Sugarcane uses a lot of water. What are the critical irrigation stages and can drip save water in cane?
How much water and how many irrigations does sugarcane need (ganna)?
MMurugan Selvam6mo ago · 312 views
3 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓6mo ago
Sugarcane is a long duration, water hungry crop, and its critical water need is during the tillering and grand growth phase, roughly the second to sixth month, when stress badly cuts yield. The formative and grand growth stages must never face moisture stress, while water can be reduced at maturity to improve sugar. Flood irrigation wastes a lot of water, so drip or furrow with alternate row helps. Drip irrigation with fertigation can save 30 to 50 percent water and raise yield and recovery, which is why it is promoted in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Mulching with trash conserves moisture. The exact number of irrigations depends on soil, season, and method, so set drip schedule using TNAU or your local recommendation for your zone and water quality.
KKarthikeyan Murthy6mo ago
Drip plus trash mulch together cut my water use sharply in Erode and the cane still grew well. The mulch keeps the surface cool and weeds down so the drip water is not lost to evaporation. Setting up drip costs money first, but several states give a subsidy, so ask your horticulture or agriculture office before you buy.
SSelvaraj Pandian5mo ago
The point about cutting water near maturity is real, but do not let the crop go bone dry and crack the soil either. I taper the water down in the last few weeks before harvest so the cane ripens and sugar concentrates, then send it to the mill quickly. Sudden total stress stalled my crop one year.