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Influence of Flooding and Soil Moisture Content on Elongation of Sugar cane in Trinidad

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

F. A. Gumbs
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, UWI, St Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies
L. A. Simpson
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, UWI, St Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies

Summary

The total growth increment of sugar cane stalks from 13 to 22 weeks after planting was 55% greater in elevated than depressed areas in fields flooded intermittently during the period of measurement. The weekly growth increments were 137–9% greater in elevated than depressed areas, especially when soil moisture was high. The cane was on top of high ridges but water stood up to 10 cm deep over the top of the ridges in depressed areas for up to 5 or 6 days after rain and at varying depths below the top for several more days. Provided the soil was not submerged, tillers elongated most when the soil profile was saturated or nearly so; mere waterlogging without submergence seems not to damage cane. Tiller elongation and soil moisture were well correlated regardless of depth of sampling between 0 and 45 cm, but different relations were obtained for elevated drained areas and depressed areas subject to submergence.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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