Sugarcane is one of the world's most important commercial crops, producing sugar, ethanol, and valuable byproducts. Proper fertilization is essential for achieving high tonnage and maximum sugar content. This guide covers the complete fertilizer strategy for sugarcane cultivation.
Sugarcane Nutrient Requirements
A sugarcane crop yielding 100 tons per hectare removes approximately:
- Nitrogen (N): 150-200 kg/ha
- Phosphorus (P2O5): 60-100 kg/ha
- Potassium (K2O): 200-350 kg/ha
- Calcium (Ca): 80-120 kg/ha
- Magnesium (Mg): 30-50 kg/ha
- Sulphur (S): 20-40 kg/ha
Sugarcane has a long growing season (12-18 months for plant cane, 10-12 months for ratoon), which means nutrient supply must be sustained over extended periods.
Nitrogen: The Yield Driver
Nitrogen is the most yield-limiting nutrient in sugarcane. It drives stalk elongation, leaf area development, and overall biomass production. However, excessive nitrogen reduces sugar content (Brix) and delays maturity, so precise timing is critical.
Urea 46-0-0 is the standard nitrogen source for sugarcane. Apply nitrogen in 2-3 splits:
- At planting (basal): 30-40% of total N
- Early tillering (60-90 days): 40-50% of total N
- Grand growth phase (120-150 days): Remaining 10-20% if needed
Stop nitrogen application 4-6 months before harvest to allow sugar accumulation and cane ripening.
Phosphorus: Root and Ratoon Development
Phosphorus is essential for early root establishment, tillering, and ratoon crop vigor. Unlike nitrogen, all phosphorus should be applied as basal dressing because it moves very slowly in soil.
DAP 18-46-0 is the preferred phosphorus source for sugarcane, as it also provides starter nitrogen. Apply DAP in the furrow at planting at rates of 150-300 kg/ha depending on soil phosphorus levels.
Potassium: Sugar Content and Disease Resistance
Potassium is critical for sugar transport, stalk strength, disease resistance, and drought tolerance in sugarcane. Sugarcane removes more potassium than any other crop, making MOP 0-0-60 essential in sugarcane programs.
Apply 50% of potassium at planting and 50% during the grand growth phase. In sandy soils or high-rainfall areas, split potassium application reduces leaching losses.
Recommended Fertilizer Programs
Plant Cane (First Crop)
- Basal (at planting): 200 kg/ha DAP + 100 kg/ha MOP + 100 kg/ha Urea
- Early tillering (60-90 days): 200 kg/ha Urea + 100 kg/ha MOP
- Grand growth (120-150 days): 100 kg/ha Urea + 100 kg/ha MOP
Ratoon Crop
- After harvest (within 30 days): 200 kg/ha NPK 15-15-15
- Active growth (90 days): 200 kg/ha Urea + 100 kg/ha MOP
Micronutrients for Sugarcane
Sugarcane is sensitive to zinc and iron deficiencies, especially in alkaline and waterlogged soils. Apply zinc sulphate at 25 kg/ha as basal dressing in known deficient areas. Iron deficiency (chlorosis) can be corrected with ferrous sulphate foliar spray.
Organic Matter and Trash Management
Incorporating organic fertilizer or returning sugarcane trash (leaves and tops) to the field after harvest provides 30-50% of potassium needs and improves soil structure. Trash mulching also reduces soil temperature, conserves moisture, and suppresses weeds.
Fertilizer Placement for Sugarcane
- Basal: Place DAP and MOP in the furrow 5-7cm below the setts (seed pieces) before covering with soil
- Top dressing: Band-place Urea and MOP 15-20cm from the cane row and incorporate with earthing up
- Foliar: Apply micronutrients and Fish Emulsion 5-1-1 as foliar sprays during grand growth for supplementary nutrition
Common Mistakes in Sugarcane Fertilization
- Applying all nitrogen at once — leads to leaching losses and excessive vegetative growth
- Skipping potassium — reduces sugar content and stalk strength, increases lodging
- Continuing nitrogen too close to harvest — delays ripening and reduces sugar recovery
- Ignoring micronutrients — zinc and iron deficiencies limit yield even when NPK is adequate
- Not adjusting for ratoon crops — ratoons need less phosphorus but equal or more potassium than plant cane
Bulk Fertilizer Supply for Sugarcane
Thai Fertilizer supplies all sugarcane fertilization products in bulk from Thailand: Urea 46-0-0, DAP 18-46-0, MOP 0-0-60, and NPK 15-15-15. Available in 50kg bags for distribution programs and 1000kg jumbo bags for large plantation operations. Contact us for sugarcane-specific fertilizer quotations.