Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2015) xxx, xxx–xxx

King Saud University

Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences

www.ksu.edu.sa
www.sciencedirect.com

Best suited timing schedule of inorganic NPK

fertilizers and its effect on qualitative and
quantitative attributes of spring sown sugarcane
(Saccharum officinarum L.)
Sajid Hussain a,*, M. Anwar-ul-Haq b, Shahbaz Hussain b, Zeeshan Akram a,
Muhammad Afzal a, Imran Shabbir a

a
Cane Development Cell, Fatima Sugar Mills Limited, Kot Addu, Muzaffargarh 24050, Pakistan
b
Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan

Received 1 December 2014; revised 1 February 2015; accepted 20 February 2015

KEYWORDS Abstract Recently approved variety of sugarcane CPF-248 was grown at agriculture farms of
Sugarcane; Fatima Sugar Mills, Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. The experiment site was located at Latitude
N, P, K fertilizer; 30170 52.5800 N and Longitude 70570 44.3100 E. This experiment was conducted to sort out a suitable
Timing schedule; fertilizer timing schedule being practiced in the area. This promising variety was evaluated for inor-
Sucrose contents; ganic N, P and K at different growth stages throughout the year. Each fertilizer treatment had 60 m
Yield; long 3 rows at random. Center to center distance of each row was 1.35 m which makes total plot size
Value: cost of 1215 m2. Three budded cane sets were prepared and dipped in 0.25% solution of Thiophinate
methyl. After hot water treating at 52 C for 30 min cane sets were sown in 8 in. deep furrows
and buried with almost 1 in. thin layer of soil. There were 5 treatments and each treatment had
3 replications, the experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).
Qualitative and quantitative parameters i.e. germination% age, no. of tillers, stem elongation rate,
stem girth, sucrose contents and yield were recorded and periodic trend of these traits were plotted.
Significant (P 6 0.05) differences of fertilizer treatments on yield and yield contributing factors were
validated. Studied variety responded significantly not only from miller’s and breeder’s point of view
but also from sugarcane grower’s point of view. T2 was comparatively least significant while T4 was

* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: sajid1669@gmail.com (S. Hussain), haqgondal@g-
mail.com (M. Anwar-ul-Haq), shahussain75@gmail.com (S. Hussain),
uafshani430@gmail.com (Z. Akram), mafzaluaf98@gmail.com
(M. Afzal), imranshabbir111@gmail.com (I. Shabbir).
Peer review under responsibility of King Saud University.

Production and hosting by Elsevier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2015.02.004
1658-077X ª 2015 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Please cite this article in press as: Hussain, S. et al., Best suited timing schedule of inorganic NPK fertilizers and its effect on qualitative and quantitative attributes of
spring sown sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2015.02.004
2 S. Hussain et al.

2nd and T5 was 3rd most suitable treatments when comparative analysis was done with T1 (control).
By evaluating all the studied parameters and value cost ratio (VCR) treatment T3 was most suitable
timing schedule of NPK fertilizers.
ª 2015 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is
an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

