Earthing up is an essential operation in the cultivation of sugarcane. It involves piling up soil around the stem of the sugarcane plant, which provides support and stability to the plant. The process is typically performed two to three times during the growing season and can significantly increase sugarcane yield.
The need for earthing up arises due to the growing nature of the sugarcane plant. As the plant grows taller, it requires additional support to avoid bending or breaking under its weight. Earthing up ensures that the stem remains stable, which is crucial for efficient photosynthesis and nutrient uptake.
The earthing up operation starts with loosening the soil around the sugarcane plant using a hoe or cultivator. The soil is then scooped up and piled around the stem of the plant, forming a raised bed. The raised bed should be about 15-20 cm high and should have a flat top to prevent water from running off.
Earthing up is typically performed when the sugarcane plant reaches a height of 50-60 cm and then repeated after a month or two. The process should be done carefully to avoid damaging the sugarcane roots or exposing them to sunlight, which can cause them to dry out and die.
In addition to providing support, earthing up also has the added benefit of controlling weeds, conserving moisture, and improving soil aeration. The raised bed helps to suppress weed growth by burying them under a layer of soil, reducing competition for nutrients and sunlight.
Earthing up also helps to retain moisture by reducing evapotranspiration and preventing soil erosion. The raised bed also improves soil aeration by loosening the soil and creating air pockets, which allows for better water and nutrient infiltration.
In conclusion, earthing up is a critical operation in sugar cane cultivation that should be done carefully and at the appropriate time. It helps to provide support and stability to the sugarcane plant, control weeds, conserve moisture, and improve soil aeration. Implementing this process can significantly increase sugar cane yield and improve the overall quality of the crop.