Effect of sett size, planting method and soil-moisture regime on growth and yield of sugarcane

A field experiment was conducted during 1999-2002 to study seed cane requirement through manipulation of sett size, placement method and soil moisture at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, with 3 moisture regimes and 6 planting materials or methods in split-plot design with 3 replications. Maximum millable canes (124 480/ha) were found with planting of 3-bud setts. Vertical planting of single-bud setts produced higher number of millable canes (75 210/ha) than horizontal planting (70 730/ha). Higher cane length, diameter and cane weight were recorded with planting of 3-bud setts compared to 1-bud and 2-bud setts. Sugarcane juice quality (brix, pol and purity) did not show significant variation due to different planting materials or methods. Highest sugarcane yield (76.28 tonnes/ha) and commercial cane sugar (9.94 tonnes/ha) were obtained with planting of 3-bud setts. Mean data for 2 cropping seasons on ratoon cane indicated that various moisture regimes maintained in sugarcane (plant crop) could not bring significant differences in cane growth (length, diameter and weight), juice quality (brix, pol and purity), ratoon and commercial cane sugar yields.