Botany And Climate

About Sugarcane

Vernacular Names

Origin
Introduction

Botanical description

Climate

Vernacular Names

English: Cultivated Sugarcane,

Sugarcane, Sugar Cane.

Noble

Cane,

Noble

Hindi: Ganna, Sakhara, Ukh.

Tamil: karumbu
Malayalam: Karimbu, Karimpu
Kannadam: kabbu

Origin

Sugarcane originated in New Guinea where it has been known since about 6000 BC.The
cultivated canes belong to two main groups: (a) thin, hardy north Indian
types S.barberiand
the
Chinese S.sinenses and
(b)
thick,
juicy
noble
canes S.officinarum. Highly prized cane is S.officinarum. The origin of S.officinarum is
the Indo-Myanmar China border with New Guinea as the main centre of diversity.
The officinarums are called the "noble canes' due to thick, juicy, low-fibred canes of
high sucrose content. The origin of S.robustum is New Guinea. The origin
of S.spontaneum is subtropical India. The habitat of these two wild canes is swamps,
river banks, water courses etc. Tropical cane (Thick cane) might have originated in New
Guinea. From India it spreads probably to China, Arabia, Egypt and Sicily.
Introduction

Sugarcane and sugarbeet are the main sources of sugar in the world. Out of total sugar
produced in the world 60 per cent is obtained only from sugarcane. Asia is the largest
producer of sugar followed by Europe Most of the sugar in Asia comes from sugarcane
whereas in Europe from sugarbeet. Presently sugarcane is grown in an area of 16 m.
ha in over 79 countries. The global production of raw sugar is 112 m.t. India stands
first in area (3.93 m. ha) and production (167 m.t) among the sugarcane growing
countries of the world. Uttar Pradesh has the largest area almost 50 per cent of the
cane area in the country, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab. These nine are most important sugarcane
producing states. Sugarcane production is also highest in U.P. followed by Maharashtra.
Productivity wise, Tamilnadu stands first with over 100 tonnes per hectare followed by
Karnataka, Maharashtra. Bihar has the lowest productivity amount the major sugarcane

growing states. The sugar industry is the second largest agro-based industry, next only
to textiles, in the country.
Classification of Sugarcane

Family - Gramineae
Class - Monocotyledons
Order - Glumaceae
Sub family - Panicoidae
Tribe - Andripogoneae
Sub-tribe - Saccharininea
Top of page
Botanical Description

Sugarcane is a tall perennial tropical grass, which tillers at the base to produce
unbranched stems from 2-8 m more tall, and to around 5cm in diameter; it could be
called as giant grass. It is cultivated for these thick stems or stalks or canes, from which
the sugar is extracted. The botany of cane consists of root, leaves, stem and
inflorescences.

Root
Stem
Leaf
Inflorescence

Root

The root system is fibrous and in two types namely sett

roots and shoot roots.

When the sugarcane sett is planted in the soil, the root

primordial situated at the base of every cane joint is

activated and produces roots. These roots are sett
roots and are mostly temporary.

Sett roots can emerge within 24 hours of planting.

The shoot roots arise from the root rings of the lower

nodes of tillers. These roots are thick, fleshy, white and

less branched.
These

are permanent roots which are continually

produced from tillers.

Shoot root emerges from the base of the new shoot 5 -

7 days after planting.

Stem

Sugarcane

is

propagated

vegetatively

from

stem

cuttings.
The stem of sugarcane is roughly cylindrical and

consists of nodes and internodes, the former being the

area around the bud from the leaf scar to the growth
ring and the later being the part between two nodes.
The node consists of a lateral bud, root primordia and

growth ring.

Bud situated in the axil of the leaf on alternate sides of

the stalk.

Root primordia at lower side of the leaf scar arranged in

rows.

Growth ring present immediately above the each node,

coated with waxy layer.

The top of the stem is poor in sucrose and is of little

value to the sugar factory.

Leaf

The leaf consists of two parts, the blade and the sheath,

separated by a leaf joint.

The leaves are attached alternately to the nodes.

The leaf sheath is tubular in shape and is inserted at the

node.
The leaf blade is linear or lanceolate reaching one to one

and midrib is prominent with groove on upper surface.

The ligule is a membranous ring found as an appendage

of the sheath, separating the latter from the blade, and

bears long hairs.
The scarious extension of the leaf sheath is know as

auricles.

Inflorescence

The inflorescence or tassel of sugarcane, generally

called as Arrow is a loose terminal panicle.

25-50 cm long arrow with silky appearance owing to

rings of long hairs below each spikelet.

The arrangement of the spikelet is racemose.

Each tassel consist of several thousand tiny flowers,

each capable of producing one seed. Sugarcane

usually flowers at the age of 10-12 months but some
varieties do not flower at all.
Climate

Sugarcane is a tropical plant. It grows more successfully in those regions where the
climate is more or less tropical but it can grow in sub tropics too as in north India.
Sugarcane is grown in the world from altitude 35 N and 35 S, from sea level to 1000m
of altitude or little more.

Climatic factor
Latitude and altitude:
Sugarcane is grown in the world from altitude 36.7 N and 31.0 S, from sea level to
1000m of altitude or little more.
Rainfall:
A total rainfall between 1100 and 1500 mm is adequate provided the distribution is
right, abundant in the months of vegetative growth followed by a dry period for
ripening. It also grown in area where rainfall is low upto 500 mm. Above 1500 mm
rainfall cause lodging of cane.
Temperature:
Growth is closely related to temperature. It has a wide temperature range from over
38c. Optimum temperature for cane growth (germination) is 27 to 33c (80 to 90F).
Temperature below 27c definitely injurious to the cane, reduce tillers and above 38c
adversely affect the sprouting.
Ideal temperature:
Carbon
Sugar
Sugar
Tillering-33.3-34.4c
Root
Shoot growth- 33c

transport-

assimilation-30c
synthesis-30c
30-35c

growth-

36c

Relative humidity:
High humidity (80-85%) favours rapid cane elongation during grand growth period. A
moderate value of 45-65% coupled with limited water supply is favourable during the
ripening phase. Above 40% humidity coupled with warm weather favours vegetative
growth of cane.
Sunshine:
Sugarcane is a sun loving plant.
Greater incident radiation favours higher sugar yields.
About 7-9 hr of bright sunshine is highly useful for both active growth and ripening.

Frost:
Sever cold weather inhibits bud sprouting in ratoons and arrest cane growth.
At temperature -1c to 2c the cane leaves and meristem tissues are killed.

Wind:
High velocity winds exceeding 60 km/hr are harmful to grown up canes leading to
lodging and
cane breakage.

Statistics
Area,Production and Productivity of sugarcane in World

State Wise Area,production and productivity of Sugarcane in India (20082009)

Sugarcane Statistics for Tamil Nadu,Kerela and Karnataka (1999-2009)

District wise Area,Production and Productivity of sugarcane

Area, Production and Productivity of Sugar cane (2007-08)

KERALA
Area, Production and Productivity of Sugar cane (2006-07)

KARNATAKA
Area, Production and Productivity of Sugar cane (2006-07)

Season and Varieties

About Season

Tamil Nadu
Karnataka
Kerela

Tamil Nadu

Sugarcane is grown chiefly in the main season (December - May) in the entire State.
In parts of Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur, Karur, Salem, Namakkal and Coimbatore
districts, it is also raised during the special season (June - September). The particulars
in respect of each season are given below:


1.

Main
i) Early: Dec - Jan
iii) Late:April - May

season
ii) Mid: Feb - March

2. Special season: June July

Early season varieties are suitable for special
season.
3. Eksali season: Throughout the year except
June.

Karnataka

Sugarcane planting is done in December-February for the 12-month crop which is

calledEksali, in October-November for the 15 to 16 month crop which is
called Preseasonal, and in July-August for the 18-month crop, which is called Adsali.
Kerela

The normal planting season is October-December. Delay in planting reduces cane yield.
Planting should not be delayed beyond February in the plains. In hilly tracts where
sugarcane is cultivated under rain fed conditions, planting should be done after
abatement of heavy rains.

Varieties

1. Particulars of varieties
2. Morphological characters
3. Season wise suitable varieties
4. Suitable varieties for Tamil Nadu (District wise)
5. New varieties of sugarcane
6. Important variety performance
7. Suitable varieties for Kerala
8. Suitable varieties for Karnataka

Particulars of varieties

Variety

Duration (Month) Cane yield (t/ha)

CCS %

CCS (t/ha)

CoC 671

10

123.5

14.20

17.50

CoC 771

10

140.0

13.10

18.30

CoC 772

10

143.3

14.00

20.00

CoC 773

10

97.5

13.20

12.60

CoC 8001 (C 66191)

10 - 11

102.9

13.20

13.50

CoC 774

11

159.8

11.90

17.90

CoC 775

11

122.5

13.40

16.40

CoC 776

11

112.3

14.00

15.50

CoC 777

12

171.3

11.80

20.00

CoC 778

12

165.5

11.00

18.10

CoC 779

12

204.6

11.80

24.00

Co 419

12

112.5

10.50

11.80

Co 6304

12

115.0

13.50

15.50

CoC 8001

10-11

102.5

13.20

13.50

CoC 85061

10-11

128.5

12.90

16.60

CoC 86062

10-11

133.5

12.60

16.80

CoSi 86071

10-11

131.7

12.20

16.00

CoC 90063

10-11

124.0

12.30

15.40

Co 8021

10-11

137.7

11.00

14.60

CoC 91061

10-11

131.0

11.30

15.60

CoC 92061

8-11

132.7

12.76

16.05

Co 8362

11-12

124.3

12.40

15.40

CoG 93076

11-12

132.0

13.20

17.40

Co 8208

11-13

141.5

11.07

15.28

CoG 94077

11

133.2

13.5

17.6

CoG 95076

10-11

108.2

11.5

12.4

Co 85019

12

134.5

12.5

16.8

CoSi 95071

10

152.0

12.9

21

CoSi 96071

10

145.0

11.9

17.3

Co 86010

10-12

146.1

10.78

15.64

CoC 98061

10-11

120.0

11.60

13.80

CoSi 98071

12

144.7

12.3

17.7

Co 86249

10-12

128.7

11.3

14.3

CoC 99061

10-12

130.3

11.9

15.6

Co 86032

10-12

110.0

13.0

14.3

CoC (SC) 22

10-12

135.9

12.1

16.5

Co Si (SC) 6

10-11

142.0

13.1

18.6

CoG (SC) 5

11-12

115.0

12.7

14.6

Morphological characters

Characters

COC 671

COC 771

COC 772

COC 773

Parentage

Q63xCO775

CO419xCO658

CO740xCO658

CO658XCO1305

Leaf size

Broad

Broad

Broad

Broad

Leaf colour

Green

Green

Green

Green

Sheath colour

Green with

Green with

Green with

Green with

purple tinge

purple tinge

purple tinge

purple tinge

Clasping

Loose

Loose

Loose

Loose

Spines

Present

Present

Present

Present

Ligular process

Present

Absent

Absent

Present

Sheath

Stem colour

Green with

Yellow with

Yellow with

Yellow with

purple tinge

purple tinge

Green tinge

green tinge

Girth

Thick

Medium

Medium

Medium

Joint

Staggered

Straight

Staggered

Straight

Bud Groove

Absent

Present

Absent

Absent

Size

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

CO 8021

COC 91061

Character

COC 8201

COC 90063

Parentage

CO740xCO62174 CO6304XCOC671 CO740xCO6806

COC779 G.C.

Leaf size

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Leaf colour

Green

Green

Green

Green

Sheath colour

Green with

Green

Purple

Whitish

Pink tinge

Yellow

Sheath clasping

Loose

Loose

Loose

Tight

Spines

Glabrous

Present

Glabrous

Absent

Splits

..

Absent

Present

Absent

Ligular

Lanceolate

Present on

Present on one

Absent

one side

side Lanceolate

process

(4-5 cm)
Stem colour

Greenish yellow

Yellowish green

Purple
heavy

with Yellowish green

wax deposition
Girth

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Joint

Thick

Staggered

Erect

Staggered

Bud Groove

Present

Absent

Present and

Absent

Prominent
Size

Medium

Medium

Medium/Big

Small

Character

COC 92061

CO 8362

COG93076

CO 8208

Parentage

CO 7314 GC

CO 6304X

COC 772X

CO 62198X

(Natural cross)

COC 671

CO 419

COC 671

Involving
CO6314
as female
Leaf size

Broad

Medium

Medium

Medium

Leaf colour

Green

Green

Dark green

Dark green

Sheath Colour

Purple with

Green

Dark green

Greenish purple

heavy bloom
Sheath clasping

Loose

Loose

Spines

Deciduous

Deciduous

Deciduous

Deciduous

Splits

Absent

Absent

Absent

Ligular process

One side indica- Present on both One side

ted and the other side
side rudimentary

Stem colour

Greenish yellow Purple green

with pink tinge

Greenish
yellow

Girth

Joint

Slightly staggered Straight

Slightly
staggered

Straight

Bud Groove

Absent

Absent

Absent

Absent

Size

Medium

Medium

Medium

Small

COG 95076

Present
Asymmetrical

light Green with purple

tinge

Character

COG 94077

CO 85019

Parentage

CO 740 x C0 775 COC 771 x CO CO 7201 x CO 775

775

COSi 95071
COC 671x MS 6847

Leaf size

Medium

Medium

Length 140 cm Medium

Medium width 6.0
cm

Leaf colour

Dark green

Green

Light
green
harvest

Sheath colour

Greenish
with Green
Purple tingle

at Green

Green with purple Light

tinge
yellow

Sheath
Clasping

Loose

Loose

Spines

Absent

Present,deciduos

Easily trashing

Loose

Hard few

Absent

Ligular process Present on One one

side Absent
side
lanceolate and one
side dentoid

greenish

Present,
Asymmetrical

Stem colour

Greenish yellow

Greenish yellow Exposed

purple Greenish yellow
with purplish tinge unexposed
yellowish
green
with heavy waxy
coating

Girth

Medium

Medium

Joint

Slightly
staggered

Slightly staggered Zig Zag

Staggered

Bud groove

Short, shallow

Indicated

Absent

Present

Size

Medium

Medium

Small

Medium

Character

CO Si 96071

CO 86010

Parentage

C 82061GC

CO 740xCo C80 172 GC Bo

91/Co CO J 64 x CoA
7409
62198
7601

Leaf size

Medium

Broad

Medium

Broad

Medium

Leaf colour

Green

Light green

Green

Dark green

Green

Sheath colour

Light
green Light
green Green with Yellowish
pink pink tinge
green
with
pink with
blotches
blotches

Medium

COC 98061 CO Si 98071

Medium

CO 86249

Light green

Spines

Present
deciduous

Ligular

Asymmetrical

Stem colour

Purplish

Yellowish
Yellowish
Greenish
with
green yellow with green
tinge
slight
purple tinge

Greenish yellow

Girth

Medium

Thick

Medium

Thick

Thick

Joint

Concave,
convex

Cylindrical

Cylindrical

Cylindrical

Budgroove

Absent

Prominent

Absent

Numerous

Absent

Size

Small

Big

Medium

Big

Big

Character

& Absent

CoC
99061CoC
99061

Absent

Deciduous

Absent on Short
both sides
lanceolate

CO 86032

Small, present on
one side

COC (SC) 22

COC

Parentage

CO 6806 X CO 740

Co 62198 x CoC 671 CO 8208 GC

CO 62198 XCOC
671

Leaf size

Medium

Medium

Medium

Leaf colour

Green

Dark green

Green

Sheath colour

Green with pink tinge

Green with purple

Green
with
scarious border

Sheath clasping

Tight

Loose

Loose

slight

Spines

Deciduous

Few, hard, deciduous Absent

Splits

Absent

Present

Absent

Ligular process

Present,
lanceolate

Present asymmetrical

Stem colour

Dark
green
Yellowish
(Unexposed)

Girth

Medium

Medium

Medium

Joint

Cylindrical

Cylinderical

Cylindrical

Bud groove

Absent

Absent

Absent

Size

Medium

Medium

Medium

asymmetrical,

(Exposed) Reddish
pink Reddish Pink with
green (exposed)
purple
(exposed)
Greenish
yellow Greenish
(unexposed)
yellow(unexposed)

Season wise suitable varieties

Early

Mid

Late

Factory

Jaggery

Factory

Co
Co
Co
CoC
CoC
CoC
CoC
CoC
CoC

CoC
671
CoC
771
CoC
772
CoC 8001
CoC 85061
CoC 86062

419 Co 6304
Co
658 Co
Co
449
6304
Co 62198 Co
Co
6304 CoC 8201
CoC 774 CoC 771
CoC 775 CoC 776 CoC 778
CoC 8001 CoC 8001 CoC 779
Co
419

658
62174
62198
671
771
772
8001
85061
86062

Jaggery

Factory

Special
Jaggery

Factory

Co 62175 Early
Co
419 varieties
Co
6304 are
CoC 8201 suitable
for
Special
-

Jaggery
-

CoSi 86071
CoC 90063
CoC 91061
CoG 94077
Co
Si
95071
CoC 98061
Co 86010
Co 86249

CoSi
CoC
CoC
CoG
-

86071 90063
91061 94077 -

CoG 93076
Co 85019
CoC 99061 Co 86032
CoC(Sc) 22 -

Co
740 Co
Co 658
-

CoG 93076
Co 85019
CoC 99061
Co 86032
CoC (SC)
22

740
-

Suitable varieties for Tamil Nadu (District wise)

Place / District

Suitable Varieties

Salient features

Pudukkottai

CoV 92102, CoC 90063, Co Si (Sc)6, Co Drought tolerance

G (Sc) 5, Co C (Sc) 22

Erode

Co 86032, CoSi 95071, Co 86249, CoG Drought

93076, CoV 94102, Co 85019, Co Good yielder
Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22

tolerance,

Vellore

CoV
92102,
CoC
90063 Good yielder even in
Co Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22
drought suitable for late
Planting.

