Weed on 45 and 90 days after planting before application of fertilizers.
First weeding is done by digging on the ridges and by hand in the furrows.
Care should be taken to see that the furrows are not filled up while digging so that tillering is
not affected.
At the time of second digging, the crop is partially earthed up to arrest formation of late
shoots.
With the commencement of the south west monsoon, final earthing up should be done to
prevent lodging.
At this time, de-trashing is to be done to prevent the possible germination of axillary buds and
to reduce pest infestation.
Prevent lodging either by twisting of trash or by propping.
Weed control using herbicides
Apply Oxyflurofen at 0.61 kg ai/ha as pre-emergent and at 60 days after planting as post-
emergent application.
Apply Metribuzen 1 kg ai/ha as pre-emergent application followed by one hoeing at 60
days after planting while integrated weed management is undertaken.
Irrigation
Irrigate the crop 8-10 times depending upon the availability of rains.
In Chittoor area, more number of irrigations will be necessary.
In early growth periods, irrigate the crop at more frequent intervals.
Avoid too much moisture and water stagnation especially during germination and early
growth phases.
Alternate furrow with trash mulching could economise the use of irrigation water to the
tune of 41 per cent during the formative phase of spring planted sugarcane as compared to
all furrow irrigation with trash mulching.
Intercropping
Under irrigated conditions, intercropping with short duration pulse crop is recommended. In such cases, sow the pulse crop on the ridges one month in advance, so that the first intercultivation is not hindered.
As a green manure, sun hemp can also be raised on the ridges.
