Economic optimum NPK fertilizer ratios and time of application for high yield and good quality sugarcane production

Improving Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) yields in Sub-Sahara Africa through the use of existing technologies: Sugarcane agronomy

“…The N application rates vary widely depending on the availability, cost, soil fertility and technology used with up to 400 kg N /ha used in the USA [14] (Table 4). In SSA, researchers have recommended much lower rates: 90 kg N/ha in Nigeria [15], 147 kg N/ha in Kenya [16] and up to 200 kg N/ha in Uganda [17]. Apart from the rates, timing of N fertilizer application is another important practice ensuring better final juice quality.…”

“…According to Haifa [18], N fertilizers should be applied at an early stage of growth and is essential to complete the application at least 5 months before the intended date of harvest. Wayagari et al, [15] further suggested that about 50% of recommended N rate should be applied at planting while the remaining 50% applied in two splits at 5-6 and 10-12 weeks after the first application for better efficiencies and quality sucrose content. Phosphorus is also an important fertilizer required for proper root development, stalk elongation and enlargement and production of many stalks per stool.…”

“…The rates of P vary widely from one country to the other with up to 280 kg P2O5 /ha reported in the USA [14] (Table 4). The recommended rates are low in Africa: 50 kg P2O5/ha in Nigeria [15], up to 79 kg P2O5/ha in Kenya [16,19]; and up to 100 kg P2O5/ha in Uganda [17]. The low rates used in SSA could be linked to the prevailing economic and edaphic factors in the region.…”

“…Potassium is another important nutrient playing crucial roles in sugarcane metabolisms such as photosynthesis, protein synthesis, starch formation, and translocation of proteins and sugars. It enables the crops to take up balanced nutrients and is better able to withstand the drought conditions [15]. Different countries recommend different rates of K with up to 450 kg K2O/ha reported in the USA [14] (Table 4).…”

“…Different countries recommend different rates of K with up to 450 kg K2O/ha reported in the USA [14] (Table 4). In Nigeria, a rate of about 40kg K2O /ha was found economical [15] while in Uganda, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) recommended about 100kg K2O/ha for sugarcane production [17]. No K application is currently recommended for use in Kenyan soils despite its heavy mining that has been reported by Stoorvogel et al, [20], Otieno et al, [21] and Otieno [22].…”