Assessment of Growth Parameters of Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarum Linn.) Varieties in the Mangrove Forest Ecosystem in Ogonokom-abua, Rivers State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: The mangrove ecology has not been evaluated for the cultivation of crops particularly sugar cane. The present study was set up to evaluate growth parameters of four test sugar cane varieties over time and to identify which of them would get established and grow to maturation stage in the mangrove forest ecosystem in Ogonokom-Abua, Rivers State. Materials and Methods: Four varieties of sugar cane namely NCS-001, NCS-002, NCS-005 and “Bida local” were planted using different agricultural management practices in the un-amended mangrove forest soils of Ogonokom-Abua, Rivers State, Nigeria. All the varieties achieved diminutive growth statistics occasioned by various types and dimensions of perceived soil-related constraints in the studied environment. Results: The four test canes recorded growth curtailment in characters like plant height, internode length and many green leaves in the 6th or 9th Month after Planting (MAP). These decreased sharply to the maturation stage in the twelfth month suggesting reduced tolerance to soil constraints over time. Despite soil limitations, the test varieties showed significant differences in growth parameters. Variety NCS-002 recorded higher growth statistics of plant height, the number of internodes, internodes length and leaf length and was second-best in the number of tillers produced. Variety NCS-001 produced the highest cumulative average number of tillers. Conclusion: Thus varieties NCS-002 and NCS-001 can be choice candidates for cultivation as commercial canes in the unmodified mangrove forest ecosystem investigated. Further studies are to be conducted using supportive management practices such as manure, fertilizer and lime application to improve the fertility level and soil productivity of the mangrove forest lands in Ogonokom-Abua, Rivers State.