Evaluation on zero tillage technique in sugarcane under different methods of weed control

An experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil at Regional Research Station (PAU), Kheri (Sangur) during 2000-01 and 2001-2002. Zero tillage cultivation of sugarcane gave the significantly lower and higher yield as compared to the conventional tillage cultivation in the first and second year, respectively. However, the zero tillage and conventional tillage cultivation produced the same average cane yield which thereby indicated that sugarcane found suitable for planting with zero tillage technique to obtain the same yield or higher yield without wasting time and money for the preparation of field. Net return was recorded higher in the second year with the cultivation of sugarcane with the zero tillage technique. However, the average net return was more under the zero tillage cultivation of sugarcane due to the low cost of cultivation. Weed control methods produced a significantly higher cane yield and net return over the control. Highest net return was recorded with the control of weeds with mechanical inter-culture (hoeing) might be due to the higher cane yield.