Sivaganga & Ramnad

Co 86032, Co 85019, Co Si(Sc)6, Co G Performing well in drought

(Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22, Co V 94102

Thiruvannamalai
Kancheepuram

tolerance
& CoC 90063, CoV 92102, Co 86032, CoG Drought
94077, Co Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Co C better yield.
(Sc)22

and

Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli Co 86032, Co 85019, Co Si(Sc)6, Performing well in drought

& Tuticorin
Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22
Dharmapuri & Krishnagiri

Co 86032, Co Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Surviving better in drought.

tolerance
and
Co C (Sc)22, Co 97009, CoV 94101, Drought
better yield.
CoC 90063, CoSi 95071

Karur

Co
V
92102,
CoSi
95071, Drought tolerance
Co Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22

Trichy & Perambalur

Co Si 95071, CoC 671, CoV 92102, Co Drought

Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22
yield.

Cuddalore

CoV 92102, CoC 90063, Co Si(Sc)6, Co Drought tolerant

G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22

Villuppuram

Co 86032, CoV 92102, CoC 90063, Co Drought tolerance and high

Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22
yield.

resistant

high

Thanjavur, Nagapattinam Co V 92102, CoG 93076, CoG 94077, Co Dought tolerance and good
yield
& Tiruvarur
Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22
Coimbatore

Co 86032, CoV 92102, Co 86027, Drought

tolerance
CoC 90063, Co 97009, Co Si(Sc)6, Co G good yield.
(Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22

and

Tiruvallur

85019,
CoC
22,
Co
Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22

Si(Sc)6, Drought
tolerance
good yield

and

Theni,
Madurai
Dindigul

and Co 92012, Co 94008, Co 93001, Drought

tolerance
Co 86032, Co Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, better yield.
Co C (Sc)22

and

Namakkal & Salem

CoV 92102, Co Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Drought

tolerance
Co C (Sc)22
better yield.

and

Chengalput

CoSi 95071, Co 85019, CoC 22, Drought

tolerance
Co Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22
better yield.

and

New varieties of sugarcane

Two clones evolved at the Sugarcane Breeding Institute, namely Co 98014 (Karan 1)
and Co 99004 (Damodar) have been released as varieties for the general public during
February 2007.
i. Co 98014 (Karan-1)

Year of Release

2007

Parents

Co 8316 x Co 8213

Recommended
region for release

An early variety (spring planting) suited to North Western Zone

General
performance
factors

Mean
cane
yield:
76.29
t/ha
Mean
sugar
yield:
9.26
t/ha
Meansucrose
%
in
juice(10
months):
17.59%
Red rot reaction: Resistant or Moderately Resistant (MR) to red rot

Botanical
description

(a).Cane
type:
Medium
thin
(b).Colour:
Greenish
yellow
(c).Internode shape: Conoidal internodes and long lanceolate auricle on one
side. (d).Others: The clone is free from spines, splits, pith, bud groove and bud
cushion. Leaf tip drying is common during summer months.

ii. Co 99004 (Damodar)

Year of Release

2007

Parents

Co 62175 and Co 86250

Recommended
region for release

A mid-late variety suited to Peninsular India (Gujarat, Maharashtra, interior

Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu, Karnataka and Kerala)

General
performance
factors

Mean cane yield: 116.69 t/ha Mean sugar yield: 16.83 t/ha
Mean
sucrose
%
in
juice (12
months):
18.76%
Disease
reaction:
Resistance
to
red
rot
and
wilt
Others: (a) Tolerant to drought and salinity; (b) Tolerant to internode borer
(c) Golden yellow A1 quality jaggery
(d) Shy flowering habit

General
characteristics

The variety has excellent field habits like erectness; early vigorous growth, dark
green foliage, tall canes without spines or splits and 14% mean fibre content.

Right seed

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in collaboration with Sugar Cane Breeding Institute,
Coimbatore released many high yielding varieties with high recovery to suit various eco
systems and other biotic and abiotic problematic area and of which the following listed
varieties can be recommended for higher cane productivity.
Important variety performance

Variety

Performance

CCS%

Co 86032

Performs well in all soil types and extremely well in 13.0

garden land condition. Good quality cane with higher
yield. Has multi ratooning capacity. Can be grown
throughout the year. Gives higher recovery. Self
detrashing in nature. Amenable for wide row spacing.

Yield (t/ha)
110.0

CoV 92102 High quality variety with yield on par with Co 86032. 12.2
Self stripping with good field habit. Non flowering.
Performs well in red, clay and alkaline soils. Ratoon
performance is satisfactory.

115

CoSi 95071 Performs well in December, January and February 12.9

planting.

152.0

CoC 90063

Non lodging, high tillering, high yield and good quality. 12.30
Drought and alkaline tolerant variety and good ratooner.

124.0

Co 86027

Suitable for mid late planting. Moderate yielder with high 12.2
sugar. Non lodging and non flowering.

132

CoV 94101 Good ratooner. Non lodging. Suitable for early planting. 12.1
Thick cane with good tillering.

120

Co 85019

134.5

Drought tolerant variety. Resistant to red rot.

12.5

Co 86249

Red rot resistant, Drought tolerant, high yielding.

11.3

128.7

CoV 94102 Yield is on par with Co 86032 and quality is lower 12.2
than Co 86032

123

CoSi(Sc) 6

High yielder and high quality. Drought tolerant 13.1

moderately resistant to red rot.

142.0

CoG(Sc)5

High yielder suitable for jaggary making and tannery 12.7

effluent soils

115.0

CoC(Sc)22

High yielder and high quality drought tolerant moderately 12.1

resistant to red rot.

135.9

CoC(SC)
23

Good ratooner. Non lodging. Suitable for early and 12.95

Special season. Drought tolerant.

133.05

Source of seed
For the varieties released from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University for supply of primary
seed materials the Sugarcane Research Stations at Cuddalore, Sirugamani and
Melalathur may be contacted. For other varieties promoted by the factories, for seed
materials the concerned factories may be contacted.
Suitable varieties for Kerala

Varieties

Salient features

Co Tl 88322 (Madhuri)

Resistant to red rot disease

Co 92175

Suitable for drought prone situation

Co 740

For rationing

Co 6907, Co 7405
(Thirumadhuram):

and

Cul

57/84 Red rot resistant, high sugar content

Cul 527/85 (Madhurima)

Resistant to red rot, tolerant to drought and

water logging

Co 88017 (Madhumathi)

Resistant to red rot, tolerant to drought and

water logging

Co 91010 (Dhanush)

Resistant to smut, moderately susceptible to

red rot, tolerant to drought

Co 87025 (Kalyani)

Resistant to smut, field resistant to red rot,

tolerant to drought and water logging

Co 87044 (Uttara)

Moderately resistant to smut, moderately

susceptible to red rot

Suitable varieties for Karnataka

Sl No. Variety

Sucrose% Region

Planting
Season

Age at Expected
harvest
Recovery %
(months)

1.

Co 8371 12.5
Co 86032

Southern
Aug. 1st 12 to 14
& Coastal week
&
onwards
Karnataka

11.0 to 12.0

2.

C0 7804 13.0
Co 62174
Co 740,
Co 98014

Central
Karnataka

June,
12 to 14
July,
Aug, Oct
& Nov.

11.0 to 11.5

3.

CoC 671 14.5

Co
94012
Co
86032
Co 92020
Co6415
Co 7704

Central&
North
Karnataka

Oct
Jan.

to 12 to 14

12.0 to 12.5

4.

CoC 671 13.2

Co
86032
Co94012
SNK 754
SNK 61
SNK44

North
Karnataka

June to 12 to 14
February

12.0 to 12.5

Gallery

Sugar

Nursery Management
About Nursery Management

How to select Location for raising Nursery crop

Soil preparations
Selection of seed cane
Sett treatment

Spacing

Polybag nursery

How to select Location for raising Nursery crop

Soil

should be without problems like

alkalinity, salinity, water logging etc.

There

should
facility.

be

adequate

irrigation

The seed plots should be distributed in

different divisions or sections

accessible for easy distribution.

and

There should be good road facility for easy

and quick transport.

The farmers should be progressive.

Primary nurseries should be located in the

factory
farm/research
farm/Government seed farm.

station

Soil preparations

Ploughing and cultivation is essential so that a good seed bed is prepared.

A higher amount of organic manures is advantageous for nursery crops for

obtaining a vigorous crop.

Apply 25 to 30 tonnes of FYM or cured press mud may be applied about 15 days

before planting.

Spacing

To get a higher yield of setts a slightly

narrower spacing is advantageous.

Space should be75cm between the rows.

Sett treatment

a. Preparation of setts for planting:

1. Take seed material from short crop (6 to 7 months age) free from pests and
diseases incidence.
2. Harvest the seed crop one day before planting to obtain higher percentage and
uniform germination.
3. Detrash the cane with hand before setts preparation.
4. Avoid damage to buds while cutting setts.
5. Planting material or seed cane should be free from aerial roots and splits.
6. Change the seed material after every two to three seasons. In case if it is
inevitable to use mature cane as seed, the top one-third portion can be used
satisfactorily.

b. Sett treatment with Azospirillum: Prepare the slurry with 10 packets (2000
g/ha) of
Azospirillum inoculum with sufficient water and soak the setts in the
slurry for 15
minutes before planting.
c. Sett treatment with fungicide: The setts should be soaked in Carbendazim (1
gram in
1litre of water)
d. Aerated steam treatment: Treat setts with Aerated steam at 50 o C for one
hour to
control primary infection of grassy shoot disease.

Before planting setts

1. Use short crop (6-8 months) seed materials

2. Discard pest, disease affected and damaged buds and canes.
3. Do not trash & prop.
4. Apply 125 kg Urea / ha + 125 kg MOP/ha one month prior to harvest
5. Irrigate the crop well before harvest
6. Detrash the cane with hand at the time of sett preparation
7. Selection of proper planting months for raising nursery crop in relation to main
field
planting.
Raise six to seven months old nursery crop prior to main field planting as follows:

Raise nursery crop during

Main field planting

June

December - January (early season)

July

February - March (Mid season)

August

April - May (Late season)

Dec Apr

June - September (Special season)

Polybag nursery


Generally sugarcane is grown by planting

the seeds setts directly into the field. But

some times, when the water is in short
supply or the field is occupied with some
other crop, buds or seed setts can be
planted in polythene bags to raise
nursery.
Polythene bags of 10x15cm filled with soil

and compost mixture (in 1:1 ratio) are

arranged closely in an open space, close
to water source.
Scooped buds are at 1-2 cm depth.
Cut sugarcane pieces with one bud can

also be used for raising the nursery.

Insert these cut pieces into the soil, filled

bags up to the node level, keeping buds

just touching the soil.

Irrigate these bags twice a week. Saplings

will be ready for planting in 60 days.

Cultivation practices
About Cultivation Practices

Land Preparation
Intercultural Operation
Method of Planting
Weed Management
Ratoon Management

Land Preparation

Ploughing
Harrowing
Levelling

Lay out of field

Ploughing

The common method of tillage preparation is ploughing

the land and bringing the soil to fine tilth.

Plough the field for 2 to 4 times at the depth of 50-60

cm with tractor drawn disc plough or victory plough.

Harrowing


It is the secondary tillage operation in sugarcane

cultivation which pulverizes, smoothens and compact

the soil to conserve the moisture.
Harrowing is done at shallow depth of 12-15 cm to

crush the clods by disc harrow or rotavator

Levelling

To ensure a uniform crop stand levelling is important

also for easy movement of irrigation water.

Levelling can be carried out using a tractor operated

leveller.

Lay out of field

Irrigation cum drainage channels along and across

the slope of the field at 10-15m intervals.

Basal Application of organic manure and fertilizer

Apply FYM at 12.5 t/ha or compost 25 t/ha or filter press

mud at 37.5 t/ha before the last ploughing.

Apply compost from sugarcane trash and pressmud @

1:1 ratio.(sugarcane trash-15cm thickness,pressmud5cm thickness, rock phosphate, gypsum and urea in
the ratio of 2:2:1,cow dung slurry or water for
moisture, ready to use after 3months).

Test the soil and apply P fertilizer based on soil test

values. Otherwise apply super phosphate (37.5 kg/ha)

along the furrows and incorporate with hand hoe.
Apply 37.5 kg Zinc sulphate/ha and 100 kg Ferrous

sulphate/ha to zinc and iron deficient soils.

Main field preparation and transplanting

The mainfield preparation is done as usual. Basal

manures are applied in the furrow in band or if labour

is available, by digging a pit at the site of
transplanting. The furrow is irrigated.

The nursery bed should be well soaked so that the

settlings could be easily removed without much

damage to the root system.

They are then transplanted in the furrow following 30-

45 cm spacing.

An additional line may be planted in every 10th row as

material for gap filling.

The life irrigation is given on 3rd or 4th day. After 10-

15 days, the gap filling is done using the setllings

planted on the 10th row.

This technique may not be suitable during dry weather.

Proper irrigation management till setllings establish is

very important.

Intercultural Operations

1. Trash mulching
2. Raising inter crops
3. Crop rotation
4. Gap filling
5. Earthing up
6. Control / Regulation of flowering in sugarcane
7. Detrashing
8. Propping
9. Removal of water shoots
10. Covering the field with green leaf manure plants

Trash mulching

Mulch the ridges uniformly with cane trash to a

thickness of 10 cm within a week after planting.

It helps to tide over drought, conserves moisture,

reduce weed population and minimise shoot borer

incidence.

Mulch the field with trash after 21 days of planting in

heavy soil and wetland conditions. Avoid trash

mulching in areas where incidence of termites is
noticed.

Raising inter crops

Tamilnadu
Areas of adequate irrigation, sow one row of soybean

or blackgram or greengram along the centre of the

ridge on the 3rd day of planting.

Intercropping of daincha or sunhemp along ridges and

incorporation of the same on the 45th day during

partial earthing up helps to increase the soil fertility,
and also the cane yield.

Especially Intercropping of Co.1 Soybean gives a yield

of 800 kg/ha without any adverse effect on cane yield.

Kerala
Intercropping with short duration pulse crop.

Karnataka
They sow groundnut and pulse as inter crop with

sugarcane.

Crop rotation

Sugarcane is generally grown after the harvest of cotton,

rice, maize, toria, potato, wheat, etc. In sequence under 2
to 3 years rotation.

Gap filling


Fill the gaps, if any, within 30 days after planting with

sprouted setts.
Maintain adequate moisture for 3 weeks for proper

establishment of the sprouted setts.

Earthing up

Earthing-up operation is also known as "hilling-up".

This operation is carried out in two or three stages. The

first earthing-up operation is known partial

earthing-up and the second/third operation is
known as "full earthing-up".