1. Introduction
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is grown as a major
cash crop in southern zone of Punjab. The agro-climatic con-
ditions of the tract are quite favorable and the existing sugar
mills provide most feasible market for this crop. However,
due to certain limitations like lack of suitable production tech-
nology coupled with poor financial position of the growers, the
overall productivity of sugarcane is comparatively lower in this
area. As regards the national position, Pakistan ranks 6th in its
production, having the average cane yield of 50 tons ha1 (Ali
et al., 2000). Sugarcane is one of the leading cash crops of
Pakistan. It provides major raw material input for the domes-
tic sugar industry. It provides income to the grower and
employment for numerous farm and industrial workers
throughout the year.
Sugarcane is comparatively long duration crop and is being
usually intercepted by weed competition, affecting the overall
potential by more than 20–25%. In Southern Punjab, farmers
plant sugarcane on vast acreage due to developed sugar indus-
try and lucrative income generated by Gurr making.
In Pakistan Sugarcane lies at 4th position according to the
area cultivated throughout the world but it is very unfortunate
that it lies at number 14th according to per hectare sugar pro-
duction and even more unfortunate it lies at 52th in terms of
cane production per unit area. No doubt potential yield of
sugarcane growing areas of Pakistan can range from 125 to
150 tons ha1. But our national average sugarcane yield is
57 tons ha1 (economic survey of Pakistan 2013–14). Among
the poor management practices improper irrigation system,
unawareness of insect/pest, selection of improper variety, poor
weed control and imbalance use of fertilizers is one of the main
reasons of low yield and poor quality of sugarcane produced.
Karstens et al. (1992) reported that fertilizer use for sugar-
cane cultivation in Pakistan is imbalance and inappropriate.
According to a survey report, only 4% of the cane growers
use NPK and the majority (73%) of them relies only on NP
fertilization. Proper fertilization is an important management
function in sugarcane production. Nitrogen deficiency may
decrease cane yields, while excess N availability during the
ripening period reduces juice quality (Tabayoyong and
Robeniol, 1962).
No doubt biological potential for high yield is hidden in
fuzz but this potential is need to be explored at field level by
adopting suitable and proper inputs, cultural practices and
specific agro-climatic conditions. In this management package
balanced use of fertilizers at proper time has paramount
importance. In District Muzaffargarh from more than 30 years
sugarcane is occupying as major intensive crop, so since time
evolution of high yielding varieties, salinity and water lodging
problem has made the fertilizer use indispensable. In this
District there is a general trend of imbalance use of fertilizers
at incorrect time, which is fatal not only for farmers but also
for sugar industry. So there is a dire need to identify the bal-
ance fertilizer dose and best suitable time.
2. Material and methods
During year 2013–14, the experiment was carried out at
Agriculture Farm of Fatima Sugar Mills, Kot Addu to sort
out suitable fertilizer timing schedule throughout the cropping
season of sugarcane variety CPF-248. The treatments are given
below:
T1 = 0 N: 0 P2O5:0 K2O kg ha1 (control).
T2 = 158 N: 114 P2O5: 124K2O kg ha1 (all at sowing).
T3 = 190 N: 96 P2O5: 124 K2O kg ha1 (full P and ½ K at
sowing + 1/3 N at 50 DAS + 2/3 N and ½ K at 90
DAS + 3/3 N at 130 DAS).
T4 = 225 N: 106 P2O5:124 K2O kg ha1 (1/2 P and ½ K at
sowing + 2/2 P and N at 50 DAS + 2/4 N and 2/2 K at 90
DAS + 3/4 N at 130 DAS + 4/4 N at 160 DAS).
T5 = 282 N: 114 P2O5: 124 K2O kg ha ha1 (full P and ½
K at sowing + 1/5 N at 50 DAS + 2/5 N and 2/2 K at 90
DAS + 3/3 N at 130 DAS + 4/5 N at 160 DAS + 5/5 N
at 190 DAS).
The experiment was carried out under RCBD with three
replications. Each fertilizer treatment had 60 m long 3 rows
at random. Center to center distance of each row was 1.35 m
which makes total plot size of 1215 m2. Three budded cane sets
were prepared and hot water treated with 0.25% solution of
Thiophinate methyl. After hot water treating at 52 C for
30 min cane sets were sown in 8 in. deep furrows and covered
with almost 1 in. thin layer of soil. The N, P and K fertilizers
used in the experiment were applied in the form of Nitrophos
(NP), Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Mono Ammonium
Phosphate (MAP), Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN),
Urea and Sulfate of Potash (SOP) as per treatment schedule.
Prices and grades of all fertilizers used in the experiment are
given in Table 1.
All cultural practices, insect pest, disease and weed control
measures were followed uniformly in all the five treatments.
No. of tillers, cane girth and stalk height were recorded at
monthly interval till harvesting. On maturity each treatment
was harvested separately to record data on cane yield and yield
components. Five canes per stool from each treatment were
taken for commercial sucrose contents as suggested by
Meade and Chen (1977). The data were analyzed statistically
using ANOVA and simple quadratic regression through
MSTATC. The value cost ratio was calculated according to
Tandon and Roy (2004). Before planting a composite soil sam-
ple was taken at two different depths (0–6 in.) and (6–12 in.)
and analyzed for the physical as well as chemical properties
at Soil & Water Testing Laboratory, Cane Development Cell
(CDC), Fatima Sugar Mills, Muzaffargarh. Soil was loamy

