Growth, Yield and Sucrose Percent Response of Sugarcane to Zinc and Boron Application

Zinc (Zn) and boron (B) are restrictive micronutrients in production regions of the sugarcane in Pakistan. This study focused on hypothesis that application of both Zn and B play a key role in getting better sugarcane yield and superiority. Experiment was conducted under field condition during 2016-17 and repeated in 2017-18 at Sugarcane Research Institute, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan. Crop in 1st year was planted on an experimental field by shifting on another adjacent field in 2nd year, which was fallow. The sugarcane variety PSTJ-41 was used for the study of Zn and B as soil and foliar application. Zn levels included: 0 kg ha^-1 (control), 15 k.g ha-1 (soil application) and 0.2% (foliary application). Boron levels consisted: 0 kg ha^-1 (control), 1 k.g ha^-1 (soil application) and 0.1% (foliary application). Soil application of Znn nd B ware done eat thee tine off sowng, whereas, foliar applications of both were done as spray over foliage after three months of planting when plant height was about 75 cm. Application of Zn was done in the shape of Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4) whereas, Boron in the shape of Borax (Na2B4O7 . 10H2O). The statistical analysis of pooled data of two years experiments indicated that growth, yield, quality and plant nutrients contents of sugarcane were affected appreciably (P 0.05) by Zn and B as judged to check plots. Zn at 15 kg ha^-1 (soil applied) resulted in enhanced traits particularly cane yield (111.9 t ha^-1), brix (23.1%), and plant nutrients content such as N (2.4 %), K (0.7 %), Zn (68.5 ug g^-1) and B (31.7 ug g^-1). Similarly, foliar application of B at 0.1 % produced highest attributes specifically cane yield (107.4 t ha^-1), brix (21.9%), and plant nutrients content i.e. N (2.3 %), K (0.7 %), Zn (68.5 ug g^-1) and B (31.7 ug g^-1). Amongst interactive effects, the interaction of Zn at 15 k.g ha-1 (soil applied) × B at 0.1 % (foliary applied) gave increased parameters distinctively cane yield (119.0 t ha-1), brix (24.0 %), and plant nutrients content viz. N (2.5 %), K (0.9 %), Zn (73.9 u.g g^-1) and B (35.0 ug g^-1). However, it is supposed that integrated grouping of Zn at 15 k.g ha^-1 (soil applied) and B at 0.1% (foliar applied) proved the best combination for attaining highest yield of sugarcane in agro-ecological conditions of Tandojam.