The partial earthing-up is done at 45 days after

planting. In partial earthing-up, little amount of soil

from either side of the furrow is taken and placed
around the base of the shoots.

Full earthing-up is done after 120 days after planting

coinciding with the peak tiller population stage.

During full earthing-up the soil from the ridge in
between is fully removed and placed near the cane on
either side.

This operation converts the furrows into ridges and

ridges into furrows. This operation could be done

either manually or by using a bullock-drawn/tractor
drawn furrower depending upon the spacing adopted.

After application of 3rd dose fertilizer (90 days), work

victory plough along the ridges for efficient and

economical earthing up.

At 150 days after planting, earthing up may be done

with spade.

Control / Regulation of flowering in sugarcane

Ethephon (ethrel) applied at the rate of 500 ppm

effectively controlled flowering in a number of profuse

flowering varieties.

By altering the planting date, flowering can be avoided

in heavy flowering areas.

Adsali planting or special season planting (July to

September) helps in avoiding flowering and its

adverse effects.

Non-flowering varieties are Co 8021, Co 86032, Co

87025, Co 91010, Co 94005 and Co 94008.

Detrashing

Detrashing

refers to removal of unwanted

bottom dry and green leaves at regular
intervals.

Sugarcane stalk bears large number of leaves

(30-35) equal to the number of inter-nodes

under good management systems.
Detrashing should be taken up after the cane

formation around 150 days after planting.

There after it could be done at bi-monthly
interval depending up on the labour availability.

Propping

The operation of tying the leaves together using the

bottom dry and green leaves is known as propping.

It is primarily done to avoid lodging of cane.

Propping can be either done for each row or two rows

can be brought together and tied.

It is done at the age of 210 days of the crop

Removal of water shoots

Water shoots are late formed tillers or side shoots,

which are robust and fast growing.

They originate mainly due to excess water supply,

heavy and late manuring, inadequate earthing up.

Water shoots contain lot of water, low sucrose and

more of reducing sugars.

Water shoots affects the growth of adjacent statics.

Therefore removal of water shoots whenever they

appear is highly essential.

Water shoots can be used as cattle feed.

Covering the field with green leaf manure plants

There is a practice of spreading lightly one to two tonnes of

green wild indigo plants per acre over the entire planted
fields immediately after the planting. When this is done, the
evaporation of moisture from the recently planted fields is
controlled to some extent and it will be possible to prolong
the interval between irrigation. Subsequently the green
matter can be incorporated in the soil.

Method of Planting

Planting in flat beds

Low rainfall areas generally optimum for this planting

method, which is simplest as well as cheapest of all.

Shallow furrows( 8-10 cm deep) are opened with a

local plough or cultivator at a distance of 75 90 cm.

There should be adequate moisture in the field at the

time of planting and two blind hoeings are given to

replace the insect damaged setts.

Setts are planted at end to end taking care that one

three budded sett falls in each running 30 cm length

of furrow.

After germination, two to five inter row cultivation

may be given at proper intervals to control the weeds

and to facilitate the tillering.

Generally, earthing is not done but some times, if it is

necessary the crop may be given one earthing during

July-August to protect the crop from lodging and to
provide drainage in the field.

Ridge and furrow method

The method is generally adopted in areas with moderate

rainfall but have drainage problems.
The furrows are made in v shape about 80-100 cm.
Apart and about 20-25 cm deep.
The setts are placed in horizontal position, usually in
end-to-end system but if the seed stalk is not good and
inter-nodes are longer eye-to-eye system of planting
setts may be done.
To minimize the border effects of gaps, doubling of setts
is done at the ends of the furrows.
As the canes start growing, the furrows are partly filled
with soil and inter-row cultivation is carried out. This
repeated inter-row cultivation results in leveling of the
land by end of May or Mid of June which is called as first
earthing.
Further repetition of inter-row cultivation transforms the
furrow into ridges by putting soil around the plants and
inter-row space become furrow automatically, through
which irrigation or drainage is provided.
This
transformation of furrows into ridges is called as second
earthing.

Pit method of sugarcane under drip fertigation system

Pit to pit spacing- 1.5x1.5 m

Number of pits/ha- 4,444 pits
Pit diameter 0.9 to 1.2 m
Pit depth 0.38 to 0.45m
Number of budded setts / pit 32 (Single budded

setts) or 16 number of single budded setts.

Fill the pits to a depth of 15 cm with compost and

native soil and mix it well. Place the healthy setts in

circular fashion leaving 10 cm from the outer
boundary of the pits with equal spacing between each
setts and cover the setts with the soil. On 50 to 60
days after planting give partial earthing up by sliding
the soil from the outer boundary of the pit and full
earthing up should be given leaving a depression of
2.5 cm from the ground level at 90 to 100 days after
planting.

Fertilizer dose- 275:62.5:112.5 kg NPK/ha

The entire phosphorous dose can be applied as basal

at the time of planting.

The nitrogen and potassium as urea and MOP (White

potash) should be applied through fertigation system

in 14 equal splits starting from 15 DAP upto 210 DAP

Drip design- lateral to lateral spacing 3.0 m (alternate

rows)

8 mm micro tubes on either side of the lateral to a

length of 1.0 m with one 8 LPH

Irrigation daily or in alternative days

Wider or dual row planting

To facilitate mechanisation in sugarcane cultivation, wide

row planting adopting a spacing of 150 cm is becoming
popular. Further improve the cane yield under wide rows,
a new technology, dual row planting has been developed.
Broad furrows are formed at a spacing of 150 cm and in the
middle of the furrows sugarcane setts are planted in two
rows adopting a spacing of 30 cm between them.
In a comparative study of two different methods of wide row
planting, the dual row system gave a cane yield of 136.3
t/ha compared to 126.7 t/ha recorded by the single row
system.
In plant crop, variety Co 94005 recorded the highest cane
yield under dual row planting. Among the spacing, the dual
row planting and the normal 90 cm were on par and were
significantly better than the other spacing.
In the ratoon crop, variety Co 94005 was best for wide row
spacing followed by Co 91010.

Spaced transplanting (STP) method with single eye set

Recently in STP (Spaced transplanting) method single eyed sets are used for

planting. Either direct sets or seedlings raised in polybag nurseries are

transplanted into the field after 50-55 days.

For this STP or single eyed set method 750-1MT seed per acre is required.
For both furrow and flat method rows are made 90cm apart and settlings are

spaced at 45 90cm.

If any settlings fails to establish it is required to replace by the extra stock

maintain in the nursery

This method saves seed cost by 60-70%. In this method distance between two

sets kept at 30cm.

Poly bag seedling transplanting

This technique is also more or less same as STP technique.

Here the seedlings are raised in perforater plastic bags of size 10x15 cm filled

with FYM or pressmud, soil and sand 1:1:1 proportion.

In this technique field establishment of seedlings is better, around 95-99%, as

there is no damage to the root system.

In this method, a small pit is dug out at specified spacing (45cm).
A small quantity of phosphatic fertilizer is placed and covered with some soil. Then

the settling is planted after clipping the green leaves.

'

Chip-bud' or 'bud-chip' technique

In this technique the bud along with a portion of the

nodal region is chipped off using a bud chipping

machine.

The bud chips are treated with fungicide and planted in

the raised bed nursery or in polythene bags filled with

FYM/press mud, soil and sand in 1:1:1 proportion.

Seedlings are transplanted as in case of STP technique.

The advantages are that the quantity of seed material

(chip buds) required is only around 1 to 1.5 tonnes

and the cane after taking chips can be sent for
milling.

Tissue culture

Micropropagation of seed cane through Tissue Culture

technology is useful in developing large scale production of
true to type and disease free sugarcane plantlets using apical
meristem culture technique.faster multiplication of a
sugarcane variety can be done.
Apical meristem (growing part of sugarcane) is dissected and
inoculated on a growth medium having definite nutrient
composition.
The apical meristem starts producing tillers in the laboratory
after about 45 days of incubation in temperature and light
controlled conditions.
one apical meristem one can develop millions of plantlets in a
period of seven to eight months.
The plantlets well established and hardened in plastic bags are
transplanted to field condition.
Apply 16.5 Kgs. of granular lindane per hectare in the soil after
fifteen days of transplantation and irrigate the field. This helps
in preventing early shoot borer infestation.
If necessary main shoot may be removed 35-40 days after
transplanting.
The major earthing up needs to be done at 90-100 days after
transplanting.
A seed multiplication ratio of 1:25 (planting material for 25
hectares is obtained from one hectare seed nursery) is
obtained from the seed nursery planted with tissue culture
plantlets.
The well hardened plantlets developed when used give 98 to
100 % survival under field condition.

Other Planting Methods

Other planting methods
1. Sablang or sprouting Method
Plants are grown in fertile soil with wide spacing, shallow planting, frequent irrigation,
and adequate fertilization. The tillers are removed carefully from the mother plant as
soon as they develop their own roots and are transplanted in the main field. The mother
plant continues tillering and the tillers are planted in the main field in the same manner.
2. Rayungan Method
Seed stalks are decaptivated (topped off) about 4-6 weeks before planting time. As a
consequence, lateral shoots develop into tailed Rayungan which are cut off and planted
out in the trenches made ready for the purpose. Thus by removing the upper
rayungans, the lower buds also sprout which are similarly used.
3. Distance Planting
In this method the top setts are collected and put in nursery and after they sprout and
roots come out, they are transplanted in the main field at a spacing of 90 cm x 50 cm.
4. Tjeblock Method
Tjeblock is an improvement over the Rayungan method because it takes care of proper
availability of nutrients and energy to all the buds where as in Rayungan method, there
is considerable stress on nutrients supply on lower buds. In Tjeblock method the stalk
is cut off at its half length and planted vertically with one node under the soil for rooting.
The planted ones and mother stalks are adequately irrigated and fertilized.

Weed Management
Introduction
In India, sugarcane is planted in spring (February-March), autumn (SeptemberOctober) and adsaliplanting (July-August). Being a long duration crop, it is heavily
infested with a variety of weeds. Nearly 150 weed species including manuals, perennials
and parasitic have been observed in sugarcane fields in different parts of India. The
weed flora differs from location to location due to variation in agro-ecological conditions
and management practices.
Major weed flora observed in sugarcane fields are:
Sedges- Cyprus rotundus
Grasses-Cynodon dactylon, Sorghum helepense, Panicum spp, Dactylocternium
aegyptium, the cogan grass Imperata cylindrica
Broad leaved weeds Striga asiatica, Chenapodium album, Convolvulus arvensis L.,
Amaranthus viridis L., Portulaca oleraceae L., Commelina bengalensis L., Trianthema
portulacastrum L.

Critical period of crop-weed competition

Critical period can be defined, as the shortest span of time in the ontogeny of

crop growth when weeding will result in higher economic returns.

Sugarcane being initially slow-growing crop faces an acute competition from

weeds.

In sugarcane, weed infestation during 60-120 days after planting has been found

detrimental for the final crop yield.

In ratoon crop, critical period of crop-weed competition has been identified as 30-

50 days after ratoon initiation.

The losses due to weeds comprise

i. Direct yield losses resulting from competition,

ii. Indirect losses from reduced crop quality,
iii. Increased costs in harvesting, land preparation and similar operations, and
iv. Harbouring insects pests and diseases.
Besides, weeds remove large amount of nutrients from soil. Direct yield losses

ranged from 11-74% depending upon the nature and intensity of weed flora and
period of occurrence of weeds.

The loss is mainly due to restriction of tiller production.

Removing weed at any time during growing season may not be beneficial. It is

necessary to identify critical period of crop-weed competition to render weed

control practices more effective.

Method of weed control

Mechanical method
Cultural Method
1. Crop rotation
2. Intercropping
3. Trash mulching

Chemical Method

Mechanical Method

Since

sugarcane rows are widely spaced,

shallow-rooted weeds can be managed by
hoeing with hand tools or with intercultural
operations during growing season of crop.

Generally, 3-4 hoeing are required after every

irrigation during tillering phase of crop to check

crop-weed competition.

The removal of weeds by mechanical means is

laborious and expensive, and weeds in intrarow spaces are not killed.
Besides,

sometimes due to unfavourable

weather/soil conditions, mechanical weeding
may not be possible.

Cultural method
Crop rotation. Certain weeds have association with
sugarcane crop and hence, monocropping of
sugarcane may lead to severe crop-weed
competition. Inclusions of green manure crops or
fodder crops like sorghum not only suppress weeds
but also help in crop diversification.

Intercropping. Sugarcane is planted in wider-row

spacing. This provides better opportunity for weeds
to emerge in a large numbers and infest crop.
Inclusion of short duration and quick growing
intercrops in these row spaces can suppress weed
growth to a great extent. Inter-row crops like
mustard, potato or wheat in autumn and blackgram,
greengram or cowpea in spring planted sugarcane
have been found quite effective in weed suppression
and higher cane yields.

Trash mulching. In this, soon after emergence of

cane trash covers of about 10-12 cm thickness
should be provided in between cane rows. Trash
cover restricts sunlight and checks weed
emergence. Besides, suppressing weeds, trash
mulching also conserves soil moisture, and provides
a potential source of organic matter.

Chemical method
Generally, application of single herbicide may not be
effective in controlling weeds in sugarcane because
of a great diversity in weed flora and a longer
duration required to suppress the weeds which
come in several flushes. Pre-emergence application
of simazine or atrazine at 1.5-2.0 kg/ha or
metribuzine at 1.0 kg/ha or diuron at 2.5-3.0 kg/ha
or ametryn at 2.0 kg/ha each followed by 2, 4-D at
0.75-1.0 kg/ha as post-effective for broad-spectrum
weed control in sugarcane.

Management of parasitic weed striga in sugarcane

Striga is

a becoming a major problem in

sugaracane of Tamil Nadu and many other
sugarcane growing areas of the country.

Striga removes nutrients and extracts water

from the sugarcane plant and causes heavy

loss in cane productivity and quality.

Intercropping with legumes such as soybean,

cowpea or groundnut within the sugarcane

rows row can significantly reduce the number
of Strigacoming to maturity.
Plants which are pulled, within 2-3 weeks of the

start of flowering, should be taken out of the

field and burned so that seeds are not
produced and shed from the drying plants.

Where it is available and feasible or the farmer,

the
herbicide
2,4-D
can
be
used
before Strigaflowering, as an alternative to
hand-pulling but it may need to be repeated.

trash mulching at 5.0 tonnes/ha at 90 days

after planting has been found effective in

reducing the density and dry weight of Striga.

Pre-emergence application of atrazine at 1.0

kg/ha + 1 hand weeding at 45 days after

planting with an earthing up at 60 days after
planting combine with post-emergence
application of 2,4-D Na salt at 5 g/l (0.50%)
+ urea 20 g/l (2%) at 90 days after planting
has been recommended for effective control
of Striga in sugarcane.

Integrated weed management

o Being a long duration and widely spaced crop,

there is an ample scope of using

cultural/mechanical and chemical methods in
combination so as to reduce dependence on
either of the methods.
o In planted and ratoon crops, trash mulching

followed by post-emergence application of

herbicides has been found effective.

o Combination of pre-emergence herbicides, viz

atrazine or metribuzine and intercultural

operations has been found effective and
economical.


o Irrigation at 40-45 DAP followed by hoeing and

application of atrazine at 2.0 kg/ha or

metribuzine at 1.0 kg/ha and 2,4-D at 0.50
kg/ha have been found effective and
economical.

Weed management in pure crop of sugarcane

Spray Atrazine 2 kg or Oxyflurofen 750 ml/ha

mixed in 500 lit of water as pre emergence

herbicide on the 3rd day of planting.

For post-emergence spray of Grammaxone 1.5

litre + 2,4-D sodium salt 2.5 kg/ha in 500 litre

of water on 21st day of planting.

If the parasitic weed striga is a problem, post-

emergence application of 2,4-D sodium salt @

1.25 kg/ha in 500 litre of water/ha may be
done. 2, 4-D spraying should be avoided when
neighboring crop is cotton or bhendi. Apply
20% urea also for the control of striga as
direct spray.

Pre- plant application of glyphosate at 2.0 kg

ha-1 along with 2% ammonium sulphate at 21

days before planting of sugarcane.

