Scope and prospects for intercropping of potato with sugarcane in Maharashtra State, India

Abstract

In India, sugarcane is mainly planted in three seasons, i.e. adsali (July–August). pre-seasonal or autumn (October–November). and seasonal (January–March). Pre-seasonal cane planting coincides with the time of autumn potato planting. Experiments were initiated at Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani from 1980 onwards, on the intercropping of potato with sugarcane. The opening of furrows for sugarcane planting coincided with the planting of potato, and earthing of the sugarcane and harvesting of potato were synchronized, hence only two passes with bullock and plough were necessary throughout the combined crop cycles. Yields of sugarcane in all the experimental years were not adversely affected due to intercropping of potato in the centre of the ridge. Yield of intercropped potatoes responded to higher plant density (8.55 vs. 5.55 plants/m 2) while net monetary returns in the above two spacings increased by Rs. 9873/- and Rs. 9115/- per hectare respectively, over sole-cropped sugarcane. Greening of tubers in the intercropping system was reduced to 4.6% as against 15% in the pure potato crop. The smothering effect of potato as an intercrop resulted in an 80% efficiency of weed control. During the transfer of the above technology to 51 cultivators fields in the Kannad sugar factory sugar factory area of Aurangabad, potato yields of up to 22.5 t/ha were achieved under satisfactory management levels. Tuberlets produced from first-generation true potato seedlings were well suited for planting material for intercropping with sugarcane, an important consideration when searching for reductions in production costs. Incentives for intercropping of the potato with pre-seasonal sugarcane will result in potato production on a large scale in non-traditional potato-growing states, with a concomitant increase in sugar production and factory efficiency, and benefits to both consumers and sugar factories.