Performance of sugarcane varieties under water logging condition in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Water logging limits sugarcane productivity in many parts of country. A large sugarcane areas of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal come under water logging which results in poor yield and sugar recovery. In Uttar Pradesh, more than 30% area is concerned with waterlogging condition. In waterlogged area, cane yield generally decline by 15–20%. In order to evaluate sugarcane varieties under water logging condition, an experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Research Station, Gorakhpur by using eight promising sugarcane varieties/genotypes viz. CoSe 04432, CoSe 09463, CoSe 09467, CoSe 10459, CoS 10232, CoS 06279, CoSe 96436 and UP 9530 during autumn planting seasons for consecutive three years viz., 2013–2017. Varieties CoSe 96436 and UP 9530 were used as standard. The experimental field was stagnated with rain water at a level of 36.3 cm from surface for 30 days during monsoon period. The results showed that under water logged condition, shoot population was higher in varieties CoSe 10232 and CoSe 10459 than other varieties tested while the number of millable cane was statistically higher in CoS 06279 and CoSe 10459 than other varieties. Highest cane yield was obtained in the variety CoS 06279 followed by CoS 10459, which was at par to the standard UP 9530 in yield. Sucrose percent in juice was higher in CoS 06279 at par to standard variety 96436. Based on results, varieties CoSe 06279 and CoSe 10459 were found suitable for cultivation under water logging condition in Tarai belt of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Varieties CoS 06279 and CoSe 10459 gave significantly higher cane yield indicating that it was more tolerant than others to water logging conditions.