Please cite this article in press as: Hussain, S. et al., Best suited timing schedule of inorganic NPK fertilizers and its effect on qualitative and quantitative attributes of
spring sown sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2015.02.004
Best suited timing schedule of inorganic NPK fertilizers and its effect 3

Table 1 Prices (PRs.) and grades (%) of fertilizers utilized in the experiment.
Fertilizers NP DAP MAP CAN Urea SOP
*
Price/bag (50 kgs) 2450 3600 3800 1400 1800 4100
Grade (%) N P K N P K N P K N P K N P K N P K
22 20 00 18 46 00 09 52 00 26 00 00 46 00 00 00 00 50
*
Prices are in Pakistani rupees (PRs.) during the year 2013–14.

Table 2 Physical and chemical properties of soil used in experiment.

Soil depth (in.) Soil texture Textural class pH ECe (dS m1) SAR O.M (%) N (%) P (ppm) K (ppm)
Clay (%) Sand (%) Silt (%)
0–6 18 37 45 Loamy 9 2.9 10 0.73 0.05 11.5 228
6–12 14 39 47 Loamy 8.5 2.3 8 0.66 0.03 8.75 195

in texture, strongly alkaline and poor in organic matter. The N
and P content was low while, K was adequate (Table 2).
3. Result and discussion
3.1. Germination percentage (%)
Germination is no doubt a very important factor because final
crop stand is solely depends upon good germination. Data in
Table 3 revealed that different timing schedules of N, P and
K significantly affected the germination of single variety
planted in all treatments. Average germination at given treat-
ments ranged from 45% to 60% at most. The maximum
germination (60%) was recorded in treatment T3 followed by
T5 (56%), T4 (55%) and T2 (53%) while minimum (45%)
was noticed in T1 control.
3.2. Tiller count (10 m sq1) and millable stalks (ha1)
From farmers point of view tillering is the most desirable char-
acter of a variety, good tillering not only ensures good yields
but also better ratoon ability of a sugarcane crop. Less tiller
mortality is another factor of a variety which guarantees maxi-
mum millable stalks per unit area. Data in Table 3 showed that
different timing schedules of N, P and K significantly affected
the tiller count. Periodic measurements of tiller count were
done till crop physiological maturity. Periodic trend of tiller
decline is expressed in the Graph 1. It was recorded that maxi-
mum tiller decline was observed in the month of June. Tillers
had started stabilizing from September onwards. In all treat-
ments on an average 8–12 millable stalks/m2 were recorded.
The maximum tillers of 120 per 10 m2 were recorded in treat-
ment T3 and minimum were in control T1. The tiller count

Table 3 Qualitative and quantitative attributes of sugarcane variety CPF-248.

Treatments Germination No. of tillers Stalk Stem Commercial Sugar Yield Millable Cane Yield
(%) (10 m sq1) Height Girth Cane Sugar (%) (tons ha1) stalks (ha1) (tons ha1)
(cm) (cm)
0N: 0 P2O5: 0 45.000 C 85.67 C 145.00 D 2.0200 E 12.080 A 4.893 D 85667 C 40.48 D
K2O Control (T1)
158N:114 53.000 B 101.33 B 244.67 C 2.3500 D 11.607 B 9.760 C 101333 B 84.11 C
P2O5:124 K2O
(T2)
190N:96 P2O5:124 60.000 A 120.00 A 294.00 A 3.1200 A 11.977 A 15.300 A 120000 A 127.75 A
K2O (T3)
225N:106 55.000 B 100.00 BC 272.67 B 2.8800 B 11.110 C 12.257 B 100000 BC 109.17 B
P2O5:124 K2O
(T4)
282N: 114 56.667 AB 113.33 AB 280.00 B 2.6200 C 10.880 D 10.200 C 113333 AB 94.85 C
P2O5:124 K2O
(T5)
Critical Value 4.3004 15.644 16.930 0.1792 0.2022 1.3312 15644 11.449
(CV)
Standard Dev. 1.8649 6.7840 7.3417 0.0777 0.0877 0.5773 6784.0 4.9648
(SD)
LSD 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05

