Earthing Up – Intercultural Operation in Sugarcane Cultivation
1. The earthing up operation consists of breaking of ridges and converting them into furrows and furrows into ridges.
2. This operation is done when the crop is 5 to 5.5 months old and 2 to 3 internodes are visible.
3. In case of small bed and serpentine layout this operation is done manually by digging the ridges with the help of Tikav or Kudali and raising soil at the base of cane plants.
4. In long furrow and contour furrow layout it is done by plough and ridger.
5. A small plough is run to break sides of ridges and shovel tooth cultivator is worked to break the centre of the ridges.
6. Then the soil is pulverized by harrowing.
7. Finally, ridger is worked to complete the work of earthing up.
8. This operation is done to support the plants with soil, to prevent lodging of cane and to avoid the direct contact of water to plants.