Growth and Responses of Chewing Cane in Relation to Irrigation Frequency and Potassium Application

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1 Discourse Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences ISSN: Vol. 2(9): , September 2014 Growth and Responses of Chewing Cane in Relation to Irrigation Frequency and Potassium Application 1 M. Ahmed*, 2 K. P. Baiyeri and 2 B. C. Echezona 1 Department of Crop Production, College of Agriculture, Mokwa. Niger state 2 Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Nigeria. * for Correspondence: grace_ahmed@yahoo.com, Abstract Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) raised under three potassium rates and watering frequency were subjected to water stress in a screen house of National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi. Niger State (lat N, long E) in the Southern Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria during 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. Thirty kilograms of topsoil (sandy clay loam in texture) was weighing into 36 plastic buckets, adequately perforated for drainage. Variety Bida local was used as the test crop. The experimental design that was used for this experiment was Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. The K-fertilization rates were 0, 60 and 90 kg K/ha and irrigation intervals were 6, 9 and 12 days. However, 90 kg K /ha significantly delayed the establishment of sugarcane, application of 60 and 90 kg K /ha produced significantly (P<0.05) more number of tillers in 2010 and 2011 which were not significantly different from each other but produced significant higher number of tillers than 0 kg K /ha, potassium application significantly (P<0.05) affect stalk length and dry weight of the plant. Application of 90 kg K/ha produced the tallest plant and stem component had the highest dry matter weight. Six days irrigation frequency significantly increased number of tillers, stalk length and dry weight during 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. Keywords: Potassium rates, irrigation frequency, Bida local, screen house and plastic bucket INTRODUCTION Sugarcane is known as a remarkable drought tolerant and resistance plant observed to grow under condition of severe drought (Ishaq and Olaoye, 2007). Irrigation of this crop is an important determinant of brix yield, because it is associated with many factors of plant environment, which influences growth and development (Jain et al., 2000). Consequently any degree of water stress may produce deleterious effects on growth and yield of the crop (Saif et al., 2003). Surface irrigation method is most widely used all over the world (Mustafa et al., 2003). There are two major types of sugarcane grown in Nigeria, the soft chewing and the hard commercial or industrial cane. The two have distinct characteristics. The chewing type is usually more robust, having softer stem with higher water and less sucrose content. While the industrial or commercial type has relatively thin and hard stem, thick ring (nodes) and usually with higher brix percent and less water content (Busari et al., 1995). Availability of adequate amount of moisture at critical stages of plant growth not only optimizes the metabolic process in plant cells but also increases the effectiveness of the mineral nutrients applied to the crop. Drip irrigation, with its ability to provide small and frequent water applications directly in the vicinity of the plant root zone has created interest, because of decreased water requirement and possible increase in production (Jain et al., 2000).As the world become increasingly dependent on the production of irrigated lands, irrigated agriculture faces serious challenges that threaten its suitability. It is prudent to make efficient use of water and bring more area under irrigation through available water resources. This can be achieved by introducing advanced methods of irrigation and