Please cite this article in press as: Hussain, S. et al., Best suited timing schedule of inorganic NPK fertilizers and its effect on qualitative and quantitative attributes of
spring sown sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2015.02.004
4 S. Hussain et al.
(10 m2) and millable stalks per hectare were recorded in the
order of T3 > T5 > T4 > T2 and followed by T1 (control).
Junejo et al. (2010) reported that millable canes are most
important yield contributing parameters. Ali et al. (2000) con-
cluded that significantly maximum millable canes ha1 were
obtained with application of NPK at 200–200–100 kg ha1.
Rathore et al. (1996) found that 100 kg K2O per hectare
applied as basal fertilizer resulted in a significantly higher num-
ber of tillers as compared with other treatments. Sandhu
(1991) reported that NPK @ 100–100–100 kg per hectare pro-
duced higher number of millable canes. Malik (1993) stated
that maximum number of millable canes per unit area was
obtained from 170–110–0 kg NPK per hectare. Akhtar et al.
(2000) reported that maximum number of millable canes was
produced at 200–100–100 kg NPK per hectare, while Ali
et al. (2000) recorded maximum number of millable canes at
250–112–112 kg NPK.
3.3. Stalk height (cm) and stem girth (cm)
Stalk height and stem girth are those character which makes
cane weight so directly attributes to final harvest. Data in
Table 3 showed that applying N, P and K during different
times of cropping season significantly affected the stalk height
and stem girth. Measurements of stalk height and stem girth
were done at one month interval during different times of
Graph 1 Tillering pattern of crop under different studied
treatments.
Graph 2 Stalk height throughout cropping season under differ-
ent studied treatments.
Please cite this article in press as: Hussain, S. et al., Best suited timing schedule of inorganic NPK fertilizers and its effect on qualitative and quantitative attributes of
spring sown sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2015.02.004
the year till crop physiological maturity. Periodic ascending
trend of cane stalk height and stem girth is expressed in the
Graphs. 2 and 3 respectively. It was recorded that maximum
plant growth (2.10 cm) per day was in the month of July
because weather was humid, hot and sunshine hours were opti-
mum so rapid growth was observed. Stalk height started
stabilizing from October onwards. By looking at the treat-
ments T5 & T4 it was clear that applying fertilizer in the
months August, September and October had no significant
increase over crop growth and stem girth. At maturity maxi-
mum cane height and stem girth of 302 cm and 3.12 cm respec-
tively were found in treatment T3 and minimum in T1 control.
The nine months of stalk height in all treatments were
recorded in the order of T3 > T5 > T4 > T2 and followed
by T1 (control) while stem girth was measured for four months
of maturity in the order of T3 > T4 > T5 > T2 and followed
by T1 (control) (see Graph 4).
Majidano et al. (2003) and Mehboob et al. (2000) stated
that significantly maximum cane thickness and cane height
ha1 was obtained with the balanced NPK application. The
cane thickness and cane height increased progressively with
application of NPK at 200–80–160 kg ha1 Bokhtiar et al.
(2002). The plant height and cane girth are the major con-
tributing factors for high cane yield (Rehman et al. (1992).
Graph 3 Periodic trend of crop under different studied
treatments.
Graph 4 Stem girth variations of crop under different studied
treatments.
Best suited timing schedule of inorganic NPK fertilizers and its effect
Table 4 Comparative economics of fertilizers used in the treatments.
Treatments Cost of fertilizer Cane yield
(PRs.) (t ha1)
T1 – 40.48
T2 46,930 84.11
T3 47,671 127.75
T4 59,280 109.17
T5 54,587 94.85
Singh et al. (1985) and Raman et al. (1985) regarded the cane
height as the most important character contributing directly to
higher yield. Quebedeadux and Martin (1986) proposed that
both the stalk height and weight should be assessed to have
an accurate yield potential of the variety.
3.4. Commercial cane sugar (%) and sugar yield (tons ha1)
