Depending upon the agro climatic conditions, type of soil, methods of planting and use of manures and fertilizers and sugarcane yield the water requirement varies.The hot weather associated with dry winds and drought increases the water requirement of the crop. 

The crop sown in trenches needs relatively less water but sandy soils and application of more fertilizers increase the water uptake.  On an average 1 ton cane needs about 60-70 tons of water or  thin varieties of cane need 150 cm thick canes and need 200 cm water and Adsali planted canes 200 cm, in addition to 75 cm rainfall.  The crop should be irrigated when available water reaches to 50% level.

In skip-furrow method, sugarcane is planted in flat beds as usual and   after germination, 45 cm wide and 15 cm deep furrows were made in alternate inter row spaces. There is considerable saving of water in this method of irrigation. In Autumn planting, there are 7 irrigations in plains (5 before rain and 2 after rain)In spring planting, there are 6 irrigations (4 before rain and 2 after rain) – one irrigation at tillering is must.