FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Drip fertigation in pit planting increases sugarcane yield
M.J. PRABU
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Farmers can obtain a yield of about 220 tonnes per hectare
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— PHOTO: TNAU
CIRCULAR PLANTING: The setts are arranged like spokes of a cycle wheel in the pits.
DRIP FERTIGATION technology offers a good scope for conserving water and increasing crop production.
The term drip fertigation means application of required quantity of plant nutrients along with water near the root zone for easy and efficient uptake by the plants.
Researchers at the Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College & Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Madurai, have developed and released a new technology called pit method of sugarcane cultivation under drip fertigation system.
Higher yield
"By adopting this technology, farmers can get a higher yield of about 220 tonnes per hectare compared with 135 tonnes under the conventional method of cultivation," said Dr. S. Mahendran, Chief Scientist, Water Management Scheme, Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College & Research Institute, TNAU.
Planting season
Generally, planting of sugarcane in pits is done during December - May as planting the setts during monsoon is not advisable.
Before planting, the field must be ploughed well after applying about 12.5 tonnes of farmyard manure. Circular pits are dug with a spacing of 1.5m between individual pits. About 4,000 pits can be dug in one hectare.
The pits should be filled with soil to a depth of 15 cm and moistened with water. About 50 gms of diammonium phosphate (DAP) along with 100 gms of gypsum has to be applied in each pit.
Healthy, disease free canes of 7-8 months of age should be selected for planting. "About 32 single budded setts or 16 double budded setts can be planted in each pit," Prof. Mahendran said.
Before planting, the setts are treated in a solution of carbendazim and urea mixed in water for about ten minutes and then pressed gently into the pits and arranged like spokes of a cycle wheel.
Planting method
While planting, farmers should plant the setts in such a way that they are placed sideways to favour early germination.
The pits have to be kept moist for 15-20 days to favour higher germination. About 275 kg of urea, 63 kg of phosphorus and 112 kg of potash must be applied as a basal dose for getting higher productivity, according to Prof. Mahendran.
Phosphorus is applied as a single basal dose or split into three equal doses, which are applied as basal, on the 60th day and on the 90th day after planting.
Urea and potassium are mixed with water and the solution is made to flow through the drip pipes starting from the 15th day after planting. This irrigation must be continued at weekly or bi-weekly intervals.
Weeding has to be done on the 30th and 60th day after planting and detrashing has to be done on the 5th and 7th month.
The crop can be harvested in about ten months after planting.
Net income
By adopting this technology farmers can get a net income of Rs.1,19, 649 and Rs. 1,55,982 per hectare in plant and ratoon crops respectively compared with Rs. 1,16,650 and Rs. 1,27,360 under the conventional method of cultivation.
For more information readers can contact Prof. S. Mahendran, Chief Scientist, Water Management Scheme, Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College & Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Madurai - 625 104, Tamil Nadu, Phone:0452-2422956, extn: 216, email: deanagrimdu@tnau.ac.in
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