CCS and sugar yields are final assessment of sucrose content in
a specific genotype and of very vital from miller’s and breeder’s
point of view. Data in Table 3 revealed that different timing
schedules of N, P and K significantly affected the commercial
cane sugar and sugar yields. Five stalks from a plant stool were
taken from each treatment for sugar recovery sample. Recovery
sampling was carried out during five maturity months started
from October till February next year. Different increasing
trends were recorded in all the fertilizer application schedules
and started stabilizing till last set of tests done in February.
According to the data in Table 3 it was seen that maximum
sugar recovery of 12.08% was in control T1 and minimum
10.88% was observed in T5. Overall recovery trend in all the
treatments was like that T1 (control) > T3 > T2 > T4 and fol-
lowed by T5. Per hectare sugar yields were different from sugar
recovery as maximum of sugar yield of 15.30 tons was achieved
by T3 while minimum of 4.89 tons was in T1 control. Sugar
yields in all treatments were recorded descending order of
T3 > T4 > T5 > T2 and followed by T1 (control).
The data also revealed that increase in NPK has negative
effect on CCS%. Tabayoyong and Robeniol (1962). Etwali
and Gascho (1983) reported that increase in doses of NPK
reduces CCS% in cane and similar results were observed in
our studies. The previous studies carried out by El-Sayed
et al. (2005) revealed that sugar yield differed significantly at
varied level of NPK. Gurmani et al. (2003) reported that
NPK dose of 150–80–80 kg ha1 is the most optimum level
for better cane and quality production of sugarcane.
3.5. Agronomic yield (tons ha1)
It is the grower who is doing all the agronomic practices,
spending money and facing different adverse environmental
conditions through the year so the most supreme and ultimate
goal of a sugarcane grower is to attain maximum potential
yield. Data in Table 3 showed that applying N, P and K during
different times of cropping season has major emphasis on crop
yield which is the main interest of the growers. Each treatment
was harvested and weighted separately to record the yields of
each treatment. Per hectare crop agronomic yields were differ-
ent in each fertilizer treatment. Maximum of yield of
127.75 tons was achieved by T3 while minimum of 40.48 tons
Please cite this article in press as: Hussain, S. et al., Best suited timing schedule of inorganic NPK fertilizers and its effect on qualitative and quantitative attributes of
spring sown sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2015.02.004
5
Additional yield Gross income Net income Value cost ratio
(t ha1) (PRs.) (PRs.) (VCR)
– – – –
43.64 74,182 27,252 1.58
87.27 148,365 100,694 3.11
68.70 116,788 57,508 1.97
54.37 92,434 37,847 1.69
was in T1 control. Treatment T3 has shown 218% increase in
yield over control while T4, T5 and T2 shown 172%, 136%
and 109% respectively. Crop yields in all treatments were
recorded descending order of T3 > T4 > T5 > T2 and fol-
lowed by T1 (control).
These results agree to those of Ali and Afghan (2000) where
stripped cane yield was significantly increased with 200–150–
150 kg NPK against 168–112–112 kg NPK per hectare. Khan
et al. (2005) reported that the sugarcane yield started increas-
ing with increase in balanced nutrients levels. Similarly,
Yadava (1993) stated that being a long duration crop an ade-
quate and balanced supply of all these nutrients is required for
obtaining sustainable crop yield. Fertilizer application of 200–
150–150 kg NPK ha1 was found to be the optimum level for
achieving maximum cane yield from the sugarcane varieties
(Iqbal et al. (2002) and Nasir et al. (1994). Ayub et al. (1999)
observed that NPK application @ 200–150–150 kg per hectare
was optimum level for maximum cane yield. Chaudhry and
Chattha (2000) recorded maximum stripped-cane yield
(71.12 tons ha1) using 200–100–150 kg NPK/ha.
3.6. Value cost ratio (VCR)
Economic and balanced fertilizer practices are the only means
of improving crop productivity. Market price of sugarcane is
the only available guideline for a grower to decide his next year
production plans. If prices are high in one year he will grow
