ARS | Publication request: SUGARCANE LEAF P DIAGNOSIS IN ORGANIC SOILS

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 30, 2002
Publication Date: June 26, 2002
Citation: Morris, D.R., Glaz, B.S., Powell, G., Deren, C.W., Snyder, G.H., Perdomo, R., Ulloa, M.F. 2002. Sugarcane leaf p diagnosis in organic soils. American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. 65(1): P. 22-23.

Interpretive Summary: Sugarcane is grown mostly on organic soils in south Florida. Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient for high sugarcane yields, but producers are required to reduce P levels in water ways. One way to monitor P uptake in sugarcane is through leaf diagnosis. The objective of this study was to determine the best time to leaf sample during the summer months and to relate optimum leaf P tissue content and yield. A 3-year field study was conducted on four organic soil locations in south Florida. An 8 by 3 factorial experimental design with four replications was used at each location with eight sugarcane (interspecific hybrids of Saccharum sp.) genotypes in combination with three fertilizer P rates (0, 24, and 48 kg P ha-1). Upper-most fully expanded leaves were sampled in early, mid, and late summer prior to three harvests (plant cane, first ratoon, and second ratoon). Even though sugarcane yields increased with increased P fertilizer rates at three location, there was no consistent pattern relating leaf P tissue content with yields. Optimum leaf P tissue content should be calibrated for each field, harvest, and sampling date.

Technical Abstract: American Society of Sugarcane Tech. meeting at Amelia Island Plantation, Florida on June 23-30,2002