Water shoots are the late-formed tillers or side shoots, which are robust and fast growing. They originate mainly due to plentiful supply of water, inadequate earthing-up and late fertigation. These water shoots, as the name indicates, contain lot of water and less sucrose and more of reducing sugars.

Water shoots affects the growth of adjacent stalks. They harbour insect-pests and when they are harvested and sent to mill for crushing, lead to reduced juice quality and affect sugar recoveries. Therefore it is advisable to remove water shoots as and when they arise. The water shoots can be used as cattle feed.