If herbicide is not applied work the junior-hoe

along the ridges on 25, 55 and 85 days after

planting for removal of weeds and proper
stirring. Remove the weeds along the furrows
with hand hoe. Otherwise operate power tiller
fitted with tynes for intercultivation.

Weed management in ratoon crop

Weed management in sugarcane ratoon crop, the
maximum cane yield could be obtained by three
hoeing at 30, 60 and 90 days after harvest or spray
atrazine 2.0 kg/ha as pre-emergence followed by
2,4-D at 1.25 kg/ha as post-emergence at 90 days
after harvesting followed by directed spraying of
glyphosate 1.0 kg/ha at 150 days after
harvesting.

Weed management in Sugarcane intercropping

system
Premergence application of Thiobencarb @ 1.25

kg a.i / ha under intercropping system

insugarcane which gives effective weed
control.

Pre-Emergence
weed
management:
Protect the sugarcane crop without weeds
for 90 days from planting onwards. During 3rd or 4th
day after planting spray Atrazine @ 2.5 kg/ha
uniformly on the surface of field before the
emergence of weeds. Chemical should be diluted in
1000liter of water and spray through hand sprayer.
Separate hand sprayer and nossel should be used
for herbicide application. Before application of
fertilizer, weeds which are not controlled by
herbicide application should be uprooted by hand
weeding. By this method we can reduce the
maximum level of crop damage.
Post-Emergence
weed
management:
After the emergence of weeds, spray 2-4-D
@ 2.5kg/ha to control broad leaves weed.
Grass sp are controlled by hand weeding. Spraying
of Ethoxy sulfuron @ 13kg/10 litre of water controls
the Cyprus sp.

Pre and Post-Emergence Herbicides For Weed Control in Sugarcane

S.No.

Herbicide

Control
(weeks)

Dosage (kg/ha) based on clay%

20%

21 - 30% 30%

Pre-Emergence
1

Atrazine 50 FW

6- 8

2.0

2.5

3.0

Ametryn 80 WP

6- 8

2.0

2.5

3.0

Diuron 80 WP

5-7

2.0

2.0

2.5

Metribuzin 70 WP

10-12

2.0

2.5

3.0

Alachlor 48 EC

6- 8

3.0

3.0

4.0

Trifluralin 48 EC

5- 7

1.5

1.5

1.5

Pendimethalin 50 EC

8-10

1.5

1.5

1.5

Terbacil

---

1.0

1.2

1.5

Diuron + 2, 4-D

---

1.2 + 1.8

1.2 + 1.8

1.2 + 1.8

10

Atrazine + Dalapan

---

1.25
2.5

+ 1.25 + 2.5 1.25

2.5

Post - Emergence
1

2, 4-D Sodium salt 80

WSP

5-6

1.0

1.2

1.5

Paraquat

---

2.0

3.0

4.0

Glyphosate 41 WSC

1.2

1.5

2.0

MAMA

4.0

4.0

4.0

Ratoon Cane Management

Sugarcane productivity has shown the
increasing trend, a wide gap exists between
potential (competition crops) and existing
(commercial
plots)
productivity
levels.
Ratooning constitutes around 50% of the total
area under cane and ratoon productivity and
early maturity that the plant crop. Ratoon
productivity has been proved to increase with
proper
management
involving
timely
agricultural operations, proper nutrition
management,
and
integrated
pest
management and maintenance of adequate
plant population.
Management Practices for better ratoon crop:
1.Selection of suitable varieties:
1. Selection of suitable sugarcane varieties with good ratoonability.
2. It is observed that certain sugarcane varieties perform better in ratoon crop or
at least on par with plant crop. Varieties like Co 8013, Co 6907, Co 8014, 85A261,
87A298, 90A272, 92A123, 81V48, 91V83, 93V297, 97V60 and 83R23 in early
category and 83V18, 89V74, 93A145, 94A109, Co 7219, Co 7805, Co 7706 and
Co 86032 in mid late category are to be selected for cultivation.
2.Cultivation practices:
1. At the time of harvest of plant crop
sharp knives for cutting the clump to the
ground level need to be used.
2. Cleaning of field and removal of dead
canes, trash etc., where ever they are
in the field.
3. Breaking the clods by intercultivation
between the furrows with the plough.
4. Stubble shaving has to be done with
sharp knives to the ground level. The
advantage of stubble shaving includes
the removal of generated old buds and
rejuvenation of new buds. Care should
be taken not to disturb the clump while
stubble shaving.
3.Gap filling:
Normally while harvesting the plant crop due to the movement of labor, more gaps are
found in the ratoon crop. Therefore, it is very essential to fill the gaps so as to have
more number of millable canes in ratoon crop also. This can be done in the following
ways:

1. With setts: Placement of either single/two/three budded setts in the gaps.

2. Pre-germinated settlings raised through Polybag system
3. Taking the clumps from thickly populated area and filling the gaps.
4.Poly bag seed nursery:
1. Single budded setts are to be cut carefully.
2. While planting in the bag proper care should be taken to keep the bud in upward
direction.
3. A thin layer of soil medium should be on the bud of the sett.
4. Poly bags should be kept in rows.
5. For every six rows path should be left for easy sprinkling of water with rose cans.
6. Number of sprinklings depends on prevailing environmental conditions.
7. Poly bags should be kept under shade preferably.
8. The buds start sprouting from 10th to 12th day onwards.
9. Normally the settlings aged between 35-40 days are to be used for planting.
10.

While planting, care is to be taken not to disturb the soil of the poly bag.

11.
With a blade give a gentle cut on one side of the bag along the length,
remove bag carefully and put the setting in the furrows of the main field and
press gently.

5. Trash mulching:
This should be done by applying 3 tonnes of trash per hectare and need to be spread
on the field inbetween the furrows. The advantages include the following:
1. Forms as a cover to the soil.
2. Prevents evaporation of soil moisture.
3. Conserves the soil moisture.
4. Keep the root zone moist.
5. Helps in the production of more tillers.
6. Early Shoot Borer (ESB).
7. Keeps the standing crop in lush green
color.
8. Aids the
nutrients.

plant

in

absorbing

more

6. Integrated Nutrient Management:

a). Inorganic Fertilizers:
For ratoon crop, 3 bags of urea, 5 bags of
super phosphate and 1.50 bag of muriate of
potash are to be applied at the time of
rationing. The second dose of 3 bags of urea
should be given at 45th day after rationing.
b). Organic fertilizers:
Application of 2 bags of bio-compost, 4 kgs of
Azospirillum and 4 kgs of phosphobactor per
acre is recommended for getting higher yields
and better sugar recovery.
7. Weed management:
In ratoon crops we should not apply any pre-emergence weedicide (Atrozin). The post
emergence weedicides Gramoxone (4.50 liters) and Femoxone(2.50 Kg) per hectare
are to be used for the control of weeds. If necessary one manual weedling may be
done.
8. Water management:
Ratoon crops normally require 18-20 irrigations in their life span. Drip irrigation is also
recommended in the places of water scarcity. In certain cases, alternate furrow method
is recommended. However, wherever there is plenty of water, normal irrigations at
regular intervals arerecommended to get higher yields.
9. Harvesting of ratoon crop:

It is an established fact that ratoons mature

early (at least by one month) when compared
to plant crop. Hence, all the care should be
taken to get the cutting orders by respective
sugar factories well in advance so that the
cane may be used as an open mill cane at the
time of starting of the crushing season.

10. Advantages and Disadvantages:

Advantages
1. No preparatory cultivation is required.
2. Saving in the cost of seed material.
3. Saving of labor since many operations such as collection of seed cane, cutting of
the setts and planting are not undertaken in rations.
4. The leftover in the field especially in the form of fallen leaves, trash, etc., in due
course of time gets converted in to organic matter.
5. Ratoon crops generally come to maturity at least one month early.
6. The expenditure involved in growing ratoon crops is less as compared to plant
crop.

Disadvantages:
7. Cane yields are generally lower than plant crop yields.
1. Nitrogenous fertilizer requirement is more.
2. In almost all the places, the ratoon crops receive neglected attention. Neglected
cultivation makes the ratoon crops more prone to pests and diseases.
3. Under some situations in certain varieties, flowering takes place and unusual
delay in the harvest and particular conditions might result in the increase of fiber
content that might ultimately affect the sugar recovery.

Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative(SSI)

About Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative

The major principles that govern SSI can be stated as below

Cultivation aspects
Fertigation schedule for sugarcane in SSI
Comparison between Conventional and SSI methods of Sugarcane
Cultivation

Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative

The Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is

yet another practical approach to sugarcane

production which is based on the principles
of more with less in agriculture like System
of Rice Intensification (SRI). SSI improves
the productivity of water, land and labour,
all at the same time, while reducing the
overall pressure on water resources.

Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative is a method

of sugarcane production which involves
using less seeds, less water and optimum
utilization of fertilizers and land to achieve
more yields. Driven by farmers, SSI is an
alternate to conventional seed, water and
space intensive Sugarcane cultivation.

The major principles that govern SSI can be stated as below:

Raising nursery using single-budded chips (conventionally, 2-3 budded sets are

used and normally no nursery is prepared).

Transplanting young seedlings (25-35 days old), after grading (conventionally,

direct planting of 3-budded chips is done). Raising a nursery and grading reduces
plant mortality significantly as compared to conventional cultivation.

Maintaining wide spacing (5 x 2 feet) in the main field, which reduces the seed

requirement by 75% from 48,000 (16000 3-budded chips) to 5000 single-budded

chips per acre (conventional spacing is 1.5 x 2.5 ft). Wider spacing supports easy
air and sunlight penetration in the crop canopy, leading to better and healthier
cane growth. It also allows for easier intercultural operations.

Providing sufficient moisture and avoiding inundation of water, whereby 40% of

water is saved (conventionally, flooding is practiced). This is significant as

sugarcane consumes about 2500L of water per kg of sugarcane produced.

Encouraging organic methods of nutrient management and plant protection.

Practicing intercropping (which is possible due to wider spacing and non-flooding),

thereby increasing effective utilization of land, giving additional income and

reducing weed growth by 60%.

All of the above practices, lead to increased length and weight of individual canes,

and alteast 20-25 tillers/plant and 9-10 millable canes/plant, as compared to 1015 tillers and 4-5 millable canes in conventional cultivation.

Cultivation aspects

Bud selection

Select healthy canes of 7 to 9 months old

with10-12 buds per cane.

Remove buds from the selected canes

using an implement called Bud Chipper

The chipped buds have to be treated with

organic or chemical solutions.

450-500 canes per acre is required.

Nursery preparation

Take-well decomposed coco-pith. Fill half

of each cone in the tray with coco-pith.

Place the buds flat or in a slightly slanting

position in the cones of a tray.

Cover the bud chips in trays completely

with coco-pith.

Care should be taken to avoid water, air or

sunlight entering into the trays by tightly

covering and keeping the bundles in
shade net or preferably inside a room.

Create artificial warmth through electric

bulbs if the climate is too cold. This is the

most crucial phase of the nursery
management.

Under proper conditions (especially, warm

temperature) within 3 5 days, white

roots (primodia) will come out and shoots
will also appear in next 2 to 3 days.
Based on the moisture content of coco-

pith, watering to the trays (seedlings) has

to be initiated in the evenings for the next
15 days using rose cans.

During six leaf stage (about 20 days old

seedling), grading of the plants has to be

done.

Main field preparation

The main field preparation in SSI method is similar to that of conventional

method. A good land preparation should be done.
a.Removal of residues
Main land preparation for sugarcane starts with clearing the preceding crop
residues. Stubbles are to be collected and removed from the field. All
residues can be incorporated into soil by a rotavator.
b. Tillage
Tillage operations through tractor drawn implements are most ideal and
quick. After one or two initial ploughings, soil must be allowed to weather
for a week or two before going for further tillage operations.
c. Addition of organic manures
The SSI method encourages application of organic manure as it enhances
the macro and micro nutrient content in the soil in an eco friendly way,
helps in optimum utilization of some of the chemical fertilizers and protects
the soil from degradation and other hazardous effects.
d. Making furrows and ridges
Make furrows with a distance of 5 ft in between
Run a sub-soiler attached to the ridger/plough through the furrow to
loosen the soil. This will support proper incorporation of the manure, deep
plantation and prevention of lodging.
Fertilizer application

Nutrient management in sugarcane cultivation is very essential for crop growth. It is

always better to know the required quantity of nutrients through soil testing and enrich
the soil accordingly. If there is no facility for that, then NPK can be applied at the rate
of 112 kg, 25 kg and 48 kg per acre, respectively through inorganic or organic methods.

Transplanting

The ideal age for transplanting the young

seedlings from nursery to the main field

is 25 to 35 days.

While transplanting to the main field,

zigzag method of planting (see picture)

can be followed to utilize more space and
achieve maximum tillers.

Plant to plant distance of 2 ft has to be

maintained for easy sunlight penetration

and profuse tillering.

All the other cultivation practices are

same as conventional method.

Intercropping

SSI supports intercropping in sugarcane with crops like wheat, potato, cowpea, french
bean, chickpea, water melon, brinjal etc. In addition to effective utilization of land, this
practice will reduce the weed growth up to 60% and give extra income to farmers.
Weeding

A weed-free environment is absolutely essential for efficient intake of nutrients. This

can be achieved by:
Deep ploughing and removal of perennial weeds.
Hand weedings and mechanical weedings (30, 60 and 90days after planting) are
better for long term benefits.

Mulching

Trash mulching is important in sugarcane cultivation as it helps in checking the weeds

and providing needed moisture. Sugarcane trash can be applied @ 1.5 t/acre within
3days of planting. Similarly, after detrashing the removed leaves can be applied in the
interspaces as mulch.

Organic method of cultivation

The SSI method encourages application of

organic manure as it enhances the macro and
micro nutrient content in the soil in an eco
friendly way, helps in optimum utilization of
some of the chemical fertilizers and protects the
soil from degradation and other hazardous
effects.
Apply

organic
manure
FYM/compost/well-decomposed
mud (about 8-10 tonnes/acre).

like
press

Quantity

of organic manure could be

adjusted in such a way as to supply 112
kg N/acre through one or more sources
depending on their N content.

Trichoderma and Pseudomonas (each 1

kg/acre) and Decomposing cultures can

be mixed with the organic manures. This
will improve the soil fertility to realize
higher yields.

Water management

Drip irrigation can be practiced effectively

in SSI due to wider spacing and raising of

single seedlings.

It is always better to provide sufficient

quantity of water on time rather than

flooding the field with enormous amount
of water.

In conventional flooding method water is

always applied more than the biological

demand of the crop which may affect the
crop growth.

After transplantation, the frequency of the

irrigation may differ depending on the soil

type, age of the crop, rainfall and
moisture availability. For sandy soil, the
frequency will be more and for clay soil it
will be less.
Give irrigation once in 10 days during

tillering stage (36-100 days), once in 7

days during Grand Growth period (101270 days) and once in 15 days during
Maturity period (from 271 days till
harvest)

Furrow

irrigation
helps
in
proper
application and saving of water. Alternate
furrow irrigation means irrigating the
furrows of odd numbers initially followed
by irrigating the furrows of even numbers
after 7 to 15 days as per the moisture
content and age of the crop. This will
ensure saving of water up to 50%.

Comparison between Flood irrigation and Drip fertigation in SSI

Particulars

Flood Irrigation

Drip Fertigation

Water Requirement

2200m.m

1000m.m

Duration of irrigation

250 days

250 days

Irrigation Interval

7 days

1 day

Number of irrigation

36

250

6.1 lakhs

0.4 lakhs

Yield

92-105 t/ha

150-200 t/ha

Fertilizer Use Effieciency

30%

60%

Benifit Cost Ratio

1.97

4.7

Water
requirement
irrigation(lit)

of

single

Earthing up

Earthing up means application of soil at the root zone to strengthen the crop stand.
Normally two earthing ups (partial and full) are followed during a crop period.

Fertigation schedule for sugarcane in SSI:

RDF - 275:63:115 NPK kg/ha Once in 10 days

Stage (Day After
Planting)

(kg/ha)
N

0-30

39.4

31-60

48.6

26.25

61-90

51.4

20.50

13.5

91-120

55.2

16.25

14.6

121-180

57.8

40.5

181-210

10.5

35.0

Total

275.0

63.0

115.0

Comparison between Conventional and SSI methods of Sugarcane Cultivation

Harvesting

Harvesting in sugarcane is practiced in collaboration with the industry, in most of the

cases, to suit the factory timings. Sucrose content in the plants will reach the desirable
level on the 10th month of the one year crop duration, and they will be ready for harvest
within the next two months.

