LAUSR

A field experiment was conducted during 2011–2015 to study the effect of potassium-rich biostimulant manufactured from seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii on growth, yield, and quality of sugarcane var. Co 86032 with plant and three consecutive ratoon crops. The concentrated biostimulant manufactured from K. alvarezii had 17.45% of solid content with majority potash (11.28%) and other macro-micro nutrients and plant growth substances. Sugarcane setts were treated with 0.3% of biostimulant and planted. During crop development, 1% of biostimulant was applied three times, i.e., first dose at the time of germination phase (30 days), second dose at tiller sprouting stage (75th day), and last dose was given at the stage of building of the sugar content (125 days) in both plantation and three consecutive ratoon crops. The higher cane yield obtained from treated plant over control was 24.90, 28.79, 20.47, and 26.16% more in plant crop, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ratoon crops, respectively, with statistically significant values in commercial cane sugar yield, brix, purity, and polarity. The present research suggests that natural potash from seaweed can be applied on sugarcane to improve yield and quality of cane and cane juice.