Germination is no doubt a very important factor because final
crop stand is solely depends upon good germination. Data in
Table 3 revealed that different timing schedules of N, P and
K significantly affected the germination of single variety
planted in all treatments. Average germination at given treatments
ranged from 45% to 60% at most. The maximum
germination (60%) was recorded in treatment T3 followed by
T5 (56%), T4 (55%) and T2 (53%) while minimum (45%)
was noticed in T1 control.
3.2. Tiller count (10 m sq1) and millable stalks (ha1)
From farmers point of view tillering is the most desirable character
of a variety, good tillering not only ensures good yields
but also better ratoon ability of a sugarcane crop. Less tiller
mortality is another factor of a variety which guarantees maximum
millable stalks per unit area. Data in Table 3 showed that
different timing schedules of N, P and K significantly affected
the tiller count. Periodic measurements of tiller count were
done till crop physiological maturity. Periodic trend of tiller
decline is expressed in the Graph 1. It was recorded that maximum
tiller decline was observed in the month of June. Tillers
had started stabilizing from September onwards. In all treatments
on an average 8–12 millable stalks/m2 were recorded.
The maximum tillers of 120 per 10 m2 were recorded in treatment
T3 and minimum were in control T1. The tiller count
Table 1 Prices (PRs.) and grades (%) of fertilizers utilized in the experiment.
Fertilizers NP DAP MAP CAN Urea SOP
*Price/bag (50 kgs) 2450 3600 3800 1400 1800 4100
Grade (%) N P K N P K N P K N P K N P K N P K
22 20 00 18 46 00 09 52 00 26 00 00 46 00 00 00 00 50
* Prices are in Pakistani rupees (PRs.) during the year 2013–14.
Table 2 Physical and chemical properties of soil used in experiment.
Soil depth (in.) Soil texture Textural class pH ECe (dS m1) SAR O.M (%) N (%) P (ppm) K (ppm)
Clay (%) Sand (%) Silt (%)
0–6 18 37 45 Loamy 9 2.9 10 0.73 0.05 11.5 228
6–12 14 39 47 Loamy 8.5 2.3 8 0.66 0.03 8.75 195
Table