Overall benefits
In conventional method, cost of setts occupies the major part of cost of cultivation
By practicing SSI, this seed cost can be reduced up to 75%
Reduction in the plant mortality rate
Increases in the length and weight of each cane
It is easy to transport the young seedlings for longer distance
Intercultural operations can be carried out easily due to wider spacing
Scope of SSI in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu, being the number one state in sugarcane productivity (more than 100
t/ha), has a great potential in SSI. The following are some of the reasons to foresee
the great impact of SSI in Tamil Nadu sugarcane sector.

Farmers are very much innovative, eager to take up any new technologies with

great enthusiasm and support.

SSI will be a suitable option to solve the present problems of increasing seed cost,

labour cost and other soil fertility and productivity related issues.
Due to wider spacing, intercultural operation becomes easy, thus reducing the

drudgery among women labourers.

The wider spacing suggested in SSI are ideal in case of introducing Mechanical

harvester, an effort already in practice in some of the Mills areas in Tamil Nadu.

Conclusion
SSI involves use of less seeds, less water and optimum land utilization to achieve more
yields. It is governed by some principles like using single budded chips, raising nursery,
wider spacing, sufficient irrigation and intercropping. By practicing these measures, the
following benefits can be realized:
Better germination percentage
High number of millable canes
Reduction in the duration of crop to some extent
Increased water use efficiency
Improvement in accessibility to nutrients with optimum use of fertilizers
More accessibility to air and sunlight
Reduction in cost of cultivation and
Extra income from intercrops

On the whole, by practicing SSI farmers can very well increase their productivity by
reducing the use of inputs like fertilizers and saving the vital resources like water
simultaneously. Hence, it is very much possible for sugarcane farmers to reap greater
economical benefits by maintaining ecological sustainability.

Irrigation Management
About Irrigation Management

Water requirement
Irrigation Methods
Drip irrigation
Fertigation
Drought management

Water requirement

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 6070 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.
The soil must have sufficient moisture at the time of
sowing. First irrigation should be done when about 2025% plant have germinated or about 20 days after sowing
and the irrigations are given at 10-15 days interval during
summer, 25-30 days interval during winter and if there is
drought the crop should be irrigated during rainy season
also as and when needed. The crop needs maximum water
at tillering stage and during elongation or grand growth
phase.
Under water logging conditions the root respiration becomes
poor. Nutrients are leached down, activities of useful
micro-organisms are reduced and the crop lodges down
with an excessive branching. Thus the quality becomes
poor along with very low crop yield. These all make it
necessary to drain the excess water from the field.

Average water requirement for sugarcane

Average water requirement for sugarcane is 1800 to 2200 mm.

S.No.

Crops

Duration in days

Water
(mm)

1.

Sugarcane

365

2000

requirement No.
irrigations

of

24

For 12 months sugarcane crop water requirement at each growth phase

Irrigation interval approach
Growth Phase

Duration of phase

Water Requirement

Germination

0-45 days

300mm

Tillering Phase

45-120 days

550mm

Grand Growth Phase

120-270 days

1000mm

Ripening Phase

270-360 days

650mm

Irrigation interval in different season and type of soil

Irrigation Interval (days)

Growth Phase

Coarse
textured soil

Medium
textured soil

Fine
soil

Germination(0-45 days )

5-6

6-7

8-10

Tillering Phase(45-120days )

6-7

7-10

12-15

Grand Growth
270days)

10

12-15

10

12-15

15-20

Ripening
days)

Phase(120-

Phase(270-360

textured

Water Use Efficiency of Different irrigation systems

Water applied

Irrigation
system

(ha -cm)

Cane
yield
(mt/ha)

Water use
efficiency

C.
(mt/ha)

175.26

126.56

0.72

17.87

Drip irrigation

132.14

128.64

0.97

18.29

Furrow
irrigation

258.45

104.42

0.4

14.71

Rain
sprinkler

gun

Poor irrigation leads to

Decrease length of internodes

Decrease amount of juice and increase percent of

fiber

Decrease rate of germination

Decrease of sugar yield

Heavy irrigation leads to

Death of buds,
damage to roots,
sugar content decreases,
cane yield decreases
plant can not adsorb elements from soil and becomes

yellowish.

C.S.

Irrigation Methods

Flood irrigation:

In Flood irrigation method, free flow of irrigation

water is allowed in the fields in all directions.

It is practiced in the flat planted cane, but water loss

is high.

Furrow irrigation:
Furrow irrigation is most commonly used and is

particularly effective for early plant crop.

In later crop growth periods and during ratoon crops,

the water distribution may become increasingly

problematic because of deterioration of the furrows.

Reduced furrow length is sometimes used to allow

better distribution of water over the field in a later

stage.

Alternate skip furrow method:

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.

Sprinkler irrigation:
For sprinkler irrigation, increasing use is made of spray

guns, hand and automatically moved, replacing the

cumbersome boom and labour-intensive hand-moved
sprinkler laterals Prevailing winds of more than 4 or 5
m/sec will limit their usefulness.

Drip irrigation:
Drip irrigation is defined as the precise, slow and

frequent application of water through point or line

source emitters on or below the soil surface at a small
operating pressure (20-200 kPa) and at a low
discharge rate (0.6 to 20 LPH), resulting in partial
wetting of the soil surface.

Drip Irrigation
Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation is defined as the precise, slow and

frequent application of water through point or line

source emitters on or below the soil surface at a small
operating pressure (20-200 kPa) and at a low
discharge rate (0.6 to 20 LPH), resulting in partial
wetting of the soil surface.

Drip

irrigation in sugarcane is a relatively new

innovative technology that can conserve water,
energy and increase profits.

Drip

irrigation may help in solving three most

important problems of irrigated sugarcane - water
scarcity, rising pumping (energy) costs and
depressed farm profits

Drip will be successful depends on a host of agronomic,

engineering and economic factors.

12 mm drip laterals have to be placed in the middle

ridge of each furrow with the lateral spacing of 240

cm & 8 Lph clog free drippers should be placed with
a spacing of 75 cm on the lateral lines. The lateral
length should not exceed more than 30-40 m.

Drip Irrigation is given once in three days based on the

evapo-transpiration demand of the crop.

Surface Drip:
o The application of water to the soil surface as

drops or a tiny stream through emitters placed

at predetermined distance along the drip lateral
is termed as surface drip irrigation.

o It can be of two types - online or integral type

surface drip system. Integral

recommended for sugarcane.

dripline

is

Subsurface Drip (SDI):

o The application of water below the soil surface

through emitters molded on the inner wall of

the dripline, with discharge rates (1.0 - 3.0
LPH) generally in the same range as integral
surface drip irrigation.

o The integral dripline (thin or thick-walled) is

installed at some predetermined depth in the

soil depending on the soil type and crop
requirements.

o There are two main types of SDI - "one crop" and

"multicrop".

o Subsurface irrigation saves water and improves

yields by eliminating surface water evaporation

and reducing the incidence of disease and
weeds.

Advantages

Save 25-50% of water

Low requirement of water.
Evaporation losses get reduce.
Decrease the number of weeds.
Period of irrigation is low (2-3 hours)
The growth of plants is homogeneous.
Little application of water but gives more yield.
Decrease the infestation with pests (insects, diseases and weeds).
Increasing the area of planting by saving the area of canals.
Decreasing man infection by contacting the water (bilharzia or Schistosomiasis).
Decreasing the pollution in canals.

There is considerable saving of water in this method of irrigation.

Sugarcane Drip Design Guidelines

Planting
pattern

Drip
system

Distance (m)
Two
rows
of a
pair

Two
Two
driplines
paired
/
rows
two rows

Dripline
installation
depth (cm)

Emitter
distance
(m)

Discharge
(LPH)

Single
row

Surface

---

1.2 to 1.5 1.2 to 1.5

---

0.4 to 0.6 1.0 to 3.0

Paired
row

Surface

0.4 to 1.4 to 2.0 1.8 to 2.5

1.0

---

0.4 to 0.6 1.0 to 3.0

Paired
row

Sub
surface

0.4 to 1.4 to 2.0 1.8 to 2.5

1.0

0.15 to 0.30

0.4 to 0.6 1.0 to 2.3

Major benefits of drip irrigation

Water
Saving irrigation water 40 - 70 %
Low Labour cost for irrigation
Increased water use efficiency
Uniformity in water distribution (90%)
Suitable for inferior quality irrigation water
Use of saline water is possible

Soil
Suitable for any type of soil
Suitable for marginal and undulating land
Low tillage requirement

Fertigation

Fertigation
Sugarcane being a giant crop producing huge quantity

of biomass generally demands higher amounts of

nutrient elements.
The cost of chemical fertilizers has also increased and

there is a need to improve fertilizer use efficiency for

more benefits. The best answer to this challenge is
"Fertigation", where both water and fertilizers are
delivered to crop simultaneously through a drip
irrigation system.

Fertigation

ensures that essential nutrients are

supplied precisely at the area of most intensive root
activity according to the specific requirements of
sugarcane crop and type of soil resulting in higher
cane yields and sugar recovery.

Concept of fertigation
Fertigation is the judicious application of fertilizers by combining with irrigation

water.

Fertigation can be achieved through fertilizer tank, venturi System, Injector

Pump, Non-Electric Proportional Liquid Dispenser (NEPLD) and automated

system.

Recommended Nitrogen & Potassium @ of 275 and 112.5 kg/ha may be applied

in 14 equal splits with 15 days interval from 15 DAP.

25 kg Nitrogen and 8 kg K2O per ha per split.

Urea and MOP (white potash) fertilizers can be used as Nitrogen and Potassium

sources respectively.

Fertigation up to 210 DAP can also be recommended.

Requirement & Type of Water soluble fertilizers in Sugarcane

Recommended dose
: 275: 62.5:112.5 kg NPK / ha
For Fertigation recommended
: 275:15:112.5 NPK / ha
Fertigation Schedule
Crop stage

Duration in days

First stage

From planting to 70 12-61-00

days(5,10. 70th day)
13-00-45

Second stage

Third stage

Fourth stage

71 days to 120 days

121 days to 160 days

161 day to 210 days

Fertilizer grade

No. of times

Quantity
(kg/time)

14

0.9

14

1.8

Urea

14

12.1

12-61-00

10

1.2

13-00-45

10

5.0

Urea

10

20.9

12-61-00

3.1

13-00-45

5.6

Urea

14.1

12-61-00

10

2.5

13-00-45

10

6.8

Urea

10

8.3

Fertigation Schedule for Seasonal (12 months)/Ratoon Sugarcane

Days After Planting

Nutrients (kg/ha/day)
N

P2O5

K2O

1-30 Days

1.20

0.10

0.20

31-80 Days

1.50

0.40

0.24

81-110 Days

2.00

1.00

0.40

111-150 Days

0.75

0.30

0.75

151-190 Days

--

1.50

Fertigation Schedule for Preseasonal (14 to 16 months) Sugarcane

Days After Planting

Nutrients (kg/ha/day)
N

P2O5

K2O

1-30 Days

1.5

0.15

0.25

31-80 Days

2.0

0.60

0.30

81-110 Days

2.5

1.50

0.50

111-150 Days

0.75

0.50

1.0

151-190 Days

--

1.80

Advantages of fertigation
Ensures a regular flow of water as well as nutrients resulting in increased growth

rates for higher yields

Offers greater versatility in the timing of the nutrient application to meet specific

crop demands

Safer application method which eliminates the danger of burning the plant root

system

Offers simpler and more convenient application than soil application of fertilizer

thus saving time, labour, equipment and energy

Improves fertilizer use efficiency

Reduction of soil compaction and mechanical damage to the crops


Convenient use of compound and ready-mix nutrient solutions containing also

small concentration of micronutrients.

Free from chlorides and sodium
No salt build up in the crop root zone
Most of the fertilizers are blended with micronutrients.

Fertigation Offers Several Distinct Advantages in Comparison to Conventional

Application Methods:

Distribution of plant nutrients more evenly throughout the wetted root zone

resulting in increased nutrient availability & uptake contributing to higher crop

growth rates and cane yields

Supply of nutrients incrementally according to the crop developmental phases

throughout the season to meet the actual nutritional requirements of the crop

Careful regulation and monitoring the supply of nutrients

Application of nutrients to the soil when crop or soil conditions would otherwise

prohibit entry into the field with conventional equipment

Minimal nutrient losses through consumption by weeds, leaching and runoff

No damage to the crop by root pruning, breakage of leaves, or bending of leaves,

as occurs with conventional fertilizer application methods/equipment

Less energy is expended in application of the fertilizer

Usually less labour & equipment are required for application of the fertilizer and

to supervise the application

Soil compaction is avoided because heavy equipment never enters the field
No salt injury to foliage
Allows rising of crop on marginal lands, where accurate control of water and

nutrient ion in the plant's root environment is critical.

Fertilizers Suitable for Fertigation Via Drip Irrigation System

Nutrient

Water soluble fertilizers

Nitrogen

Urea
Ammonium
Ammonium
Calcium
Magnesium
Urea
Ammonium
Potassium
Monoammonium Phosphate

Nutrient content

Nitrate
Sulphate
Nitrate
Nitrate
Nitrate
Nitrate

46-0-0
34-0-0
21-0-0
16-0-0
11-0-0
32-0-0
13-0-46
32-0-0

Phosphorus

Monoammonium
Monopotassium
Phosphoric Acid

Phosphate
Phosphate

12-61-0
0-54-32
0-82-0

Potassium

Potassium
Potassium
Potassium
Potassium
Monopotassium Phosphate

Chloride
Sulphate
Nitrate
Thiosulphate

0-0-60
0-0-50
13-0-46
0-0-25
0-52-34

NPK

Polyfeed

19-19-19
20-20-20

Micronutrients

Fe
EDTA
Fe
DTPA
Fe
EDDHA
Zn
EDTA
Ca
EDTA
Rexolin CXK (B+Cu+Fe+Mn+Mo+Zn+Mg)

13
12
6
15
9.7
---

Drought Management
Drought
Drought is a meteorological term and is defined as a period without a significant rainfall. Infact, when evapotranspiration exceeds soil moisture supply i.e. water uptake, the water deficit/drought is resulted.

Sugarcane being a long duration crop which requires more irrigation. In sugarcane, Germination and
grand growth phase are the two important periods which requires more irrigation. In India this period comes
on summer months and availability of water is poor. So the requirement of water is insufficient during those
period which leads to drying of crop and yield loss.

Drought Management:
1. Planting of sugarcane in early season at the depth of 30 cm in furrow.
2. In drought area plant the setts with spacing of 60-75 cm instead of 90
cm.
3. Soak the setts in lime solution (80 kg Kiln lime in 400 lit water) for one
hour.
4. Removal of dry trash at 5th month and leave it as mulch, in the field.
This reduces the temperature upto 2C.
5. Spray potash and urea each at 25 gm in 1 litre of water during moisture
stress period at 15 days interval.
6. Spray Kaolin (60 g in 1 ltr. of water) to alleviate the water stress.
7. Under water scarcity condition, alternate furrow and skip furrow
irrigation method is beneficial.
8. Apply 125 kg of Muriate of Potash additionally at 120 day of planting.
9. Basal incorporation of coir waste @ 25 tonnes/ha at the time of last
ploughing.
10. Use drought tolerant resistant varieties like Co 86032, Co 99004, Co
94008 and Co 86249

Nutrient Management
About Nutrient Management

Introduction
Role of Nutrient
Nutrient Application
Organic Manure
Nutritional Disorder
Integrated Nutrient Management
Fertilizer Requirements

Introduction

Among

various
riputes
of
sugarcane
production, although nutrients contribute
maximum to the increase in yield.

During vegetation the sugarcane consumes

many nutrients.

There is no doubt that sugarcane crop needs

nutrients. The most active uptake of nutrients

is observed during the early stage of the
sugarcane plant, during tillering (from the
third to the sixth months after planting).

The

nutrient needs of sugarcane can be

assessed by soil analysis, plant tissue analysis
and / or deficiency symptoms. A combination
of these three methods gives the most
complete inventory of the nutrient status of a
crop.

