Drip irrigation in sugarcane: A review

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), a major cash crop in India has a unique role in sustaining agro industrial economic growth. Sugarcane being a long duration crop produces huge amount of biomass, and requires large quantity of water (1100–2200 mm) and is mostly grown as an irrigated crop using surface irrigation. The drip irrigation adoption in --sugarcane increases water use efficiency (60–200%), saves water (20–60%), reduces fertilization requirement (20–33%) through fertigation, produces better quality crop and increases yield (7–25%) as compared with conventional irrigation. However, if not installed properly, it may result in wastage of water, time, money and yield. The subsidy and technical support to farmers acts as an incentive to adopt this method on a large scale in India. Adoption of drip irrigation (surface or subsurface) system in sugarcane is technically feasible and economically viable and needs to be vigorously followed.