Integrated Nutrient Management in Adsali Sugarcane
Adsali sugarcane remains in the field for 14 to 18 months, and with two ratoon crops, its lifecycle extends to nearly 3 years. To maintain good soil fertility, an integrated nutrient management system should be adopted. This involves using a balanced mix of chemical fertilizers, organic manures, and bio fertilizers. The quantity of fertilizer should match the crop’s growth stages and requirements. Efficient use of these fertilizers is crucial for high sugarcane yield over the three-year period.
A) Organic Fertilizer Management
Land Preparation: During land preparation, apply 5 tons of well-decomposed FYM (Farmyard Manure) or compost per acre and mix it into the soil using a rotavator. After that, mix the first installment of chemical fertilizers into the soil before planting sugarcane setts.
Soil Health: Organic fertilizers maintain the balance of air and water in the soil, increase its ability to hold water, improve drainage, promote bacterial growth, and enhance the efficiency of chemical fertilizers.
Alternative Organic Matter: If Farmyard manure (FYM) or compost is insufficient, other organic matter like bone meal, poultry manure, various non-edible or edible cakes, pressmud cake, and biocompost can be mixed into the soil.
B) Bio Fertilizers and Bio Stimulants
Bio fertilizers are essential for maintaining soil fertility and productivity. Liquid bacterial fertilizers are superior in many aspects. The recommended microbial inoculants for sugarcane include:
- Azotobacter
- Azospirillum
- Acetobacter
- Phosphate Solubilizing Bio fertilizer (PSB)
These microbial inoculants help fix nitrogen and convert insoluble phosphorus into a more absorbable form, saving fertilizer use by 20-25% and increasing fertilizer use efficiency.
Farmers also use bio stimulants such as seaweed extracts, humic acid, fulvic acids, amino acids, and beneficial microorganisms like mycorrhizal fungus and rhizobacteria to cope with climatic changes and stress conditions.
C) Green Manuring
For sugarcane crop 8 to 10 tons / acre of FYM or compost should be used. If FYM or compost is not available, green crops like sunhemp or dhaincha should be buried in the soil before sugarcane planting. These green manures play a crucial role in improving soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties.
Light Soil: Sow 40 kg per acre of sunhemp.
Heavy Soil: Sow 25 kg per acre of dhaincha.
This practice helps to add more than 10 tons per acre of organic content to the soil.
D) Chemical Fertilizers
Application of Major Nutrients –
Recommended Dosage: Apply 400 kg of nitrogen, 170 kg of phosphorus, and 170 kg of potassium per hectare. Adjust the amount based on soil tests.
CO-86032 Variety: For this medium to late maturing variety, apply 25% more nutrients, i.e., 500 kg of nitrogen, 200 kg of phosphorus, and 200 kg of potassium per hectare.
Installments: Divide nitrogenous fertilizers into at least four installments. In light soils, divide into five to six installments.
Growth Stages:
During Germination to Tillering: Apply 10% nitrogen, 50% phosphorus, and 50% potassium before planting.
After 6-8 Weeks: Apply 40% of the second installment of nitrogen.
After 12-14 Weeks: Apply 10% of the third installment of nitrogen.
During Grand Growth Stage: Apply the last 40% of nitrogen, 50% of phosphorus, and 50% of potassium during big earthing up.
E) Precautions While Using Fertilizers
- Use diggers or various fertilizer application tools.
- Ensure a little moisture in the soil while fertilizing.
- Avoid immediate irrigation after applying chemical fertilizers; apply light irrigation the next day.
- Mix phosphorus fertilizers with compost and apply close to roots.
- Apply potash-rich fertilizers by broadcasting method in the furrow, preferably along with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
- Apply fertilizers through drip irrigation to increase utility and save costs.
F) Use of Secondary and Micronutrient Fertilizers
Sulfur: Given the soil’s sulfur deficiency, apply 50 kg Mosaic K-Mag, 25 kg calcium nitrate, and 10 kg of bentonite sulfur per acre in two equal splits during cultivation and big earthing up. This can increase sugar production by 10-24% and sugarcane production by 15-30%.
Micronutrients: Apply Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc (250 ml / acre) and Mosaic Magna Liquid Boron (200 ml / acre) through foliar application at 40-45 and 70-75 days after planting. Micronutrients, especially Zinc and Boron, are crucial for growth and sugar translocation within the plants.
Silicon: Sugarcane takes 500-700 kg / ha of silicon from the soil. Although the soil contains high amounts of silicon, it does not participate in chemical reactions. Therefore, applying 50-100 kg / acre of silicon is recommended.
Conclusion –
By adopting an integrated nutrient management approach, farmers can ensure sustainable and high-yielding sugarcane crops over the extended lifecycle of Adsali sugarcane.