Role of Nutrient

Plants require 16 essential nutrient elements. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are
derived from the atmosphere and soil water. The remaining 13 essential elements
(nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, manganese,
copper, boron, molybdenum, and chlorine) are supplied either from soil minerals and
soil organic matter or by organic or inorganic fertilizers. These nutrients are essential
for proper crop development. Each is equally important to the plant.

Major Nutrient

Nitrogen
Influences sugarcane yield and quality.
Required

for vegetative growth (tillering, foliage

formation, stalk formation and growth) and root
growth.

Vegetative growth in sugarcane is directly related to

yield.
Excess Nitrogen leads to:

i. harmful to crop
ii. prolongs vegetative growth
iii. delays maturity and ripening
iv. increases reducing sugar content in juice
v. lowering juice quality
vi. increases soluble
clarification
vii. susceptible
incidence

to

lodging,

in

juice

pest

and

affecting
disease

Phosphorus
Uptake depends on presence of soluble and plant

absorbable form.

P- requirement is relatively less than N and K.

Necessary for formation of proteins and thus for yield

build up.
Important for cell division leads to crop growth
Stimulates root growth
Necessary for plant metabolism and photo synthesis
Required for adequate tillering
Interacts with N and thus enhance ripening.
Excess P is wasted due to fixation in soil

Potassium
Requirement of K is greater than N and P.
Required for carbon assimilation, photo synthesis

translocation of carbohydrates

Involved in various enzymatic activities

Important for sugar synthesis and translocation to the

storage organs.

Develops

resistance to
disease and lodging.

Maintains

cell
conditions.

turgidity

sugarcane
under

against

moisture

pest,
stress

Balances the effect of N and P

Excess availability of K leads to "Luxury consumption".

Minor Nutrients

Sulphur:
It is essential for synthesis of amino acids, protein and

vitamins in sugarcane.

It increases the juice quality, CCS% and cane yield,

Zinc:
It is essential for bio synthesis of plant growth

regulator. Activity of various enzymes also depended

upon the presence of zinc.

Manganese:
It is activator of many enzymes involve in protein

synthesis of sugarcane.

It increasing the yield, quality and nutrient content of

sugarcane crop.

Boron:
The main functions of boron relate to cell wall strength

and development, cell division

For cane development, sugar transport, and hormone

development.

Magnesium:
Mg is the central element of the chlorophyll molecule.
Carrier of Phosphorus in the plant
Magnesium

is both an enzyme activator and a

constituent of many enzymes

Sugar synthesis

Copper:
It is a constituent of several enzyme systems involved

in building and converting amino acids to proteins.

Copper is important in

carbohydrate and protein

metabolism.
It is important to the formation of lignin in plant cell

walls which contributes to the structural strength of

the cells, and the cane.

Nutrient Application
Basal application

Basal
application
of
organic
manures:
1. Apply FYM at 12.5 t/ha or compost 25 t/ha or filter press
mud at 37.5 t/ha before the last ploughing under
gardenland
conditions.
2. In wetlands this may be applied along the furrows and
incorporated well.

Basal Application of Fertilizer

1. Test the soil and apply P fertilizer based on soil test
values. Otherwise apply super phosphate (375 kg/ha)
along the furrows and incorporate with hand hoe.
2. Apply 37.5 kg Zinc sulphate/ha and 100 kg Ferrous
sulphate/ha to zinc and iron deficient soils.
1. Apply phosphorus in the furrow bottom and mix
slightly with soil before planting.
2. Nitrogen and potassium fertilizer are given in split

doses, applied in bands on either side of the cane

row.

Top Dressing with Fertilizers

Soil application
Apply 275 kg of nitrogen and 112.5 kg of K2O/ha in

three equal splits at 30, 60 and 90 days in coastal and

flow irrigated belts (assured water supply areas).

In the case of lift irrigation belt, apply 225 kg of

nitrogen and 112.5 kg of K2O/ha in three equal splits

at 30, 60 and 90 days (water scarcity areas). For
jaggery areas, apply 175 kg of nitrogen and 112.5 kg
of K2O/ha in three equal splits on 30, 60 and 90 days.

Cover

the fertilizer with soil immediately after

placement to reduce volatilization losses. This is also
achieved by partial earthing after first top dressing
and full earthing up after second top dressing.

Foliar application

Foliar nutrition of urea (1 to 2.5%) and potassium

(2.5%) under moisture stress is a useful practice to

improve cane yield and quality.

Foliar application of DAP formed to be useful to improve

yield and quality.

Good foliage wetting is necessary. 'Teepol' can be used

as a wetting agent.

Sprayings done preferably in the morning hours.

A boom sprayer may be used in a grown up crop.

For Nitrogen Saving

Neem Cake Blended Urea: Apply 67.5 kg of N/ha + 27.5

kg of Neem Cake at 30 days and repeat on 60th and 90th
days.
Note: Neem cake blending: Powder the required quantity
of neem cake and mix it with urea thoroughly and keep it
for 24 hours. Thus, 75 kg of nitrogen/ha can be saved by
this method.

Azospirillum: Mix 12 packets (2400 g)/ha of Azospirillum

inoculant or TNAU Biofert 1 with 25 kg of FYM and 25 kg
soil and apply near the clumps on 30th day of planting.
Repeat the same on 60th day with another 12 packets (2400
gm). Repeat the above on the other side of the crop row on
the 90th day (for lift irrigated belt).

Band placement: Open deep furrows of 15 cm depth with

hand hoes and place the fertilisers in the form of band and
cover it properly.

Subsurface application: Application of 255 kg of Nitrogen

in the form of urea along with potash at 15 cm depth by the
side of the cane clump will result in the saving of 20 kg N/ha
without any yield reduction.

Common Micronutrient mixture : To provide all micronutrients to sugarcane, 50 kg

/ha of micronutrient mixture containing 20 kg Ferrous sulphate,10 kg Manganese
sulphate, 10 kg Zinc sulphate, 5 kg of Copper sulphate, 5 kg of Borax mixed with 100
kg of well decomposed FYM, can be recommended as soil application prior to planting.

Organic manure

Farm yard manure:

For sugarcane, apply 12.5 t/ha of FYM before the last

ploughing.
An

average well decomposed farmyard manure

contains 0.5 per cent N, 0.2 per cent P2O5and 0.5 per
cent K2O.

When cow dung and urine are mixed, a balanced

nutrition is made available for cane growth.

Green manure:
Sow green manure crops like daincha or sunhemp on

one side of the ridges on 3rd or 4th day after planting

sugarcane and raise it as an intercrop with sugarcane.
Harvest and insitu incorporate the intercrop around
45 days after transplanting.

Green manure adds about 7.5 to 25 tonnes of green

matter per ha contributing about 10 30 kg N per ha.

Daincha has around 0.62% N and sunhemp contains
0.75% N, 0.12% P2O5 and 0.51% K2O.

Press Mud:
Press Mud is a by-product of sugar industry. For every

100 tonnes of sugarcane crushed about 3 tonnes of

press mud cake is left behind as by-product.

Apply 37.5 t/ha of press mud before planting. It

contains 1.2%N, 2.1-2.4% P2O5 and 2.0% K2O.

It

contains trace quantity of micronutrients and

prevents soil erosion, crusting and cracking, adjust
soil pH, improves drainage and promotes normal
bacterial and microbial growth in the soil.

Reinforced compost from sugarcane trash and press

mud:
Spread the sugarcane trash to a thickness of 15 cm
over an area of 7 m X 3 m. Then apply pressmud over this
trash to a thickness of 5 cm. Sprinkle the fertilizer mixture
containing mussoorie rock phosphate, gypsum and urea in
the ration of 2:2:1 over these layers at the rate of 5 kg/100
kg of trash. Moist the trash and pressmud layers
adequately with water. Repeat this process till the entire
heap rises to a height of 1.5m. Use cowdung slurry instead
of water to moist the layer wherever it is available. Cover
the heap with a layer of soil and pressmud at 1:1 ratio to a
thickness
of
15
cm.
Leave the heap as such for three months for
decomposition. Moist the heap once in 15 days. During
rainy season, avoid moistening the heap. After three
months, turn and mix the heap thoroughly and form a heap
and leave it for one month. Then turn and mix heap
thoroughly at the end of the fourth month. Moist the heap
once in 15 days during 4th and 5th month also. This
method increases the manurial value of trash compost by
increasing, N, P and Ca content. It also brings down the
C:N ratio by 10 times as compared to raw cane trash.

Bio fertilizer:
Application of azospirillum gives atmospheric nitrogen

to the sugarcane crop. By applying phosphobacteria

crop can get undissolved phosphorous from soil
without any loss.

Apply azospirillum 5 kg/ha, phosphobacteria 5 kg/ha

and FYM 500 kg /ha mix it and apply on 30 days after

planting along the furrow and irrigated it. Same
repeated on 60th day.
Bio fertilizer can also apply through fertigation.
Dont mix the bio fertilizer and chemical fertilizer for

application.

Apply bio fertilizer as 10- 15 days before or after

application of chemical fertilizer.

Neem cake:
Neem cake is the residue left, after oil has been

extracted from neem seed kernel.

It performs the dual function of both fertilizer as well

as

It contains Nitrogen 2.0% to 5.0%, Phosphorus 0.5%

to 1.0% and Potassium 1.0% to 2.0%.

Apply 27.5 kg/ha of neem cake on 30th, 60th and 90th

day

Nutritional disorders

Nitrogen:
All leaves of sugarcane exhibit a yellow green colour.
Retardation of growth.
Cane stalks are smaller in diameter.
Premature drying of older leaves.
Roots attain a greater length but are smaller in

diameter.

Management:
Soil application of N fertilizer or foliar spray of urea
1-2% twice at weekly interval.

Phosphorus:
Reduction in length of sugarcane stalks, diameters of

which taper rapidly at growing points.

Colour of the leaves is greenish blue, narrow and

somewhat reduce length.

Reduced tillering.
Decreased shoot / root ratio with restricted root

development.

Management:
Foliar spray of DAP 2% twice at fortnight interval

Potassium:
Depressed growth
Yellowing and marginal drying of older leaves and
Development of slender stalks.
Orange, yellow colour appears in the older lower leaves

which develop numerous chlorotic spots that later

become brown with dead centre result in firing
apperance.

Reddish

discoloration which is confined to the

epidermal cells of the upper surfaces and midribs of
the leaves. Bunchy top apperance.

Poor root growth with less member of root hairs.

Management:
Foliar spray of KCL 1% twice at fortnight interval

Zinc:
Earlier development of anthrocyanin pigments in the

leaves.

Pronounced bleaching of the green colour along the

major veins

Striped effect due to a loss of Chlorophyll along the

veins.

At sever stage necrosis and growth ceases at the

growing point (meristem).

Mangement:
Soil application of 37.5 kg Zinc sulphate/ha before the last
ploughing.

Iron:
Young leaves where pale stripes with scanty chlorophyll content occur between

parallel lines.

Leaves turn completely white, even in the veins and midribs.

Restricted Root growth.

Management:
Soil application of 25kg/ha of FeSO4 or foliar spray of FESO4 0.5% on 90, 105
and 120 days after planting.

Calcium:
Mottling and chlorosis of older leaves
Spindles often become necrotic at the leaf tip and long margins
Rusty appearance and premature death of older leaves

Management:
Soil application of 100kg/ha of gypsum

Magnesium:
Mottled or chlorotic appearance at the tip and margins
Red necrotic lesions resulting in "rusty" appearance
Internal browning of rind

Management:
Soil application of MgSo4 25kg/ha or foliar spray of MgSo4 2% twice at
fortnight interval.

Sulphur:
Chlorotic young leaves
Narrower and shorter leaves with faint purplish tinge
Slender stalks

Management:
It is advisable to use sulphur containing fertilisers:
Ammonium Sulphate
24% S
Single Super Phosphate 12% S
Potassium Sulphate
18% S
Gypsum
13-18% S
Any one of the above fertilizers at the rate of 10-20 kg/ha.

Molybdenum:
Short longitudinal chlorotic streaks on the top one-third

of the leaf.

Short and slender stalks

Slow vegetative growth.

Management:
Application of ammonium molybedate (54% Mo) and
sodium
molybdate
(39%
Mo)
are
common
sources of Mo to reactify its deficiency in soils and crops.

INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

In many sugarcane growing areas, the productivity of the soils has declined due

to intensive cropping and lack of proper soil fertility management practices. The
soil productivity can be restored through rationalized integrated nutrient
management (INM) involving organic manures, fertilisers and biofertilisers.

Bulky organic manures like farmyard manure, compost and pressmud must be

incorporated into the soil at the rate of 15 to 25 t/ha before planting

Sunnhemp green manure can be grown as intercrop and incorporated into the soil

around 30 to 45 days after planting.

Soil-test based fertiliser schedules are advisable. When this is not possible, a

blanket schedule of 275-65-115 kg of N, P and K can be adopted.

Phosphatic fertilisers, preferably super phosphates can be applied basally or at

the time of first hoeing and weeding during 30 to 45 days after planting.

Nitrogenous and potassic fertilisers must be applied in four splits, first split during

30 45 days, second split during 60-75 days, third split during 90 105 days
and fourth split during 120 135 days after planting.

The efficiency of urea can be enhanced by blending it with neem cake powder in

4:1 ratio, a day before application. It is advisable to apply the mixture of urea
and potash fertiliser in holes of 10 cm depth at intervals of 15 cm spacing on the
sides of the plant rows.

Fifty kg of micronutrient mixture/ha made up of 20 kg of ferrous sulphate, 10 kg

of manganous sulphate, 10 kg of zinc sulphate, 5 kg of copper sulphate and 5

kg of borax may be applied basally in the planting furrows.
When the chlorotic symptoms due to deficiency of iron or zinc are observed on

the leaves of the crop, 5 kg of ferrous sulphate, 2.5 kg of zinc sulphate and 5 kg
of urea per hectare may be dissolved in 500 litres of water and sprayed over the
foliage. If necessary, one or two more sprayings can be given at intervals of 15
days.

Azospirillum and phosphobacteria biofertilisers at 10 kg each/ha may be mixed

with 10 kg of compost and applied basally in the planting furrows or at the time
of first hoeing and weeding during 30 45 days after planting. The soil pH must
be maintained in the neutral range of 6.5 to 7.5 for the crop.

Fertilizer Requirements
Tamil Nadu:

Sugarcane

plant
crop
(meant
275: 62.5: 112.5 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per ha
Recommendation
for Plant crop

for

Blanket
Recommendation(Kg/ha)

sugar

mills)

Straight Fertilizer(Kg/ha)
Super
Muriate of
phosphate potash

Urea

Basal

62.5

390

30-45 days

90

37.5

200

62.5

75-90 days

92.5

37.5

205

62.5

120-135 days after

Planting

92.5

37.5

205

62.5

Total

275

62.5

112.5

610

390

187.5

Apply FYM at 12.5 t/ha or compost 25 t/ha or filter press mud at 37.5 t/ha before the
last ploughing under gardenland conditions.

Sugarcane Ratoon crop (meant for sugar mills)

275 + 25% extra N: 62.5: 112.5 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per ha
Recommendation
for Ratoon crop

Blanket
Recommendation(Kg/ha)
N

Straight Fertilizer(Kg/ha)
Super
Muriate of
phosphate potash

Urea

68.5

62.5

148

390

30-45 days

90

37.5

200

62.5

75-90 days

92.5

37.5

205

62.5

120-135 days after

ratooning

92.5

37.5

205

62.5

Basal

Total

343.5

62.5

112.5

758

390

187.5

Sugarcane for jaggery manufacture (plant as well as ratoon crop)

225: 62.5: 112.5 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per ha
Recommendation
Blanket
for
jaggery
Recommendation(Kg/ha)
manufacture

Straight Fertilizer(Kg/ha)

Basal

62.5

30-45 days

75

37.5

75-90 days

75

120-135 DAP or
DAR

75

Total

225

62.5

Urea

390

162

62.5

37.5

162

62.5

37.5

162

62.5

112.5

Super
Muriate of
phosphate potash

486

390

187.5

Fertilizer Requirement for Sugarcane KERALA

Pandalam and Thiruvalla areas:
165: 82.5: 82.5 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per ha
Recommendation
Blanket
for Pandalam and
Recommendation(Kg/ha)
Thiruvalla areas

Straight Fertilizer(Kg/ha)

82.5

45 days

82.5

90 days

82.5

Basal

Total

165

82.5

Urea

Super
Muriate of
phosphate potash

515

41.5

179

69

41

179

68

82.5

358

515

137

Apply compost or cattle manure, 10 t/ha or press mud 5 t/ha or dolomite 500 kg/ha or
calcium carbonate 750 kg/ha.
Apply N and K2O in two split doses, the first 45 days after planting and the second 90
days after planting along with earthing up. Do not apply N beyond 100 days after
planting. Apply entire dose of phosphorus as basal dressing.

