MATURITY PATTERN IN FIELDS-IRRIGATED WITH FILTER ... - ISSCT

Plant Physiology

MATURITY PATTERN IN FIELDS-IRRIGATED WITH FILTER CAKE WATER Sergio V. Valdivia ,Jorge C. Pinna and Hernan A. Tello lnstituto Central de InvestigacionesAzucareras Apartado 22, Casa Grande, Trujillo, Peru.

ABSTRACT The ripening of sugarcane cul H32-8560 irrigated with filter a k e water was studied in Palmillo III and Viudas in the Casa Grandc Cooperative located on the Northern coast of Peru. The soil was alluvial, medium textured, calcareous, well drained, without salinity problem, high organic matter and NPK and high cation exchange capacity. Pol increased with age linearly and was not affected by Pan Evaporation (Eo), supply of nutrient by irrigation, and drying before hawesting. Also, purity and reducing sugar show maximum ripening independent of nutrient and drying. The peak appears approximately between 100 and 130 days after the lowest Eo. Filter cake water provided the equivalent of N at 60 and 145 Kg/ha at Palmillo and Viudas respectively. INTRODUCTION In the sugarcane industry, it is commonly accepted that the quality of sugarcane is increased when plant growth stops (sund2', Humbert etallO, Alexander and Samuels in Alexander' ), accumulating sucrose instead of being used for vegetative growth. Fauconnier and ~assereau", ~umbert-', ~akshrnikanthan'~and Thomasz2 indicated that the quantity is decreased with N applications which promotes vegetative growth, although, Fauconnier and ~assereau' in Mauritius and Bordon (in ~ u m b e r t indicated ~) that when there is a great quantity of N in the soil quality is improved. On the other hand, Samuels eta/. (in.Humbertg), Singh and singhZs, and Rosario et a l l 8 indicated that the quantity of nitrogen does not change the quality of sugarcane. ~ l e x a n d e r 'stated ~ ~ that the increase of quality is the result of biochemical changes that occur when the plant i s experiencing "stress". This stress can be caused by low temperatures, decrease in the water supply and deficit of nutrients, -that it is not necessary that the mainly NOg, P,K and Ca. Alexander believes

594

I

growing rate of the cane ceases for ripening, as it was believed before, but distinct metabolic regimes should be created.

..

Outward indications of cane stress such as stuntin$ or other visible symptoms are in fact manifestations of biochemical changes which have occured much earlier; the causal agents could return to their normal level after. This could be an answer to the contradictory results described previously between N applications and cane quality, or they could be explained by ~ u m b e r pin an extensive review indicating that N applications must be early, and so avoid sugarcane quality to be affected. Fauconnier and ~assereau*agree that the early application is important. With the aim of eludicating if the early absorption of N affects cane quality pdsitive~y,we studied maturity behavior with time in fields irrigated with filter press mud water ("agua de cachaza"), rich in nutrients, specially N, and it is applied until near harvest, when cane ripens. Valdivia found that later applications of N did not affect cane quality, and Valdivia eta/24 showed that ripening induction in Peru can be induced by a low potentiallevapotranspiration, in spite of maintaining the crop constantly under irrigation. The filter press mud water used in Peru for irrigation i s in fact a mixture of vinaza (sugarcane alcohol factory waste effluent), settlement waste water and sugar mill effluent. It has a high concentration of N, P, K and other nutrients (Valdiv'ia et and there is no-response to N fertilization in fields irrigated with this water in contrast to fields that are irr~gatedwith normal water. International references about the use of filter press mud water, are scarce. In Queensland field applications of mollasses diluted in filter press mud and irrigation water were made ( ~ e r r ' ~ )However, . there is plentiful bibliography about the use of filter press ~l e , x a n d e r ~ in ), mud (solid) like fertilizer, in South Africa mo odds^; Du ~ o i t ~ Puertb Rico (0ben15 Mc Connie e t all4, Samuels and capotg' Samuels and Landrau in Alexander ), in Jamaica (lnnes"), in Guyana (Evans, in Davies and vlitos5) in Colombia ( ~ a r n o s ' ~in ) Cuba (Aloma e t a14), and in Trinidad (~rasad 16).

>

MATERIALS AND METHOD The work was conducted in Casa Grande Agrarian Cooperative, located in north coast of Peru (Chicama valley), in the fields Palmillo I l l and Viudas planted with cane H32-8560. Soils are alluvial, medium textured, calcareous, without salinity problems, well drained, well provided with organic matter and NPK, and have a high exchange capacity. Both fields were fertilized with different N rates in order to study the response of sugarcane to N fertilization in fields irrigated with filter mud water. In Table 1 we can see the average results of the chemical analysis of the filter press mud water used. Starting at 240-290 days after planting, four samples of cane per plot were

Palmillo

7

sE

-

0

0

100200300400500600 Age Days I J'F'MXMJ J ASONDJFMA 1973 1974

FIGURE 1.

Viudas

0-0

100200300400500MX)700 Aae Davs

Accumulative contribution of nutrients N, P, K and Ca by filter press mud water with time. Class A pan evaporation (Eo) and pol % variation with sugarcane age.