2 271 improved water management practice (Zaman et al., 2001). Sugarcane is generally grown under conventional (surface) method of irrigation too. In this method, the major proportion of irrigation water is lost by surface evaporation, deep percolation and other loses, resulting in lower irrigation efficiencies. Moreover, there is a tendency of farmer s to apply excess water when it is available (Jain et al., 2000). Under limited water supply conditions farmers tend to increase irrigation interval, which creates water stress resulting in low yields and poor quality. Drip irrigation, with its ability to provide small and frequent water applications directly in the vicinity of the plant root zone has created interest, because of decreased water requirement and possible increase in production (Jain et al., 2000). As the world become increasingly dependent on the production of irrigated lands, irrigated agriculture faces serious challenges that threaten its suitability. It is prudent to make efficient use of water and bring more area under irrigation through available water resources. This can be achieved by introducing advanced methods of irrigation and improved water management practice (Zaman et al., 2001). Among the water management practices for increasing water use efficiency (WUE) one of them is mulching. Any material spread on the surface of soil to protect it from solar radiation or evaporation is called mulch. Different types of materials like wheat straw, rice straw, plastic film, grass, wood, sand etc. are used as mulches. They moderate soil temperature and increase water infiltration during intensive rain (Gajri et al., 1994; Khurshid et al., 2006). Potassium is a vital element which sugarcane needs in large quantities (Yadev, 2006). Its functions are connected with assimilation of carbon dioxide from the air and the subsequent formation of translocation of sugars within the plant and are also responsible for the efficient utilization of available water (Keekwong et al., 1994). Potassium is required for cell wall development, carbon assimilation, photosynthesis, synthesis and translocation of organic and inorganic nutrients from soil to plant (Thangavelue and Rao, 1997 and Subramanian, 1994). Positive effect of potash fertilizer and FYM application occurred on cane yield and sugar contents confirming earlier reports (Kumar et al., 2001). Potash application increased the growth and yield of sugarcane (Bangar, 1995). On the contrary, Singh et al. (1999) reported that potassium application had non-significant effect on cane yield but increased commercial cane sugar content. Verma et al. (1998) reported that potassium application gave higher cane yield but had no effect on sugar content. Sugarcane, belongs to Poaceae family, is a perennial crop with a high self-tolerance of drought, grown throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world (Rouchecouste, 1967). It is a C4 plant with a high rate of photosynthesis (around % above the average for other plants). The average number of tillers is between 4-12 stems, depending on the variety and site conditions, which can grow up to 2-3 metres in height. The sugar content (sucrose) fluctuates between 11 % and 16 % (Busari, 2004). A large number of experiments have been conducted to study the response of drip irrigation and plastic mulch on yield improvement of other crop in different agro-climatic region and soil condition. About % higher yields were obtained with drip irrigation in some studies (Sivanappan et al., 1974), while in other studies yield was reported to be slightly lower or equal to that of conventional irrigation (Doss et al., 1980) along with reduction in irrigation requirement of %. Most recently, considerable amount of research has been directed at increasing biomass production of sugarcane. The plant is used for sugar production, molasses for livestock feeds, alcohol production, bagasses used as fuel for cooking and trash used for mulching and as organic fertilizer (Akobundu, 1987). Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the growth responses of sugarcane under different watering regimes and potassium rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS This experiment was conducted at the screen house of National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi in Badeggi lies (lat N, long E) in the Southern Guinea Savanna ecological zone, during the period of study the average daily maximum glass temperature was between the range of C. Thirty kilograms of topsoil (sandy clay loam in texture) was weighed into 36 plastic buckets. Each plastic bucket was adequately perforated for drainage, Var. Bida local was used as a test crop. The K-fertilization rate were 0, 60 and 90 kg K/ha and irrigation interval were 6, 9 and 12 days. Muriate of potash was used as the source of K-fertilization, straight fertilizer calculation formulae was used to work out the rates (quantity) that was applied per plastic bucket. The experimental design that was used was Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. Each plastic bucket was placed or positioned at 0.5m by 0.5m apart in the screen house contain two sett of planting material (sugarcane). Irrigation frequency and potassium rate treatments were imposed immediately, two litres of water was used to irrigate the plant per bucket. Parameters that were taken include establishment count, number of tillers, stalk length and dry matter weight. GenStat 3 software package was used to analyzed the result statistically.

