In the vast, sun-drenched fields of Thailand, a groundbreaking study led by Kamonrat Khontiang from the Department of Soil Science at Kasetsart University in Bangkok is challenging conventional wisdom about potassium (K) fertilization in sugarcane cultivation. The research, published in Frontiers in Soil Science, delves into the often-overlooked potential of foliar potassium application, offering a promising alternative for sugarcane farmers, especially those in the energy sector.
Potassium is a linchpin in sugarcane production, influencing everything from yield to sugar content. Traditionally, soil-applied K has been the go-to method, but Khontiang’s work suggests that foliar application could be a game-changer. “We hypothesized that foliar K supplementation would enhance yield and nutrient uptake in ratoon sugarcane,” Khontiang explains. “Our findings indicate that foliar K supplementation, particularly with KNO₃ and K₂SiO₃, can effectively maintain sugarcane productivity and improve nutrient use efficiency.”
The study, conducted on first ratoon sugarcane in loamy soil, compared various foliar K treatments under differing soil K conditions. The results were striking: foliar supplementation with potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and potassium silicate (K₂SiO₃) maintained yield and sugar yield, matching the performance of soil-applied K combined with foliar water. This is a significant discovery, as it opens up new possibilities for farmers, especially in regions where soil-applied K is unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
But the benefits don’t stop at yield. The research also found that foliar K supplementation improved the uptake of essential nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and silicon (Si) in cane stalks. This enhanced nutrient uptake could lead to more efficient and sustainable sugarcane cultivation, a boon for the energy sector, which relies heavily on sugarcane for biofuel production.
The implications of this research are vast. For one, it could lead to a reduction in the use of soil-applied K, which is often energy-intensive to produce and transport. Moreover, by improving nutrient use efficiency, foliar K supplementation could help mitigate environmental impacts, such as nutrient runoff and soil degradation. This is particularly relevant for the energy sector, where sustainability is increasingly a priority.
The study also raises intriguing questions about the future of sugarcane cultivation. Could foliar K supplementation be combined with other innovative techniques, such as precision agriculture or biostimulants, to further enhance yield and sustainability? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Khontiang’s research has opened a new chapter in sugarcane cultivation, one that could reshape the energy sector and beyond.
