EFFECT OF VARIETY AND SETT SPACING ON YIELD, YIELD COMPONENTS AND SUGAR QUALITY AT TANA BELES SUGAR ESTATE

Abstract

Sugarcane production was 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 Tana Beles Sugar Estate. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design within a factorial arrangement; three sugarcane varieties (N14, NCo334, and C86/56) and four intra-row setts spacing (5 cm overlap, end to end, 5cm, and 10cm space between setts) replicated three times in each block at Tana Beles Sugar Estate (Jawi) from March 05,2022 –June 27,2023. All data were collected as per the plan. The analysis of variance was performed by SAS 9.4 and means were compared by Least Significance Difference (LSD) t Test at 5% level of probability for interpretation of results. Analysis of variance revealed that variety was a significantly (P<0.001) influenced the sprout percentage, tillering, stalk height, stalk diameter, numbers of mille able cane, cane yield, sugar yield, percent pole and recoverable sugar and also significant influenced (P<0.01) on percent brix. The study also revealed that the setts spacing was a significant (P<0.05) difference on apparent purity and spacing also significant (P<0.01) influenced on stalk diameter, numbers of mallable cane, estimated recoverable sucrose and pole percent. It was also showed significant (P< 0.001) difference in, sprout percentage, cane weight, cane yield and sugar yield. The interaction between varieties and setts spacing for most parameters were showed significantly difference except stalk height, percent pole and recoverable sucrose. Finally, there were significant(P<0.05) difference among the setts spacing’s used in cane yield and sugar yield, the highest cane yield and sugar yield was obtained from N14 variety 5 cm overlapping at Tana Beles. In this study showed that variety N14 on 5cm overlapping intra-row sett spacing would recommended on Tana Beles Sugar Estate