Enhancing Sugarcane Profitability through Sequential Intercropping

Sugarcane is a vital global crop, serving as the primary source of sugar and various by-products essential for meeting worldwide demands. Its significance extends beyond sweetness, profoundly influencing the agricultural landscape. The cultivation of sugarcane emphasizes the need for sustainable agricultural practices. The proposal of an optimal row-to-row spacing of 120 cm, paired with a specific intercropping strategy involving potato and mungbean, is a pioneering approach designed to enhance both yield and economic returns. This strategy addresses challenges like sugarcane leaf cutting, crucial for mitigating shading effects on light-sensitive intercrops, especially the second intercrop like mungbean. Maintaining ample row spacing is fundamental, preventing excessive shading and ensuring sufficient solar radiation for optimal photosynthesis, leading to increased yields in light-sensitive crops. As the global emphasis on sustainability grows, these recommendations emerge as a guiding framework for advancing sugarcane cultivation practices worldwide, promoting both economic viability and ecological sustainability.