Impact of Beneficial Soil Bacteria, Growth Promoting Hormones, and Nutritional Solutions on Sugarcane Physiology, Cane Population, Yield and Economics

Abstract To study the effects of nutrient solutions, growth promoting hormones and beneficial soil microbes on sugarcane physiology, cane population, yield and economics, field experiments were carried out at the Sugarcane Research Station, Cuddalore for three years, from 2022-2025. The studies were set up using a randomized block design and were duplicated three times using eight different treatments viz., T1- control, T2- soil application of azophos @ 15kg/ha + sugarcane booster recommended dose, T3- T2 + foliar spray of nutrient solution along NAA 40 ppm @ 30th DAP, T4-T2 + foliar spray of nutrient solution along with kinetin 50ppm @30th DAP, T5-foliar spray of nutrient solution and kinetin 50ppm @ 30th DAP, T6 -T2+ foliar spray of nutrient solution and kinetin 50ppm @ 30th DAP, T7 -foliar spray of nutrient solution along NAA 40 ppm @30th DAP and T8 - foliar spray of nutrient solution along with kinetin 50ppm @ 30th DAP. Pooled data of three years study indicated that different treatments with plant growth regulators had significant effect on growth, yield and quality parameters of sugarcane. These experiments showed that the soil application of azophos @ 15 kg/ha + sugarcane booster recommended dose, foliar spray of nutrient solution and NAA 40 ppm @ 30th DAP resulted in significantly higher millable cane populations of 1.19 (‘000/ha) in plant crops and 1.10 (‘000/ha) in ratoon crops, leaf area index of 6.82 and 6.45 in plant and ratoon crops, total chlorophyll content of 4.82 mg/g and 4.24 mg/g in plant and ratoon crops respectively, cane yield in plant (132 t/ha) and ratoon cane (129 t/ha). Both Azophos biofertilizer and nutrient solution along with NAA hormone can be valuable tools for improving sugarcane yield and quality. Their combined application can lead to enhanced nutrient uptake, better root development, increased cane thickness, and ultimately, higher yields and sugar content. Keywords: Azophos biofertilizer, nutrient solution, NAA hormone, sugarcane, ratoon crop