Salinity induced changes in phosphorus fractions of sugarcane laminae adversely affect sucrose contents

Growth, development and sucrose accumulation are regulated by phosphorus accumulation during growth cycle. In the present experiment, the effects of sodium salts on sugarcane growth were evaluated. The pool size of different phosphorus (P) fractions in leaf laminae of sugarcane varieties under test varied significantly as compared to control. The inorganic-P pool size was higher in CoLk 8102 as compared to Co 1148. On the contrary, organic-P fractions were lower in CoLk 8102 than Co 1148. The inorganic- P fractions were higher in CoLk 8102 as compared with Co1148 while organic P fractions were lower in CoLk 8102 as compared with Co 1148 in all treatments under evaluation. Higher concentration of sodium salts induced significant reduction in total tissue phosphorus concentration during growth cycle as compared to control in both varieties and showed strong negative correlation with leaf area, cane dry weight and sucrose contents.