Abstract

This study assessed the effectiveness of the Bud Chip planting technique for sugarcane at three locations in Sindh province, Pakistan, during the 2020-2021 cropping season. Two sugarcane varieties, YtTh-55 (V1) and Th-2109 (V2), were evaluated at Abdul Rahim farm (L1), Sharif Bukhari farm (L2), and Ghulam Rasool Jatoi farm (L3) using a randomized complete block design. Parameters measured included plant height, tillers per plant, internodes per plant, stem girth, millable canes, and cane yield. The results indicated significant differences in plant height, internodes per plant, stem girth, millable canes, and cane yield across treatments. V1L3 exhibited the tallest plants (305.00 cm), whereas V2L1 had the shortest (171.00 cm). Tillers per plant showed no significant variation, with V1L3 having the highest (10.66) and V2L1 the lowest (7.53). V2L3 had the highest number of internodes (18.33), and V2L1 the lowest (10.00). Stem girth was greatest in V1L3 (32.00 mm) and smallest in V1L1 and V2L2 (27.33 mm). The highest number of millable canes was in V1L3 (76.187 thousand per acre), while V2L1 had the fewest (43.063 thousand per acre). Cane yield peaked in V1L3 (1577.2 mounds per acre) and was lowest in V2L1 (854.4 mounds per acre). The findings suggest that the Bud Chip planting technique combined with appropriate variety and location selection, significantly enhances sugarcane growth and yield. YtTh-55 performed exceptionally well at Ghulam Rasool Jatoi farm, emphasizing the importance of site-specific agronomic practices. Further research is recommended to validate these results across additional varieties and locations to optimize sugarcane production strategies.