As one of the most widely cultivated crops across the globe, sugarcane requires careful attention to growing techniques, including the application of fertilizers. Fertilizer doses for sugarcane vary depending on a variety of factors, including soil type, climate conditions, and the specific variety of sugarcane being grown.
To start with, understanding the soil type is crucial. Soil deficiencies will impact crop growth, so farmers are advised to test their soil before planting sugarcane. Most commonly, they test soil nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Adequate levels of macronutrients, such as N, P, and K, are essential for crop productivity and sustainability. Soil nutrient deficiencies should be addressed before planting sugarcane.
As a tropical grass, sugarcane has high demand for potassium, which plays an important role in sugar quality and stalk strength. Adequate potassium supply is important for drought tolerance, water-use efficiency, and disease resistance. In general, sugarcane requires about 200-300 kg of potassium per hectare to maximize growth and yield.
Similarly, sufficient nitrogen support (200-250 kg per hectare) promotes early and sustained growth of sugarcane. However, care must be taken to avoid over-fertilization, which leads to the lodging of plants, reduced sugar content, and waste of fertilizer.
Phosphorus fertilization depends upon the soil pH level. For soils with pH values ranging from 6.0 to 7.5, sugarcane requires roughly 80-100 kg of P per hectare. However, if a soil’s pH crosses 8.0, phosphorus becomes less available for plant uptake, and above 9.0 soil pH, P fertilizers may be taken in large amounts without producing any significant results.
Apart from macronutrients, micro-nutrients are equally important for the proper growth of sugarcane. Thus, farmers should employ periodic foliar sprays or soil applications of essential micro-nutrients such as boron, iron, copper, zinc and manganese in necessary amounts.
Determining the right amount of fertilizer for sugarcane requires experience, research, and experimentation. Soil tests are the best place to start, followed by recommendations from local agricultural experts and application practices based on the specific sugarcane variety. Proper fertilization is essential for healthy plant growth, maximum yield, and sustainability of sugarcane crop production.