EFFECT OF CANE PORTIONS OF SUGARCANE (Saccharum officinarumL.) ON SPROUTING, GROWIH AND YIELD AT FINCHA’AA SUGAR CANE PLANTATION, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

At Fincha’aa sugarcane plantation, the whole part of the cane is used for planting. However, this has affected cane establishment, yield and profit for cane production. Therefore, this study was designed to identify cane portions which enhance sugarcane establishment for improved cane productivity. A field experiment was conducted during 2022/2023 to determine the effect of different cane portions/cuttings on percent sprouting, subsequent growth and cane yield of sugarcane variety D42/58.The trial was executed on a vertisol at Fincha’aa Sugarcane Plantation. Five treatments comprising setts from top, middle, bottom; mixture of top+ middle, and mixture of top+ middle+ bottom stalk portions were tested. The experiment was laid in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The results of the experiment showed that cuttings taken from the top and middle portion of the stalk improved sprouting by 97.21 and 84.91%, respectively, over those taken from the bottom portion (71.17%). Similarly, setts (cutting) taken from the mixtures of top and middle; top, middle and bottom portion of stalks cutting improved sett emergence by 96.87 and 91.81%, respectively, as compared to cutting taken from bottom portion. The results also revealed that cuttings taken from the top and middle portion of the stalk showed better results in plant population and improved tillering by 1.16207x10⁵haˉ¹ and 1.11552x10⁵haˉ¹, respectively, over those taken from the bottom portion (9.5000x10⁵haˉ¹). Similarly, setts (cutting) taken from the mixtures of top and middle; top, middle and bottom portion of stalks cutting improved sett tillering by 1.03448x10⁴haˉ¹ and 1.12586x10⁵haˉ¹, respectively, as compared to cutting taken from bottom portion. Besides, statistical analysis showed significant differences (p <0.05) in sprouting and plant population of different stalk portions from the bottom portion, i.e. treatments (T1, T2, T4 and T5) significantly increased sprouting percentage and plant population over the bottom stalk portion. On the other hand, no significant effects of different stalk portions were observed on plant height, cane yield and its components at harvest. Cane growers are also advised to use the top, mixture of top and middle portions of cane plant as planting material for commercial sugar production. However, further studies are necessary considering a range of commercial sugarcane varieties and soil type in all sugar plantations in Ethiopia to come up with clear-cut recommendations.