Higher soil moisture depletion was observed at lower IW/
CPE ratios. This was due to more extraction of water from
deeper soil layers under drier regime owing to limited
availability of moisture in upper layers (Singh and Mohan,
1994; Raghuvanshi and Wallender, 1998). Total water depletion
from the soil profile varied appreciably with moisture
present in the soil resulting from varying irrigation scheduling
treatments. During 2001–2002, higher soil moisture depletion
was recorded as compared to 2002–2003. Total water use in
silty clay loam and sandy loam soils during both seasons
increased with increasing soil moisture regimes. Higher water
use in first crop season was due to higher amount of effective
rainfall received and soil moisture depletion created.
In the sandy loam soil, higher mean water use (1362mmin
plant cane and 1161mm in ratoon cane) was observed at
1.25 IW/CPE ratio as compared to 0.25 IW/CPE ratio (872mm
and 776 mm, respectively). During 2001–2003, water loss
through deep percolation increased with increasing soil
moisture regimes resulting in decrease in effective rainfall.
Soil moisture depletion declined with increasing water
regime. Total water use in the sandy loam soil followed a
trend similar to the silty clay loam soil and increased with
increases in the IW/CPE ratio. Plant and ratoon canes behaved
similarly.
Higher soil moisture depletion was observed at lower IW/
CPE ratio. This was due to more extraction of water by crop
roots from deeper layers under drier regime due to limited
availability of moisture in upper layers. The total water
depletion from soil profile varied appreciably with number of
irrigations applied. At 0.75 and 1.0 IW/CPE ratios, soil profile