A NEW FORMULATED SILICON FERTILISER FOR BETTER SUGARCANE PRODUCTION

By ARIS TOHARISMAN, MUHAMAD MULYADI and ABDUL RASJID
Indonesian Sugar Research Institute
atoharis@yahoo.com

KEYWORDS: Silicon Fertiliser, Boiler Ash, Furnace Slag,
Humic Substance, Sugarcane Productivity.

Abstract

SILICON(Si) is an important beneficial element for sugarcane and is absorbed by sugarcane, more than any other mineral nutrient. Si is known to promote sugarcane yield, enhance resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, improve leaf and stalk erectness, and increase P availability. A new Si fertiliser namely SiPlusHS was formulated from sugar mill boiler ash, furnace slag, rock phosphate, zeolite, oxalic acid and humic substance. It formed granules of 3–5 mm indiameter and contained 8–10% soluble Si, 10–12% soluble phosphate and 3–5% humic substance. The effectiveness of this fertiliser was tested under field conditionson irrigated and non-irrigated sugarcane areas, covering areas of 1 and 2 ha, respectively. The fertiliser was applied at the rate of 0, 250 and 500 kg/ha. Results showed that application of 250 kg/ha SiPlusHS could increase cane yield from 2 to52% and sugar yield by as much as 15–58%. There were no significant differences between applications of 250 kg/ha and 500 kg/ha SiPlusHS.
In some areas, SiPlusHS could significantly decrease stem borer attacks. Recently, this new silicon fertiliser has beentested on about 1000 ha in various regions in Indonesia.

Source
http://www.issct.org/pdf/proceedings/2010/2010%20Toharisman,%20A%20NEW%20FORMULATED%20SILFERTILISER%20FOR%20BETTER%20SUGARCANE%20PRODUCTION.pdf

SUGARCANE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER—STRATEGIES FOR THE NEXT DECADE

By ALVARO AMAYA
Colombian Sugarcane Research Center, CENICANA, Cali, Colombia
aamaya@cenicana.org

KEYWORDS: Research Challenges,
Multidisciplinary Research, Sustainability.

Abstract

AGRONOMICchallenges required for the decades ahead will focus on (1) research and technology transfer based on multidisciplinary approaches; (2) a transition from production-oriented models to consumer-driven systems; and (3) developments that promote sustainability and concerns for environmental issues. A multidisciplinary approach ensures that scientists, growers and factory engineers are aware of the contributions of other disciplines, rather than isolated, individual efforts. This requires not a narrowly focused ‘specialist’, but rather someone with a ‘special’ interest in various disciplines, whose wide vision could make integrated contributions to developing a true Renaissance in sugar industries. The transition to a consumer-driven model requires the identification of new priorities. Technologies for sugar production will remain a priority, but greater emphasis must be directed towards technologies for using sugarcane for energy production and for value-added products. In the case of energy production, the use of sugarcane has beenpossible because of the availability of
proven technologies, interest from investors, governmentregulation and consumer demand. For value-added products, the challenge for scientists lies not just in concrete research outputs, as has been the case for sugar production. Their skills for knowledge management and the vision to transfer their achievements, open new markets and generate interest in funding new research must be strengthened. Sustainability and environmental protection will continue playing a role in future research, both in the field and in factory processes. Climate changeis on the agenda ofchallenges that agronomists and their allied specialists must address in the design and management of future production systems. The prospective use of sugarcane as a source of bioenergy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere offers an opportunity for scientists, investors and consumers to work together on sustainability and environmental protection. Research achievements and projections inthe sugar industry worldwide, reported in the literature as well as by the Colombian sugar industry, are used to illustrate these strategies.

Source http://www.issct.org/pdf/proceedings/2010/2010%20Amaya,%20SUGARCANE%20RESEARCH%20AND%20TECHNOLOGY%20TRANSFER%20-%20STRATEGIES%20FOR%20THE%20NEXT%20DECADE.pdf