• Improved water use efficiency
• Optimum use of fertilizers favour balanced availability of nutrients
• Better aeration and more penetration of sunlight favours higher sugar content
• Reduced cost of cultivation and increased returns  through intercropping

An optimum environment with  good water facility, pro-tray, decomposed coco-pith and polythene sheet are the basic requirements for good nursery in shade net shed is a good proposition to provide shade and create other favourable conditions like warm and wind free environment.

Based on the moisture content of coco-pith, watering to the trays (seedlings) has to be done using rose cans.

• Transplant young seedlings of 25-35 days old in the main field

• Watering can be stopped one day before transplanting. This will loosen the coco-pith in the cones and help in easy lifting of seedlings for transplanting.

• Maintain optimum plant spacing of 5x2 ft. for easy sunlight penetration, profuse tillering and mechanical harvesting.

• To moisten the soil, irrigate the field one or two days before transplanting. Similarly, irrigation should be given immediately after planting.

• After the establishment of 2 or 3 tillers, the mother shoot may be removed just one inch above the ground to facilitate more number of tillers and uniform maturity.

• Wider spacing under SSI provides scope for intercropping with vegetables, pulses, water melon, cucumber and green manure crops. Intercropping facilitates weed control, soil enrichment and additional income.

• Weeding has to be done at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting. Earthing up has to be done on 45th and 90th day after planting for enhancing aeration and root growth.

• For effective photosynthesis, only the top 8-10 leaves are sufficient. Therefore it is important to remove the lower dry and green leaves during 5th and 7th month, and applied as much in the interspaces.

The productivity of cane under SSI can be enhanced by practicing drip irrigation with fertigation. Based on the soil type, drip irrigation can be scheduled daily or once in three days. Fertigation can be done at ten days interval. The water use efficiency is higher in drip irrigation and can save irrigation water to the tune of 55 per cent (1200 mm).

Nutrient management in sugarcane cultivation is very essential for better crop growth. It is always better to know the required quantity of nutrients through soil testing and enrich the soil accordingly. If it is not feasible, NPK can be applied at the rate of 275 kg, 63 kg and 115 kg per hectare, respectively through inorganic or organic sources.

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