Impact of Seed Rate on Yield Performance and Quality Traits of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Varieties

Seeding rate is a critical factor in sugarcane production as it influences stand density and, consequently, cane yield and quality. An appropriate seeding rate can help maximize both cane and sugar yields. Field experiments were conducted at the Sugarcane Research Section, Pyinmana, and Nyaungpintha Research Farms from December 2023 to December 2024 to evaluate the effect of different seed rates on the yield and quality of sugarcane varieties and to determine the optimal seed rate for maximizing both these parameters. A split-plot design with four replications was used, with three sugarcane varieties (K95/84, KK-3, and K2000/89) assigned to the main plots and three seeding rates (40,000, 50,000, and 60,000 three-budded setts ha⁻¹) to the subplots. Results indicated that the variety KK-3 produced the highest number of millable canes (68,068) and cane yield (99.03 t ha⁻¹) in Pyinmana, and (68,964) and (110.54 t ha⁻¹) in Nyaungpintha. In contrast, K95/84 showed superior performance in stalk diameter, single cane weight, and quality traits including brix %, pol %, purity %, commercial cane sugar (CCS %), and sugar yield (12.32 t ha⁻¹ in Pyinmana and 13.68 t ha⁻¹ in Nyaungpintha). The highest seeding rate, 60,000 three-budded setts ha⁻¹, consistently resulted in the greatest values for millable cane, single cane weight, cane yield (100.27 t ha⁻¹ in Pyinmana and 111.82 t ha⁻¹ in Nyaungpintha), stalk height, quality parameters, and sugar yield (12.11 t ha⁻¹ in Pyinmana and 13.66 t ha⁻¹ in Nyaungpintha), except for stalk diameter. Based on these findings, a seeding rate of 60,000 three-budded setts ha⁻¹ is recommended to achieve higher cane and sugar yields in both study locations.