Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
Sugarcane is usually grown after paddy in tropical and subtropical India; this rotation is adopted when sugarcane is planted in October (autumn planting). Soil puddling is required for paddy, but puddling disturbs the soil structure and impedes development of roots beyond the puddled layer. Adverse effects on growth and yield of sugarcane are therefore expected, but contrary to such expectations, sustained or increased yields of cane after paddy have been observed (Alvarez & Snyder, 1984; Anon. 1984; Snyder el al. 1986). It appears that certain other soil factors overcome the harmful effects of adverse soil physical conditions. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate such factors.