Energy use of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) grown in various nutrient supply options
2013
Egle, R. B. | Mendoza, T. C.
In cooperation with the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH-UPLB), a field experiment was conducted to: 1) evaluate the effects on sugar yield of varied nutrient supply options, and 2) calculate the energy usage and energy efficiency indicators of sugarcane grown under these nutrient supply options. The energy costs to produce 1 ton cane were highest when canes were fertilized with 300kg N and 300 kg N + Bio-N sup R at 10.05 and 10.85 L Diesel Oil Equivalent per Ton Cane (LDOE/TC), respectively. Farm inputs accounted for 42% of the energy costs, and 93.7% of these comes from urea. The main driver of the energy bill in cane production up to harvesting and hauling to the mill is the fertilizer N input. The highest energy efficiency (6.87) was obtained when no N fertilizer was applied while lowest (4.21) when N fertilizer was applied at 300 kg/ha + Bio-N sup R. The reduction in N application from 300 kg N/ha to 150 kg N/ha reduced the energy use by 14%. Bio-N sup R inoculation, in combination with different fertilizer levels, did not increase sugar yield. A further study on the effects of Bio-N sup R in a low soil nutrient supply and sugar cane rations is recommended. The effect of Bio-N sup R on the ratoon canes is still not clear.
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