Organic cultivation of sugarcane varieties and its effect on cane yield and quality jaggery production

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted at the Regional Research Station, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, in Karnal, Haryana, during 2018-19. The objective was to assess the impact of organic cultivation on two spring-planted sugarcane varieties, CoH 160 (early) and CoH 167 (mid-late), in terms of cane yield and quality jaggery production. The trial consisted of five distinct treatments, involving varying levels of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) application at 10 t/ha (T1), 20 t/ha (T2), and 30 t/ha (T3) at the time of sowing. Additionally, organic practices such as biofertilizers and green manuring of Sesbania in inter-row spaces, along with the control of insect pests and diseases, were implemented in three treatments (T1, T2, and T3). Treatment T4 involved the application of Natural Formulation I on setts, complemented by three sprays of Natural Formulation II during April, May, and June, following natural farming principles. Treatment T5 applied the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers (150-50-50 kg/ha) and relied on chemical methods for pest and disease control. The application of FYM @ 30 t/ha at the time of sowing + biofertilizers (BF)+green manuring of Sesbania in inter row space (GM) (No inorganic fertilizers) was at par with RDF through inorganic application of fertilizer (69.43 t/ha and 70.10 t/ha) and produced significantly higher cane yield compared to application of FYM @10 (55.99 t/ha) or 20 t/ha + BF + IPM (61.33 t/ha) or Setts treatment with beejamrit + three sprays of jeevamrit during the months of April, May and June in natural farming technique (36.08 t/ha). Furthermore, organic jaggery was prepared from both sugarcane varieties, with CoH 160 demonstrating superior quality attributes such as sucrose content exceeding 70% and reducing sugars below 20%. This variety also received high sensory acceptance ratings, being described as extremely liked on the hedonic scale, and exhibited a light golden-yellow color, indicating its potential for quality jaggery production.