Green Cane Harvest Impact on Sugarcane Nutrients Proportion and Uptake under Clay Loam and Sandy Soil Conditions in Thailand

The practice of burnt cane harvesting is commonly used by sugarcane farmers in Thailand, but has resulted in air pollution, soil nutrient depletion and reduced sugarcane productivity. Green cane harvest management, which returns straw to the field and enhances soil fertility, offers a promising solution. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of burnt cane and green cane harvest management on nutrients (N, P, K) uptake and yield in ratoon sugarcane grown in sandy and clayey soils. This study consisted of two field experiments: one in clay loam soil and one in sandy soil. Two treatments were applied at planted cane harvest: burnt cane harvest (B) and green cane harvest (G). At ratoon harvest, three treatments were applied: B-B (burnt at both harvests), B-G (burnt at planted harvest and green harvest at ratoon harvests), and G-G (green at both harvests). The nutrients content of stalk and straw was analyzed during the growth stage, and commercial cane sugar (CCS) content was recorded at planted and ratoon cane harvests. Our results show that the green cane harvest management at planted cane harvest increased ratoon cane nutrients uptake and proportions in sugarcane straw at 4 MAH in both soil types. Additionally, this management technique enhanced commercial cane sugar, particularly under clay loam soil conditions. These results suggest that green cane harvest management may improve sugarcane productivity and sustainability, while mitigating negative environmental impacts.