LOSSES FROM WEEDS
Weeds compete with sugarcane for light,
nutrients and moisture, so reducing crop
yields. The effect of weed competition in
sugarcane is greater than in many shortseason
row crops. This is because the wide
inter-row spacing, high temperature, rainfall,
fertiliser inputs and the perennial nature of
sugarcane favour weed growth. The relatively
slow establishment of the crop also makes it
more susceptible to weed competition.