PERFORMANCE OF SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM-OFFICINARUM L) UNDER SURFACE DRIP, SUB SURFACE DRIP (BIWALL) AND FURROW METHODS OF IRRIGATION

Field experiments were conducted at the Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, India during 1989-93 to study the productivity and water u se efficiency of sugarcane under different methods of irrigation. The results showed that there could be a 44% saving in water with higher w ater use efficiency in drip irrigation compared to conventional furrow irrigation. Among drip irrigation systems in the plant crop, sub surf ace drip (Biwall) at 40/140 cm spacing recorded a significantly higher number of millable canes, cane length and single cane weight compared to either conventional furrow irrigation or furrow irrigation based o n IW/CPE (Irrigation Water Cumulative Pan Evaporation) ratio. In ratoo n crop, Biwall irrigation at 60/120 cm gave significantly higher cane length and single cane weight compared to any other methods of irrigat ion. However, cane and sugar yields in Biwall irrigations were on par with conventional furrow irrigation but superior to either surface dri p or furrow irrigation based in IW/CPE ratio.