598

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

taken a t 60-90days interval till 100 days before harvest, when they were taken at 30 days intervals to determine quality. Samples were prepared by the method of humid disintegration and pol, fiber, brix, reducing sugars and humidity were analyzed. There were no statistical differences among N rates for the quality characteristics in any age.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Weather and N contribution influence of pol -

%

In Fig. I, we can see the accumulative contribution in kglha of total N, availqble N (NHJ - N + NO3 - N), PO4 K and Ca by filter press mud water with time, and pol % and 'class A pan evaporation (Eo) variation with sugarcane age. We have considered the pot % as the quality indicator to study influence of yeather and nutrients in sugar production, because it is the best indicator of sugarcane quality; although later we will discuss the variation with age of the other quality characteristics of cane. We can see in Fig. 1 that in Palrnillo Ill pol increased with age lin,early, and it i s not affected by the Eo, or by the continuous contribution of nutrients by the irrigation water. The results are in contrast with the theories of several authors. Because of the continuous supply of nutrients even at advanced age, the cane continued to grow but still ripened normally. Likewise, 100 days after the lower Eo (colder weather) there was no increase of the pol or quality, contradictory to Valdivia et a1 24 statement. ~ ~ indicated that when the ripening is The results confirm ~ l e x a n d e r 'who induced by nutrients, climatic or water stress, if the factors return to the normal, the process of ripening continues. In our case the stress has been produced by interval between irrigations often a t 30 or 40 days in which the absorption water by cane i s greatlv decreased, also nutrients absorption and evapotranspiration. This last factor having more influence in the induction of ripening (Valdivia e t a124

It is important to indicate that stress, to induce ripening occurs in Peru long before the last irrigation (190 days before harvest) because after this date witholding water does not affect ripening. The results of Viudas field confirm the results of Palmillo Ill. Ripening i s slightly decreased with age. We can also see in Fig. 1 the quantity of nutrients that are applied to the field with filter cake water, equivalent N (NH+ NO3 N) of 60 and 145 Kg Nlha 4 for Palmillo and Viudas, respectively.

+

-

Variation of quality characteristics with sugarcane age In Fig. 2 we are shown the great similarity in variation of the different quality

-

-_

-

I

A

I -

I

-

S. V. V A L D I V I A ET A L

I

Palmillo

90-1

0.01

200

. 300 I

*

I

*

,94

1

LOO 5b0 600 A g e - D a y s

.

1

Viudas

l

'

l

'

d

700 A g e - D a y s

FIGURE 2. Variation of quality characteristicswith sugarcane age. characteristics with time for both fields. The only difference is for fiber where in Palmillo there's no correlation with age.

It can be seen that fiber %, brix % increase with age and that water content decreases. The purity % increases with age, but decreases after 550 days. On the contrary the reducing sugar % decreases with age, but increases after 45Q to 500 -

600

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

days for Palmillo and Viudas respectively, this behavior show that there is a maximum ripening moment that was not observed for the pol % or for the other quality characteristics. The maximum quality i s attained later for purity % than for reducing sugars % and it i s completely independent of nutrients, irrigation water and of drying off. This peak could be due to the presence ot the secondgeneration or suckers, to deterioration or to a weather influence not sufficiently large to affect the pol %. We think that it is not due to suckers because in Peru generally they appear at a lesser age (400 days); or to deterioration, because the same is not observed in Peruvian conditions with planted cane not burned because the climate is extremely arid, (without rains). Probably the maximum maturity found is a consequence of the weather, since maximum quality is approximately between 100 and 130 days after the lower Eo i s obtained, confirming the statement of Valdivia

CONCLUSIONS

I

I

1

-

The pol % increases with age linearly and it is not affected by the Eo, or by the continued supply of nutrients by the irrigation water.

-

The drying - off made near harvest, with the aim of improving sugarcane ripening, did not affect cane quality.

-

The behavior of the purity an'd the reducing sugars show that there is a maximum maturity peak (age) of cane.

-

The maximum quality peak is completely independent of the supply of nutrients by the irrigation water and of drying off. This peak age is presented approximately between 100 and 130 days after the lower Eo.

-

The filter cake water adds to the field a great quantity of nutrients, equivalent N (NH+ - N t N) - N) and 145 kglha for Palmillo Ill and Viudas 3 fields, respectively.

I I

1

I

REFERENCES Alexander, A.G. (1968). The potential of sugarcane to produce sucrose. Proc. ISSCT, 13: 1-24.

, (1973). Sugarcane Physiology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 752 P. Alexander, K. E. F. (1972). Filter cake. Reprinted from the S. Afr. Sug. J., 56 (2): Review paper No. 6.

4.

Aloma, J., H. Perez and I. Cuellar (1974). Advancees in sugarcane fertilization in Cuba. Proc. ISSCT, 15:608-617. u

5.

Davies, W. and A. Vlitos (1968). Fertilization of sugarcane. Proc. ISSCT, 13: 68-83. %

6.

