Impact of Sett Placement Methodsand Row Directionson Growth and Yield of Sugarcane Variety LRK-2001

Persian Gulf Crop Protection, 3(2): 53-69 53

Persian Gulf Crop Protection Available online on: www.cropprotection.ir

ISSN: 2251-9343 (online) Volume 3 Issue 2, June 2014

Pages 53-69

Impact of Sett Placement Methodsand Row Directionson Growth and Yield of Sugarcane Variety LRK-2001

Abdul ShakoorRuk*1, Muhammad Nawaz Kandhro*1, Shahbaz Khan Baloch*2 Sana

UllahBaloch*3and Allah BakhshBaloch*4

1- Department of Agronomy Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan. (*Corresponding author e-mail:[email protected])

2- Agriculture Research and cooperative Department, Government of Balochistan, Pakistan. 3- Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan Hubei, PR. China

4- Agriculture Extension Department, Government of Balochistan, Pakistan.

Abstract: A field study to evaluate the “impact of sett placement methods and row directions on growth and yield of sugarcane variety LRK-2001” was carried out at Sugarcane Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam during spring 2012. The experiment was laid out in a three replicated randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements, having net plot size 6 x 5m (30 m2). The treatments included six sett placement methods i.e. SPM1=60 cm apart row (Set-to Set placement), SPM2=75 cm apart row (Sett-to-Sett placement), SPM3=90 cm apart row (Sett-to-Sett placement), SPM4=60 cm apart row (Alternate Sett Placement), SPM5=75 cm apart row (Alternate Sett Placement) and SPM6=90 cm apart row (Alternate Sett Placement), and two row directions viz. RD1=North-South row direction and RD2=East-West row direction. The results indicated that the effect of sett placement methods and row directions on all the agronomic parameters of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 was significant (P<0.05); while non-significant (P>0.05) for brix (%) and recovery (%). The sowing of sugarcane in 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method resulted in 147.6073 thousand plants ha-1, 244.68 cm cane length, 3.31 cm cane girth, 6.32 tillers stool-1, 19.54 internodes cane-1, 15.78 kg 10 canes weight, 96.878 tons ha-1 cane yield, 22.78 % brix and 10.98 % sugar recovery; while crop sown in 90 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method recorded 134.8082 thousand plants ha-1, 245.50 cm cane length, 3.33 cm cane girth, 6.33 tillers stool-1, 19.61 internodes cane-1, 15.88 kg 10 canes weight, 92.775 tons ha-1 cane yield, 23.34 % brix content and 11.21 % sugar recovery. In case of sugarcane crop planted in 75 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method, the cane yield decreased to 91.185 tons ha-1 and crop planted in 75 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method produced cane yield of 88.436 tons ha-1. Planting in 60 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method produced cane yield of 87.281 tons ha-1 and 60 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method registered cane yield of 84.139 tons ha-1. In case of row directions, the crop sown in rows of North-South direction resulted in 144.3508 thousand plants ha-1, 241.33 cm cane length, 3.18 cm cane girth, 6.15 tillers stool-1, 18.73 internodes cane-1, 15.14 kg 10 canes weight, 91.964 tons ha-1 cane yield, 22.76 % brix content and 10.92 % sugar recovery; while in rows of East-West direction, the cane yield reduced to 88.267 tons ha-1. Hence, it is concluded that interaction of 90 cm apart rows (sett-to-sett placement) method × North-South row direction produced highest cane yield of 98.861 tons ha-1 of sugarcane variety LRK-2001. Key Words: Sett Placement methods, row directions, sugarcane, growth and yield.


