Effect of different potassium levels on the yield and sugar recovery of sugarcane varieties under the agro-climatic condition Tandojam Sindh-Pakistan
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Abstract
Potassium (K) is an essential for a multitude of biological processes in plants. It plays a crucial role in various functions such as photosynthesis, translocation of photosynthesis, protein synthesis, regulation of ionic balance, control of plant stomata and water use and activation of plant enzymes. However, the mechanism and different level of potassium in response to sugarcane has not been elucidated yet. This study aims to investigate different potassium levels in response to sugarcane against the two local varieties Thatta-10 and LRK-2001. Here in this study the results showed potash at the rate of 210 kg ha-1 produced higher percent germination, cane length, cane girth, tillers stool-1, cane yield, brix and sugar recovery. Similarly, the crop at the rate of 180 kg ha-1 potash resulted in significant percent germination, cane length, cane girth, tillers stool-1, cane yield, brix and sugar recovery. Alternatively, the potash at the rate of 150 and 120 kg ha-1 produced lower values for all the traits studied and control remained the least. Furthermore, sugarcane varieties, LRK-2001 produced better performance than Thatta-10 with percent germination, cane length, cane girth, tillers stool-1, tons ha-1 cane yield, brix and sugar recovery. Whereas, sugarcane variety Thatta-10 produced lower percent germination, cane length, cane girth, tillers stool-1, tons ha-1 cane yield, brix and sugar recovery. It was concluded that highest potash level of 210 and 180 kg ha-1 overall significant performance beneficial for sugarcane regardless the varieties and differences compare to 150 and 120 kg ha-1. Variety LRK-2001 showed overall better performance under the 180 kg ha-1potash level and proving more responsive to potash fertilizer quantity for future potash growing areas for farmers.
Keywords: Cane yield; Growth performance; Potassium; Sugarcane; Sugar recovery