Drain spacing effects on water table control and cane sugar yields
1994
Carter, C.E. | Camp, C.R.
An experiment was conducted in Southern Louisiana during 1980 through 1990 to determine soil and crop response to subsurface drainage. Three subsurface drain spacings, 14, 28, and 42 m, were tested on Jeanerette silty clay loam soil. The 14 and 28 m spacings were most effective in controlling the water table: average annual SEW30 values were 46 and 122 cm-d, respectively. Average annual SEW30 value for the 42 m spacing was 242 cm-d while that from the nondrained check was 642 cm-d. Sugarcane responded favorably to subsurface drainage. Average annual sugar yields were 6041 kg/ha from the 14 m spacing, 6029 kg/ha from the 28 m spacing, 5788 kg/ha from the 42 m spacing, and 4990 kg/ha from the check. Yields among the three drained treatments were not significantly different, but yields from the drained treatments were significantly greater than those from the nondrained check. The value of the average sugar yield increases from both the 28 m and the 42 m spacings more than justified the cost of installing subsurface drainage systems. The drainage costs included 10% interest and a 10-year amortization period Since there was no statistically significant crop yield advantage to subsurface drains spaced closer than 42 m, the drain spacing recommended for draining Jeanerette silty clay loam soil in Louisiana is 42 m.
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