more which results in overproduction. Profitability aspects of
current fertilizer prices were studied and additional yields in
the form of net income were workout. Value cost ratio in
Table 4 indicated that the highest net revenue (3.11) was
gained from T3 followed by T4 (1.97), T5 (1.69) and T2
(1.58). Maximum fertilizer cost was in T4 (Rs. 59,280) followed
by T5 (Rs. 54,587), T3 (Rs. 47,671) and minimum was in T2
(Rs. 46,930). Maximum net revenue was generated in T3 (Rs.
100,694) followed by T4 (Rs. 57,508), T5 (Rs. 37,847) and mini-
mum was in T2 (Rs. 27,252). By comparing the expenses cost
and attained yield it was justifiable in T3 that grower will get
the maximum potential yield from his fields. All the fertilizers
levels were found highly profitable over the control. This trend
of data indicates that the use of fertilizer in balanced amount
will always remain profitable for the sugarcane growers.
4. Conclusion
This study indicated that balanced dose and timing of applying
fertilizer has given significant results. Study also revealed that
at sowing P and K application is compulsory while N and K
are very much needed at tillering and elongation. Applying
N fertilizer at sowing time resulted in little or no benefit in
6 S. Hussain et al.
overall production of crop. Treatment T3 (100% P and 50% K
dose was applied at sowing, 33% of N was applied at 50 days
after sowing, 33% N and rest 50% K at 90 days after sowing
and rest 33% N was applied at 130 days after sowing) has
given higher no. of tillers, taller canes, good girth diameter
and higher sugar and cane yields. Maximum sugar contents
were recorded in February in studied variety and after that it
started declining. In May tiller death started and keeps on
declining gradually until September, after that it was almost
stable to millable canes. The tiller death was recorded maxi-
mum in the month of June.
Economic feasibility of the fertilizer practices is very impor-
tant tool by which we can only improve crop productivity but
also sort out best fertilizer timing practice. VCR was calculated
for all the treatment and it varied from 1.58 to 3.11. No doubt
all the fertilizer levels were found profitable than control which
shows that applying inorganic fertilizer will always remain
profitable for sugarcane growers. Above mentioned treatment
(T3) performed significantly best among the treatments and
according to the cost value ratio it was most profitable, eco-
nomic and eco-friendly treatment under the Muzaffargarh
District conditions.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
The work presented in this manuscript was accomplished
under the sympathetic attitude, fatherly behavior, animate
direction, observant pursuit, scholarly criticism, cheering per-
spective and enlightened supervision of Danny N.I.
Dabeesing, HOD Cane Development Cell. I am grateful to
his ever-inspiring guidance, keen interest, scholarly comments
and constructive suggestions throughout the course of my
studies and research paper completion. I deem it an utmost
pleasure in expressing my gratitude with the profound thanks
to my colleagues for providing me the strategic command at
every step. I extend deep emotions of appreciation, gratitude
and indebtedness for their valuable guidance. I express my
thankful feeling for all my friends.
References
Akhtar, M., Ali, F.G., Saeed, M., Afghan, S., 2000. Effect of moisture
regimes and fertilizer levels on yield and yield parameters of spring
planted sugarcane. Pak. Sug. J. 15 (5), 2–6.
Ali, F.G., Afghan, S., 2000. Effect of fertilizer and seed rate towards
stripped-cane yield of spring-planted sugarcane. Pak. Sug. J. 15 (4),
12–16.
Ali, F.G., Iqbal, M.A., Chattha, A.A., Afghan, S., 2000. Effect of
fertilizer and seed rate towards stripped-cane yield of spring-
planted sugarcane. Pak. Sug. J. 15 (4), 12–16.
Ayub, M., Ahmad, R., Tanveer, A., Ahmad, H.Z., Sharar, M.S., 1999.
Growth, yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)
as affected by levels of NPK application. Pak. J. Biol. Sci. 2 (1), 80–
82.
Bokhtiar, S.M., Paul, G.C., Mafizarehaman, A.B.M., Alam, M.M.,
2002. Response of NPK and S on the growth and yield of
