Effect of First Irrigation Date on Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) Ratoon Establishment

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2010/2013 at Guneid sugarcane research farm to evaluate the effects of the date of first irrigation on the growth of sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) first ratoon. After harvest of main sugarcane crop, four first irrigation dates (after 3, 9, 15 and 21 days) were applied and arranged in a completely randomized block design with four replications. The plant growth attributes studied were plant height, plant populations, stem diameter, biomass fresh and dry weights. First irrigation date had significant effect on plant height, plant population, stem diameter and insignificant effect on number of leaves/ plant and biomass fresh and dry weights. Plant height, plant population and stem diameter were reduced with delayed first irrigation date. Application of the first irrigation after 3 days from harvest was the best date for the start of the ratoon growth.