Wet planting method in puddled land

Description
Sugarcane cultivation is being done under wetland condition in Kilasuryamoolai, Thiruvidaimaruthur taluk of Thanjavur district. Here planting is done in puddled condition. In five feet spacing, dual row planting system is followed in the village. Setts are planted in sliding (450) position in dual rows with 30 cm spacing and in between dual row 5 feet (150 cm) spacing is given. Setts are placed in such a way that one bud is inside the soil and another one is above the soil surface. It is a very popular practice in the area. Farmers reported that it gives good yield when compared to the normal planting method under puddled condition.

Wet method of planting in puddled land

Semi ridge planting

Description
Another practice was documented from Kilasuryamoolai of Thanjavur district to manage the acute water logged condition. Here the farmers follow a different technique to place the setts on the ridges. When water level is more in furrows, setts are placed in the side slope of the ridges. Farmers opined that this method is good for germination as well as it reduces the possibilities of lodging.

Semi ridge method of planting under water logged condition

Ladder method of planting
Description
Dual row with wider spacing is a common practice among the farmers and it is a recommended method as well. But a local practice to place the setts in wider row planting was documented from Katukolai village of Ariylur district. Four setts are placed very closely on either side of the lateral (under drip irrigation system) at the rate of two per side. Continuous placement of setts on either side of the laterals looks like ladder and hence, this method is called as “ladder method of planting”. The farmer says “this method improves the germination and tillering and reduces the possibilities of lodging due to close placement of setts”. Further, laterals were placed in between the two rows of the setts and it can be easily replaced to either side and it will be good for cultivating short duration intercrops. When the intercrop requires water, the laterals can be placed in between the sugarcane and intercrop; and after harvesting the intercrop, the laterals can be placed in between the dual row of sugarcane.

Ladder method of sugarcane planting