Large patches of my sugarcane have fallen over flat before harvest in Mandya. What causes lodging and how do I prevent it next time?
Why is my sugarcane crop lodging and falling over before harvest (ganna)?
MManjunath Gowda5mo ago · 258 views
4 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓5mo ago
Cane lodging happens when tall heavy canes lose support from wind, heavy irrigation, weak roots, or excess nitrogen that makes growth soft and top heavy. Borer damage and a weak shallow root system make it worse. To prevent it, do proper earthing up to anchor the clumps, tie or prop canes together in bundles, follow balanced fertiliser instead of excess nitrogen, and avoid over irrigation especially when canes are tall. Trash twist tying and detrashing also help reduce wind drag. Lodged cane lowers both yield and sugar recovery and invites rats and rot, so prevention is far better than dealing with it after it falls. Get the earthing up timing and fertiliser balance suited to your variety from your local KVK or mill cane staff.
LLokesh Gowda5mo ago
Tying canes in bunches after they crossed shoulder height stopped most of my lodging. Earlier I skipped it and lost weight when they fell in the rain.
SSuresh Gowda4mo ago
Proper earthing up made a big difference for me. When the clumps are well earthed up the roots get a firm base and the canes stand much better against wind. I do it in stages as the crop grows rather than one late heaping. Detrashing the lower dry leaves also cut down the wind drag.
KKumaraswamy4mo ago
In my field the lodging was worse where I had put extra urea thinking it would boost growth. The canes grew tall and soft and went down in the first strong wind. After I switched to a balanced dose the canes were sturdier. Excess nitrogen and too much water late in the crop is asking for lodging.