Effect of formative stage moisture stress, mulch and planting method on yield attributes, yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

A field experiment was conducted for two years during 2002-03 to find out the effect of formative moisture stress and planting method on yield attributes, yield, quality and water use efficiency of sugarcane at Dhenkanal, Orissa. The highest average cane yield (146.83 t ha-1) over all the irrigation levels was observed in pair row spacing. Even though second best cane yield was observed in the wider row spacing in full irrigation, the average cane yield under different irrigation levels was the least (124.66 t ha-1 /ha) as there was higher (47%) yield reduction in that planting method under moisture stress condition. The highest brix reading was observed under deficit irrigation condition. The highest water expense efficiency was achieved with paired row planting (90 kg/ha-mm water use) followed by normal row spacing and the least was observed in wider row spacing.