Abstract:
Sugarcane production affected by numerous factors, which subsequently reduce cane and
sugar yield. Among those constraints, planting geometry is the most important one. To solve
the problem, regarding intra-row setts spacing, research findings should be taken. However,
research outputs concerning this aspect are not available at Kessem Sugar Estate.
Therefore, effects of intra-row setts spacing on selected traits were carried out at this Estate
with the objective of determining the effects of intra-row setts spacing, varieties, and quality
of sugarcane on, yield, and yield components of sugarcane during the growing seasons of
2022/2023. The experiment was conducted randomized complete block design within a
factorial arrangement; three sugarcane varieties (B52/298, NCo334, and C86/12) and four
intra-row setts spacing (end to end of setts, 10cm, 20cm, and 30cm space between three
budded setts) replicated three times. At closer (end-to-end and 10 cm) intra-row spacing,
the number of tillers ha-1
, cane forming stalks ha-1
, millable canes ha-1
, number of internodes
in cane, cane length, were recorded more than wider setts spacing (20cm and 30cm) and
gave a significant difference(p<0.05). However, cane weight and cane girth were higher at
the widest sett spacing with significant differences. Moreover, there were significant
differences (p<0.05) among varieties for these characters. Intra-row setts spacing had no
significant effect on quality characteristics. However, varieties had significant differences
(p<0.05) in quality characteristics, and Variety Nco334 had higher Brix % (18.6), pol %
(15.93), and sugar recovery % (10.55) than other varieties. The maximum cane yield
(151.30, 140, and 129.8 ton ha-1
), and sugar yield (14.61, 14.5, and 11.97 ton ha-1
) were
recorded in the varieties B52/298, Nco334, and C86/12, respectively. Additionally, there
was a significant difference(p<0.05) among spacings on cane and sugar yields, the higher
cane(150 ton ha-1
) and sugar yield(14.76 ton ha-1
) were recorded from narrow spacing (end
to end and 10cm) than, wider spacing(20cm and 30cm). From the results, it recommended
that closer intra-row sett spacing be used for high cane and sugar yields at Kessem Sugar
Estate, but alternatively, it recommended using 10 cm between setts, without reducing cane
and sugar yield
