Abstract:
Sugarcane production is affected by numerous factors which subsequently reduce cane
and sugar yield. Among those constraints planting geometry is the most important one.
To solve the problem, regarding to intra row setts spacing, research findings should be
taken. However, research out puts concerning to this aspects is not available at Kuraz
sugar project. Therefore, effects of intra row setts spacing on selected traits were carried
out at this project with the objective of to determe the effecs of intra row setts spacing on
lodging, cane and yield components of sugarcane varieties during the growing seasons of
2017/2018. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with four sugarcane
varieties, B 52 298, N Co 334, C 86/112 and N 14 as main plots and four intra row setts
spacing, 5cm overlapping of setts, end to end of setts, 10cm and 20cm space between
three budded setts as sub plots, replicated five times. Plot size represented 4 rows of 5m
length with inter- row distance of 1.45m. At closer intra- row spacing number of tillers,
cane forming stalks, millable canes, number of internodes in cane, cane length and cane
yield were recorded more than wider setts spacing. There were a significant differences
(P<0.05) among varieties for these characters. Cane weight and cane girth was more at
widest intra row sett spacing with significant difference for cane weight. Intra row setts
spacing had no significant effect on quality characteristics, Brix, pol and purity % juice,
recoverable sugar % cane and sugar yield. Variety, N Co 334 had higher Brix and pol %
juice and sugar recovery % cane than other varieties. Varieties differed in cane and
sugar yields with highest cane yield in variety, N14 and maximum sugar yield in obtained
in varieties, N 14 and N Co 334. Intra-row setts spacing, except 8-month age of crop, had
positive impact on cane lodging from 9 to 11 month. From the results it recommended
that closer intra row sett spacing may be used for high cane and sugar yields at Kuraz
sugar project, but alternatively it was recommended to use 10 cm between setts, without
reducing cane and sugar yield. Cane lodging was more a varietal characteristic.
Varieties with high cane and sugar yields and resistance to lodging may be planted at
Kuraz sugar project.
