Effect of plant growth regulators on morphological characteristics, yield and quality of sugarcane

A field experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Research Institute, Shahjahanpur using variety CoS 03251 in spring planting season during 2015–16 to 2017–18 to study the effect of plant growth regulators ie., ethrel and GA3 on sugarcane crop. Eight treatments were taken viz T1 (conventional planting). T2 (planting of sets after overnight soacking in water). T3 (planting of sets after soacking in ethrel 50 ppm overnight before planting). T4 (planting of sets after soacking in ethrel 100 ppm overnight before planting). T5, (T1+GA3 35 ppm spraying at 90, 120 and 150 DAP). T6, (T2+GA3 35 ppm spraying at 90, 120 and 150 DAP). T7, (T3+GA3 35 ppm spraying at 90, 120 and 150 DAP). T8, (T4+GA3 35 ppm spraying at 90, 120 and 150 DAP). Data of germination were taken at 20, 30, 40 and 50 DAP. Tillers, leaf area, plant height, root weight were taken at monthly intervals from 90 to 180 DAP. NMC, yield and juice quality data were taken at harvest.

Results indicated that germination was found significantly higher at 20, 30, 40 and 50 DAP with ethrel @100 ppm overnight soacking than other treatments. Tiller population and cane height was found higher in T8 and T4 which was treated with ethrele 100 ppm and GA3e 35ppm. Leaf area of open leaf was higher at 90 DAP in T4 and 120, 150 DAP in T8 treatment followed by T4. Root fresh weight was found higher in the T8 90 to 180 DAP and dry wt of root, also higher in the treatment T8. NMC and cane yield was significantly higher in the treatment T8 followed by T4, T7 and T3. Sucrose percent in juice was higher in T8 treatment but data was not significant. Ethrel and GA3 play an important role in enhancing the yield of sugarcane crop.