Question

Sugarcane crop requires maximum water at

• A. Germination stage
• B. Maturity stage
• C. Grand growth stage
• D. All of these

Hint:

Sugarcane critical irrigation stages: Formative stage (critical for yield) and Grand growth stage (maximum total water consumption).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Crop water requirement varies across growth phenophases depending on leaf canopy development and biomass accumulation.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In sugarcane, the growth phases are germination ($0\text{--}45$ days), formative/tillering stage ($45\text{--}120$ days), grand growth stage ($120\text{--}270$ days), and ripening/maturity ($270\text{--}360$ days).
The grand growth phase involves rapid stalk elongation, leaf canopy expansion, and peak evapotranspiration, accounting for over $70\text{--}80\%$ of total crop water consumption.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, sugarcane requires maximum water at the grand growth stage.