Introduction In Pakistan, Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a profitable cash crop and grown for sugar production. It is an important source of income and employment for the farming community of the country and forms essential items for industries like sugar, chip board, paper, barrages, confectionery, uses in chemicals, plastics, paints, synthetics, fiber, insecticides and detergents (Raja, 2011). This crop is a source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands people in Pakistan (Afghan et al., 2010); and it contributes 3.7 percent in value added to agriculture and 0.8 percent to GDP (GOP, 2012). The sugarcane was cultivated on an area of 1040 thousand hectares in Pakistan (2011-2012) producing 60.474 million tons of total cane with an average cane yield of 58.148 tons ha-1. The area under sugarcane during 2011-12 was increased by 5.00 percent, cane production by 8.54 percent and yield ha-1 by 3.73 percent over the preceding year. Sindh province is considered as second highest contributor to total sugarcane production in Pakistan after Punjab. In Sindh it was cultivated on an area of 189.70 thousand hectares against the target of 270 thousand hectares with a production of 13.766 million tons against targeted production of 15.000 million tons. The average cane yield in Sindh province during this year was 60.79 tons ha-1 (PSMA, 2012). Sowing methods play vital role to influence crop yields. Sugarcane respond differently to different sowing methods and their performance is also associated with the quality of crop management. There are several planting methods for sugarcane which include dry sowing with end-to-end, seed setts with different number of buds, wet planting method with different row arrangements. However, due to solar radiation, crop canopy development is influenced which in turn affects photosynthesis and dry matter. Row direction also affects weed population

inside sugarcane fields and crop-weed competition. Improper row direction and seeding density are the most critical factors that reduce sugarcane yield in the country (Mahmood et al., 2007). It plays a distinct role in the amount of solar radiation intercepted and density, hence, crop canopy development which in turn affects photosynthesis and ultimately the dry matter produced by plant and might affect weed population inside sugarcane fields. Improper row spacing and seeding density are the most critical factors that reduce sugarcane yield in the country (Mahmood et al., 2007). Both sub-optimal seeding density and improper row spacing result in low plant population density and hence less number of millable canes per unit area which is the key component of cane yields (Mahmood et al., 2005). Seeding density directly affects the number of stalks, stalk length and stalk diameter which are positively associated with cane yield per unit area (Nazi ret al., 1999). There is a positive relationship between seeding density and plant population of sugarcane (Bashir et al., 2000). The optimum crop stand is important to obtain high yield of sugarcane. Previous studies indicate that cane yield increases with increasing seeding densities to optimum levels (Bell and Garside, 2005). Above information suggests that maintenance of optimum plant population density can substantially increase cane yield ha-1 nevertheless the information on optimum plant population is lacking in the literature. The life duration of sugarcane crop encompasses approximately one year and has high tillering capacity but custom is to grow it on 60 cm spaced single rows (Yadav and Prasad, 1997). Although the closer spacing results in high plant population but obstructs the cultural operations. Contradictory results have been reported regarding the impacts of row spacings on the sugarcane yield (Manimaranet al., 2009). So the outcomes of sugarcane crop grown at various row spacings need to be investigated. There is a contradiction


regarding the effect of row spacings and seeding densities on the quality parameters such as Brix, sucrose contents, juice extraction and commercial cane sugar etc. of sugarcane (Pawar et al., 2005). Nevertheless, most of the studies depict that sugarcane quality was not affected by row spacings and seeding densities (Asokan et al., 2005). In contrast, (Pawar et al., 2005) reported that wider row spacings improved the sucrose contents and commercial cane sugar percentage. Similarly according to (Sharar et al., 2000) higher seeding density (100000 setts ha-1) had improved sucrose contents and commercial cane sugar compared with the seeding density of 75000 setts ha-1. (Patel et al., 2005) revealed that higher seeding densities increased the commercial cane sugar. Similarly, light availability is an important factor in regulating the competitive relationship between crops and weeds because light influences the growth and development of neighbouring plants. The row direction can be used to manipulate the light availability for sugarcane plant. (Shararet al., 2005) found superiority of east-west row direction over other possible row directions in terms of yield. More light transmission occurs in east-west row direction than in north-south row orientation. Materials and Methods The study was carried out at experimental fields of Sugarcane Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam during spring, 2012. The experiment was laid out in a three replicated randomized complete block design (Factorial), having net plot size of 6x5m (30m2). A good seedbed was prepared adopting recommended land preparation practices. Ridges were prepared to place the seed setts by end-to-end and alternate methods. The treatments comprised six sett placement methods and two row directions. All other agronomic practices were adopted as recommended by Sugarcane Specialist, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam. The details of treatments are as under:

