Effect of planting method and drought-management technique on growth, yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum hybrid complex) under limited irrigation

A field experiment was conducted during spring season of 2005–06 and 2006–07 to study the effect of planting method and drought-management technique on growth, yield and quality of spring-planted sugarcane (Saccharum hybrid complex) with limited irrigations on clay-loam soil at Lucknow. Results revealed that the highest germination (49.6%), cane length (253.2 cm), cane girth (3.09 cm), cane weight (1.30 kg) and cane yield (87.6 t/ha) as well as sugar yield (9.87 t/ha) were recorded under ring-pit (75 cm diameter and 45 cm depth at 120 cm spacing) planting method. This was closely followed by trench method (120 cm apart, 45 cm deep trenches). However, the highest number of tillers (242.8 thousand/ha) and millable canes (149.4 thousand/ha) were counted in sugarcane planted at 60 cm row spacing. The drought-management treatment involving lime soaking of setts + farmyard manure (FYM) in furrow + trash mulch at 60 days after planting (DAP) + KCl and urea spray + additional 49.8 kg K/ha at 170 DAP produced significantly highest cane yield (86.2 t/ha) and improved the juice quality like brix (18.70) and pol (16.44%). The relative leaf-water content significantly improved under the management treatment involving addition of 49.8 kg K/ha at 170 DAP. The highest K uptake occurred under ring-pit planting method. The physical properties of the soil like bulk density and infiltration rate were improved by the application of FYM. The treatment consisting of ring-pit planting method with sett soaked in saturated lime water + FYM + trash mulching + KCl and urea spray + additional 49.8 kg/ha K application fetched the highest net profit (Rs 62,791/ha). Thus the ring-pit planting method and sett soaking in saturated lime water followed by adequate K nutrition imparted endurance characteristics to sugarcane plants under drought spells during the grand growth period and improved the cane productivity, its quality and profitability.