What conditions are needed for growing sugarcane?
Sugarcane, as a fruit with an extremely high sugar content and plenty of water, is loved by many people. Its average height is over two meters. As a relatively tall crop, sugarcane has fairly high requirements, and once it is not managed well, pests and diseases can easily occur. Let's take a look below at what conditions are needed to grow sugarcane!
1. Temperature
Sugarcane is a temperature-loving crop. The surrounding temperature needs to be kept above 18°C and below 30°C every day, and its growth amount will increase with accumulated temperature. When the temperature is below 20°C, the growth rate will become slow, but it is also conducive to the accumulation of sugar in the plant. After the temperature drops below 13°C, sugarcane will stop growing. Different varieties also have different temperature requirements.
2. Sunlight
98% of the sugar content and weight of sugarcane itself is produced by the sugarcane leaves through photosynthesis in sunlight. Because the photosynthesis of sugarcane is different from that of other crops, it needs extremely strong sunlight for photosynthesis. The stronger the light, the stronger the photosynthesis. The length of sunlight exposure directly affects the yield of sugarcane, and the most suitable duration in a day is eight hours.
3. Air
During the growth and development of sugarcane, the quality of the air is also inseparable, because sugarcane performs photosynthesis during the day and respiration at night, and both of these behaviors require carbon dioxide and oxygen. The content of these two gases in the air will also directly affect the growth and development of sugarcane. The soil needs to contain oxygen so that sugarcane can carry out photosynthesis smoothly, so the soil must be well aerated.
4. Water
From sowing until maturity, sugarcane needs a large amount of water. People who often eat sugarcane will know that the sugarcane stalk contains a great deal of water. Water will directly affect the sugar content in the sugarcane plant and the final quality, so if there is a long-term drought, the water supply for sugarcane must be ensured. This is especially true during the sugarcane elongation stage, which is the stage when sugarcane needs water the most.
5. Nutrients
Sugarcane grows slowly and takes a long time, but its yield is relatively high, so the nutrient consumption it requires is correspondingly greater. The length and sweetness of sugarcane have a directly proportional relationship with the amount of nutrients it absorbs, so before planting, base fertilizer should be applied sufficiently, and topdressing should be added appropriately. Ensure the needed nutrients and improve the yield and quality of sugarcane.
6. Soil
Sugarcane absorbs nutrients and water from the soil, and its roots grow and develop in the soil, making it an important place. The quality of the soil has a great influence on the high yield of sugarcane. Although sugarcane has strong adaptability, different soils and different levels of fertility will also cause great differences in the yield and quality of sugarcane.
The above six are the conditions that need attention when growing sugarcane. Of course, there are also some other conditions, such as variety. Different varieties are also one of the factors affecting sugarcane yield. Everyone needs to pay attention to the above conditions, because sugarcane is highly sensitive to these factors and they can easily affect sugarcane yield. I also hope this article can help everyone.