What is Ratoon Cropping: Key Benefits & Suitable Crops

Table of Contents

• What is Ratoon Cropping?
• What is the Need and Benefits of Ratoon Cropping?
• Crops Suitable for Ratoon Cropping
  • Sugarcane
  • Sorghum
  • Banana

What is Ratoon Cropping?

Ratoon cropping is a popular agricultural practice that involves growing a second (ratoon) crop from the stubble left after the harvesting of the first crop. It is commonly adopted for monocot crops such as pineapple, rice, and sugarcane. After first harvesting, the stubble is managed to promote new growth via key practices like irrigation, fertilization, weeding, and pest & disease control. New ratoons or shoots develop from the remaining shoot system or stubble. However, it is successful for a few seasons only, as frequent ratooning generally results in low crop quality and yield. Ratoon cropping is highly valuable for farmers because of its resource efficiency and profitability.

What is the Need and Benefits of Ratoon Cropping?

Ratoon cropping enhances agricultural productivity by offering a new crop from the first harvest, which means turning waste into profits. It is useful for areas with limited resources and reduces expenses related to land preparation and seeds. The main benefits of ratoon cropping include:

• Ratoon cropping mainly offers economic benefits by reducing cultivation costs and ensuring a quick harvest. It shortens the crop cycle and thus ensures faster turnaround to market and quicker return on investment.
• It offers several environment and soil health benefits, including improved soil structure, soil moisture conservation, and sustainable agriculture. Lower use of resources and inputs results in a lower carbon footprint.
• This cropping system can also increase overall production per unit of land and time due to resource use efficiency from the established root system.
• Ratoon cropping involves minimal tillage and land preparation and thus saves labour and time for farmers.

Crops Suitable for Ratoon Cropping

Generally, crops suitable for ratoon cropping include woody, monocot, or perennial plants that can regrow from their lower stem portions or roots. Examples of key crops involved in ratoon cropping are sugarcane, sorghum, cotton, rice, and banana. The same root system offers multiple harvests using this cultivation method.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane is the most common crop for ratoon cropping. The leftover stalk of sugarcane regrows without the need for replanting. Some sugarcane varieties ideal for ratoon cropping include Co 8013, Co 8014, Co 6907, and Co 86032. Ratoon management in sugarcane is important to ensure the healthy growth of the ratoon crop. Ratooning in sugarcane involves several key practices like stubble shaving, off-baring, mulching, proper fertilization, and irrigation.

During harvesting, sharp knives are used to cut the clump to the ground level. Ratoon manager can also be used to trim the clump that facilitates the ratoon growth crop. The field is cleaned by removing dead canes and trash. Gaps can be filled by placing single/two/three budded setts or pre-germinated settlings growing in the Polybag system. Through integrated nutrient management, a proper amount of inorganic and organic fertilizers is applied. Phosphobactor (4 kg), Azospirillum (4 kg), and bio-compost (2 bags) can be incorporated per acre to get higher yields. 18-20 irrigations are usually needed across the life span of ratoon crops. The number of ratoon cycles is dependent on different factors, such as the cane variety, soil type, and management practices. However, 2-3 ratoon cycles are common for most areas.

Sorghum

Successful ratooning of sorghum involves harvesting the primary crop, leaving 15 cm stubble. Two sprouts that are first formed from the main crop need to be removed. The two sprouts that develop later are allowed to grow. After harvesting, weeds need to be removed immediately. On the 15th and 30th day after cutting, hoeing and weeding should be done twice.

100 kg of N per hectare is applied in two split doses. On the 15th day after cutting, the first dose is applied, while the second dose is administered on the 45th day after cutting. Along with this, 50 kg P2O5 per hectare is applied on the 45th day. After harvesting the main crop, immediate irrigation is required within 24 hours. Then irrigation is needed on the 3rd or 4th day after cutting. After this, irrigation can be done once in 7 to 10 days and is stopped 70 - 80 days after ratooning. As soon as the grains turn yellow, harvesting is done. Sorghum ratoon can be sustained for up to 2 ratoon cycles.

Banana

Bananas are noted to be popular perennials that produce succeeding crops. The plant crop involves the first cycle after planting. The harvested plant is succeeded by the ratoon, known as the sucker or follower. The second cycle is termed the first ratoon crop. The planting season is usually between May - June or September - October. The different methods of planting include the pit, furrow, and trench methods. Plants develop an underground corm, a pseudo-stem, and an inflorescence during the growth cycle. Most resources are provided to the growing mother plant during the vegetative phase.

Ratoon development increased during flowering, which is why there is a need for ratoon management or desuckering. Desuckering involves eliminating unwanted or extra suckers from the plant. Infestations can be managed by keeping fields weed-free. After the emergence of flowers and the opening of fruits, a skirting bag can be used to cover the bunches, that only ensures uniform temperature inside but also provides protection against insects. It ensures suitable colour and fruit development.

Ratoon cropping is a popular technique for growing a new crop from the root system or stubble of the previous crop. Even though it provides economic benefits, this agricultural practice also needs careful management to overcome challenges, such as nutrient deficiencies, pests, and yield decline. Ratoon cropping has a key role in Indian agriculture, mainly for sugarcane cultivation, as it ensures reduced cultivation costs, lower labour requirements, and faster time to market.