Yield and quality of some sugarcane varieties as affected by irrigation number

Abstract

T Two field experiments were conducted at Shandaweel Agricultural Research Station, Sohag Governorate, Egypt (latitude of 26 61° N, longitude of 31 52° E) in 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons to assess the effect of number of irrigations on yield and quality of some sugarcane varieties. This work included 12 treatments, represent the combinations among (16, 18 and 20 irrigations/season) and sugarcane genotypes namely G.2004-27, G.2003-47, G.T.54-9 and 2005-47 genotype. A randomized complete block design was used in a split plot arrangement. Phenotypic, genotypic coefficient of variation and heritability% of growth, quality traits and yields of cane varieties were studied. Supplying sugarcane with 20 irrigations significantly increased number of millable canes, cane and sugar yields/fed sucrose% and sugar recovery%. Sugarcane varieties differed markedly in all studied traits. SugarcaneG.T.54-9 variety recorded the highest cane yield/fed, while G.2003-47 was superior in sucrose% and sugar recovery% and sugar yield/fed. Stalk height recorded the highest values of genotypic (σ2g) and phenotypic (σ2p) followed by cane yield/fed. Sugar recovery% recorded the highest values of GCV and PCV. Significant and positive correlation was found between cane yield, cane weight and number of millable canes. Sugar yield/fed was significantly and positively correlated with juice purity%, followed by sugar recovery%, then sucrose%. Planting the commercial variety viz. G.T.54-9 given 20 irrigations is preferable to get the highest cane yield/fed, without significant difference with G.2004-27 at 16 irrigations. Planting G.2003-47 supplied with 16 irrigations can be recommended for the highest sugar yield/fed, without variance with G.T.54-9 at 20 irrigations.