Chittoor area
225: 75: 75 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per ha
Recommendation
for Chittoor area

Blanket
Recommendation(Kg/ha)

Straight Fertilizer(Kg/ha)

75

468

45 days

112.5

37.5

244

62

90 days

112.5

37.5

244

62

Basal

Total

225

75

75

Urea

Super
Muriate of
phosphate potash

488

468

124

Newly cleared forest areas:

115: 75: 90 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per ha
Recommendation
Blanket
for Newly cleared
Recommendation(Kg/ha)
forest areas

Straight Fertilizer(Kg/ha)

75

468

45 days

57.5

45

124

74

90 days

57.5

45

124

74

Basal

Total

115

75

90

Urea

Super
Muriate of
phosphate potash

248

468

148

Fertilizer Requirement for Sugarcane KARNATAKA

Recommended dose of fertilizer i) 250 : 75 :150 kg/ha(Plant crop)
ii) 315 : 75 : 190 kg/ha(Ratoon).
Recommendation
for Plant crop

Blanket
Recommendation(Kg/ha)

Straight Fertilizer(Kg/ha)

75

468

60 days

125

75

271

124.5

90 days

125

75

271

124.5

Basal

Total

Recommendation
for Ratoon crop

250

75

150

Urea

Super
Muriate of
phosphate potash

542

468

Blanket
Recommendation(Kg/ha)

249

Straight Fertilizer(Kg/ha)

75

468

60 days

157.5

95

341

157

90 days

157.5

95

341

157

Basal

Total

315

75

190

Urea

Super
Muriate of
phosphate potash

682

468

314

Other fertilizers
10:26:26 complex, Urea and Muriate of potash recommended dose in kg/ha
Fertilizers

Before planting

45th day

90th day

10:26:26 complex

250

urea

280

280

Muriate of potash

50

50

17:17:17 complex, Urea and Muriate of potash recommended dose in kg/ha

Fertilizers

Before planting

45th day

90th day

17:17:17 complex

375

urea

235

235

Muriate of potash

50

50

DAP, Urea and Muriate of potash recommended dose in kg/ha

Fertilizers

Before planting

45th day

90th day

DAP

135

urea

280

280

Muriate of potash

100

100

20:20 complex, Urea and Muriate of potash recommended dose in kg/ha

Fertilizers

Before planting

45th day

90th day

20:20 complex

315

urea

240

240

Muriate of potash

100

100

Crop Protection
About Crop Protection

Pest Management
Disease Management

Pest Management

Sugarcane crop is affected by more than 60 insects of which about 10 insects are
rather more important as far as the yield loss is concerned. Among the major insects
damaging sugarcane, borers, sucking pests, soil dwelling insects are more prevalent
in Tamil Nadu and adjoining states which account 20% loss in cane yield 15% loss in
sugar yield.

Sl.No

Common Name

Scientific Name

Family

Order

Early shoot borer

Chilo infuscatellus

Crambidae

Lepidoptera

Internode borer

Chilo
indicus

sacchariphagus Crambidae

Lepidoptera

Top borer

Scirphophaga excerptalis

Pyralidae

Lepidoptera

Termites

Odontotermes obesus

Termitidae

Isoptera

White grubs

Holotrichia Consanguinea

Melolonthidae

COleoptera

Woolly aphid

Ceratovacuna lanigera

Phempigidae

Hemiptera

White fly

Aleurolobus
barodensis Aleyrodidae
Neomaskellia
bergii
N . andropogonis

Hemiptera

Mealy bug

Saccharicoccus sacchari

Pseudococcidae

Hemiptera

Scale insects

Melanaspis glomerata

Diaspididae

Hemiptera

10

Nematode

Reniform
nematode
- Trichostrongylidae
Rotylenchulus
reniformis.
Root knot nematode
Meloidogyne
spp
Lance
nematode

Hoplolaimus
indicus
Lesion
nematode
- Pratylenchus coffeae

Monhysterida

11

Grasshopper

Early shoot borer, Chilo infuscatellus snellen

Discription:
Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh, U.P., Bihar, West Bengal, Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab,
Rajasthan. In Tamil Nadu, its occurance is noted in all sugarcane growing areas.
Symptom of damage:
Dead heart in 1-3 month old crop, which can be easily pulled out,
rotten portion of the straw coloured dead heart emites an offensive odour. A
number of bore holes at the base of the shoot just above the ground level.

Life cycle:
Egg: Flat scale like eggs are laid in 3-5 rows on the lower
surface of leaves in masses of 4-100. The masses are slightly
overlapping like tiles. It hatches 4-6days.
Larva: Larva is dirty white with five dark violet longitudinal
stripes and dark brown head. Duration 16-30days.
Pupa: Pupation takes within the tunnel. Caterpillar before
pupating makes a large exit hole in the stem and blocks the
opening with silken discs.
Adult: Pale greyish brown moth with black dots near the
coastal margin of the forewings and with white hind wings.

Management:
Cultural method:
Use resistant varities like CO 312, CO 421, CO 661,

CO 917 and CO 853

Early planting during December January escapes

the shoot borer incidence.

Daincha intercropped sugarcane record the lowest

early shoot borer incidence.

Trash mulching along the ridges to a thickness of

10-15 cm 3 days after planting.

Ensure adequate moisture to bring down the soil

temperature and increase humidity (unfavourable

condition for the multiplication of early shoots
borer).

Physical method:
Remove and destroy dead hearts.

Biological method:
Apply granulosis virus 1.1 x 10 5 IBS / ml

(750 diseased larvae / ha) twice on 35 and

50 DAP.
Release 125 gravid females of sturmiopsis

inferens a tachinid parasite per ac.

Chemical method
Apply any one of the following insecticides if the

pest crosses ETL.

Carboryl +Lindane (Sevidol) 4% G 12.5 kg, lindane

10 G 12.5 kg, Carbofuron 3G 33 kg (Soil

application). The granular application should be
immediately followed by irrigation.

Chlorpyriphos 1000 ml a sticker like Teepol (250 ml

/ 500 l of water) can also be added to make the

solution stick on to the surface of the crop and it
is preferable to use high volume sprayer to be
most effective.

Internode Borer, Chilo sacchariphagus indicus (Kapur)

Distribution:
Major pest in tropical India
Symptom of damage:
Internodes constricted and shortened, with a number
of boreholes and fresh excreta in the nodal region. Affected
tissues reddened.
Nature of damage:
Caterpillars attack sugarcane plants after 3 months
of planting. They bore into the canes near the nodes; entry
holes are plugged with excreta. Entry is generally confined to
the first five internodes.

Life cycle:
Egg: Scale like oval, flat, shiny and waxy white eggs

are laid by female moths in batches of 9-11, near the

midribs, on leaf sheaths or on stem.

Larva: White larva with four violet longitudinal stripes

and light brown head.

Pupa: Pupation takes place in semi dried sheath.

Pupal period 7 - 10 days

Adult: straw coloured with a dark spot on each of the

forewings
Management:

Cultural method:
Use resistant varities like CO 975,COJ 46 and CO 7304
Select internode borer damage free setts for planting
Detrashing & burying the trash during the 5th, 7th and

9th month

Physical method:
Collect and destroy the eggs periodically.
Detrash the crop on 150th and 210th day of planting.

Detrashing dislodge the pupae that remain in the leaf

sheath.

Biological method:
Release egg parasite, Trichogramma chilonis at the rate of 2.5
cc / release / ha. Six release at fortnightly intervals starting
from 4th month onwards.
Setting pheromone traps at spindle level on 5th month of the
crop at the rate of 6 traps per acre in a 15 metre grid. The
pheromone septa need to be changed twice at 75 days
interval.

Chemical method:
Avoid the use of excessive nitrogenous fertilizers.

Top Borer, Scirpophaa excerptalis (Fb.)

Distribution:
Present in all states. In Tamil Nadu it is severe in Trichy, Tanjore and
Cuddalore districts.
Symptom of damage:
Dead heart arise on after sixth month grown up canes, which cannot be

easily pulled.
Parallel row of shot holes in the emerging leaves.
Bore holes at the top of the shoot and shows bunchy top appearance.

Nature

of
damage:
Caterpillars are mainly found in the apical portion of the canes, boring
through the growing point and down the upper joints until it reaches the sappy
portion of the stem, there it feeds on the tissues and destroys the cane. They
also bore into the unfolded leaves preferably into the midrib, mining its way
to the base.

Life cycle:
Egg: Eggs are laid on the lower surface of top leaves in

clusters particularly near midribs. The clusters are

covered with buff coloured hairs. : 10-80 eggs per egg
mass

Larva: Smooth, white or cream coloured with a red

coloured mid dorsal line and yellow head.

Pupa: Pupation takes place within the larval tunnel in a

chamber with an exit hole Constructed by the caterpillar.

Pupal period 6 - 21 days
Adult: White Coloured moth (with a buff Coloured anal

tuft in the abdominal tip of female)

Management:
Cultural method:
Use resistant variety CO 419, CO 745 and CO 6516 and

tolerant varieties Co 859, Co 1158 and Co 7224.

Physical method:
Collect and destroy the egg masses.

Biological method:
Release Ichneumonid parasitized Gambroides (Isotima)

javensis @ 100 pairs / ha as prepupal parasitoid.

Chemical method:
Application of Carbofuran 3G 1 kg a.i/ha or Thimet 10G 3

kg a.i/ha

Termites, Odontotermes obesus Rhamb

Symptom
of
damage:
Poor germination of setts (after planting),
characteristic semi circular feeding marks on the margin of
the leaves in the standing crop. Causes yellowing and drying of
outer leaves first followed by the inner leaves Entire shoot dries
up and can be pulled out. Setts hollow inside and may be filled
with soil. Cane collapses if disturbed; rind filled with mud.

Life cycle:
Eggs: Dull, kidney shaped and hatches in 30-90 days
Nymphs: Moult 8-9 times and are full grown in 6-12 months
Adult: Creamy coloured tiny insects resembling ants with dark
coloured head

Management:
Cultural method:
Flood irrigation at the time of planting.

Physical method:
Locate and destroy the termite colony.
Collect and destroy the termite affected setts from the

field.

Chemical method:
Fumigate the termite mounds with aluminium phosphate

2 tablets / 1 meter/Mounds.

Dip the setts in imidacloprid 70WS 0.1% or chlopyriphos

20 EC 0.04% for 5min.

Treat the soil with lindane 1.6 D @ 50 kg / ha or

Apply 125 kg of heptachlor 3 % D per ha in the furrows

at time of planting.

White Grub, Holotrichia consanguinea (Blanch)

Symptom of damage:
Yellowing and wilting of leaves.
Drying of entire crown.
Affected canes come off easily when pulled.
Cause extensive damage to roots and base of shoot.

Life cycle:
Egg: A female lays on an average of 27 eggs in the soil, which
are
pear
like
white
enclosed
in
earthen
cells.
Grub: Fleshy C shaped, whitish yellow in colour found close
to
the
base
of
the
clump.
Pupa: Pupae are tan to brown, and occur deeper in the soil in
earthen
chambers.
Adult: Adult beetles are a rusty-red color just after emerging
from the pupal stage, but turn nearly black.

Management:
Cultural method:
Provide adequate irrigation.
Deep ploughing immediately after harvesting.

Physical method:
Set up light trap.
Collect and destroy the adult beetles.

Chemical method:
Apply lindane 1.6 D @ 50 kg/ha near the root zone.

Sugarcane Wooly Aphid, Ceratovacuna lanigera

Symptoms:
Adults and nymphs desap leaves by piercing styles
through stomata. Whitish patches coalesce to turn yellowish
and drying from the tip along margins. Leaves become brittle
and dries completely. Heavy secretion of honey dew
development of sooty mould. Deposition of wooly matter on
ground / soil distinctly visible.

Life cycle:
Adult emerged after fourth moult and viviparous reproduction.
Apterous (Wingless) female reproduce parthenogenetically. Each
femal produced about 15 35 young ones within 24 hr after
mating. Each female reproduces maximum of 217 nymphs during
the period of 20 days. The female are more in the population,
which leads to fast multiplication. Nymph takes 6 to 22 days to
complete
four
instars
and
become
adult.
The life cycle of female complete within one month
period. The longevity of adult is from 32 to 57 days. The life cycle
may vary according to the climatic conditions and variety. In most
of the affected fields at various locations all the nymphal instars
and adults are noticed. In extreme cases, the winter is passed as
eggs which are laid during the previous autumn by sexual
females. In spring they hatch and give rise to apterous
parthenogenetic viviparous females. The winged females appear
in such swarms as to darken the sky and cover the vegetation.
The non-migratory species, the whole life cycle is spent on the
same plant.

Management:
Cultural Method:
Paired row system of planting.
Avoid excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers.
Use of organic fertilizers.
Rapping of canes all along the rows.
Infested tops should not be transported.
Infested canes should not be used as seed for planting.

Biological Method:
1. Encourage local predators
Meyrick Pyralidae

like

Diapha

aphidivora

a. Ishchiodon scutellaris
b. Episyrphus baleatus Syrphidae
c.Chrysopa spp. Chryospidae
d. Schymnus sp.
e. Cheilomeness
sexmaculata,
septempunctata, Synnonycha grandis

Coccinella

f. Brumus sp. and

g. Dideopsis aegrota Coccinellidae
2. Pathogens like Cladosporium oxysporum, Metarhizium
anisopliae, Verticillium lecanii and Beauveria bassiana
Chemical Method:
Dip the seed sets in Chlorpyripos 20 EC solution (2 ml / lit)
before planting. Apply phorate 10 G @ 5kg / ac or Spray with
acephate75 SP 1g / lit Chlorpyriphos 20 EC 2 ml / lit
Malathion 50 EC 2 ml / lit Dimethoate 30 EC 1.7 ml / lit,
Oxydemeton methyl 25 EC 1.3 ml / lit, Dusting with
Malathion 5% dust @ 10 kg / ac.

Whiteflies, Aleurolobus barodensis

Symptom of damage:
Yellowing of leaves
Leaf turns pinkish or purple and later gradually dry.
Infested leaves look white and black dots.

Life cycle:
Egg: Females lay eggs in a line near the midrib or any

where on the lower surface of the leaves. Eggs are

yellowish with a small curved stalk. Colour changes to
black about two hours after the eggs are laid.

Nymph & Pupa: Neonate nymphs are pale yellow in

colour, flat and oval in shape, later turn shiny black. Its
body is surrounded by fringes of wax.The fourth instar
being the pupal stage, is flat, oval, grayish in colour and
slightly bigger than the nymph. There is a T shaped
white marking on the thorax, which splits at the time of
adult emergence.

Adult: Pale yellow body with hyaline wings dusted with

waxy bloom, exhibit brisk fluttering movements.

Management:
Cultural Method:
Avoid indiscriminate use of insecticides for control of other
pests such as pyrilla, black bug, wooly aphids
Mechanical Method:
Detrashing the puparia bearing leaves and immediately
disposing by burning or burying to prevent emergence of
adult white flies
Chemical Method:
Spray fenitrothion 50 EC @ 2 lit / ha (1000 lit spray fluid)

Mealybug, Saccharicoccus sacchari

Symptom
of
damage:
Pinkish oval insects beneath leaf sheath on the nodes,
with whitish mealy coating, main cane stunned also attack
roots. Sooty mould develops on the honey dew giving blackish
appearance on canes.

Life cycle:
Eggs: Eggs are retained in the female reproductive organs
untils almost fully mature. Incubation period is short. The
females may bring forth hundreds of young ones
parthenogenetically. Egg is yellowish, smooth, cylindrical and
rounded
at
both
ends.
Nymph: Newly emerged nymphs are quite active with a
pinkish
transparent
body.
Adult: White with mealy coating, sessile.

