Effect of Foliar application of phosphorus and micronutrients on enzyme activities and juice quality in sugar cane

In a field experiment in 1998–2000 on a clayey skeletal, Typic Haplustalts soil in Maharashtra, sugarcane cv. Co 86032 was given the local recommended dose (RD) of chemical fertilizers (250 kg N, 115 kg P2O5 and 115 kg K,O) i.e. control, RD without P2O5 (250 kg N and 115 kg K2O), RD along with foliar application of phosphorus @ 8 kg/ha, RD along with foliar application of phosphorus @ 12 kg/ha, RD along with foliar application of Boron (1%), RD along with foliar application of iron and zinc (0.5% each) and RD along with foliar application of silicon (2%). Pooled analysis of two years indicated that sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase activity increases significantly with foliar application of phosphorous @ 8 and 12 kg/ha as well as micronutrients application. Mean commercial cane sugar content was increased with foliar application of phosphorous @ 8 kg/ha (14.39%), 12 kg/ha (14.56%) and 0.5% iron and zinc (14.15%) as compared to control (13.68%).