2024, Vol. 7, Issue 5, Part F

author(s)
Roohi, Kanika Pawar, Vijay Kumar and Kiran K Khokhar

abstract
The field experiment was conducted at the Regional Research Station, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, in Karnal, Haryana, during 2018-19. The objective was to assess the impact of organic cultivation on two spring-planted sugarcane varieties, CoH 160 (early) and CoH 167 (mid-late), in terms of cane yield and quality jaggery production. The trial consisted of five distinct treatments, involving varying levels of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) application at 10 t/ha (T₁), 20 t/ha (T₂), and 30 t/ha (T₃) at the time of sowing. Additionally, organic practices such as biofertilizers and green manuring of Sesbania in inter-row spaces, along with the control of insect pests and diseases, were implemented in three treatments (T₁, T₂, and T₃). Treatment T₄ involved the application of Natural Formulation I on setts, complemented by three sprays of Natural Formulation II during April, May, and June, following natural farming principles. Treatment T₅ applied the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers (150-50-50 kg/ha) and relied on chemical methods for pest and disease control. The application of FYM @ 30 t/ha at the time of sowing + biofertilizers (BF)+green manuring of Sesbania in inter row space (GM) (No inorganic fertilizers) was at par with RDF through inorganic application of fertilizer (69.43 t/ha and 70.10 t/ha) and produced significantly higher cane yield compared to application of FYM @10 (55.99 t/ha) or 20 t/ha + BF + IPM (61.33 t/ha) or Setts treatment with beejamrit + three sprays of jeevamrit during the months of April, May and June in natural farming technique (36.08 t/ha). Furthermore, organic jaggery was prepared from both sugarcane varieties, with CoH 160 demonstrating superior quality attributes such as sucrose content exceeding 70% and reducing sugars below 20%. This variety also received high sensory acceptance ratings, being described as "extremely liked" on the hedonic scale, and exhibited a light golden-yellow color, indicating its potential for quality jaggery production.