Efficacy of natural farming and row spacing in spring planted sugarcane and subsequent ratoon

Field experiments were conducted during spring season in 2015–16 and 2016–17 at the Research farm of Sugarcane Research Institute, Shahjahanpur to study the effect of natural farming and row spacing on yield, quality and economics of plant cane and subsequent ratoon of sugarcane. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The soil of experimental field was low in organic carbon (0.37%), available phosphorus (6.80 kg/ha) and available potash (103.0 kg/ha) with pH value 6.8. Experimental crop was planted using variety CoS 08279 through two budded setts at different spacing as per treatment comprising five treatments viz. T₁-Planting of two budded setts at the row spacing of 60 cm with natural farming practices, T₂-Planting of two budded setts at the row spacing of 120 cm with natural farming practices, T₃-Planting of two budded setts at the row spacing of 180 cm with natural farming practices, T₄-Planting of two budded setts at the row spacing of 240 cm with natural farming practices and T₅-Planting of two budded setts at the row spacing of 90 cm with conventional farming practices. Experimental results of plant cane exhibited significantly higher germination under natural farming practices (T₁ to T₄) than under conventional practice (T₅). Number of shoots, millable canes and cane yield were significantly higher under planting of two budded setts at the row spacing of 90 cm with conventional farming practices (T₅) than other treatments except planting of two budded setts at the row spacing of 60 cm with natural farming practices (T₁) which was at par with T₅ treatment. CCS % in cane was more or less similar under various treatments. Experimental data of ratoon cane showed that planting of two budded setts at the row spacing of 60 cm with natural farming practices (T₁) produced significantly higher number of shoots, millable canes and cane yield as compared to other treatments. Maximum B: C ratio was also obtained with T₁ treatment.