ISSN:
1573-0867
Keywords:
drip-fertigation
;
efficiency
;
nitrogen
;
sugar cane
;
uptake
;
yield
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Nitrogen (N) fertilizer use efficiency by sugar cane in Mauritius rarely exceeds 40%. Since drip-irrigation delivers water uniformly and directly to the root zone with little run-off, application of N via the drip-irrigation system could therefore provide a means of enhancing fertilizer N use by sugar cane. A study was initiated in Mauritius to determine what benefits would accrue from applying urea (120 kg N per ha) to sugar cane through the drip-irrigation network. The data obtained showed that the efficiency of fertilizer N when measured at harvest was nearly doubled by supplying the N daily over 10 to 20 weeks by fertigation. Increased yields of sugar or cane did not, however, accompany the improved N use efficiency. Furthermore, when N was applied through the drip-irrigation network, recovery of N at harvest did not accurately reflect N use efficiency.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00750250