Statistical analysis: The data on the above characters were collected and subjected to ANOVA technique using MSTAT-C statistical package. The LSD test was applied to determine means superiority, where necessary (Russel and Eisensmith, 1983) Results The study was conducted at experimental fields of Sugarcane Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam during spring 2012. The experiment was laid out in a three replicated randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements, having net plot size 6x5m (30m2) Commercial sugarcane variety LRK-2001 developed by the Quaid-e-Awam Agriculture Research Institute, Larkana was evaluated for its quantitative and qualitative performance against six sett placement methods i-e. SPM1=60 cm apart row (Sett-to-Sett placement), SPM2=75 cm apart row (Sett-to-Sett placement), SPM3=90 cm apart row (Sett-to-Sett placement), SPM4=60 cm apart row (Alternate Sett placement), SPM5=75 cm apart row (Alternate Sett placement) and SPM6=90 cm apart row (Alternate Sett placement) and two row directions viz. RD1=North-South row direction and RD2=East-West row direction). The data were recorded on parameters of economic importance such as plant population ha-1, cane length (cm), cane girth (cm), tillers stool-1, internodes cane-1, weight of 10 canes (kg), cane yield (tons ha-1), brix % and sugar recovery %. The data are presented in Tables 1 to 9 and their analysis of variance as Appendix-I to IX. Plant population (000 ha-1): Generally the plant population ha-1 in sugarcane is associated with the number of buds in a seed sett and the total number of seed setts planted. The plant population ha-1 of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row directions is presented in Table-1 and the analysis of variance as Appendix-I. The results suggested that the plant population ha-1 was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by


sett placement methods, row directions as well as their interaction. The sett-to-sett placement of sugarcane seed in 60 cm apart rows resulted in highest plant population of 151.7637 (000 ha-1), followed by plant population of 150.3667 and 147.6073 (000 ha-1) observed in sugarcane crop planted under sett-to-sett placement in 75 cm apart rows and sett-to-sett placement in 90 cm apart rows, respectively. The plant population was decreased considerably when sugarcane was planted in alternate sett placement method in all row spacings and the lowest plant population of 134.8082 (000 ha-1) was observed when the crop was planted in 90 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method. The effect of row direction on the plant population showed that North-South row orientation resulted in relatively higher plant population 144.3508 (000 ha-1) than East-West row orientation 142.9198 (000 ha-1). The interactive effect of seed sett placement method × row direction indicates that highest plant population 152.056 (000 ha-1) was observed in the interaction 60 cm apart row (Sett-to-Sett placement) × North-South row direction; while the lowest plant population 133.925 (000 ha-1) was recorded in the interaction 90 cm apart row (Alternate Sett placement) × East-West row direction. This indicates that plant population considerably decreased under Alternate Sett placement method when compared with sett-to-sett placement method due to increased seeding density. Moreover, North-South row direction showed more promising results for this trait due to improvement in aeration and sunlight exposure. Cane length (cm): After removing the leaves, the length of stalk is measured and the data with regard to cane length of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row directions are given in Table-2; and analysis of variance is shown as Appendix-II. The analysis of variance demonstrated significant (P<0.05) effect of sett

placement methods and row directions on cane length, while non-significant (P>0.05) for interaction between sett placement methods × row directions. It is evident from the results that increased cane length of 245.50 cm and 245.18 cm was noted in plots sown in 90 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method and 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method, respectively; while the sugarcane planted in 75 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method or sown in 75 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement resulted 237.06 cm and 235.82 cm cane length, respectively. However, the lowest cane length of 225.30 cm was observed in sugarcane crop planted in 60 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method. The effect of row direction indicated that North-South row direction resulted in higher cane length of 241.33 cm than East-West row orientation (232.50 cm). The interactive effect of sett placement method × row direction showed that highest cane length (252.34 cm) was observed in the interaction 90 cm apart row (alternate sett placement) × North-South row direction; while the lowest cane length (221.00 cm) was recorded in the interaction 60 cm apart row (sett-to-sett placement) × East-West row direction. This indicates that cane length decreased with under sett-to-sett placement of seed with decreasing spacing between rows. The LSD test showed that differences in cane length in 90 cm apart rows regardless the sett placement method were non-significant (P>0.05). Cane girth (cm): The results regarding the cane girth of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as influenced by seed sett placement methods and row direction are shown in Table-3 and analysis of variance as Appendix-III. The analysis of variance suggested that the effect of sett placement method and row directions on cane girth was significant (P<0.05) and non-significant (P>0.05) for their interaction. The cane girth was almost equal and higher i.e. 3.33 cm and 3.31 cm in sugarcane crop planted in 90 cm apart rows by alternate


