The Effect of Different Cane Portions on Sprouting, Growth and Yield of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.)

A field experiment was conducted during 2003/2004 to determine the effect of different cane portions/cuttings on per cent sprouting, subsequent growth and cane yield of sugarcane variety N-14. The trial was executed on a sandy soil at WonjiShoa Sugarcane Plantation. The experiment was laid in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications and five treatments comprising setts from top, middle, bottom; mixture of top+middle, and mixture of top+middle+ bottom stalk portions. The results of the experiment showed that cuttings taken from the middle and top portion of the stalk showed better results in sprouting and improved sprouting by 54.75 and 54.30%, respectively, over those taken from the bottom portion. Similarly, setts (cutting) taken from the mixtures of top and middle; top, middle and bottom portion of stalks cutting improved sett emergence by 45.5 and 47.5%, respectively, as compared to cutting taken from bottom portion. Besides, statistical analysis showed highly significant differences (P<0.01) in sprouting of different stalk portions from the bottom portion, i.e. treatments (T1, T2, T4 and T5) significantly increased sprouting percentage over the bottom stalk portion. On the other hand, no significant effects of different stalk portions were observed on plant population, plant height, cane yield and its components at harvest. Cane growers are also advised to use the middle and top portions of cane plant as planting material for commercial sugar production. However, further studies are necessary considering a range of commercial sugarcane varieties and soil type in all sugar plantations in Ethiopia to come up with clear-cut recommendations.