Polyhalite Positively Influences the Growth, Yield and Quality of Sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum L.) in Potassium and Calcium-Deficient Soils in the Semi-Arid Tropics

Rajan Bhatt, Paramjit Singh, Omar M. Ali, Arafat Abdel Hamed Abdel Latef, Alison M. Laing and Akbar Hossain
Additional contact information
Rajan Bhatt: Regional Research Station, Kapurthala, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141 004, India
Paramjit Singh: Regional Research Station, Kapurthala, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141 004, India
Omar M. Ali: Department of Chemistry, Turabah University College, Turabah Branch, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Arafat Abdel Hamed Abdel Latef: Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
Alison M. Laing: CSIRO Agriculture & Food, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
Akbar Hossain: Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute, Dinajpur 5200, Bangladesh

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-15

Abstract: In semi-arid tropics, sugarcane yield and quality are affected by deficiencies in soil nutrients, including potassium and calcium. We examined the effects of two different potassium fertilizers, a traditional muriate of potash (MOP) and polyhalite (which contains potassium and calcium), on sugarcane growth, yield, and quality. Experimental treatments compared a control 0 kg K ha −1 (T 1 ) to potassium applied as MOP only at 80 kg K ha −1 (T 2 ) and at 120 kg K ha −1 (T 3 ), and potassium applied as an equal split of MOP and polyhalite at 80 kg K ha −1 (T 4 ) and at 120 kg K ha −1 (T 5 ). Relative to the control the potassium-enhanced treatments had improved rates of key growth parameters, and of cane yields, which were 4.4, 6.2, 8.2, and 9.9% higher in T 2 , T 3 , T 4, , and T 5 , respectively, than in T 1 . Regardless of fertilizer used, potassium applied at 80 kg K ha −1 achieved the highest sugar purity and commercial cane sugar content. All potassium fertilizer treatments had reduced (although non-significant) incidences of three key sugarcane insect pests. The economic benefits of polyhalite were reduced due to its higher cost relative to MOP. Combining MOP and polyhalite equally to achieve an application rate of 80 kg K ha −1 is recommended to enhance sugarcane growth and yield.

Keywords: muriate of potash; polyhalite; sugarcane; potassium fertilizer; B:C ratio (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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