sett placement method and 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method, respectively; while the crop planted in 75 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method or sown in 75 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement resulted 3.13 cm and 3.05 cm cane girth, respectively. However, the lowest cane girth of 2.89 cm was noted in sugarcane crop planted in 60 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method. The effect of row direction indicated that sugarcane planted in rows of North-South direction produced higher cane girth of 3.18 cm than the East-West row direction (3.06 cm). The interactive effect of seed sett placement method × row direction indicated that highest cane girth (3.40 cm) was observed in the interaction [90 cm apart row (alternate sett placement) × North-South row direction]; while the lowest cane girth (2.83 cm) was observed in the interaction of 60 cm apart row (set-to-set placement) × East-West row direction. This showed that cane girth was adversely affected under sett-to-sett placement particularly under decreased row spacing. The LSD test showed that differences in cane girth in 90 cm apart rows irrespective of sett placement method were non-significant (P>0.05), while significant when compared with rest of the treatments. Tillers stool-1: The data pertaining to tillers stool-1 of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by various sett placement methods and row directions are given in Table-4 and analysis of variance as Appendix-IV. The analysis of variance indicated that the effect of different sett placement methods and row directions on tillers stool-1 was statistically significant (P<0.05) and non-significant (P>0.05) for their interaction. The maximum number of tillers (6.35) stool-1 was recorded in sugarcane crop planted in 90 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method, closely followed by and 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method with 6.33 tillers stool-1. The crop planted in 75 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method and sown

in 75 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement ranked 3rd and 4th with 5.95 and 5.79 tillers stool-1, respectively. The minimum number of tillers (5.50) stool-1 was observed in crop planted in 60 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method. The effect of row direction indicated that sugarcane planted in rows of North-South direction produced higher tillers (6.15) stool-1 and lowest number of tillers (5.81) stool-1 in East-West row direction. The interactive effect of sett placement method × row direction showed that maximum tillers (6.50) stool-1 were noted in the interaction of 90 cm apart row (sett-to-sett placement) × North-South row direction; while the minimum tillers (5.38) stool-1 was noted in the interaction 60 cm apart row (set-to-set placement) × East-West row direction. The LSD test indicated that differences in tillers stool-1 in crop planted in 90 cm apart rows planted by sett-to-sett and alternate sett placement methods were non-significant (P>0.05), and significant (P<0.05) when compared with other treatments. Internodes cane-1: The results regarding the number of internodes cane-1 of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as influenced by different sett placement methods and row directions are presented in Table-5 and analysis of variance as Appendix-V. The analysis of variance showed that the effect of different sett placement methods and row directions on the number of internodes cane-1 was statistically significant (P<0.05) and non-significant (P>0.05) for their interaction. The highest number of internodes (19.61) cane-1 was noted in crop planted in 90 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method, closely followed by 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method with 19.54 internodes cane-1. The crop planted in 75 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method and sown in 75 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement ranked 3rd and 4th with 18.46 and 17.93 internodes cane-1, respectively. The lowest number of internodes (17.03) cane-1 was noted in crop planted in 60 cm


apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method. The effect of row directions showed that sugarcane planted in rows of North-South direction produced highest number of internodes (18.73) cane-1 and lowest number of internodes (18.00) cane-1

