Study on combined effect of different tillage methods in sugarcane plant-ratoon cropping system for sustainable ratoon productivity

Abstract

The combined effect of different tillage methods adopted in sugarcane plant-ratoon cropping system for sustainable crop productivity was studied during 2006-2008 in Tarai region of Uttarakhand. The tool/ equipment used in ratoon management were Indian spade and inverted-T openers zero-till ferti-seed drill (ZT-drill), while in sugarcane plant crop the tillage operations were performed by M.B. plough, subsoiler-cum-differential rate fertilizer applicator and disc harrow. The combined effects were measured in terms of crop growth, yield attributes and juice quality parameters of sugarcane ratoon. Results indicated the significant maximum ratoon yield of 91.7 t.ha-1 was achieved in a treatment with subsoiling along with deep and differential rate fertilizer placement in sugarcane plant crop followed by cutting of old roots (off-barring) along both sides of rows and simultaneous fertilizer placement at 120 mm depth with ZT-drill in ratoon crop. The minimum cane yield of 65.6 t.ha-1 was obtained in the controlled treatment with M.B. ploughing, disc harrowing four times and furrow application of fertilizers in sugarcane plant crop, followed by broadcasting of fertilizers and manual mixing with spade in ratoon crop. Sub-soiling with deep fertilizer application in sugarcane plant crop and fertilizer application with ZT-drill in ratoon crop would prove to be a promising combination for higher sugarcane plant and sustainable ratoon productivity.