Effect of Zeolite on Sugarcane Growth, Yield and Juice Quality of Sugarcane in Water Stress Condition

Soil moisture and nitrogen (N) are two of the most important factors affecting the production of crop. Zeolites, which are environmental friendly, ubiquitous, and inexpensive, have been extensively used in agricultural activities. These minerals are considered as soil conditioners to improve soil properties. In order to study the effect of zeolite on sugarcane Zeolite @ 75 and 100 kg/ha was applying at the time of planting with fertilizer dose with 100, 75 & 50% irrigation in a randomized block design was carried out with three replications in 2017-18 to 2020-21. The cane yield, CCS%, no. of milliable canes, milliable cane height, girth, internodes, soil macronutrients, nutrient uptake, water use efficiency and economic profitability was highest in the treatment receiving the application of RDF + 100 kg/ha zeolite + 100% irrigation followed by treatment with RDF + 100 kg/ha zeolite + 75% irrigation. Therefore, it is concluded that zeolite application improves both sugarcane growth and water use efficiency (WUE).