in East-West row direction. The interaction of 90 cm apart row (alternate sett placement) × North-South row direction resulted in highest number of internodes (20.01) cane-1, while the minimum number of internodes (16.68) cane-1 was noted in the interaction of 60 cm apart row (set-to-set placement) × East-West row direction. The LSD test demonstrated that differences in internodes cane-1 in crop planted in 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett and alternate sett placement methods were non-significant (P>0.05), and significant (P<0.05) when compared with rest of the treatments. weight of 10 canes(kg): The data in relation to weight of 10 canes (kg) of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by various sett placement methods and row directions are shown in Table-6 and analysis of variance as Appendix-VI. The analysis of variance indicated that the effect of sett placement methods and row directions on weight of 10 canes was significant (P<0.05) and non-significant (P>0.05) for their interaction. The weight of 10 canes was highest (15.88 kg) in crop planted in 90 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method, closely followed by sowing in 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method with 15.78 kg ten canes weight. The crop planted in 75 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method and sown in 75 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement produced average 10 canes weight of 14.95 kg and 14.53 kg, respectively. The lowest 10 canes weight (13.79 kg) was noted in crop planted in 60 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method. In case of row direction, crop planted in rows of North-South direction resulted in maximum 10 canes weight (15.14 kg) and lowest 10 canes weight (14.62 kg) in East-West row direction. The

interaction of 90 cm apart row (alternate sett placement) × North-South row direction resulted in highest 10 canes weight (12.21 kg) , while the minimum 10 canes weight (13.51 kg) was noted in the interaction of 60 cm apart row (set-to-set placement) × East-West row direction. The LSD test suggested non-significant (P>0.05) differences in 10 canes weight in 90 cm apart rows sowing by sett-to-sett and alternate sett placement methods and significant (P<0.05) when compared with rest of the treatments. Cane yield(tons ha-1): The results regarding the cane yield ha-1 of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as influenced by various sett placement methods and row directions are presented in Table-7 and analysis of variance as Appendix-VII. The analysis of variance showed that the effect of sett placement methods and row directions on cane yield was significant (P<0.05) and non-significant (P>0.05) for their interaction.The maximum cane yield (96.878 tons ha-1) was achieved in crop planted in 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method, closely followed by sowing in 90 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method with cane yield of 92.775 tons ha-1. The crop planted in 75 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method and sown in 75 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement produced cane yield of 91.185 tons and 88.43 tons ha-1, respectively. The lowest cane yield (84.13 tons ha-1) was noted in crop planted in 60 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method. The effect of row direction indicated that the crop planted in rows of North-South direction produced maximum cane yield of 91.964 tons ha-1 and lowest cane yield (88.267 tons ha-1) in East-West row direction. The interaction of 90 cm apart row (sett-to-sett placement) × North-South row direction produced highest cane yield of 98.861 tons ha-1 while the minimum cane yield of 82.411 tons ha-1 was resulted in the interaction of 60 cm apart row (set-to-set placement) × East-West row direction. It was observed that


sugarcane variety LRK-2001 planted in 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method showed optimistic results for yield ha-1, while in the same row spacing, in alternate sett placement considerably decreased the cane yield due to reduced plant population. The crop planted in North-South row orientation resulted higher yields than East-West row direction. Brix (%): The data related to brix (%) in juice of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row directions are shown in Table-8 and analysis of variance as Appendix-VIII. The analysis of variance indicated that the effect of sett placement methods and row directions as well as for their interaction on brix (%)was non-significant (P>0.05). It is apparent from the results that brix maximum (23.34%) was achieved in crop planted in 90 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method, closely followed by 22.78 and 22.76% brix content determined in the cane juice collected from the crop planted in 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement and sowing in 60 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method, respectively. However, the lowest brix (21.74%) was determined in juice collected from the crop planted in 60 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method. The effect of row direction indicated that the crop planted in rows of North-South direction resulted in maximum brix content of 22.76% and lowest brix (22.75%) was resulted in crop planted in East-West row direction. The interaction of 90 cm apart row (alternate sett placement) × North-South row direction resulted in relatively highest brix % of 23.46% while the minimum brix content of 21.61% was observed in interaction of 60 cm apart row (sett-to-sett placement) × East-West row direction. It was observed that although the brix % was relatively higher in crop planted in 90 cm row apart, but there was no linear trend of effectiveness of the sett placement method and row direction on brix %.

