Effect of planting material and seed rate in pit planted sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid complex) in sub-tropical India

To find out the optimum and economic viable planting material and seed rate in pit method of planting in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), a field experiment was conducted during spring season of 2007–08 and 2008–09 at Karnal. Experiment consisting of fourteen treatments (two budded setts and pre-germinated cane settlings planted in pits @ 12,15,18,21 and 24 or at double their rates in single budded setts) was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications. Double budded setts and pre-germinated cane settlings produced higher cane and sugar yield when compared with planting of single budded setts. Planting materials of 21 double budded setts, 21 cane settlings and 42 single budded setts/pit being at par produced significantly higher cane yield, sugar yield and returns over their corresponding lower rates of planting materials. Planting of 12 two budded setts or settlings/pit or 24 single budded setts recorded the lowest cane yield, sugar yield, net returns and B: C ratio.