Efficacy of plant growth regulators on yield contributing traits and quality of sugarcane

To study the effect of 2, 4-D and ethrel on yield parameters and quality of sugarcane using varieties CoSe 01434 and CoS 08272 in autumn planting during 2013–15 to 2015–17 an experiment was conducted. Data on tillers and leaf area were taken at 30 days intervals from 120 to 270 DAP. The results revealed that maximum production of tillers at 210 days and the number of tillers gradually declined from June onward due to high temperature high humidity and tillers mortality. Application of 2, 4-D @ 100 ppm was found most effective in reducing tiller mortality in both the varieties over the treatments. Tiller and valid stalks was higher in plots treated with PGRs than untreated control. In general, variety CoSe 01434 resulted in higher shoot population than CoS 08272. Variety CoS 08272 expressed higher tiller mortality than CoSe 01434. Leaf area of first open leaf increased up to 240 days after planting. Sucrose percent in juice was found higher in variety CoS 08272 than CoSe 01434. Lower tiller mortality was observed in 2, 4-D and ethrel treated plants than in untreated control. Conclusively, 2, 4-D @ 100 ppm was found most effective in reducing tiller mortality and in increasing valid stalks and cane yield.