Plant Archives Vol. 25, No. 1, 2025 pp.

920-924 e-ISSN:2581-6063 (online), ISSN:0972-5210

Plant Archives
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DOI Url : https://doi.org/10.51470/PLANTARCHIVES.2025.v25.no.1.138

EFFECT OF SULPHUR, ZINC AND BORON FERTILIZATION ON

SUGARCANE GROWTH, YIELD, SUGAR RECOVERY AND QUALITY OF
CANE JUICE AND JAGGERY
Ashutosh Kumar1, Chandan Kumar Jha1, Govind Vishwakarma1* and Surbhi Gautam2
1
Department of Soil Science, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa Samastipur - 848 125, Bihar, India.
2
Division of Nematology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi, India.
*Corresponding author E-mail : [email protected]
(Date of Receiving-21-12-2024; Date of Acceptance-12-03-2025)

Sugarcane in Bihar is mainly grown in the north, where calcareous soils lack zinc (Zn), boron (B) and Sulphur
(S). The study tested recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (150N-85P2O5 -60K2O/ha) with S (60 & 80 kg/ha),
Zn (10 kg/ha), and B (1.5 kg/ha), applied as a basal dose alone or in combination. The application of Sulphur
(S), either alone or in combination with zinc (Zn) and boron (B), had no significant effect on sugarcane
germination, tiller number, or plant height during the early growth stages. However, as the crop matured,
there was a notable improvement in tiller count, plant height, and dry matter accumulation. Among the
treatments, the application of the RDF along with S at 60 kg/ha, Zn at 10 kg/ha, and B at 1.5 kg/ha resulted
in the highest number of tillers (137.44 × 10³/ha), tallest plants (266.61 cm), and maximum dry matter production
ABSTRACT (304.27 g/plant) compared to the control (RDF alone). Yield parameters such as cane length (194.90–228.34
cm) and the number of millable canes (96.09–111.72 × 10³/ha) varied significantly, though cane girth and
weight remained unaffected. A higher Sulphur dose (80 kg/ha) negatively impacted growth and yield. Cane
yield ranged from 70.90 to 81.40 t/ha, with a yield increase of 9.68–14.80% over the control. Juice quality
parameters like Brix (20.52–22.10%), Pol (17.96–19.38%) and juice recovery (46.82–55.63%) improved
significantly. The highest sugar and jaggery yield were observed with S 60 + Zn 10 + B 1.5 kg/ha application.
Key words : Dry matter, Germination, Number of Millable Cane plant height, Tiller number.

Introduction a huge employment (35 million individual directly or

The cultivation of sugarcane dated back to 8000 BC, indirectly depend on sugarcane cultivation). In recent time
in the south east Asia (New Guinea). And it is also we see the decline trend of sugarcane production, due to
believed that centre of origin for the sugarcane is also multiple reasons and among all the reasons the main
south east Asia. The cultivation of sugarcane reaches to reason is the climate change and uneven disturbance in
other part of world via trade and crusade. In India the rainfall pattern.
sugarcane cultivation reaches via colonialism. It is high In sub-tropical zone Bihar rank 2nd in the production
water intensive and high temperature requirement crop. after the Uttar Pradesh and in term of area under
Thus, it grows mainly in the tropical and subtropical belt sugarcane cultivation it ranked fourth at national level. It
of world, where rainfall is adequate and temperature is is cultivated in almost every district of Bihar, but West
sufficient. The primary as well as by product of sugarcane Champaran has above 50% area under sugarcane
is beneficial for the human. It is noted that our country is cultivation. Out of all district just seven districts contribute
agriculture dependent, hence sugarcane play a significant in more than 85% of the sugarcane cultivation
role in the primary industry of our country and generate (Directorate of Statistics and evaluation, Bihar).
 Effect of Sulphur, Zinc and Boron Fertilization on Sugarcane Growth, Yield and Sugar Recovery 921

