Effect of planting methods on growth pattern and productivity of sugarcane varieties

Results from an experiment consisting of 4 planting methods and 8 varieties of sugarcane revealed that cane yield under small pit method of planting (120cm x60cm spacing with 3 settlings per pit) was significantly the highest (149.5 t ha¹) and registered an increase to the tune of 5.7, 9.9, and 16.2% over those of Mega pit (150cm x 150cm 15 settlings per pit), Trench method (30cm width x 30cm depth with 12 settlings per pit) and conventional method (15cm width 15cm depth with 12 settlings per pit) of planting. The corresponding per cent increase with respect to number of milliable cane was 11.6, 16.0 and 22.7%. Among the varieties, variety 87A298 recorded significantly the highest cane yield of 147.67 t ha⁻¹ while variety CO 86V96 recorded highest number of millable canes (105.3). The growth parameters under small pit method were also higher as compared to other methods. It also registered maximum net return (Rs.178430ha⁻¹) and per day productivity (443.6 kg ha⁻¹). However, the B-C ratio was the highest (2.30) under conventional method of planting.