Optimal crop nutrient management for sugarcane production on clayey soil in central of Thailand

Response of sugarcane to nutrient management on clayey soil in central region of Thailand was studied. The purpose was to obtain a systematic effective fertilizer recommendation for sugarcane production. This study was set up in 2 soil series, i.e. 1) Lamnarai soil series at Paisali District, Nakhon Sawan Province, and 2) Lop Buri soil series at Takfa District, Nakhon Sawan Province. An experiment on Lamnarai soils was statistical designed in split-split plot with 3 replications which main plots consisted of 1) without soil amendment and 2) amendment with 100 kg/rai of sulfur. Sub plots comprised clone 94-2-106 and LK92-11 sugarcane variety.Sub sub plots were fertilizer application rates i.e. 0-6-6, 6-6-6, 12-6-6 and 18-6-6 kg N-P2O5-K2O/rai. Another experiment on Lop Burisoils was also designed in split-split plot with 3 replications which main plot comprised 1) without soil amendment and 2) amendment with 800 kg/rai of chicken manure. Sub plots were sugarcane varieties i.e. Khon Kaen 3 and LK92-11. Sub sub plots were fertilizer application rates i.e. 0-6-6, 6-6-6, 12-6-6 and 18-6-6 kg N-P2O5-K2O/rai. The results showed that average yield of sugarcane grown on Lamnarai soils without soil amelioration was 25.49 t/rai. When the soil was amended with sulfur, the yield increased to 27.80 t/rai. Average yield of clone 94-2-106 grown on Lamnarai soils was 27.98 t/rai higher potential than LK92-11 variety which average yield was about 24.31 t/rai. 94-2-106 sugarcane clone production on Lamnarai soil without soil amelioration should be applied with fertilizer at 6-6-6 kg N-P2O5-K2O/rai whereas LK92-11 variety should be applied with 12-6-6 kg N-P2O5-K2O/rai in order to maximize beneficial investment. The results of Lop Buri soils showed that average yield of sugarcane without soil amelioration was 21.46 t/rai. If the soil was amended with chicken manure, the yield increased to 22.26 t/rai. Average yield of Khon Kaen 3 variety was about 23.74 t/rai higher potential than LK92-11 variety which average yield was 19.97 t/rai. Application of chicken manure could reduce the nitrogen fertilizer application rate. Production of Khon Kaen 3 variety on Lop Buri soil without soil amelioration should apply with 12-6-6 kg N-P2O5-K2O /rai, whereas under application of chicken manure the fertilizer should be reduced to 6-6-6 kg N-P2O5-K2O/rai. Similarly, production of LK92-11 variety without soil amendment should apply with 18-6-6 kg N-P2O5-K2O/rai. If the chicken manure was applied, the chemical fertilizer application could be reduced to 6-6-6 kg N-P2O5-K2O/rai, which was most maximize beneficial investment