In this article we will discuss about the cropping system of sugarcane in India.
In long duration crops like sugarcane there is no scope for sequential cropping since the crop occupies the land for one year. However, sugarcane is rotated with other crops.
Crop Rotations:
Since sugarcane occupies the field for one year, it is rotated with other crops in two or more years rotations.
Major rotations involving sugarcane crop are given below:
Rice/maize – sugarcane – greengram
Rice – sugarcane – ratoon – wheat
Rice – potato – sugarcane – ratoon
Rice -rice – sugarcane (adasli)
Rice – sugarcane – groundnut
Rice – sugarcane – fingermillet
Rice – sugarcane – ratoon.
Companion Cropping:
Crop diversification through companion cropping in sugarcane holds great promise in increasing the land utilisation efficiency. Growing a short duration crop in between two rows of sugarcane crop is called companion cropping.
The term companion cropping, synonymous with intercropping, is used mainly with sugarcane. Companion cropping is defined as growing short duration crop in between sugarcane rows such that it is harvested before the elongation phase of sugarcane. In other words, it is intercropping in sugarcane.
Following are the major companion cropping system in India:
Autumn Planted Sugarcane:
Companion cropping of sugarcane + potato produces higher yield of component crops over potato-cane system. Two rows of rajmash (PDR 14) in between sugarcane rows are more profitable. Two rows of lentil (DPL 15) as companion crop can save 38 kg N ha-1. Varuna mustard + sugarcane in 1:1 proportion is more remunerative than sole sugarcane.
Spring Planted Sugarcane:
Companion cropping is profitable in Uttar Pradesh, north Bihar, Punjab and Haryana. Minimum loss in cane yield is with greengram varieties PDM 11 and PDM 84-139 (4-5%). Among the dual purpose legumes, highest monetary returns are with sugarcane + Pusa komal cowpea followed by sugarcane + K 851 greengram.
Nitrogen economy in sugarcane with these systems is around 40 kg N ha-1. Susbania sesban at high density in spring planted sugarcane effectively controls weeds and its in situ turning exhibits allelopathic effects on germination of Cyperus rotundus nuts.
Grain Cereals in Sugarcane:
Surya and Sweet maize cultivars as companion crop in spring planted sugarcane can be harvested before the commencement of hot weather in north India. In autumn planted crop, long duration Azad Uttam maize could find place.
Companion cropping of maize in February planted cane as well as initiated ratoon offers great potential for mid-season income in maize growing areas of subtropical belt. Staggered planting of sugarcane (CoPt 90223) at 45:105:45 cm accommodating two rows of Surya maize is profitable.
Simultaneous planting of sugarcane + wheat compensates the crop yield over wheat-sugarcane sequence, necessitating late planting of cane. Simultaneous planting system produces 70 t ha-1 of sugarcane and 4 t ha-1 of wheat.
Companion cropping involving sugarcane in furrows and 3 rows of wheat on ridges hold promise to increase the land use efficiency both in space and time. Economic evaluation of sugarcane based diversification systems (Table 18.15) indicates higher net income with companion cropping in sugarcane.
From the Table 18.15, it is evident that companion cropping of sugarcane + potato is profitable over sequence cropping of potato-sugarcane. Similarly, sugarcane + wheat system is more remunerative over wheat-sugarcane sequence. All the companion cropping systems are more remunerative over sole autumn sugarcane.
