How to Fertilize Sugarcane? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Methods

Sugarcane is a fruit we all know well. It is a stem vegetable, rich in nutrients and packed with the water and sugar the human body needs, and it is deeply loved by people. As market demand grows, its planting area is also becoming wider and wider. Sugarcane has the characteristics of a long growing period and high yield, and these also mean it has an enormous demand for fertilizer. It can be said directly that the amount of fertilizer applied determines the sugarcane yield. So fertilizing sugarcane is extremely important. So how should sugarcane be fertilized? Let's take a look.

1. Fertilizer requirements

Sugarcane has a relatively long growing period and a relatively high yield. Generally, the yield per mu can reach 5-8 tons, and high-yield fields can reach 10 tons. It needs a large amount of nutrients throughout its growth period. According to research, for every 1 ton of sugarcane produced, it consumes 1.5-2 kg of nitrogen, 1-1.5 kg of phosphorus, 2-2.5 kg of potassium and 0.5-0.75 kg of calcium. In addition, the entire growth period of sugarcane can be divided into several stages, among which the fertilizer needed during its elongation stage accounts for 65%-75% of the whole growth period.

2. Apply enough base fertilizer

Base fertilizer is generally applied before planting, mainly organic fertilizer combined with chemical fertilizer, which can provide sufficient nutrients for the growth of sugarcane buds. Generally, 1500-2000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer is applied per mu, together with 20-30 kg of compound fertilizer. For spring-planted sugarcane, holes can be opened and the fertilizer applied inside the holes, then inorganic fertilizer applied on both sides; for winter-planted sugarcane, it can be used as a seed-covering fertilizer, and after application a layer of soil is covered, so that the sugarcane buds can safely overwinter.

3. Fertilization at the seedling stage

In order to let sugarcane tiller as soon as possible and sprout early and grow quickly, seedling-promoting fertilizer should be applied early at the seedling stage. This can promote root growth of the sugarcane buds, promote leaf growth and improve photosynthesis. For seedling fertilizer, it is recommended to use a high-nitrogen compound fertilizer. When the sugarcane seedlings grow 3-4 leaves, apply 8-10 kg of compound fertilizer per mu at this time; it can be applied in holes after mixing with water, or applied with soil during intertillage and weeding, but in dry conditions it should be applied in holes after mixing with water. After the seedlings tiller, in order to make the tillers thick and strong, strong-tiller fertilizer should be applied, generally using a high-nitrogen, high-potassium compound fertilizer, 8-15 kg per mu. As with the seedling fertilizer, apply it mixed with water or with soil.

4. Fertilization at the middle and late growth stages

The middle stage of sugarcane is mainly the elongation stage. This is the time when the stems grow rapidly and is also the key point for increasing yield, so fertilization must be heavy. Generally, at the early elongation stage and the peak elongation stage, apply 15-20 kg of high-nitrogen compound fertilizer per mu each time, combined with intertillage and earthing up, to promote root growth and improve the root's absorption capacity. Fertilization at the late stage is mainly to nurture the underground sugarcane buds and lay a good foundation for the ratoon crop the following year. Generally, a tail-strengthening fertilizer is applied once two months before maturity, using 5-8 kg of compound fertilizer per mu.

The above is an introduction to how to fertilize sugarcane. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.