Influence of Stale Cane Seed on Productivity of Sugarcane in Semi-arid Climate

Abstract

Abstract Delayed planting of sugarcane crop after harvesting of seed is a common farming practice in all cane growing areas of Pakistan. This study was conducted to find out comparative effect of sugarcane seed having different harvesting or stalling period on productivity of sugarcane. The experiment was planted in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement for two consecutive years. Three commercial sugarcane varieties viz. CPF 248, CPF 247 and CPF 246 were kept in main plots whereas cane setts staling; fresh, 3 days, 6 days & 9 days old stale cane setts were placed in sub-plots. The data revealed that sugarcane clones were differed significantly for most of biometric traits under study except cane yield whereas impact of cane setts stalling was also significant excluding for sugar contents. While, interactive effect of all treatment combinations for sugarcane clones and cane setts stalling was found significant except for CCS%. It was found that clone CPF 247 exhibited highest cane and sugar yield by planting fresh cane setts as against lowest for CPF 248 when planted with 9 days old stale cane setts during both years of experimentation. Better growth and yield related traits were predominantly attributed to planting of fresh cane seed having better germination, tillering and cane density.