IMPORTANCE OF WATER MANAGEMENT FOR SUGARCANE CULTIVATION IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

Irrigation is needed for the cultivation of sugarcane and its intercrops. Heavy irrigation causes leaching of nutrients such as N, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn etc. from the effective root-zone. Moreover, due to presence of impervious substratum within a depth of 30-100 cm from the soil surface, the heavy irrigation, heavy rainfall or intensive rainfall during the monsoon from the perched water table. As a result of water logging nutritional imbalance is created in the root zone. Thus growth is hampered and the biosphere is established in fabour of pests and diseases. Hence the efficient water management in the field, is a must for sugarcane cultivation in Bangladesh.