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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Effect of irrigation at different soil moisture levels on yield of sugarcane at kenana Sugar Scheme

Dafa Alla Mohamed Abdel Wahab

Abstract:

Field experiments were conducted during 2001-02 and 2002-03 at Kenana Sugar Scheme ( latitude 13010` N and longitude 320 40` E ) in heavy clay soils, with 65 % clay, 24% silt, 11% sand and a pH of 7.5–8.5. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of irrigation applied at the depletion levels of 25-30%, 55- 60% and 75-80% of available soil moisture on yield and yield components of four sugarcane cultivars: Co 6806, Co 997, BJ 8532 and TUC 75-‎‎3. In both seasons, the irrigation treatments were applied three months after sowing and continued till the crop was 13 months old. The reference evapotranspiration for Kenana Sugar Scheme was computed using Penman-Monteith approach. The amount of water required for irrigating sugarcane plants was calculated. The results showed that, irrigation based on the depletion of 75-80% of available soil moisture led to a decreased yield and yield components, whereas the best yield and yield components resulted when irrigating at 55-60% depletion of available soil moisture followed by 25-30% depletion. Regarding the effect of irrigation at different soil moisture levels on cane and sugar yields, results showed that, irrigation based on the depletion of 55-60% had out-yielded those of 25- 30% and 75-80% depletion of available soil moisture. With respect to the performance of the cultivars, the highest cane and sugar yield was obtained from the cultivar Co 6806 followed by cultivars Co 997, BJ 8532 and TUC 75-‎‎3.

 

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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 8 (2007) PP. 105-115