The Central Luzon State University (CLSU) was able to improve sugarcane production efficiency with optimum irrigation scheduling schemes using soil moisture sensors and weather monitoring systems and the use of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and furrow irrigation (FI) methods. These methods increased sugarcane yield by more than 30%.
SDI is recommended in sugarcane areas where water is limited to allow expansion of production area. Varieties with longer ratoon life may justify use of drip irrigation. With the use of moisture sensors, FI was able to minimize excessive application of water. FI remains the most attractive option when water charges are low. However, CLSU found lower water productivity for FI (29 kg/m3) compared to SDI (63 kg/m3).