Using the right fertilizers in order to provide the sugar cane necessities

By using Haifa's fertilizers, the nutrients uptake curve can show great improvement

Plant population: Stalk density at harvest 90,000-150,000 Stalk/Ha. (achieved by planting 10,000-15,000 cuttings or setts of 2-3 eyes or bud per Ha).
Soil type: Medium to heavy; optimal pH 5.0 - 8.5.
Expected yield: 200-300 MT/ha.

Nitrogen - The recommended amount of nitrogen is based on 1 Kg N per ton of expected plant cane, and 1.25 - 1.50 Kg of N per ton of cane expected for ratoon crops. Nitrogen must be applied at an early stage of growth. For a 12 months crop, the entire amount should be applied within 3-4 months after planting. It is essential to complete N application at least 5 months before intended date of harvest.

Phosphate - All applied at planting according to soil analysis.

Potassium - In heavy soils, all the recommended amount of K is applied as base dressing. In lighter soils, it is preferable to apply one half of the total amount as base dressing and the rest 6 months later.

Recommended rates of nutrients for sugarcane

Base-Dressing

Side dressing

The nitrogen should be divided to 3-4 applications within 3-4 months after planting.
* 
SOP = Potassium Sulphate (50% K₂O).
Haifa Multi-K™ = Potassium Nitrate (13-0-46)
AN = Ammonium Nitrate (34% N)
MAP = Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (12% N and 61% P₂O₅)

Foliar feeding

This treatment should be applied as a series of 3-4 applications, 3-4 weeks apart.

Do not wait with the application of Haifa Bonus™ until you need to apply Glyphosate because the Glyphosate application is about 35 – 40 days before harvesting while the demand for K at this stage is very low.

Highest demand for K in sugar cane is between 4 – 2,5 months before harvest. 
Haifa Bonus application should be done at the best phenological stage, by 1-2 applications with 10% concentration (3Kg/30liters/hectare) by plane. Aerial

Nutrients uptake curve of sugarcane

The common practice in Colombia is to desiccate the sugarcane foliage prior to harvesting, by spraying glyphosate, one month before the scheduled harvesting, at a rate of 1.4 lit./Ha.

In an experiment that was carried out in Colombia, glyphosate was applied by helicopter at the recommended rate, in comparison to 0.7 lit. glyphosate / Ha (half the regular rate) combined with 10% Multi-K™.
This treatment with Multi-K™ increased the sugar level in the cane and reduced the application cost.

Macro elements removed by 1 ton marketable product

Plant analysis guide

Nutrient sufficiency ranges (source: A & L, Agronomy Handbook, Ankerman & Large Eds.)

Sugarcane – Mineral analysis values

Need more information about growing sugar cane? You can always return to the sugar cane fertilizer and the crop guide