Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) cultivated in an area of 1,43,000 acres in Madras State is mainly found in the districts of North Arcot, South Arcot, Tanjavur, Thiruchirapalli, Coimbatore and Mathurai. The crop is raised under irrigation, both under wet and garden land conditions. Manurial experiments on sugarcane have been conducted during the past fifty years in Madras State, primarily in the research stations at Palur in South Arcot, at Gudiatham in North Arcot and at Central Farm in Coimbatore. However, during the past ten years, experiments were also conducted at Cuddalore, Nellikuppam, Kulithalai, Pandiyarajapuram, Vadapathimangalam and Rajathani- kottai. The tract represented by Palur is typical of a strip of sandy loamy soil whereas Gudiatham represents a little heavier soil. The Central farm, Coimbatore represents the central districts and has two different soils viz., black and red soils.

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