Field preparation

• Sugarcane remains in field for at least 2-3 years so a throughout soil preparation once in 2-3 years is essential.
• Proper land preparation is required for good growth and establishment of crops.
• Sugarcane needs deep tillage as 75% of the root system is present in deep soil.
• Shallow ploughing with local plough limits the root development resulting in the lodging of the cane plants, in general one deep ploughing with soil turning plough followed by two cross harrowing or 5-6 ploughing with local plough will be enough.
• Planking should be done to make the field smooth and clod free.
• All weeds should be removed, stubbles should be also removed, the clods should be broken and the leveling of the field should be also done.
• The ideal condition of soil is 50%solid (45%IM and 5% OM), 25% air and 25% water. If there is lack of moisture in the field then give one pre-planting irrigation for proper germination.

Objectives of land preparation

1. To prepare a seed bed which permits rapid infiltration of water, holds sufficient amount of water and air
2. To create soil condition which facilitates early root penetration
3. To resist soil erosion
4. To incorporate or destroy preceding crop residues
5. To destroy weeds, pests and disease-causing organisms present in the soil
6. To incorporate organic manures
7. To facilitate proper soil chemical and microbial activity

Steps in Land Preparation

• Subsoiling or chiseling to a depth of 50 to 75 cm to break hard compact sub-pan layer
• Ploughing to incorporate previous crop’s crop residues and organic manures
• Discing to break clods
• Land shaping to provide the required gradient for draining excess water during rainy season
• Field layout – Construct ridges & furrows and shape them. Depth of furrows should be 25 cm. The furrow bottom should be loosened to about 10 cm.
• Provide drainage channels, which are deeper than the furrows along the field borders as well as within the field at regular intervals. Drainage channels are particularly important in the high rainfall areas to drain the excess water during rainy season.