My sugarcane shows yellow stripes and stunted growth, is it iron or a soil pH problem?

Pale young leaves with yellow striping and stunted canes on the lime-rich patches of a sugarcane field most likely point to iron deficiency chlorosis driven by high soil pH. On calcareous or alkaline soils there is usually enough iron in the ground, but the high pH makes it unavailable, so the plant shows shortage on the new leaves where iron is immobile. The striped chlorosis between green veins on young leaves is the typical look. Please confirm with a soil test that includes pH, and rule out waterlogging in those patches, since standing water also blocks iron uptake. Because soil-applied iron tends to get locked up again at high pH, the practical correction is foliar feeding with ferrous sulphate, often around a 0.5 to 1 percent solution sprayed a few times on the affected new growth, or a chelated iron product where available. Improving soil organic matter over time and fixing drainage also help availability. Adjust the spray concentration and frequency to your local KVK advice and do not over-apply, because a strong solution scorches the leaves.