INFLUENCE OF ROW SPACING ON WEED DENSITY, BIOMASS AND YIELD OF CHIP BUD SETTLING OF SUGARCANE

Sowing method is one of the pre-basic factor for production technology of a crop therefore suitable row spacing in field is very crucial for making the best use of available resources. The Impact of planting geometry on weeds and yield potential of spring planted sugarcane bud chips variety CP77/400 was studied at Sugar Crops Research Institute, Mardan during 2012-13. The study was comprised of 60, 90, and 120 cm row to row distance and the plant to plant distance was kept at 60 cm for all the treatments. Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that densities of Cynodon dactylon, Sorghum halepense, Cyperus rotundus and Digeria arvensis were significantly higher in 120 cm row spacing and were remained lower in 60 row spacing. Significantly highest weed fresh and dry weights were recorded in 120 cm row spacing plots and lower at 60 cm row spacing. Highest cane yield was achieved by 120 cm row spacing as compared to 60 cm row spacing. It is concluded that row spacing of 120cm had the highest can and sugar yield despite of greatest infestation of weed densities and fresh and dry biomass; therefore an integrated weed management should be applied for the reduction of weeds control in wider row spacing for enhancing cane and sugar yield.