INTEGRATED EFFECT OF INORGANIC AND ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM L)

To determine the inorganic and organic nutrient sources & optimum rates for sugarcane production, field experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam, Pakistan, (25 degrees 25'60'N 68 degrees 31' 60E) during 2008-2009. Sugarcane variety Thatta-10 was planted and following treatments were arranged in RCBD: control (0-0-0), Recommended NPK dose (225-112-168), FYM 10 t ha(-1), FYM 20 t ha(-1), PM 10 t ha(-1), PM 20 t ha(-1), BF 5 t ha(-1), BF 10 t ha(-1), three-fourth of recommended rate (169-84-126)+ FYM 10 t ha(-1), three-fourth of recommended rate (169-84-126) + FYM 20 t ha(-1), three-fourth of recommended rate (169-84-126) + PM 10 t ha-1, three-fourth of recommended rate (169-84-126) + PM 20 t ha(-1), three-fourth of recommended rate (169-84-126) + BF 5 t ha(-1), three-fourth of recommended rate (169-84-126) + BF 10 t ha(-1), half of recommended rate(112-56-84) + FYM 10 t ha(-1), half of recommended rate(112-56-84) + FYM 20 t ha(-1), half of recommended rate (112-56-84) + PM 10 t ha-1, half of recommended rate(112-56-84) + PM 20 t ha(-1), half of recommended rate(112-56-84)+ BF 5t ha(-1), and half of recommended rate(112-56-84) + BF 10 t ha(-1). The results showed that under-dose or individual application of inorganic or organic nutrient sources recorded less value of all sugarcane traits but the integration of both the sources except bio fertilizer significantly improved all the traits of plant crop. The maximum tillers plant(-1), plant height, stem girth, internodes plant(-1), internode length, millable canes, cane yield, leaf area plant(-1), leaf area index, crop growth rate and dry matter were found higher with the application of FYM and or press mud applied at 20 t ha(-1) with three-fourth of recommended rate of NPK fertilizer (169-84-126). Both the treatments were statistically nonsignificant. However, quality and nutrient uptake traits viz. brix, pol, purity, commercial cane sugar, NPK uptake and accumulation in sugarcane were higher with the application of three-fourth of recommended rate of NPK fertilizer (169-841261) + 20 tons press mud ha(-1). It is concluded that integrated nutrient management recorded 25% saving of inorganic fertilizers with the application of FYM and or press mud applied at 20 t ha(-1). Integration of organic and inorganic nutrients should be practiced. This will not only enhance growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake of sugarcane but also conserve agro-ecosystem for sustainable crop production.