3 272 Table 1. The effect of potassium rates, irrigation intervals and interactions on the percent establishment count of sugarcane Treatments F-LSD (0.05) WF (days) F-LSD (0.05) NS 4.29 Interaction (FR*WS) NS NS K- Potassium, FR- fertilizer rate, WF-watering frequency, F- LSD-Fisher s least significantly different at 5% level of RESULT AND DISCUSSION Potassium application significantly (P<0.05) influenced the establishment of sugarcane in 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. Application of 60 kg K/ha had 100% in 2010 which was similar to no application (0 kg/ha), the least percentage was obtained from 90 (kg K/ha) in 2010 and However, there was no significant difference between 0 and 60 (kg K/ha) for 2010 and 2011 (Table 1). Irrigation frequency had no significant effect on the establishment count for 2010 but there was significant difference for 2011, although 6 and 9 days interval had the highest value of 94.44% in 2010 but in days interval had 100%, while 9 days interval had 88.89%. However, there was no significant interaction between the fertilizer rates x irrigation frequency in 2010 but there was in 2011 (Table 1). Potassium significantly initiates number of tillers at 2MAP in 2010 and 2011 but there was no significant difference at 4 and 6 MAP in 2010, although at 6 MAP of kg K/ha was significantly higher than 90 kg K/ha (Table 2). Application of 60 and 90 kg K/ha produced more tillers than 0 kg K/ha in 2010 at 2 MAP, there was a increase in tillers count at 4 MAP, but number of tillers was declined with age at 6 MAP (Table 2). Irrigation frequency significantly increased number of tillers at 2, 4 and 6 MAP for 2010 and There was a progressive increase at 4 MAP,while rapid declined set in at 6 MAP, however, 6 days had the highest number of tillers across the month(s) while 12 days had the lowest. There was no significant interaction of fertilizer rate x irrigation frequency in 2010 and 2011 (Table 2) Application of potassium significantly increased plant height throughout the growing period of sugarcane at 5% probability in 2010 and 2011 (Table 3). Plant height significantly followed the order 90 kg/ha > 60 kg/ha > 0 kg/ha for 2010 and 2011 except at 2 MAP where plants that received 60 kg/ha application of potassium and 90 kg/ha had similar height and were not significantly different (Table 3). Irrigation frequency influences the height of plant at 2, 4 and 6 MAP at 5% probability for 2010 and 2011 (Table 3). Irrigation at 6 days interval significantly produced taller plants than that of 9 and 12 days interval in 2010 and There was a significant interaction between fertilizer rate and irrigation frequency at 2, 4 and 6 MAP for 2010 and Data in table 4 revealed that 90 kg K/ha significantly increased stalk height progressively from 2, 4 and 6 MAP. Irrigation frequency influenced plant height, which irrigated at 6 days interval had the tallest plant height with 0, 60 and 90 kg K/ha. However, irrigation at 6 days interval at 6 MAP gave the height value of and cm in 2010 and 2011, respectively with 90 kg K/ha followed by and cm for 60 kg K/ha and the least value was obtained at 0 kg K/ha with 8.67 and 7.67 cm for 2010 and 2011 at 2 MAP (Table 4). Table 5 showed that fertilizer rate significantly enhanced the size of the stalk girth in 2010 and However, application of 60 kg K/ha had the highest value for 2, 4 and 6 MAP, followed by 90 kg K/ha and 0 kg K/ha had the least value for 2010 and However, 6 days irrigation frequency progressively increased stalk girth than 9 and 12 days interval (Table 5). There was significant interaction at 2 and 6 MAP for 2010 and 2011 (Table 6). However, at 2 MAP, 90 kg K/ha x 6 days watering gave the highest stalk girth. Nevertheless, 60 kg K/ha x 9 days increased size of the stalk than 90 kg K/ha for 2 MAP and 6 MAP (Table 6).

4 273 Table 2. The effect of potassium rates, irrigation intervals and interactions on the number of tillers of sugarcane F-LSD (0.05) NS NS NS F-LSD (0.05) NS Interaction (FR*WS) NS NS NS NS NS NS K- Potassium, FR- fertilizer rate, WF-watering frequency, F-LSD- Fisher s least significantly different at 5% level of Table 3. The effect of potassium rates, irrigation intervals and interactions on the Stalk length (cm) of sugarcane F-LSD (0.05) F-LSD (0.05) Interaction (FR*WS) NS K- Potassium, FR- fertilizer rate, WF-watering frequency, F-LSD- Fisher s least significantly different at 5% level of Potassium significantly increased dry weight of sugarcane plant for 2010 and 2011 (Table 7). However, application of 90 kg K/ha had the highest mean followed by 60 kg K/ha and 0 kg K/ha had the least. However, irrigation frequency significantly increased dry weight per plant (Table 7). There was no significant interaction between fertilizer rate x irrigation frequency for 2010 and 2011 (Table 7). The results obtained on the establishment count and number of tillers is in agreement with Ishaq and Olaoye (2007) who stated that sugarcane can withstand severe drought. Likewise, Jain et al., (2000) reported that irrigation of sugarcane is an important determinant of its establishment that influenced growth and development. Consequently any degree of water stress may produce deleterious effects on growth and yield of the crop (Saif et al., 2003). It was not surprising that there was significant increased in plant height, tillers count and dry weight of sugarcane with the application of potassium. Similar results are in aggrement with those obtained by Yadev (2006) who pointed that application of potassium is needed in a large quantity for growth and development of sugarcane. Potassium is required for cell wall development, carbon assimilation, photosynthesis, synthesis and translocation of organic and inorganic nutrients from soil to plant (Thangavelue and Rao, 1997 and Subramanian, 1994). Application of potash fertilizer rate, sugarcane evapotranspiration increased. Potassium is decisively involved in the water economy of plants. It is well

