Growth and Yield of Sugarcane Seed Crop as Influenced by Fertilizer Rates and Timing in Anakapalle, Andhra Pradesh, India

A field experiment was conducted in sugarcane over 2019-20 and 2020-21 cropping seasons at the Regional Agricultural Research Station of Anakapalle (Andhra Pradesh) on sandy clay soils. The objective was to determine the effect of organic and mineral fertilizer rates and timing on growth and yield of a sugarcane seed crop. The experiment was laid out following split plot design with three main organic fertilizer treatments and six N-K fertilizer sub treatments, in three replications. Results showed a significant increase in stalk height, numbers of tillers ha-1 and cane yield due to organic fertilizer, namely biofertilizer and trash mulching, in combination with 125% STBNK applied at 30 days interval + additional dose of 25% recommended K fertilizer applied one month prior to harvest.