Agronomic and biochemical attributes and economic indices of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) in saline vis-a-vis non-saline soils

Abstract

The study evaluated the yield and biochemical attributes of eight sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivars (CoPb-18211, CoPb-18212, CoPb-18213, CoPb-18214, CoPb-19211, CoPb-19212, CoPb-19213 and CoPb-19214) in saline and non-saline soils during 2019–20 at Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab farms at village-Ruldu Singh Wala (Bathinda) and at village-Ratta Khera (Sri Muktsar Sahib). Soil salinity significantly (P<0.05) decreased the plant height (by ~66.6%), tillers/plant (~36%), cane diameter at ground surface (~79.8%) and diameter at breast height (~93.1%) than the non-saline soil. Soil salinity significantly decreased the TSS content in juice (by ~7.1%), sucrose (~55.6%) and titratable acidity (~11.0%) than the non-saline soil. Juice purity showed large variation in saline soils (37.9-98.7%) than the non-saline soil (88.9–96.4%), and was significantly lowest for CoPb-18213, and highest for CoPb-18214. Sugar recovery was decreased by ~21.4% in saline soil. Average gross returns were significantly higher for CoPb-19211, compared with the others. Mean economic efficiency of 7.78 US$/ha/d for saline and 9.13 US/ha/d showed ~17.2% increase for non-saline soil.