Correlation of biochemical parameters with commercial cane sugar and yield of sugarcane under sulfur fertilisation

Field studies were conducted to determine the correlation among sucrose synthesising enzyme activities, sulfur (S) content of the soil, and plant and cane juice quality and yield. Sucrose synthase (SS) and sucrose P syntheses (SPS) activity at 4, 8 and 12 months increased significantly by the application of 40 and 60 kg S/ha. There was a linear rise in available S in soil, S content in leaf, plant population and cane yield due to increased S application from 0 to 60 kg/ha. Significant increase in commercial cane sugar (CCS) was observed at 40 and 60 kg S/ha. Highly significant, positive correlations of SS, SPS activities and leaf S with available S in soil, CCS % and cane yield were observed. Plant population was correlated with available S in soil and yield but not with CCS %.