Methods of Planting Sugarcane

Kiran Yadav

GBPUAT, Pantnagar

Sugarcane is planted by three methods in different parts of India.

1. Flat planting:

In this method, shallow (8-10 centimeters deep) furrows are opened with a local plough or cultivator at a distance of 75 to 90 centimeter. There should be adequate moisture in the field at the time of planting. The selts are planted in them end to end taking care that one three budded selt falls in each running 30 centimeters length of furrow. After these furrows are covered with 5-7 centimeters os soil and field is leveled by heavy planking. In most part of northern India and some tracts of Maharashtra, cane is planted by this method.

2. Furrow planting:

In this method, furrows are made with a sugarcane ridger about 10-15 centimeters deep in northern India and about 20 centimeters in south India. Selts are planted end to end in the furrows and covered with 5-6 centimeters soil, leaving upper portion of furrows unfilled. Immediately after covering the selts into furrows. This method is practiced in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and in Peninsular India, particularly in heavy soils.

3. Trench Method:

In some coastal areas as well as in other areas where the crop grows very tall and the strong winds during rainy season cause lodging of cane, trench method is adopted to save the crop from lodging. Trenches at a distance of 75-90 centimeters are dug with the help of ridger or by manual labour. Trenches should be about 20-25 centimeters deep. After this already prepared mixture of fertilizers (NPK) should be spread uniformly in the trenches and mixed thoroughly in the soil. The selts are planted end to end in trenches. Gamma BHC 20 EC at the rate of 5 liters in 800-1000 liters of water per hectare is sprayed over planted selts in trenches to control termites and shoot and root borers. Immediately after this, trenches are filled up with loose soil as in case of flat sowing. The tractor-drawn sugarcane planter is a very suitable device for planting cane in trenches.