Reza Shahvali
Department of Sugarcane Research Center, Karun Agro-Industry, Shushtar, Iran; rshahvali@gmail.com
Urea, as a common N source, is widely used in sugarcane cultivation. However, the timing and amount of urea fertilization can significantly impact the quantitative and qualitative traits of sugarcane. Optimizing these two factors can lead to increased yield, improved product quality, and reduced production costs. N, as a key element in sugarcane growth, directly affects quantitative traits (such as stalk yield and bud count) and qualitative traits (such as sugar content and juice purity). This research was conducted during the 2024 growing season at the research farm of Karun Agro-Industry Company, using a split-plot design in a randomized complete-block design with three replications. The variety used was CP69-1062, and the fertilizer treatments included three urea application timings and two application rates (150 and 300 kg of urea per hectare). At the end of the growth period, quantitative and qualitative traits of sugarcane, including height, diameter, stalk density per unit area, single stalk weight, stalk yield, sugar yield, soluble solids content (Brix), juice sugar content (Pol), sugar recovery percentage (RS), and millable cane and sugar yield, were evaluated. Early application of urea (late April) increased stalk yield and sugar yield per hectare by 132.67 and 15.3 t, respectively. There was no significant difference between the application rates of 150 kg and 300 kg of urea. Qualitative traits such as Pol and recoverable sugar were not affected by the timing or rate of urea application.