Abstract
Balanced use of micronutrients in soils is essential for optimized nutrient use efficiency, environmental conservation and long-term sustainability of agro-ecological systems. As a result, maintaining correct micronutrient levels in the soil is essential not only to meet plant needs and maintain agricultural productivity but also to avoid nutrient build-up. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of micronutrient application on the yield and sucrose content expressed as the polarization of sugar cane juice (POL%) under field conditions. There were seven treatments, viz. To = No micronutrient application (control); T-1 = ZnSO4 at the rate of 30 kg ha(-1); T-2 = CuSO4 at the rate of 10 kg ha(-1); T-3 = FeSO4 at the rate of 30 kg ha(-1); T-4 = borax at the rate of 2 kg ha(-1); T-5 = half dose of ZnSO4, CuSO4, FeSO4 and borax at the rate of 15, 5, 15 and 1 kg ha(-1) and T-6 = full dose of ZnSO4, CuSO4, FeSO4 and borax at the rate of 30, 10, 30 and 2 kg ha(-1), arranged in randomized complete block design in triplicate. With the application of ZnSO4 at 30 kg ha(-1) along with recommended doses of NPK, 30% more income was generated as compared with the control. Fist plant and ratoon crop yields were 19.08% and 22.03% higher, respectively, than in the control. Similarly, Zn application resulted in 5.91% and 8.64% greater sucrose contents (POL%) in plant and ratoon crops, respectively, when compared with the control. The application of ZnSO4 at the rate of 30 kg ha(-1) along with recommended doses of NPK had a significant impact on the yield and sucrose contents of sugarcane.