sugarcane grown in the calcareous dark grey flood plain soils of
Bangladesh. Sug. J. 17 (1), 16–21.
Please cite this article in press as: Hussain, S. et al., Best suited timing schedule of inorganic NPK fertilizers and its effect on qualitative and quantitative attributes of
spring sown sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2015.02.004
Chaudhry, A.U., Chattha, F.A., 2000. Determination of optimum
level of phosphorus and its effect on the growth, yield and quality
of ratoon sugarcane. Pak. J. Biol. Sci. 3 (3), 483–484.
El-Sayed, G.S., Osman, A.M.H., Ahmed, A.M., 2005. Effect of
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization on yield and
quality of sugar cane. Egypt J. Agri. Res. 83 (1), 241–257.
Etwali, A.M.O., Gascho, G.J., 1983. Sugarcane response to P, K and
DRIS corrective treatments on Florida Histosols. Agron. J. 75 (1),
79–83.
GOP, 2013. Economic Survey of Pakistan, 2013–14. Econ. Advisor’s
Wing, Finance Div. Islamabad, Pakistan.
Gurmani, A.H., Bakhash, A., Rasool, G., 2003. Effect of NPK on
yield and sugar level of sugarcane. Pak. J. S. Sci. 22 (2), 56–60.
Iqbal, A., Ehsanullah, qbal, K., 2002. Biomass production and its
portioning in sugarcane at different nitrogen and phosphorus
application rates. Pak. Sug. J. 17 (2), 4–17.
Junejo, S.G., Kaloi, M., Panhwar, R.N., Chohan, M., Junejo, A.A.,
Soomro, A.F., 2010. Performance of newly developed sugarcane
genotypes for some qualitative and quantitative traits under Thatta
conditions. J. Plant Anim. Sci. 20 (1), 40–43.
Karstens, S.M., Ross, P.L., Krauss, A., 1992. Nutritive status of
sugarcane in Punjab, Pakistan. Pak. J. Agric. Res. 13, 327–333.
Khan, I.A., Khatri, A., Nizamani, G.S., Siddiqui, M.A., Raza, S.,
Dahar, N.A., 2005. Effect of NPK fertilizers on the growth of
sugarcane clone AEC86-347 developed at NIA, Tandojam,
Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot. 37 (2), 355–360.
Majidano, H.I., Minhas, Y.J., Jarwar, A.D., Tunio, S.D., Puno, H.K.,
2003. Effect of potassium levels and method of application on
sugarcane yield. Pak. Sug. J. 3, 17–19.
Malik, N.A., 1993. Response of sugarcane cultivars to different doses
of NPK fertilizer in Somalia. Pak. Sug. J. 7 (1), p. 11.13.
Meade, C.P., Chen, J.C.P., 1977. Cane Sugar Hand Book, 10th ed.
Jhon Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 947p.
Mehboob, A., Ali, F.G., Saeed, M., Afghan, S., 2000. Effect of
moisture regime and fertilizer levels on yield and yield parameters
of spring sugarcane. Pak. Sug. J. 15 (5), 2–6.
MSTATC, 1991. Micharo Computer Statistical Program. Michigan
State University, USA.
Nasir, N.M., Qureshi, M.A., Afghan, S., 1994. Effect of bio-compost
on sugarcane crop. Pak. Sug. J. 8 (3), 13–16.
Quebedeadux, J.P., Martin, F.A., 1986. A comparison of two methods
of estimating yield in sugarcane. Repot of Projects. Dept. Of
Agronomy Louisiana Agric. Expt. Stn. Louisiana State Univ.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pp. 228.
Raman, K., Bhat, S.R., Tripathi, B.K., 1985. Ratooning ability of
sugarcane genotypes under late harvest conditions. Ind. Sug. 35,
445–448.
Rathore, O.P., Verma, H.D., Nema, G.K., 1996. Effect of potassium
application on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane. Ind. Sug. 46
(8), 665–668.
Rehman, S., Khan, G.S., Khan, I., 1992. Coordinated uniform
national varietal trial on sugarcane. Pak. J. Agric. Res. 13, 136–140.
Sandhu, M.I., 1991. Effect of Fertilizer Application and Planting
Geometry on Yield and Sucrose Content of Autumn Planted
Sugarcane. M.Sc. (Hons.) Agri. Thesis, Dept. Agron. Univ. Agric.,
Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Singh, R.K., Tehlan, R.S., Taneja, A.D., 1985. Investigating some
morphological and quality traits in relation to cane and sugar yield.
Ind. Sug. 35, 267–271.
Tabayoyong, F.T., Robeniol, M., 1962. Yield response of sugarcane
fertilizers. Proc. ISSCT 11, 177–185.
Tandon, H.L.S., Roy, R.N., 2004. Integrated nutrients management-A
Glossary of terms. Fertilizer Development and consultation
organization F.A.O. United Nations: 22.
Yadava, R.S., 1993. Agronomy of sugarcane principle and practices.
1st Ed. NTEK computer System, 87. Rath Khana Moulviganj,
Lucknow. 200–201p.