Dodds, H.H. (1932). Report on agricultural practice in the South African sugar industry. Proc. ISSCT, 4 (Bull. 120), 8 p.

7.

Du Toit, J. (1953). Sugarcane nutrition in South Africa. Proc. ISSCT, 8:

40 - 44. 8.

Fauconnier, R. and D, Bassereau (1975). La Cana de Azucar. Ed Blume, Barcelona, 433 p.

9.

Humbert, R.P. (1968). The Growing of Sugar Cane. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 799 p.

10.

, M. Zamora and T.B. Fraser (1965). Ripening and maturity control progress at lngenio Los Mochis, Mexico, Proc. ISSCT, 12: 446-452.

11.

Innes, R. (1953). An introduction to the sugarcane agriculture of Jamaica Proc. ISSCT, 8: 328-358.

12.

Kerr, H. (1932). Molasses as a fertilizer. Proc. ISSCT, 4 (Bull. 56), 2 p.

13.

Lakshmikantham, M. (1974). Applications of phosphate and potash and their effect on the juice quality of cane crops following heavy fertilization. Proc. ISSCT, 15: 633-636.

14.

McConnie, R.C., M. Oben and L. de Celis (1932). Notes on the sugar industry of Puerto Rico. Proc. ISSCT, 4 (Bull. 86), 62 p.

15.

Oben, M. (1932) the cultivation of sugarcane in the south side of island of Puerto Rico. Proc. ISSCT, (Bull. 86), 62 p.

16.

Prasad, M. (1974).The effect of filter press mud on the availability of macroand micronutrients. Proc. ISSCT, 15: 568-575.

17.

Ramos, G. (1953). Sugar cane of the Cauca Valley of Colombia. Proc. ISSCT, 8: 235-240.

18.

Rosario, E.L., N. Chantha and M.B. Lopez (1977). Influence of fertility levels on yield determining physiomorphological characteristics of some sugarcane varieties. Proc. ISSCT, 16: 1865-1884.

602

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

19.

Samuels, G. and B. Capo (1953). A survey of the agronomic practices in growing sugarcane in Puerto Rico in 1952. Proc. ISSCT, 8: 240-247.

20.

Singh, P.P. and G. Singh (1971). Soil moisture regimes and levels of n'itrogen: effects on the yield and quality of sugarcane. Proc. ISSCT, 14,6 p., reprint.

21.

Sund, K.A. (1968). The influence of cold weather on the cultivation and harvest of sugarcane at Haft Tappeh, Iran. Proc. ISSCT, 13: 608-614.

22.

Thomas, J.R. (1978). Sugqr cane juice quality and nitrogen fertilization. Abstract of paper presented a t eight annual meeting, ASSCT. In Sugar y Azucar, 73 (6), p. 38.

23.

Valdivia V., S., H. Tello A. and V. Pongo H. (1975). Respuesta de la cana de azucar al riego con agua de cachaza y a la fertilizacion con NPK. Saccharum, 3 (1): 26-43.

24.

,E. Angulo A. and J. Pinna C. (1976). Influencia de la evapotranspiracion potencial de la cana de azucar en la acumulacion de sacarosa y otras cracteristics de calidad. Saccharum, 4 (2): 43-62.

25.

and J. Pinna C. (1978). Efecto de la aplication tardia del nitrogen0 en el cultivar de cana H32-8560: 11. lnfluencia de las dosis crecientes, en el rendimiento, calidad y nutrientes, asi como en su variacion con la edad. Saccharum, 6(2): 146-147.

I

CARACTERISTICAS DE LA MADURACION DE CAMPOS REGADOS CON AQUA DE CACHAZA Sergio V. Valdivia, Jorge C. Pinna y Herman A. Tello

RESUMEN En la Cooperativa Casa Grande, ubicada en la costa norte del Peru, en 10s campos Palmillo HI y Viudas, cultivados con cana H32-8560 de 4' corte y planta, respectivamente, regados con agua de cachaza, se estudio las caracteristicas de maduracion de la cana. Los suelos son de origen aluvial, de textura media, calcareos, sin problemas de salinidad ni de alto nivel freatico, bien provistos de materia organica y de NPK, y tienen una alta capacidad de cambio. Los resultados nos muestran que la pol % aumenta con lh edad en farma lineal, no viendose afectada por la evaporacion tanque (Eo), ni por el aporte continuo y sostenido de nutrientes por el agua de riego,

tampoco por el hecho de dejar de regar cerca de la cosecha (agoste). Tambien que el comportamiento de la pureza y de 10s azucares reductores muestra en momento maximo de inaduracion de lccana, completamente independiente del aporte de nutrien$es por .el agua de riego, y del agoste. Dicho maxim0 se presenta approximadamente entre 100 y 130 dias despues de la mas baja Eo.

Se encuentra igualrnente, que el agua de cachaza incorpora a1 campo una gran cantidad de ekmentos nutrievos, siendo la aplicacion de N disponible de 60 y 145 kg/ha para Palmillo y Viudas, respectivamente.