Effect of application of phosphorus on the yield of sugar cane and the clarification of sugar cane juice

Date

12-1968

Abstract

Experiments were conducted in the Department of Agronomy, U.P. College of Agriculture , Los Baños, Philippines from 1965 to 1968 to determine the effects of phosphorus applied to the soil on the yield of sugar cane and rate of mud settling during the process of juice clarification. The studies were made under pot conditions using Antipolo clay, Guadalupe clay and Lipa clay loam soils treated with ordinary superphosphate at the rates of 0, 80, 160 and 240 kg P205 per hectare. Experiments were also conducted in the laboratory to determine the rate of mud settling and other prosperities of sugar cane juice including sucrose percentage in relation to phosphate contents after liming and heating.

The results showed that superphosphate through soil application gave two-fold benefits. Firstly, phosphate application to the soil before planting increased the stem length, number of total and millable stalks, diameter of millable stalks and per cent sucrose in the juice significantly, hence promoted better quality and quantity of both cane stalks and juice, ultimately leading to a higher yield of sugar. Secondly, lower amounts of nitrogen, iron and colloids an desired level of inorganic phosphorus (360-350 ppm P2O5) were found accumulated in the juice where higher levels of phosphate were applied to the soil. These characteristics of the juice enhanced mud settling and produced a higher degree of clarity.

Another important advantage was observed in maintaining an adequate level of phosphorus in the juice through phosphorus application to the soil. A lesser degree of sucrose inversion was evident in juices from cane plants which received phosphorus in contrast with those which received no phosphorus. Also, direct addition of phosphoric acid to juices was found to markedly increase sucrose hydrolysis in comparison with those where the phosphorus was acquired through the soil.

The most economic rates of phosphorus application to soils deficient in phosphorus (less than 20 ppm available phosphorus) and those fairly rich in the element (more than 40ppm available phosphorus) were 160-240kg and 80kg P2O5 per hectare, respectively. With these rates increases in cane yield and standard of the quality of the juice were attained.

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy

College

Graduate School (GS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Marcos R. Vega

Language

English

LC Subject

Sugarcane, Effect of phosphorus on Phosphorus in agriculture

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 996 1968 A42 M65

Notes

Doctor of Philosophy (Agronomy- Farm Crops Division)

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS