EFFECT OF SPACING, SEED RATE AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH-YIELD AND QUALITYOF SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM-OFFICINARUM)

A field experiment was conducted during 1990-91 to 1992-93 to study th e effect of 6 different row spacings-cum-seed rate and 3 nitrogen leve ls (75, 150 and 225 kg N/ha)on the growth, yield and quality of sugarc ane (Saccharum officinarum L.). At narrow spacing (30 : 60 cm) cane yi eld (765.07 q/ha) increased significantly. Tiller production, plant he ight, millable canes, length of internodes, cane height/plant, girth w ere also significantly increased with same treatments (30 : 60 cm + 8, 000 three-budded setts/ha). Although seed rate-cum-spacing did not aff ect quality of cane juice, but maximum sucrose (%) in juice was observ ed at 30 : 60 cm row spacing. Sugar (%) as well as yield were also max imum with the same treatments. The growth, yield and yield attributes were significantly influenced by varying levels of nitrogen. Applicati on of 225 kg N/ha gave maximum cane yield (751.93 q/ha) and sugar (86. 08 q/ha). Sucrose and commercial cane sugar (%) decreased with every i ncrease of nitrogen levels, whereas sugar yield increased with increas ing levels of nitrogen.