Sugarcane is a heavy feeder crop which remove huge Longitude 85.40 0E, altitude 54 M above mean sea level).
amount of plant nutrients (205 kg N, 275 kg K, 55 kg P, The Climate is subtropical, with hot and humid receiving
30 kg S, 1.2 kg Mn, 0.6 kg Zn, 0.2 kg Cu) from soil for annual rainfall 1090 mm and it is located under the ustic
the production of 100 t cane /ha, in addition to the nutrient moisture regime. The average monthly maximum
loss during crop growing period (Kumar and Chand, temperature was 30.980C and minimum temperature was
2009). There is significant gap in the average productivity 18.680C. The soil is calcareous in nature and can be
(84.44 t/ha) and potential productivity of sugarcane (100 describe in calciorthent. The initial soil charactertics of
t/ha). Hence, the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) the experimental site are represented in Table 1.
in combination with secondary nutrient sulphur and
Table 1 : Initial soil property of the experimental form
micronutrients (Zn & B) nourishment good for improving
Sugarcane research Institute Pusa (SRI Pusa)
cane yield as well as quality related parameters of
Samastipur Bihar.
sugarcane (Singh et al., 2015). The secondary as well
as the micronutrient play a very critical role in the Initial Soil Properties Value
sugarcane production and their related quality. Although Textural class Sandy loam
Sand (%) 65.40
it requires in less amount but can play a very major role
Silt (%) 21.10
in the enhancement of macronutrient use efficiency Clay (%) 13.50
(Shukla et al., 2009). Bulk density (Mg m-3) 1.44
At present estimates of the micronutrient Porosity (%) 47
consumption indicates that zinc sulphate consumption is pH (1:2) 8.45
highest and about 60% of the total borax goes to the EC (dSm-1) 0.69
vegetables and fruit crops (Shukla et al., 2012). Sulphur Organic carbon (%) 0.47
Available N (kg ha-1) 215.16
application significantly increases SO4 concentration as
Available P (kg ha-1) 25.40
a result of the S oxidation. The nutrient requirement of S Available K (kg ha-1) 113.86
can generally fully be filled by the soil oxidation. DTPA available micronutrient (mg kg-1)
Therefore, high dose of S may risk as loss from the field Fe 14.36
and low availability of S can affect the development of Zn 0.68
the sugarcane. Hence, the proper management of S along Cu 1.02
with micronutrients (Zn & B) required for the cell division, Mn 3.50
sugar translocation by forming sugar borate complex, Free calcium carbonate (%) 34.12
proper hydration and metabolism. The brix, pol, cane and
Treatments and experimental design
sugar yield of plant and ratoon crop of sugarcane improved
with Zn fertilization. The maximum cane yields, quality The field experiment on sugarcane crop was
of cane juice, total soluble solids (TSS) as well as conducted during the year 2023-24. The variety under
availability of Zn in trash were recorded due to application experiment was Rajendra Ganna-1. This variety is high
of ZnSO4 applied @ 50 kg/ha. However, the effect of yielding, high sucrose content and an early variety suitable
ZnSO4 applied @ 37.50 kg/ha and 510 kg /ha was fond for cultivation under Bihar condition. The experiment was
at par. Zn application via zinc sulphate @ 37.5 kg/ha formulated with two different doses of S, with
recommended dose of Zn and B. The treatment comprises
were found optimum for significant improvement of
of S @ 60 and 80 kg/ha with or without Zn (10 kg/ha)
sugarcane productivity and cane juice quality traits
and B (1.5 kg/ha). The experiment was conducted on an
(Dhaliwal et al., 2022). It was also established that the
area 0.013 acer following randomized block design (Table
incorporation of boron and zinc in combination led to a
2) with nine treatments and three replications.
raise in sugar yield. They also recorded that boron
application alone at a rate of 2 kg/ha also resulted in a Crop sowing and Nutrient management
higher sugar yield as control plot receiving no B (Quaddus Select healthy three budded setts of Sugarcane and
et al., 2022). treated with the 1% solution of Bavistin soaking 20
minutes, which prevent the setts from the fungal disease
Materials and Methods
infection. The thimet was applied in the furrow @ 15 kg/
Experimental site ha as insecticide and finally covered the bud setts using
The present investigation was carried out the desi plough. Sugarcane is belonging to the Poaceae
experimental farm of Sugarcane research Institute Pusa family, which are susceptible for the crop weed
(SRI Pusa), Samastipur, Bihar (Latitude 25.58 0N, competition. To supress the crop weed competition the
first-hand weeding was done at the 45 DAP. sugarcane
922 Ashutosh Kumar et al.

Table 2 : Treatments details. (%)

