A Detailed Guide to Sugarcane Planting Methods and Key Techniques
Sugarcane is planted directly using sugarcane seedlings. Before planting, plow the soil deeply; the planting furrow should be about 30 cm deep and about 20 to 25 cm wide. Before planting, water the root soil, gently press the sugarcane seedlings into the mud, and be careful to place the bud eyes on the left and right sides, keeping the plant spacing at about 20 cm. They will begin to sprout in about a month.
How to Plant Sugarcane
1. Selection of High-Quality Seedlings
When selecting sugarcane seeds, people often consider which part to use for planting. Whole-stalk seedlings grow well and are large, while those from the tail end have more buds and yield well. Generally speaking, sugarcane tail seedlings are the first choice for many growers, because the fresh young buds at the tail are more numerous and can grow more seedlings after development. When selecting, choose multi-bud seedlings with a greener color; these tend to be much more profitable and have a high survival rate.
2. Land Management
Because sugarcane is planted densely and consumes fertility, the soil must be well fertilized before planting. To ensure fertility keeps up, the soil should first be turned deeply, and secondly the turned soil should be exposed to sunlight for disinfection, generally for about a week. After a week, mix the fertilizer with the soil and bury it, then apply sufficient water, and dig it into strips, with the distance between two strips about the width of an adult's shoulder. The depth of the middle distance is about 20-30 cm.
3. Fertilizer and Water Management
“If you want to grow sugarcane well, fertilizer and water must be kept sufficient.” Because sugarcane is planted densely and, moreover, itself has a high water content, its demand for fertilizer and water is high. Water should be applied according to local conditions and temperature changes, keeping to once every 5-7 days. Fertilizer is generally applied as topdressing at several stages: early stem-node growth, mid-stage leaf growth on both sides, and late-stage overall stalk growth. Compound fertilizer is generally recommended. When the leaves are growing in the middle stage, to ensure the overall nutrition of the sugarcane, some excess low-lying branches and leaves can be removed before fertilizing.
4. Field Matters
During daily field management, first make sure there is not too much mulch at the base of the sugarcane, as this is not conducive to the roots breathing and growing. Generally, fallen leaves in the early stage should be cleared away promptly; in the later stage you can be more relaxed, because the early stage requires ensuring good development of branches and buds. Pest control in the field is a major task, and everyone must carry it out properly. Secondly, weed management is also very important, but generally only larger weeds are dealt with. In the middle, the soil should generally be loosened 2-3 times, during the seedling and stalk-forming periods.