Effect of humic acid on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane

The effect of humic acid on growth yield and quality of sugarcane crop were investigated at Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Manjari bk. Pune (MH). The soil was clay in texture with low in available nitrogen, high in available phosphorus and moderately high in available potassium. Humic acid was applied in soil, foliar and combination of soil and foliar application. A absolute control plot did not receive any fertilizer. NPK fertilizers were applied uniformly to all the plots. The results concluded that application of humic acid @ 10 kg ha^-1 at planting or ratooning increased cane yield by 24.3 t ha^-1 and sugar yield by 4.9 t ha^-1 of sugarcane (var. Co. 86032) and found economically beneficial (B:C ratio 3.94). The increased cane yield was contributed by increased nutrient availability in soil, no. of milliable canes and cane height in humic acid applied treatment. Humic acid application in soil improved phosphate and potash availability. Therefore this study recommended that application of humic acid @ 10 kg ha^-1 at planting or ratooning increased cane and sugar yield.