Best Fertilizer for Sugarcane in India
Sugarcane is a long-duration, high-yielding cash crop that stays in the field for 10 to 18 months and removes large amounts of nutrients, so it needs a heavy but well-split fertiliser plan.
Overview
Sugarcane is a long-duration, high-yielding cash crop that stays in the field for 10 to 18 months and removes large amounts of nutrients, so it needs a heavy but well-split fertiliser plan. Nitrogen is given in three or four splits up to the grand growth stage, while phosphorus goes in at planting and potash is split between planting and earthing-up. Because the crop grows for so long, single heavy doses are wasted and timing matters more than in cereals. Sugarcane often needs sulphur, zinc and iron, especially in light and calcareous soils. ICAR and State Agricultural Universities give region-specific N:P:K ranges that vary widely by state and season. Use the figures below as a guide and always adjust to your Soil Health Card or a fresh soil test, your variety and crop type, and local KVK or factory advice.
Recommended NPK dose for Sugarcane
ICAR and state recommendations for sugarcane range widely, commonly about 250 to 300 kg N, 60 to 85 kg P2O5 and 60 to 120 kg K2O per hectare, which is roughly 100 to 120 kg N, 24 to 34 kg P2O5 and 24 to 48 kg K2O per acre. Tropical states and adsali or long-duration crops use the higher end. In fertiliser terms a typical dose per hectare is about 130 to 185 kg DAP plus 480 to 560 kg urea plus 100 to 200 kg MOP, with the exact mix depending on your basal grade. Ratoon crops often need extra nitrogen. These vary greatly by region, so always adjust to your Soil Health Card or a fresh soil test and confirm with your local KVK, sugar factory or State Agricultural University.
Application schedule
Apply full phosphorus, about one third of the potash and a small starter dose of nitrogen at planting in the furrow. Give nitrogen in three or four splits: at about 30 to 45 days, at 60 to 90 days during tillering, and the final main split with the rest of the potash at earthing-up around 120 to 135 days, before the grand growth stage. Do not apply nitrogen after the grand growth stage, as late nitrogen lowers sugar recovery and promotes lodging. For ratoon, start nitrogen soon after the previous harvest and follow a similar split pattern.
Organic & bio-fertilizers
Apply 10 to 25 tonnes of well-rotted farmyard manure, compost or pressmud per hectare before planting, about 4 to 10 tonnes per acre, since this long crop benefits greatly from organic matter. Pressmud from sugar factories and spent wash are valuable where available. Green manuring with dhaincha or sunhemp before planting adds nitrogen and improves the soil. Treat setts and apply Azotobacter, Azospirillum and PSB biofertilisers, which can save a useful share of nitrogen and phosphorus. Trash mulching of cane leaves conserves moisture and recycles potassium back to the soil.
Micronutrients & deficiency signs
Sugarcane commonly needs sulphur, zinc and iron, especially in light and calcareous soils. Zinc deficiency shows as white to yellow stripes between the veins on young leaves with short internodes; apply about 25 kg zinc sulphate per hectare where the soil test confirms it. Iron deficiency, common in calcareous soils, shows as yellow new leaves with green veins and is best corrected by ferrous sulphate foliar spray. Sulphur deficiency causes overall pale young leaves and is corrected with gypsum or single super phosphate, which also helps juice quality. Apply micronutrients only as the soil test indicates.
Tips & cautions
Split nitrogen into three or four doses across the long growth period, because this crop cannot use a single heavy dose and the surplus is wasted. Prefer neem-coated urea for slower release in this long-duration crop. Place phosphorus in the furrow at planting and pair the final potash with earthing-up. Do not apply nitrogen after the grand growth stage, as late nitrogen lowers sugar recovery and causes lodging. Use pressmud, trash mulch and biofertilisers to cut chemical fertiliser cost. Always base the plan on your Soil Health Card and local KVK or factory advice.
These are general recommendations. For the exact dose, follow your Soil Health Card / soil test and local KVK, and avoid over-applying urea.
FAQs
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