In winter sugarcane, take only low, less spreading and short-duration intercrops. In an ICAR-IISR, Lucknow trial at 90 cm row spacing, sugarcane production rose with potato. It fell 3.5 to 4.8% with cabbage, cauliflower, knol-khol and turnip. It fell about 10 to 11.5% with carrot and radish.
What is the benefit of an intercrop?
According to a Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana article, taking crops such as wheat, mustard, pulses and potato with winter sugarcane has been recorded to give more profit than sugarcane alone. It also brings money into the farmer's hands during the long sugarcane crop, which helps with later expenses. But not every intercrop suits sugarcane equally.
Which crop had how much effect in the ICAR-IISR trial?
This trial was done in Lucknow, in sugarcane planted in the first fortnight of October at 90 cm row spacing. Compared with sugarcane alone:
- Potato (2 rows, 20 cm): Sugarcane rose 8.25%. But potato was given 160 KG N / hectare, and experts believe the leftover nitrogen reached the sugarcane.
- Cauliflower and cabbage (2 rows, 45 cm): Sugarcane fell about 3.5 to 4.8%.
- Knol-khol and turnip (3 rows, 20 cm): Sugarcane fell about 3.5 to 4.8%.
- Carrot (3 rows, 10 cm): Sugarcane fell 9.89%.
- Radish (3 rows, 10 cm): Sugarcane fell 11.53%.
Why is the loss higher with carrot and radish?
Experts give the reason that carrot and radish grow tall and their dense spread suppresses young sugarcane. So the rule is simple: the intercrop should be low, less spreading and short-duration.
A special point about potato
The rise in sugarcane in the potato rows may be linked to the fertiliser given to the intercrop. So do not assume that cutting sugarcane fertiliser and taking potato will give the same result. Count the fertiliser for each intercrop in addition to the sugarcane fertiliser.
Check these points before taking an intercrop
- Row spacing: It was 90 cm in the trial. Narrow rows leave less room for the intercrop and sugarcane gets suppressed.
- Separate fertiliser: Count the intercrop fertiliser separately from the sugarcane fertiliser. In the trial, the intercrop was given one third of the nitrogen and all the P and K at sowing, and the remaining nitrogen after 30 days.
- Crop timing: The field should be free when sugarcane needs room to grow, so take a short-duration type. In late planting, the time for an intercrop gets tighter.
- Weedicide: A chemical meant for sugarcane can harm the intercrop. For choice of chemical, read the label and ask your local agriculture officer.
- Irrigation: Plan irrigation by looking at the needs of both the intercrop and the young sugarcane.
With the Immunity Program
Immunity Sugarcane Program doses per vigha of sugarcane are on the dose schedule. If herbicide has been given, do the drenching 3-4 days later. When there is an intercrop, please ask first about any specific tank mix or drenching.
Questions and answers
Which is the safest intercrop in winter sugarcane?
In the IISR trial, sugarcane increased with potato, and the fall was small with cabbage, cauliflower, knol-khol and turnip. Start with a small area, keeping in mind your Gujarat soil and variety.
Can an intercrop be taken in narrow rows?
The trial was at 90 cm row spacing. Narrow rows leave less room, so the chance of sugarcane being suppressed is higher; think it over before deciding.
Sources: Singh, Singh, Rai, Pathak (ICAR-IISR): Vegetables intercropping with autumn planted sugarcane, Indian Farming 68(01), 2018 · Kaur, Gill, Kaur (PAU Ludhiana): Autumn sugarcane-based intercropping, Indian Farming 71(5), 2021
*Farmers' results are their own experience, not a guarantee. Results change with soil, water, weather and care.
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