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
Recommended Citation
Mondal, Amzad Hossain, "Effect of application of phosphorus on the yield of sugar cane and the clarification of sugar cane juice" (1968). Graduate Student's Output. 3317.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/etd-grad/3317
Notes
Doctor of Philosophy (Agronomy- Farm Crops Division)