Evaluating the Effects of Chemical Ripening with Fluazifop-p-butyl on Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) Yield and Sugar Content

Muhwiridzwa, M and Manenji, B. T. and Madanzi, T and Mahohoma, W (2016) Evaluating the Effects of Chemical Ripening with Fluazifop-p-butyl on Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) Yield and Sugar Content. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 9 (6). pp. 1-8. ISSN 23207035

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Abstract

Ripening in sugarcane refers to an increase in sugar content on a fresh weight basis prior to commercial harvesting. Ripening is often prompted by use of chemicals and environmental cues such as moisture stress. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of Fluazifop- p- butyl, a chemical ripener on sugarcane yield and sugar content. The experiment was laid out as a Random Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. Treatments were: Fluazifop- p- butyl (0.45 lha-1), drying off, Fluazifop- p- butyl (0.45 lha-1) + drying off and the control (no Dry off, no Fluazifop- p- butyl). The experiment was carried out at Triangle Estate which is located in the South East Lowveld of Zimbabwe from March 2012 to May 2012. Data on sugarcane yield, sugar quality (Pol % and ERC %) and sugar yield was collected 56 days after establishment of the experiment. Analysis of variance was done on yield and quality data using Genstat 14thedition. Results showed that there were significant differences (P = 0.05) among treatments on sugarcane yield, sugar yield, Pol% and ERC%. The sugarcane yield was highest for the control where no ripener was used. Fluazifop- p- butyl treatment attained 13.9% lower sugarcane yield relative to the control. Application of Fluazifop- p- butyl resulted in the highest sugar yield which was 35.6% higher than that of the control where no ripener was used. A combination of Fluazifop- p- butyl and Dry of resulted in the highest Pol % and highest ERC %. It can be concluded that Fluazifop- p- butyl is effective in increasing sugar yield although it results in a reduction in sugarcane yield. Combining Fluazifop- p- butyl with Dry off results in increased Pol% and ERC%. There is need for further studies to determine the optimum period from spraying Fluazifop- p- butyl to harvesting of sugarcane as this was only done at the end of the drying-off period.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Afro Asian Archive > Agricultural and Food Science
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@afroasianarchive.com
Date Deposited: 15 Jun 2023 09:53
Last Modified: 06 Sep 2024 09:07
URI: http://info.stmdigitallibrary.com/id/eprint/840

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