Growth, quality and economics of plant and ratoon sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid complex) as influenced by doses and sources of sulphur

A field-experiment was conducted during 2001–02 and 2002–03 at Lucknow with 3 S doses (40, 60 and 80 kg S/ha) and 3 sources (elemental S, gypsum and single superphosphate) for improving yield and quality of sugarcane. Significant improvement in cane diameter (2.51 cm) and individual cane weight (1,100 g) was observed at 60 kg S/ha. This registered an increase of 9.87% in cane yield and 8.77% in commercial cane sugar over 40 kg S/ha. Pol % in juice increased significantly when S dose increased from 40 to 60 kg/ha. Application of elemental sulphur resulted in significantly higher cane yield (83.5 t/ha) as well as commercial cane sugar (CCS 9.96 t/ha) over other sources. In plant-ratoon system, by taking 1 plant and 1 ratoon crop in account, maximum net return (Rs 111,032/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.18) were obtained at 80 kg S/ha.