Sugar recovery(%): The results in relation to sugar recovery (%)of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as influenced by sett placement methods and row directions are presented in Table-9 and its analysis of variance as Appendix-IX. The analysis of variance showed that the effect of sett placement methods and row directions as well as for their interaction on sugar recovery was non-significant (P>0.05). The sugar recovery was maximum (11.21%) in crop planted in 90 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method, closely followed by 10.98 and 10.93 percent sugar recovery determined in the cane juice collected from the crop planted in 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement and sowing in 60 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method, respectively. However, the lowest sugar recovery (10.43%) was determined in juice collected from the crop planted in 60 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method. The effect of row direction indicated that the crop planted in rows of North-South direction resulted in maximum sugar recovery of 10.92% and lowest sugar recovery (10.80%) was resulted in crop planted in East-West row direction. The interaction of 90 cm apart row (alternate sett placement) × North-South row direction resulted in relatively highest sugar recovery of 21.26% while the minimum sugar recovery of 10.37% was noted in interaction of 60 cm apart row (set-to-set placement) × East-West row direction. It was observed that sugar recovery was directly proportional to brix content. However, this parameter did not follow a linear trend to explain the causes of variation in recovery. Discussion In sugarcane, placement of seed setts is practiced in a variety of ways and cane yield is influenced by the planting patterns. Traditionally, alternate sett placement is used and two budded sets are placed in rows; while scientifically this practice results in reduced cane yield; and at least end to end sett placement even overlapping


methods is used to increase the crop yields. However, these methods improve cane yield but seed quantity is used higher than the traditional methods of planting (Mahmood et al., 2007). The present experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of sett placement methods and row directions on growth and yield of sugarcane variety LRK-2001. The present study showed that the effect of sett placement methods and row directions on all the agronomic parameters of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 were statistically significant (P<0.05); while non-significant (P>0.05) for brix content and sugar recovery. The sowing of sugarcane in 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method resulted in 147.6073 plant population (000 ha-1), 244.68 cm cane length, 3.31 cm cane girth, 6.32 tillers stool-1, 19.54 internodes cane-1, 15.78 kg 10 canes weight, 96.878 tons ha-1 cane yield, 22.78 % brix content and 10.98 % sugar recovery; while crop sown in 90 cm apart rows by alternate-sett placement method resulted in 134.8082 plant population (000 ha-1), 245.50 cm cane length, 3.33 cm cane girth, 6.33 tillers stool-1, 19.61 internodes cane-1, 15.88 kg 10 canes weight, 92.775 tons ha-1 cane yield, 23.34 % brix content and 11.21 % sugar recovery. In case of sugarcane crop planted in 75 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method, the cane yield decreased to 91.185 tons ha-1 and crop planted in 75 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method produced cane yield of 88.436 tons ha-1. Planting in 60 cm apart rows by alternate sett placement method resulted in cane yield of 87.281 tons ha-1 and 60 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method resulted in cane yield of 84.139 tons ha-1. In case of row directions, the crop sown in North-South direction resulted in 144.3508 plant population (000 ha-1), 241.33 cm cane length, 3.18 cm cane girth, 6.15 tillers stool-1, 18.73 internodes cane-1, 15.14 kg 10 canes weight, 91.964 tons ha-1 cane yield, 22.76 % brix content and 10.92 % sugar recovery; while in East-

West direction, the cane yield reduced to 88.267 tons ha-1. It is concluded that sugarcane planting in 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method produced significantly higher cane yield as compared to other row spacings and alternate sett placement methods. Sugarcane planted in 90 cm apart rows by sett-to-sett placement method × North-South row direction produced highest cane yield of 98.861 tons ha-1 and the farmers may be suggested for adoption of above planting pattern for sugarcane variety LRK-2001. These results are further supported by (Mui et al., 1996) who suggested row spacing upto 75 cm for higher cane yields and overlapping seed sett placement of thick cane sugarcane varieties; while (Pawar et al., 2004) achieved 17.48 t ha-1 cane yield in 60 cm over wider row spacing; and (Dufrene et al., 2005) compared planting of sugarcane by seed setts with different number of buds with whole-stalk planting and found that cane yields from seed setts with different number of buds were inconsistent when compared to whole-stalk. Also, farmers should be aware that by planting billets, they may get inconsistent yields compared to planting whole-stalks. In a similar investigation (Viator et al., 2005) found that billet planting may give inconsistent yields compared with whole-stalk planting; and (Amolo and Abayo, 2007) concluded that paired row spacing was similar to standard spacing (1.2 m and 1.5 m) in cane and sugar yields. Economic analysis gave higher net returns ha-1 at Opapo but not Kibos site; while (Chattha, 2007a) used seed rate of 75000 double budded setts ha-1

