Potassium management strategies to realize high yield and quality of sugarcane

摘要

Sugarcane is heavy feeder of K. The excess K in plant tissues interferes in sugar process due to scale formation in?pans. Its demand may exceed 800 kg/ha. Agronomic value of K rests with increased cane volume, girth and weight per cane,?drought and disease resistance and reduced lodging. In rations, K is essential to realize high yield and quality and response was?more than for NP. Sources of K had no effect. A single basal dressing is desirable and response of K ranges from 0.01 to 0.352?t/ ha and 0.06 to 0.117 t /ha per kg K in plant and ratoons, respectively at optimum level. An array of extractants from dilute?acids to alkalies have been tested but 1 N H2SO4 or 1M BaCl2 gives better prediction as it removes a portion of non-exch. K?but plant available K known as STEP K. Recently, analysis of 100 year data from Rothamsted, UK have reported a strong?relationship with exch. K & K balance.