New Planting Geometry of Sugarcane and Efficient Use

New Planting Geometry of Sugarcane and Efficient Use of Irrigation Water By Agha Mashooque Ali Dy: General Manager (C. D) FARAN SUGAR MILLS LIMITED

Abstract The study was conducted in autumn crop to ascertain a suitable new planting geometry in Disstt: T. M Khan. Various planting methods applied and CPF-237 variety was selected for experiment. The new planting geometry contributes significantly in increasing quality yield. It is time to stop conventional planting and irrigation water practices with new innovative farming system. Recent research shown that new planting geometry i. e space planting provides higher cane yield of 162. 72 t/hac. The planting method was conducted with latest irrigation methods like Border irrigation and Furrow irrigation in consequence better results were achieved as show in the table and graph. It is need of the time to move towards modern resource conservation technologies such as Sprinkler – Drip irrigation – Surge irrigation – Furrow irrigation – Border irrigation practices to cope with the situation of water scarcity in upcoming years.

INTRODUCTION Sugarcane is the second largest cash crop of Pakistan and is being cultivated on approx: one million hectors and contributing around 3. 6 % of gross domestic production (GDP). In spite of all sugarcane production in this country is still lower then most of the cane growing countries of sugar world. Amongst the many factors responsible for low productivity per unit area but major factor is that the growers apply substandard planting methods of cultivation. In Pakistan mostly growers follow conventional planting at 75 cm row spacing which is not suitable for proper field operation (Mechanized) – weed control – Hoeing – fertilizer, pest management and earthingup. 75 cm row spacing is not enough especially with high yielding varieties. Therefore the present study was conducted to work out suitable new planting geometry for obtaining more millable cane for maximize cane yield per unit area. Amolo and oboyo (2003) made comprehensive study on the effect of trench space planting (120 cm) and standard row (75 cm) on cane yield of sugarcane. The results were found that the space planting gave higher cane yield while close spacing gave reduced cane yield. Another benefit of space planting is that we save 3 -4 irrigation water application’s. The row spaces adopted in different countries are shown in table -I

OBJECTIVES Ø To promote space (Trench) planting technology. Ø Save Irrigation water.

MATERIAL AND METHODS �The field expermint was conducted at FSML operational area Disstt: Tando Mohd. Khan during 2015 -16, with the objectives to know the best planting geometry and maximize cane yield per unit area. I. Selection of sites. II. Soil sampling. III. Agronomical statistical data record.

DIFFERENT SUGARCANE PLANTING METHODS. I. Planting In Flat Beds. II. Ridge and Furrow Planting. III. Space (Trench) Planting. IV. Single Bud Planting. V. Ring Pit Planting. VI. Single Bud Flat Bed Nursery.

INTER ROW SPACES ADOPTED IN VARIOUS CANE GROWING COUNTRIES Country Row space (m) U. S. A, Louisiana 1. 6, 1. 8 Brazil 1. 6 Florida 1. 6 Indonesia 1. 2, 1. 5 Argentina 1 -6 Philippines 1. 2, 1. 5 Cuba 1. 65 China 1. 2, 1. 5, 1. 8 India 0. 9, 1. 2, 1. 5 Pakistan 0. 75, 1. 2 South Africa Mauritius Australia 1. 5, 1. 8 0. 5 - 1. 3 - 0. 5 1. 6, 1. 8 0. 5 - 1. 3 - 0. 5

EFFECTIVE METHODS TO SAVE IRRIGATION WATER 1. Irrigation Techniques a) Drip Irrigation b) Sprinkle irrigation 2. Surge Irrigation 3. Border Irrigation 4. Space Trench Planting 5. Furrow Irrigation 6. Laser Leveling 7. Mulching a) Photodegradable plastic film Mulch b) Trash Mulching

WATER AVAILABILITY PER CAPITA: Country Presently Available (Cubic meter) Available in the year 2050 Reduce %age Pakistan 1, 000 550 45 India 1, 600 960 40 Germany 3, 000 2, 400 20 European country 2, 300 1, 900 18

SPACE PLANTING TRENCH ROW SYSTEM. § Ridges and furrows are prepared at 120 cm using adjustable tractor drawn ridger. § The furrow bottom is widened. § The sets are planted end to end in trenches. § The tranches should be about 30 cm deep. § Fertilizer (NPK) are spread uniformly in the tranches and mixed thoroughly in the soil. § Efficient irrigation water practice is applied in the cane rows.

SPACE (TRENCH PLANTING)

CANE YIELD AT DIFFERENT PLANTING GEOMETRY Treatment Cost of Cane Yield Cultivation (t/ha -1) (ha -1) Location 1 Location 2 (Mean) Avg: cane yield t/ha -1 P 1 (60 cm) (Substandard) 96. 82 90. 21 93. 51 P 2 (75 cm) (Standard Row 111. 84 102. 50 107. 17 P 3 (90 cm) Improving Space 134. 46 138. 20 136. 33 P 4 (120 cm) Space (Trench) Planting 162. 72 153. 30 158. 01 • Space (Trench) planting recorded highest cane yield. • Various mechanized operation done easily in space (Trench) planting. • Save time and irrigation water.

SPACE PLANTING TECHNOLOGY The system has been found highly useful under. § Higher cane yield compared to conventional method. § Efficient fertilizer management. § Saving over all 3 - 4 irrigations. § Press mud application and trash mulching in this system can further improve cane yield. § Sugarcane planter tractor drawn is very suitable device for planting cane in tranches. § Proper seed rate 60, 000 – 64, 000 (eye buds) per acre. § Control lodging. § Highly economical.

SPACE PLANTING WITH BORDER IRRIGATION SYSTEM Conventional Block Design Border Irrigation Design In border irrigation water is applied to individual borders from small hand-dug checks from the field head ditch. BIS fills the root zone uniformly.

Irrigation Water Practices Conventional Method Efficient Method

PLASTIC & TRASH MULCHING

DIFFERENT PLANTING METHODS

EFFICIENT IRRIGATION WATER PRACTICES Surge Irrigation Furrow Irrigation Drip Irrigation Sprinkler Irrigation

OUTCOMES § Results indicates that at all experiment sites space planting gave significantly higher cane yield as compared to other planting methods due to better tillering higher plant density and higher weight per millable cane. § Space planting is more economical and it provides most suitable time and space for various mechanized operations in standing crop. § Space planting can control soil moisture quite well in time. § Due to wider rows cane leaves are more exposed to light that induces higher rates of photosynthesis, hence higher sugar recovery. § Through space (trench) planting we save 3 – 4 irrigation water applications. § One thing is observed during experiment that P 2 (75 cm) row distance is very suitable for sugarcane seed (bank) nurseries because maximum thin tillers with small size of inter nodes gave better sprouting %. § We can achieve the unbelievable level of enhancement in cane yield per unit area, save irrigation water and better sugar recovery, if we properly focus on RD&E services.

Thanks

REFERENCES Ø Amolo, R, and G. A obayu (2003) of plant population and planting pattern in sugarcane productivity in w. kenya, Ø Chatta. M. U. A. Ali and M. Bilal (2007) influence of planting technique in growth and yield of spring planted sugarcane Pak. J Agri sci. 452 -454. Ø Seeritum, S. (2014). Cultural practices. Ø Richard, E. PJ. W. Dunkelman C. E Carter (1991) Productivity of sugarcane on narrow rows as affected by mechanical harvesting. Field crops research 26: 375 – 386.