How to fertilize sugarcane? Correct fertilization methods and precautions
Sugarcane is a fruit we all know well. It is a stem vegetable, rich in nutrients and full of 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 a long growing period and high yield, which also means it has a huge demand for fertilizer. It can be said directly that the amount of fertilizer applied determines the sugarcane yield. Therefore, fertilizing sugarcane is extremely important. So how should sugarcane be fertilized? Let's take a look together.
1. Fertilizer requirements
Sugarcane has a relatively long growing period and a relatively high yield. The yield per mu can generally reach 5-8 tons, and high-yield fields can reach 10 tons. It needs a large amount of nutrients throughout its entire growth period. According to research, for every 1 ton of sugarcane produced, 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 are consumed. 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 sugarcane buds to grow. Generally, 1500-2000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu is applied, together with 20-30 kg of compound fertilizer. For spring-planted sugarcane, holes can be opened and the fertilizer applied in the holes, then inorganic fertilizer applied on both sides. For winter-planted sugarcane, it can be used as seed-covering fertilizer, and after fertilizing, cover with a layer of soil, so that the sugarcane buds can overwinter safely.
3. Fertilization at the seedling stage
In order for sugarcane to tiller as soon as possible and sprout early and quickly, seedling-promoting fertilizer should be applied early at the seedling stage. This can promote root growth of sugarcane buds, promote leaf growth and improve photosynthesis. For seedling fertilizer, high-nitrogen compound fertilizer is recommended. When the sugarcane seedlings grow 3-4 leaves, use 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 drought 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 high-nitrogen and high-potassium compound fertilizer, 8-15 kg per mu. Just like the seedling fertilizer, apply it mixed with water or with soil.
4. Fertilization in 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 applied heavily. Generally, at the early elongation stage and the full elongation stage, use 15-20 kg of high-nitrogen compound fertilizer per mu each time, and combine it with intertillage and earthing up to promote root growth and improve root absorption capacity. Fertilization in 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. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.