Assessing productivity potentials of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Hybrids) based cropping systems in rice (Oryza Sativa L.) growing areas of Indian subtropics

An on-farm trials was conducted for two consecutive seasons of 2008–10 and 2009–11 using a participatory approach on cultivators ’fields at Dhanuwansand village in Lucknow district of India's Central Uttar Pradesh to explore the possibility of enhancing productivity of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) through the diversification of existing rice (Oryza sativa L.) based cropping system which is prevalent in North-West Plain zone of India in many combinations. Experimental results indicated that rice (skipped row method) + autumn sugarcane (relay intercropped in Late September) + potato after rice harvest (T₅) being statistically at par with rice (skipped row method) + sugarcane (relay intercropped in Mid October) + potato after rice harvest, produced significantly higher values of growth attributes (germination per cent and number of shoots), number of millable canes and cane yield as compared to other crop sequences in the study. The cane yield obtained under T₅ crop sequence (94.66 t/ha) was higher to the tune of 41.34 per cent, 27.18 per cent, 15.15 per cent, 24.18 per cent and 5 17.58 per cent, respectively than that of T₁ (rice-wheat-late cane), T₂(rice-mustard-spring cane), T₃ (rice-potato-spring cane), T₄ (rice-toria-spring cane) and T₇ (rice-sugarcane + potato) crop sequences. Commercial cane sugar percent and Brix did not alter significantly due to different crop sequence treatments. Thus, in rice growing areas of North-West Plain zone of India, an alternative strategy of planting autumn sugarcane as a relay intercrop with skipped row planted rice in Late September or up to Mid October taking potato as intercrop after harvest of rice can suitably be initiated for reaping higher yield of cane and sugar as well.