Treatments Details CCS (tons/ha) = [Yield (tons/ha) × Sugar Recovery
T1 Control (no S, Zn and B) (%)] / 100
T2 RDF + S @ 60 Kg/ha
 t 
CCS %  Cane yield  
T3 RDF + S @ 80 Kg/ha  ha 
Sugar yield t / ha  
T4 RDF + S @ 60 Kg/ha) + Zn @ 10 Kg/ha 100
T5 RDF + S @ 60 Kg/ha) + B @ 1.5 Kg/ha Results and Discussion
T6 RDF + S @ 60 Kg/ha + Zn @ 10 Kg/ha + B Germination (%) and Number of tillers
@ 1.5 Kg/ha
Table 3 shows that sugarcane germination percentage
T7 RDF + S @ 80 Kg/ha + Zn @ 10 Kg/ha was not significantly affected by treatments, though the
T8 RDF + S @ 80 Kg/ha + B @ 1.5 Kg/ha highest germination rate was recorded in Treatment 6,
T9 RDF + S @ 80 Kg/ha + Zn @ 10 Kg/ha + B which included the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)
@ 1.5 Kg/ha with Sulphur, zinc, and boron. Additionally, tiller count
remained unaffected at 120 days after planting (DAP)
Note: - RDF (Recommended dose of Fertilizer).
but showed a significant increase at 150 and 180 DAP.
is water intensive crop, the first irrigation at 45 DAP, and Similar trends were reported by Sharma et. al., (2002)
further two irrigation was provided in the month of May and Paul et al. (2012), highlighting a notable rise in tiller
and June. The application of N, P2O5, K2O, S, Zn and B numbers with the application of sulphur, zinc and boron.
was applied in the form of Urea, DAP, MOP, bentonite The highest tiller count at 150 and 180 DAP was observed
sulphur, Zinc sulphate and borax. 50% of N in the form in the treatment combining RDF with S, Zn and B. This
of urea was applied at the time of planting. Rest 50% N improvement is likely due to the enhanced metabolic
was applied in two equal splits. 25% N was applied just activity in sugarcane when sulphur and micronutrients
after the first irrigation given and second 25% N was are applied together, promoting better growth at later
applied at the time of earthing up. For diseases and pest stages.
management applied Thimet-10G @15Kg/ha in the furrow Plant height
during planting of setts to control the pest. Shoot and root From the result presented in the Table 4, the data
borer malathion @1.5 litre/ha was sprayed at two times recorded at 150 DAP, 180 DAP and 210 DAP show that
in standing crop. plant height was not significantly influenced by treatments
Plant parameter during the early growth phase. However, a significant
Germination percentage was taken after 45 days difference was observed at 210 DAP. This pattern is
after planting (DAP), counting germination percentage similar to the increase in tiller count, which became
by the following formula- significant at later growth stages. At 210 DAP it was
found highest in treatment receiving RDF with S, Zn and
Number of germination buds plot B combinedly. The similar effect of S and micronutrients
Germination (%) =  100
Number of buds planted plot (Zn and B) was observed by the Paul et al. (2005), Devi
et al. (2012) and Mishra et al. (2014).
Tillers population calculated in following time- 120,
150 and 180 DAP from each planting and expressed in Number of milllable cane (NMC) and cane length
(× 103/ha). Plant height (cm) were measured for stages Table 5 illustrates that treatments had a significant
viz.; 150, 180, 210 DAP and at harvesting stage. Dry effect on both the number of millable canes (NMC) and
matter (g/plant) accumulation of the was calculated at cane length at harvest. The highest NMC was recorded
different stages- 90, 120, 150 DAP and at harvesting in the treatment receiving RDF along with Sulphur (S),
stage. After harvesting measured the cane diameter by zinc (Zn) and boron (B), likely due to the same factors
using the Vernier slide callipers. Measure the Brix (%), influencing tiller count and plant height, as these traits
Sucrose (%), Purity (%) and sugar yield (tone/ha) by the are closely related. Similarly, cane length at harvest was
following formula (Parthasarathy, 1979). significantly affected by treatments, with the longest
canes observed in the RDF + S, Zn and B treatment
Purity Percentage = (Sucrose %/HR Brix)100 (Treatment 6). This increase can be attributed to the
Sugar Recovery (%) = [S-0.4(B-S)] × 0.73 overall improvement in plant height, tiller count, and NMC.
Where, S = sucrose % in juice, B = Corrected Brix However, same observation had been also observed by
 Effect of Sulphur, Zinc and Boron Fertilization on Sugarcane Growth, Yield and Sugar Recovery 923

