Studies on the effect of surface and subsurface methods of irrigation and method of fertilizer application on growth and yield parameters, yield, economics and water use efficiency in sugarcane

Field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of surface and subsurface methods of irrigation and the method of fertilizer application on movement of nutrients in sugarcane, at Agricultural Research Station, Bhavanisagar. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design in a plot size of 45 m2 with 2 main plot treatments viz; M₁ - Drip irrigation at 80% PE once in two days with 1.5 m lateral and M₂ - Subsurface irrigation at 100% PE and 5 subplot treatments, ie., S₁ - Absolute control, S₂ - Manual - Band application of N, P and K fertilizers, S₃ - Manual - Hole placement application of N, P and K fertilizers, S₄ - Application of N and K through irrigation water and P as basal and S₅ - Application of nutrients through water soluble fertilizers (N, P and K) and replicated thrice. The result of the experiment revealed that subsurface irrigation at 100% PE with manual - hole placement application of N, P and K fertilizers) is superior in enhancing the growth and yield attributes and yield of sugarcane when compared to other treatment combinations.