The Effects of Soil Fertility and Nutrition on Sugarcane Quality: a Review

The fertility status of the soil and the standard of fertiliser management can have an important effect on the chemical composition and quality of cane juice. Both nutrient deficiency and nutrient excess can result in below optimum sucrose contents. Excessive potassium uptake may promote cane lodging and high potassium levels in juice can also influence the exhaustibility of final molasses, the colour and ash content of raw sugars. Juice quality parameters other than sucrose content, such as soluble high molecular weight polysaccharides can interfere with the processing of raw sugar. The level of crop nutrition may also influence the presence of non-sucrose constituents such as total amino acid, phenol and gum content. The results of past fertiliser trials are reviewed to assess the impact of mainly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilisation on cane quality and the implications of over and under fertilisation in terms of the RV cane payment system. More than ever before, there is a need for growers to use soil and leaf analysis in order to maximise RV production. Fertiliser use in excess of FAS recommendations is not only wasteful but will be more ‘expensive’ under the RV system of payment.