Effect of planting season and type of fertilizer on biomass yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharrum officinarum) cv. COS 95255

The results showed that the density of mature plants at harvest time varied from 35,000 to 75,000 plants/ha and was higher when planting was from May to September (the traditional system) than from January to April. Plant population was very low for sugarcane planted between October and January. The plots established between March and September gave higher (C.D.=7.259) stalk yields (68–77 tonnes/ha) than those planted from October to February (38–52 tonnes/ha). Total biomass yield followed the same pattern. Brix varied markedly with planting date and was highest for cane planted (and harvested) in the period from February to July. Mulching with dead leaves tended to increase stalk yield (C.D.=3.081) and significantly improved yield of tops (C.D.=1.101) and of total biomass (C.D.=3.873) by 11.3 and 7.3%, respectively.