sown in pattern of 45 and 60 cm apart furrows, 60, 90 and 120 cm apart trenches. Moreover, (Chattha et al., 2007b) used five planting techniques viz; sowing in 45 and 60 cm apart furrows; 60, 90 and 120 cm apart trenches and reported that sugarcane germination percentage, tillers m-2, plant height in meters, millable canes m2 and cane yield t ha-1 increased progressively with the increase in row spacing from 45 to 120 cm. Maximum germination percentage


(54.73), tillers m-2 (15.92), plant height in meters (2.36), millable canes m-2 (13.51) and cane yield t ha-1 (104.4) were produced when the crop was planted in 120 cm apart trenches; while, sugarcane planted in 45 cm apart furrows showed minimum germination (47.75%), tillers (10.94 m-2), plant height (1.96 m), the number of millable canes (12.31 m2) and cane yield (95.39 t ha-1). In studies carried out by (Manimaran et al., 2009) studied the effect of plant geometry, planting method and reported recorded higher single cane weight (1.41kg), cane yield (141.97 t ha−1) and sugar yield (16.62 t ha−1); while (Singh et al., 2009a) tested impact of planting techniques on sugarcane and indicated that alternate pit planting within furrow and parallel planting of 2 budded setts in furrow and planting of 2 budded setts at 15 cm across the furrow at 90 cm distance showed more improvement in germination, millable canes and cane yield ha-1 as compared to conventional planting method at 75 cm distance. Maximum improvement in germination, millable canes and cane yield was recorded in alternate pit planting within furrow and parallel planting in furrow opened by trench opener. Similarly, (Soomro et al., 2009b) used row spacings of 75, 100, 125 and 150 cm and two seed placement methods were overlapping set and double sett and reported that yield parameters viz number of millable canes, cane thickness, number of internodes plant-

1, cane weight, plant height and CCS % were influenced by inter row spacing and seed placement. Among the all row spacings tested, 125 cm was found best for obtaining maximum cane yield (143.032 tons ha-1) and sugar content (12.83%). In a recent study, (El-Shafai et al., 2010) concluded that row spacing rows at 100 cm gave the highest values of brix, sucrose, juice purity and sugar recovery percentages. (Ehsanullah et al., 2011) used 60000, 75000 and 90000 double budded setts ha-1 and reported that maximum number of millable canes m-2 (7.65) was

produced with 75000 double budded setts ha-1 while the minimum number of millable canes m-2 (7.09) was recorded at seeding density of 60000 setts ha-1. 90 cm double row strips achieved the maximum cane length (232 cm) and was at par with 120 cm triple row strips (228 cm), whereas the minimum cane length (224 cm) was observed at row spacing of 60 cm single row. Johnson et al. (2011) suggested that billet planting with LCP 85-384 can be made economical in Louisiana without negatively influencing cane or sugar yields. The study of (Singh et al., 2012) investigated the effect of modified trench method of sugarcane planting at 120 cm apart placing setts across the furrow and covering them with 2.5 cm of soil layer and concluded that since the modified trench method of planting offers benefit in terms of producing higher yields of cane and sugar over other conventional methods of planting and that would be worth adopting by farmers for increased sugarcane productivity in sub-tropical India. The results of the present study coincide the findings of the past researches and the effect of planting patterns including seed sett placement, row spacing showed similarity with the findings of the researcher. Conclusions The data concluded that yield of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 was significantly affected by sett placement methods and row directions. Among sett placement methods highest cane yield (96.878 tons ha-1) was registered in 90 cm apart rows (Sett-to-Sett Placement) method as compared to rest of the methods. In case of row directions maximum cane yield (91.964 tons ha-1) was produced by North –South row direction against East-West row direction. However greatest cane yield (98.861 tons ha-1) was noted in interaction of 90 cm apart rows (Sett-to-Sett Placement) x North-South row direction under Tandojam conditions.


