.4%) and sugar yield(13.9%) over the no irrigation and no K application had signicantadvantage for sugarcane growers. Thus, K fertigation can boost sug-arcane and sugar production at higher extent in multi-ratooningsystem.

5. Conclusion

Indian soils are not being replenished by potassium fertilizer.This primarily has beendue tomisunderstanding that these alluvialsoils are rich in K and need no extraneous application of K fertilizer.If total soil K content is adequate, the release rate in most cases hasnot been enough to meet crop requirement. Thus, response to Kapplication is site and crop specic and, inmany cases, economic aswell. Inmulare taken, gpotassiumstanding cain ratoon crand contribto leaf. K feyields (8.2 tno irrigatiopromise forand sugar y

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Potassium nutrition for improving stubble bud sprouting, dry matter partitioning, nutrient uptake and winter initiated sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid complex) ratoon yieldIntroductionMaterials and methodsThe experimental siteCultivation of main (plant) cropCultivation of ratoon cropTreatmentsStudiesStatistical analysis of data

ResultsK fertigation and plant caneGrowth attributes, juice quality, cane and sugar yields

K fertigation and ratoon caneBuds sprouting, chemical composition and shoot population densityDry matter accumulation and nutrient uptakeYield attributes, ratoon cane and sugar yields

DiscussionConclusionReferences