Response of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) to organic fertilizer in northern Belize

Resumen

Objective: To provide an ecological alternative for sugarcane producers in northern Belize evaluating the response of the crop to organic fertilizer (bovine biol and bokashi).

Design/Methodology/Approach: Ten treatments with different doses and combinations of bokashi and bovine manure-based biol were applied in a crop of the sugarcane variety B79-474 in the northern region of Belize.

Results: The combination of 3 t ha^-1 of bokashi applied to the soil and 2% biol applied to the leaves recorded the best sugarcane yields, with an average weight of 2.0 kg per processable stalk.

Study Limitations/Implications: Bokashi production involves the use of large amounts of manure, which are difficult to transport and handle with simple tools.

Findings/Conclusions: The sugarcane variety B79-474 had a positive response to organic fertilizer (average yield: 2.0 kg per stalk and 330 t ha^-1 of cane), applying 3 t ha^-1 of bokashi to the soil and 2 % biol to the leaves.