Maximizing Trash Mulch and Seed Rate Strategies for Weed and Disease Management in Sugarcane Production

Abstract

The impact of seed rate and trash mulching on weed and disease management for sustainable sugarcane production was examined through an experiment conducted during the 2022/2023 cropping season at the upland sugarcane research field of the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi (lat. 9°45'N, long. 6°07'E). The experiment employed a factorial arrangement of three cane trash mulch rates (0, 5, and 10 t/ha) and three seed rates (44,444; 33,333; and 22,222 t/ha), organized in a split-plot design with three replications. Trash mulch treatments were assigned to the main plots, while seed rate treatments were applied to the subplots. Each gross plot measured 35 m² (7 m × 5 m), and the net plot size was 17.5 m² (3.5 m × 5 m), comprising four rows, each 5 meters long. The combination of the highest seed rate (44,444 t/ha) and the highest mulch rate (10 t/ha) resulted in the lowest weed biomass and reduced incidence of whip smut. Likewise, stalk height, girth, and brix content were significantly (P<0.05) increased, leading to improved sugarcane yield. The interaction between seed rate and trash mulch rate showed that higher seed rates combined with greater mulch application significantly reduced weed dry matter and whip smut incidence, while boosting overall sugarcane yield.