Effect of land configurations, establishment techniques and sources of nutrients on Suru sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) under Konkan conditions of Maharashtra

Field experiment was conducted during suru (Saccharum officinarum L.) season (January) of 2014–17 to investigate the effect of land configurations, establishment techniques and sources of nutrients on suru sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) under Konkan condition, at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Dapoli, Maharashtra. Weather during both the years was favourable and suitable for cultivation of sugarcane. The experiment was laid out in strip-split plot design comprising of 36 treatment combinations replicated thrice. Horizontal strips consisted of three land configurations. The vertical strips consisted of four establishment techniques with three sources of nutrients. Horizontal strips consisted of land configurations, viz. ridges and furrow (C₁), broad bed furrow (C₂) and flat bed (C₃). Vertical strips consisted of establishment techniques, viz. Planting two bud sets in field (M₁), planting single bud settlings raised in soil + FYM in 1:1 proportion (M₂), planting single bud settlings raised in soil + cocopeat in 1:1 proportion (M₃) and planting single bud settlings raised in soil + vermicompost in 1:1 proportion (M₄) while sources of nutrients, viz. application of 100% RDF through straight fertilizers (F₁), application of 75% RDF through Modified Konkan Annapurna briquettes 2:1:1 (F₂) and application of 50% RDF through modified Konkan Annapurna briquettes 2:1:1 (F₃). From the 3 years investigation, it is concluded that for obtaining higher yield and net returns from sugarcane in lateritic soils of Konkan region, it should be grown by paired row planting on ridges and furrows with drip irrigation by using single bud settling raised in soil + FYM in 1:1 proportion and should be fertilized with recommended dose of fertilizers (250:125:125 kg NPK/ha) through straight fertilizers.