(Table 1). Plant population (000 ha-1) of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row directions.

Sett placement methods

Row directions

Mean

North-South East-West

60 cm apart row (Sett-to Sett Placement) 152.056 151.4713 151.7637 a


90 cm apart row (Sett-to Sett Placement) 148.736 146.4787 147.6073 b

60 cm apart row (Alternate Sett Placement) 141.4953 140.2183 140.8568 c

75 cm apart row (Alternate Sett Placement) 137.343 135.4753 136.4092 d


Mean 144.3508 a 142.9198 b --

Sett placement methods (SPM) Row directions (RD) SPM x RD

SE± 0.9341 0.5393 1.3210 LSD 0.05 1.9372 1.1184 -- LSD 0.01 2.6330 -- -

Mean values sharing same letters are not significantly different at Alpha level 0.05

(Table 2). Cane length (cm) of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row

directions.


Row directions

Mean


60 cm apart row (Sett-to Sett Placement) 229.61 221.00 225.30 c

75 cm apart row (Sett-to Sett Placement) 242.11 232.00 237.06 b


60 cm apart row (Alternate Sett Placement) 233.02 233.33 233.18 b



90 cm apart row (Alternate Sett Placement) 252.34 238.67 245.50 a

Mean 241.33 a 232.5 b -


SE± 3.2443 1.8731 4.5881 LSD 0.05 6.7283 3.8846 - LSD 0.01 9.1449 5.2798 -


(Table 3). Cane girth (cm) of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row

directions.

Sett placement methods Row directions

Mean North-South East-West

60 cm apart row (Sett-to Sett Placement) 2.95 2.83 2.89 e






Mean 3.18 a 3.06 b -


SE± 0.0364 0.0754 0.1775 LSD 0.05 0.0630 0.1306 - LSD 0.01 0.0891 0.1847 -

Mean values sharing same letters are not significantly different at Alpha level 0.05.


(Table 4). Tillers stool-1 of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row directions.









Mean 6.15 a 5.81 b -


SE± 0.0694 0.1440 0.3391

LSD 0.05 0.1203 0.2495 - LSD 0.01 0.1701 0.3528 -


(Table 5).Internodes cane-1 of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row

directions.










Mean 18.73 a 18.00 b -


SE± 0.2137 0.4431 1.0431 LSD 0.05 0.3701 0.7675 - LSD 0.01 0.5234 1.0854 -


(Table 6). Weight of 10 canes (kg) of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row directions.


Row directions

Mean








Mean 15.14 a 14.62 b -


SE± 0.1735 0.3598 0.8471 LSD 0.05 0.3305 0.6232 - LSD 0.01 0.4250 0.8814 -



(Table 7). Cane yield (tons ha-1) of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row directions.



60 cm apart row (Sett-to Sett Placement) 85.868 82.411 84.139 f

75 cm apart row (Sett-to Sett Placement) 90.089 86.783 88.436 d


60 cm apart row (Alternate Sett Placement) 89.060 85.502 87.281 e

75 cm apart row (Alternate Sett Placement) 93.045 89.324 91.185 c


Mean 91.964 a 88.267 b -


SE± 1.8060 3.7454 5.0906 LSD 0.05 1.0427 2.1624 - LSD 0.01 2.5541 5.2968 -


Table 8). Brix (%) of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row directions.(



60 cm apart row (Sett-to Sett Placement) 21.86 21.61 21.74



60 cm apart row (Alternate Sett Placement) 22.89 22.63 22.76




Mean 22.76 22.50 -


SE± 0.2179 0.2618 0.6141 LSD 0.05 - - - LSD 0.01 - - -

(Table 9).Sugar recovery (%) of sugarcane variety LRK-2001 as affected by sett placement methods and row directions.









Mean 10.92 10.80 -


SE± 0.1051 0.2179 0.2962 LSD 0.05 - - - LSD 0.01 - - -

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Impact of Sett Placement Methodsand Row Directionson Growth and Yield of Sugarcane Variety LRK-2001

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