Comparative growth, productivity, quality and profitability of plant and ratoon crop of sugarcane under different pit dimensions

Abstract

Demand for sugar in Pakistan is increasing day by day while the scope for increasing area of sugarcane is limited. Conventional sowing techniques/planting patterns are one of imperative reason for low productivity of sugarcane in Pakistan. Therefore, we assumed the yield, quality and economics of sugarcane under square and round pit planting techniques. During 2013-15 and 2015-16 at Faisalabad, the experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design. Planting techniques were comprised of 45 cm spaced square pits having area 90 cm × 90 cm, 45 cm spaced round pits having diameter 90 cm, 60 cm spaced square pits having area 90 cm × 90 cm, 60 cm spaced round pits having diameter 90 cm, 75 cm spaced square pits having area 90 cm × 90 cm, 75 cm spaced round pits having diameter 90 cm, 90 cm spaced square pits having area 90 cm × 90 cm and 90 cm spaced round pits having diameter 90 cm. After the harvest of the first-year crop, the field was kept as ratoon crop for 2nd-year trials. Maximum plant height 374.66 cm and 323.41 cm was attained when sugarcane was planted in 90 cm spaced square pits having area a 90 cm × 90 cm in plant and ratoon crop, respectively. The highest unstripped cane yield (158.08 t/ha and 128.78 t/ha) and stripped cane yield (134.88 t/ ha and 101.51 t /ha) was obtained from sugarcane planted at 45 cm spaced square pits having an area 90 cm× 90 cm in plant and ratoon crop, respectively. Moreover, this treatment gave maximum net return of Rs.177370/ha, net field benefits of Rs.347819 /ha and benefit-cost ratio of 1.57.