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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Canal Point, Florida » Sugarcane Field Station » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353062
Research Project: Development of High-Yielding, Stress Tolerant Sugarcane Cultivars Using Agronomic, Genetic, and Molecular Approaches

Location: Sugarcane Field Station

Title: Sugarcane Yield Response to Soil Amendments and N-P-K Application

Author
item Zhao, Duli
item LABORDE, CHRIS - Us Sugar Corporation

Submitted to: International Society of Sugarcane Technologist Agronomy Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/16/2018
Publication Date: 9/24/2018
Citation: Zhao, D., Laborde, C. 2018. Sugarcane Yield Response to Soil Amendments and N-P-K Application. International Society of Sugarcane Technologist Agronomy Workshop. P.41.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: A field study was conducted on a sandy soil in Florida, USA to investigate effects of organic amendments and N-P-K fertilizer combinations on sugarcane (cv. CP 78-1628) yield and yield components. Three soil amendment treatments were: (1) control (no amendment added), (2) poultry litter compost (Cal Maine), and (3) Mill mud (Cachaza). Three contrasting levels of each N-P-K element included a zero amount (0x), a fully recommended amount (1x), and a half recommended amount (0.5x). Eight N-P-K treatments were 0x-0x-0x, 1x-1x-1x, 0x-1x-1x, 0.5x-1x-1x, 1x-0x-1x, 1x-0.5x-1x, 1x-1x-0x, and 1x-1x-0.5x. The experiment was a split plot design with six replications. Soil amendment was main plot and applied before planting. The N-P-K rate combination was subplot and split applications at planting and during tillering. Both the soil amendment and the N-P-K rate significantly affected the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI measured at grand growth stage) and cane and sucrose yields. The soil amendment slightly decreased commercial recoverable sucrose (CRS), while the different N-P-K combinations did not affect CRS. There was no interaction between the soil amendment and N-P-K combination in yield traits measured. Two crops (plant cane and first ratoon) were averaged and compared with the control targeting stalk population, mean stalk weight, cane yield, CRS, and sucrose yield increased 9.8, 13.8, 24.7, -3.1, and 20.1%, respectively by Cal Maine and 4.6, 10.7, 15.5, -2.4, and 12.9%, respectively by Cachaza. Application of N and K positively improved sugarcane yield and yield components exempt for CRS. Among the eight N-P-K combination treatments, 1x-0.5x-1x and 1x-0x-1x had the highest NDVI and yields. Cane and sucrose yields were highly and positively correlated with NDVI (r = 0.915*** and 0.900***, respectively, n = 48). Therefore, using soil amendment with reduction in P application could improve sugarcane yields and production in the Florida sand soils. Sugarcane yields could be predicted using NDVI.