The Study of Morphological Characteristics, Dry Matter Production and Yield of Four Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Varieties in South-Western Nigeria

The study was carried out during the wet cropping season of 2000 and dry season of 2001, respectively at the farm site of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-iwoye, Ogun State in South- West zone of Nigeria to determine the weight of cane, dry matter and yield of four varieties of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in response to NPK 20: 10: 10 fertilizer. Varieties of sugarcane used were Co62175, NCS005, NCS004 and NCS003 and the treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. The statistical analysis was done using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated with LSD (Least Significant Difference) at p < 0.05. Results showed significant differences between the varieties of the sugarcane with respect to the cane-weight and yield for both wet and irrigated seasons. During the wet season, cane weight per plot ranged from 1.35 kg to 0.48 kg plot-1. NCS005 had the highest cane weight of 1.35 kg plot-1 while the lowest was obtained from NCS003 (0.48 kg plot-1). This was also reflected in the yield which ranged from 9.74 ton/ha to 4.11 ton/ha with NCS005 having the highest (9.74 t/ha) and NCS003 the lowest (4.11 t/ha), suggesting close relationship between weight of cane and yield. The application of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer increased the dry matter components of the cane and which were significant in % sucrose, % glucose, total sugar and crude fibre. The highest % sucrose, % glucose and total sugar were obtained from Co6215, while the lowest was obtained from NCS003. Crude fibre was significantly different among the four varieties at p<0.05 level with the highest obtained in NCS003 and Co6215. The same trend was obtained under irrigation in 2001 cropping season. In conclusion, the application of NPK fertilizer increased sugar concentration and sugar-cane yield for NCS005 and Co6215 compared to NCS003 and NCS004 varieties.