Table 3 : Response of S, Zn and B on germination percentage Table 4 : Response of S, Zn and B on plant height of
and number of tillers sugarcane crop.
Germination Number of tillers Plant height (cm)
Treatments
(%) (×103/ha)
Treatments 150 DAP 180 DAP 210 DAP
45 DAP 120 DAP 150 DAP 180 DAP T1 201.67 222.40 233.05
T1 35.87 73.64 101.43 112.00 T2 221.33 243.34 257.87
T2 38.90 77.75 104.09 118.08 T3 218.34 233.89 246.11
T3 38.20 83.67 107.71 119.93 T4 216.11 235.00 251.64
T4 41.10 86.44 117.39 126.60 T5 216.12 237.23 251.90
T5 40.70 85.58 115.40 124.85 T6 228.89 243.89 266.61
T6 43.20 86.92 122.52 137.44 T7 213.34 235.56 252.93
T7 39.50 84.62 115.03 123.52 T8 208.89 228.89 241.55
T8 38.83 83.29 114.18 122.39 T9 216.11 232.23 257.06
T9 39.30 84.24 113.40 124.75 increase in cane yield, which varied between 9.68% and
Table 5 : Response of S, Zn and B on NMC, Cane length at 14.80% due to the application of Sulphur (S), either alone
harvest, single cane weight and cane yield. or in combination with zinc (Zn) and boron (B). The
lowest yield increase (6.37%) was recorded in Treatment
Treatments NMC Cane length Cane yield
(×103 ha-1) at harvest(cm) (t/ha) T8, while the highest yield (81.40 t/ha) and maximum
increase (14.80%) were observed in Treatment T6 (RDF
T1 96.09 207.55 70.90 + S 60 + Zn 10 + B @ 1.5 kg/ha), followed by Treatment
T2 102.99 210.10 76.68 T4 (S 60 kg/ha + Zn 10 kg/ha) with a 13.40% increase.
T3 103.88 214.66 77.50 The lowest yield (70.90 t/ha) was found in Treatment T1
T4 106.33 213.84 79.32 (control with RDF only). The yield ranking followed the
T5 104.86 199.46 78.21 order: T6 > T4 > T9 > T5 > T3 > T2 > T7 > T8 > T1. The
T6 111.72 228.34 81.40 higher yield in T6 was largely attributed to an increase in
T7 102.05 218.20 75.69
the number of millable canes (NMC) and cane length.
However, applying a higher Sulphur dose (80 kg/ha)
T8 100.58 213.14 74.31
resulted in decline in growth and yield parameters of
T9 104.94 194.90 78.48
sugarcane. Similar observations were also recorded by
Table 6 : Response of S, Zn and B Juice quality and sugar yield. Mellis et al. (2016) and Silva et al. (2020).
Juice quality (%) Juice quality (%)
Treatments CCS (%)
Brix Pol Purity Juice From the result presented in the Table 6 on
coefficient recovery (%) Brix (%), Pol (%), and purity coefficient in
sugarcane juice, showing significant treatment
T1 20.52 17.96 87.52 49.68 12.48 effects. The Brix value, which indicates the total
T2 21.27 18.64 87.63 51.37 13.01 soluble solids (TSS) in juice ranged from 20.52%
T3 21.78 19.00 87.23 55.63 13.24 to 22.10%, with the highest in Treatment T 6
T4 21.78 18.90 86.77 53.92 13.13 (22.10%) and the lowest in T1 (20.52%). Higher
T5 21.31 18.71 87.79 52.14 13.04 Sulphur (S) doses especially at 80 kg/ha, decreased
T6 22.10 19.38 87.69 54.18 13.56 Brix due to adverse effects on sucrose synthesis,
T7 21.39 18.73 87.56 51.84 13.06 but combining S with zinc (Zn) and boron (B) in
Treatments T7 and T8 mitigated this (Pawar et
T8 21.86 18.98 86.82 50.92 13.20
al., 2003). Pol (%) values ranged from 17.96%
T9 21.31 18.52 86.90 46.82 12.87
(T1) to 19.38% (T6), with T6 showing the highest
the Davi et al. (2012) and Mishra et al. (2014) in sucrose content due to the optimal combination of
sugarcane on growth and yield parameters. nutrients (Franco et al., 2011). The purity coefficient,
calculated as the ratio of Pol to Brix, showed minimal
Cane yield (t/ha)
variation across treatments, ranging from 86.77% (T4)
Table 5 presents data on cane yield, revealing to 87.90% (T5), despite significant differences in Brix
significant variations among treatments, ranging from and Pol (Sharma et al., 2002). Commercial Cane Sugar
70.90 to 81.40 t/ha. Table 4 highlights the percentage (CCS%) and juice recovery (%), highlighting treatment
924 Ashutosh Kumar et al.

effects. CCS%, representing sugar yield from juice, Ismail Muhammad, Ahmad Tufail, Ali1 Amjad, Nabi Ghulam, Ul
showed no significant differences across treatments, Haq Nur and Munsif Fazal (2016). Response of sugarcane to
different doses of Zn at various growth stages. Pure Appl.
ranging from 12.48% (T 1 ) to 13.56% (T 6 ), with T 6
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recording the highest value. Juice recovery (%) varied
Jha, C.K., Sinha S.K. and Thakur S.K. (2017). Enhancing soil fertility,
significantly among treatments, ranging from 46.82% (T9) nutrient uptake and sugarcane productivity through integrated
to 55.63% (T 3 ). Treatment T 3 performed best, use of Fe and organics in sub-tropical system. Indian J. Ecol.,
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(2020). Growth, yield and sucrose percent response of
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ha) and recovery (11.63–12.85%), with T6 showing the Agricult., 36(2), 459-469.
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