5 274 Table 4. Interaction effect of potassium rates, irrigation intervals and interactions on the Stalk length (cm) of sugarcane WF (days) F-LSD (0.05) K- Potassium, FR- fertilizer rate, WF-watering frequency, F-LSD- Fisher s least significantly different at 5% level of Table 5. The effect of potassium rates, irrigation intervals and interactions on the stalk girth (cm) of sugarcane F-LSD (0.05) NS F-LSD (0.05) Interaction (FR*WS) NS NS K- Potassium, FR- fertilizer rate, WF-watering frequency, F-LSD - Fisher s least significantly different at 5% level of established that plants adequately supplied with potassium can utilize the soil moisture more efficiently than potassium deficient plants. Potassium uptake in the cell may contribute to osmotic potential of cytoplasm which is prerequisite of osmotic water uptake (Mengel and Arneke, 1982). CONCLUSION From these results, Irrigation frequency and potassium rates significantly (P<0.05) have positive influence on the growth of sugarcane. However, the best was observed with application of 90 kg K /ha and 6 days irrigation frequency during 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. Therefore, the use of potassium should be highly encouraged for sugarcane farmers to adopt, but watering frequency should also be regular to sustain sugarcane production for optimal yield.

6 275 Table 6. Interaction effect of potassium rates and irrigation intervals on the Stalk girth (cm) of sugarcane 2 MAP 6 MAP FR (k K/ha) WF (days) F-LSD (0.05) K- Potassium, FR- fertilizer rate, WF-watering frequency, F-LSD - Fisher s least significantly different at 5% level of Table 7. The effect of potassium rates, irrigation intervals and interactions on the dry weight (kg) of sugarcane Leaf Stem Root F-LSD (0.05) F-LSD (0.05) Interaction (FR*WS) NS NS NS NS NS NS K- Potassium, FR- fertilizer rate, WF-watering frequency, F-LSD- Fisher s least significantly different at 5% level of References Akobundu IO (1987). Weed Science in the Tropics Principles and Practices. Wiley International Publication John Wiley and Sons. pp Alvari CG (2008). Growth of wheat as affected by NaCl and Na 2 SO 4 salinity, 9th Int. Congress of Soil Sci. Abstract (Soil Management under Stress Environment). Soil Sci. Soc. of Pak p. 47. Jain N., Chauhan HS., Singh PK., and Shukla KN (2000). Response of tomato under rip irrigation and plastic mulching. In: Proceeding of 6th International Micro-irrigation Congress, Micro-irrigation Technology for Developing Agriculture October 2000 South Africa. p.37 KeeKwong KF., Bholah MA., Cavalot PC., Gauthier J, and Deville PJ (1994). Influence of broadcast and split application of potassium on sugarcane yields in Mauritius. Revue Agricole et Sucrière, Ile Maurice 73: Mustafa OS., Arshad M., Sattar I., and Ali S (2003). Adoption of kostiak of model to determine the soil infiltration for surface irrigation methods under local conditions. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 1: Ishaq and Olaoye (2007). Effect of moisture stress on biomass yield and root characteristics of sugarcane. Proceedings

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