Management:
Cultural method:
Use resistant varieties like CO 439, CO 443, CO 720, CO

730 and CO 7704

Drain excess water from the field.

Physical method:
Detrash the crop on 150 and 210 DAP

Chemical method:
Apply any one of the following insecticides per ha and

when the incidence is noticed spray on the stem only,

methyl parathion 50 EC 1000 ml, malathion 50 EC 1000
ml.

Scale Insects, Melanaspis glomerata (Green)

Symptom of damage:
The leaves of infested canes show signs of tip drying and

unhealthy pale green colour

infestation these turn yellow.

and

with

continued

Desapping leads to non-opening of leaves also, which also

turn yellow and finally dry up.

Nodal region is more infested than internodal region.

Infested crop losses its vigour, canes shrivel, growth is

stunted and the internodal length is reduced drastically.

Ultimately cane dries up. Such canes when slit open

appear brownish red.

Life cycle:
Nymph: Females multiply ovo-viviparously. The nymphs that
hatch out from the eggs within the females body come out
through the genital aperture. They are called crawlers. They
settle
after
selecting
suitable
site
for
feeding.
Adult: Greyish black or brown circular scales, they cover the
nodal region forming a thick encrustation.

Management:
Cultural method:
Use resistant varieties like CO 439, CO 443, CO 453, CO

671, CO 691 and CO 692

Select and plant the scale insect free setts.

Keep the fields and bunds free from weeds.
Avoid water stagnation in the field for the longer period.
Avoid repeated ratoons.

Physical method:
Detrash the crop at 150th and 210th day of planting.

Biological method:
Release Chilocoris nigritus (or) Pharascymnus horni.

Chemical method:
Presoak the setts in 0.1% solution malathion.
Spray dimethoate 0.06% or 120th and 150th after

detrashing.

Nematodes

Symptom:
Usually paling of leaves, first in the form of streaks, later

complete yellowing-chlorosis, occurring in patches spread

out all over the field. Chlorosis in severe cases,
accompanied by drying up of margins and leaf tips is more
common in ratoon and young crop.

Stunting of crop, reduction in number and size of internodes.

Roots are stubby and spares.
Affected field shows pale green to whitish look.

Nematode types:
There are several nematodes present in the soil of which, four
nematodes are mainly damaging the sugarcane crop. They
are:
Lesion nematode - Pratylenchus coffeae
Root-lesion nematodes are migratory endoparasites Females
ofP. penetrans lay about 1 or 2 eggs/day for about 35 days,
with a maximum of 68 eggs being laid by one female. Eggs
are laid singly or in clusters in both soil and roots. Second
stage juveniles hatch after eggs have incubated for 9 (30 C)
to 25 (15 C) days. Males are required for reproduction by P.
penetrans but not by P. neglectus.
Lance nematode - Hoplolaimus indicus
Lance nematodes, Hoplolaimus spp., are ecto-parasites,
sometimes semi-endo-parasites. Nematodes which are large
and highly resistant to effects of temperature extremes and
dry soil conditions. Larvae look similar to adults except that
they are smaller.This group of nematodes is easily detected
with soil sampling.
Root knot nematode - Meloidogyne spp.
Root knot nematodes are microscopic
roundworms, obligate endo-parasites that complete most of
their life cycle within their host roots. The nematodes survive
in soil as eggs and also second stage larvae.

Reniform nematode - Rotylenchulus reniformis.

The term 'reniform' refers to the kidney-shaped body of the
mature female. They are semi-endoparasitic (partially inside
roots) species in which the females penetrate the root cortex,
establish a permanent-feeding site in the stele region of the
root and become sedentary or immobile.

Management:
Cultural method:
Deep ploughing, solarisation, flooding, crop rotation and

apply organic manure.

Under wetland conditions, intercropping with sunnhemp

or marigold or daincha

Apply pressmud at 15 t/ha or poultry manure @ 2 t/ha or

neem cake 2 t/ha or poultry manure @ 1 t/ha before last

ploughing in garden lands.

Biological method:
Application

of
biocontrol
agents
like Pochonia
chlamydosporia, Paecilomyces lilacinus or Trichoderma
viride or Pseudomonas fluorescence @ 20 kg/ha at the
time of planting mixed with moist FYM or cured
pressmud and distributed uniformly will help in
suppressing the plant parasitic nematode.

Chemical method:
Apply carbofuran 3G @ 33 kg/ha at the time of planting

or 2 months after planting or Cartap 3 kg/ha (1.5 kg

a.i./ha)

Grasshoppers, Hieroglyphus banyan

Symptom of damage:
Adult and nymph grasshoppers feed on leaves from the

margins of the leaf blades creating cutout areas during

the solitary stage.

finally it leaves only the leaf midrib.

Identification of pest:
Egg: Eggs in the form of egg pods, usually more than ten,
either in the sand or among leaf litters. Each egg pod consists
of about 10-300 eggs that are rice shaped.
Nymph:
Nymphs are miniature versions of adult grasshoppers, except
that they are light in colour and do not possess wings. The
nymphal stage may last for a period of 5-10 days.
Adult:
After about a month, a nymph becomes an adult. An adult
grasshopper lives for 1-2 months.

Management:
Cultural method:
Tillage - Tillage controls grasshoppers primarily by
eliminating the green plants on which grasshoppers feed.
Biological method:
Baits containing the protozoan Nosema locustae is a
biological control option that may be considered for treating
grasshopper breeding sites. This is sold under the trade names
Nolobait or Semaspore and can produce infection of many
species of grasshoppers. Because it is selective in effects, only
affecting grasshoppers.

Sugarcane Diseases
Red rot

Symptoms
The affected canes exhibit leaf colour change, from green to
orange and then to yellow in the third or fourth leaf. Then the leaves
start drying from bottom to top. The cane loses its normal colour and
longitudinal discoloration spots / ribs are seen. The internode region
shrinks with rupture of tissue in the root eye region and the spores
are ejected from these spots. If the fungal spores enter the leaf
sheath through the leaf midrib, then reddish spots can be seen on the
backside of the leaf midrib also. The external symptoms appear only
after16 - 21 days after infection and drying of entire cane takes
another 10 days time. When the affected cane is split opened, the
inner region is reddish in colour with intermittent white tinges across
the cane length. If the variety is highly susceptible or disease
incidence is severe, ash colour fungal growth is seen inside the cane.
Sometimes, the pith inside the cane is filled with blackish brown liquid
and exhibited alchohol odour.

Identification of pathogen

Red rot disease is caused by the fungus Glomerella

tucumanensis. An older name, Colletotrichum falcatum,

is still preferred by some pathologists.

Pathogen present on leaf sheaths and blades, solitary or

aggregated, often forming short lines between vascular

bundles, globose, immersed, dark brown to black 65250 m diam.; wall up to 8 cells thick, sclerotia on
outside, pseudoparenchymatous within, ostiole slightly
papillate, circular.

Management

Cultural method:
The red rot affected field must be rotated with rice for one

season and other crops for two seasons.

Growing

of recommended resistant and moderately

resistant varieties viz., Co 86249, CoSi 95071, CoG
93076, CoC 22, CoSi 6 and CoG 5

Physical method:
Removal of the affected clumps at an early stage and soil

drenching with Carbandazim 50 WP (1 gm in 1 litre of

water)

Chemical method:
Adopt sett treatment with Carbendazim before planting

(Carbendazim 50 WP (0.5 gm in 1 litre of water) or

Carbendazim 25 DS (1gm in 1 litre of water) along with
Urea (10 gm in 1 litre of water) for 5 minutes)

Sett Rot

When diseased setts are planted they may rot before

germination, or the shoots may die after reaching a height

of about 6-12 inches.
As the setts get dried up, the reddish colour becomes black

with lots of black coloured fungal spores adhering to it.

If infected shoots survive, they are very much stunted and

chlorotic.
Eventually the leaves may wither and the shoots wilt.
If the affected shoots and setts are examined the central

portion of the shoots will be seen discoloured red and the

contents of the sett rotting.

When split opened, the affected setts exhibit pineapple

odour.

Identification of pathogen:

Ceratocytis paradoxa were initially whitish, measuring about 5

mm in diameter. The colonies were turned black due to the
production of chlamydospores, which are heavily pigmented,
when mature.

Management

Cultural method:
Proper drainage and planting of setts in 1-2 cm depth.

Chemical method:
Sett treatment with Carbendazim or bavistin before

planting (Bavistin @ 1per cent or Carbendazim 50 WP

@0.5 gm in 1 litre of water or Carbendazim 25 DS @
1gm in 1 litre of water along with Urea @10 gm in 1 litre
of water for 5 minutes)

Pre treatment the setts with hot water has been found to

stimulate germination of buds and hasten growth soa s

to help the young plants to overcome the competition
with the pathogen.

Smut

Symptoms
Production of whip like structure of 25 150 cm. from the

growing point of the canes.

Whip covered by translucent silvery membrane enclosing

mass of black powdery spores.

Initial thin canes with elongated internodes later become

reduced in length.

Profuse sprouting of lateral buds with narrow, erect

leaves especially in ratoon crop.

Identification of pathogen

Ustilago scitaminea
The fungal mycelium spores are echinulate, light brown and
spherical, measuring 6.5 8.5 in diameter.
They germinate readily in water, producing 2-3 celled

promycelia.

sporidia arise terminally or laterally and they are hyaline,

thin walled, single celled and elliptical to linear.

Management

Cultural method:
Growing of resistant and moderately resistant varieties

viz., Co 86249, CoG 93076, CoC 22, CoSi 6 and CoG 5

Discourage ratooning of the diseased crops having more

than 10 per cent infection

Cajanus cajan is grown as a companion crop between

rows of sugarcane, the secondary spread of the disease

is substantially reduced.

Physical method:
Treating the seed setts with Areated Steam Therapy

(AST) at 50 C for 1 hour or in hot water at 50 C for 30

minutes or at 52 C for 18 minutes

Roguing of smut whips with gunny bags/polythene bag

and dipped in boiling water for 1 hour, and diseased

clums must be uprooted and burnt
Chemical method:
Sett treatment with fungicides viz., Triadimefon @ 1gm

in 1 litre of water or Carbendazim @ 1gm in 1 litre of

water for 10 minutes.

Wilt

Symptoms:
External: Gradual yellowing
shrinkage/withering of canes.

and

drying

of

foliage,

Internal: Light to dark purplish or brown discolouration of

ground tissue, pithiness and boat shaped cavities in the middle
of the internodes.

Identification of Pathogen

Conidiosphores usually erect and branched. Macroconidia

abundant, falcate to rather straight, 3-5-septate, with a
distinct foot-cell, 27-73 3.4-5.2 mm. Blastoconidia straight
or slightly curved, 2-3-septate, fusiform to lanceolate, with a
somewhat pointed, often slightly asymmetrical apical cell and
a truncate basal cell, 16-43 3.0-4.5 mm.

Management

Cultural method:
Healthy seed, sett treatment with fungicides, resistant

varieties, crop rotation, managing root borer, avoiding

prolonged drought and water logging and hygienic
practices.

Chemical Method:
Dipping the setts in 40 ppm of boron or manganese, or

spraying the plants with either of these minor elements

reduces the disease intensity.

Rust

Sugarcane rust is mainly a disease of the leaf. The earliest

symptoms are small, elongated yellowish spots that are visible
on both leaf surfaces. The spots increase in length, turn brown
to orange brown or red brown in color. Pustules, which produce
spores, usually develop on the lower leaf surface.

Identification of pathogen

Puccinia erianthi
Uredinia were elongate, reddish-brown, with capitate,

hyaline to light brown paraphyses.

Urediniospores

were
thick-walled,
orange-brown,
obovoid, measuring 26-34 x 16-20 m. The
urediniospore surface was echinulate with 4-5 equatorial
pores.

Teliospores were dark brown and measured 30-43 x 17-

23 m, clavate, two-celled and slightly constricted at the

septum.

Management

Cultural method:
Use resistant varieties like Co 91010 (Dhanush), Co

87025 (Kalyani)

Chemical method:
Spray Tridemorph 1.0 litres or Mancozeb 2.0 kg/ha.

Grassy Shoot Disease

Symptoms
Initial symptom appears in the young crop of 3 4
months age as thin papery white young leaves at the top of
the cane. Later, white or yellow tillers appear in large number
below these leaves (profuse tillering). The cane becomes
stunted with reduced internodal length. There is no millable
cane formation. At times, one or two canes grow well in the
affected tillers with greenish leaves. When these seemingly
good canes are used for setts, the following crop produces only
whitish leaves; these leaves dry early and gaps in the field.

Mode of spread

The disease is spread by the use of affected setts for planting.

Also, the black hopper (Browtista moesta) acts as a carrying agent of this disease.

Management

Cultural method:
Growing resistant varieties viz., Co 86249, CoG 93076

and CoC 22

Avoid ratooning if GSD incidence is more than 15 % in

the plant crop

Physical method:
Rogue

out infected plants

commercial seed nursery.

in

the

secondary

and

Treat setts with aerated steam at 50C for 1 hour to

control primary infection.

Treating them with hot air at 540C for 8 hours and

spraying twice a month with aphidicides.

Chemical method
Spray dimethoate @ 1ml in 1 litre of water to control

insect vector

Yellow Leaf Disease

Symptom of Damage:
Yellowing of midrib and adjacent laminar region and
subsequent leaf drying along the mid rib in 3 to 5 leaves from
top. In some cases reddish discolouration is also seen and in
severe cases drying of spindle along with leaves.

Pathogen:

The

virus is transmitted by aphids, Melanaphis

sacchari andRhopalosiphum maidis, in a semi-persistent
manner.

SCYLV is a member of the Luteoviridae family. The virus

is localized within the phloem cells of the plant.

Management

Cultural method:
Use healthy seed cane
Field should be maintain with proper hygiene
Application

proper nutritional management and use

resistant varieties.

Chemical
method:
Secondary transmission of the disease by insect vectors can
be controlled by application of Malathion(0.1%) or
Dimecron(0.2%).

Ratoon Stunting

The affected plants are stunted, the stunting being most

severe in stubble and ratoon crops. Infected stocks is the
presence of pin head like orange coloured dots of bacteria on
the internal soft tissue in the nodal region The setts taken from
diseased plants germinate poorly and the few shoots that are
emerge grow very slowly. It is sap-transmissible and no insect
vector has been found.
Pathogen

The organism that causes RSD is, Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli, a
small aerobic bacterium. The genus ofthe pathogen was
previously called Clavibacter.

Management

Cultural method:
Select healthy setts for planting.

Mechanical method:
Treat setts with hot water at 50C for about 2 hours give 100
per cent control.

IMPLEMENTS USED IN SUGARCANE CULTIVATION

1. Sugarcane planter
2. Tractor Operated Pit Digger for Sugar Cane Planting
3. Sugarcane Sett Cutter
4. Sugarcane Detrasher
5. Sugarcane Crusher
6. Sugarcane Intercultivator
7. Earthing up Ridger
8. Sugarcane Stubble shaver
9. Ratoon Manager
10. Weeder
11. Rotavator
12. Sugarcane harvester
13. Sugarcane bud chipper

I. Sugarcane planter:
This is a tractor mounted machine and can be drawn by any tractor of 35 hp. This can
be lifted or lowered by the hydraulic system of the tractor.
Cane planting includes
Planting of sugarcanes in two rows.
Opening of furrows at a spacing of 75

cm.
Cutting of cane into 37 cm. long setts
Placement of setts in the furrows
Droping of fertilizer below the setts
Dispensing the insecticide solution over

the setts

Covering

the setts with soil and

providing light compaction to minimise
sett and soil moisture loss

Advantages:
Irrigation water saving:20- 30%
Seed Saving:40%
Fertilizer Saving:40%
Full yield of Wheat and sugarcane is obtained.
The cost of operation per ha in case of this equipment will be in the range of Rs. 2000
as compared to Rs. 7000 manually. Machine costs approximately Rs.85,000

2. Tractor Operated Pit Digger for Sugar Cane Planting:

Function

For digging pits

i. Type : Mounted
implement

Specification

ii.Power requirement : 35
45 hp tractor
ii. Capacity : 250 to 300
holes / hour
Cost of the unit (Approx) :
Rs.85000/-

General
Information

Cost of operation : Rs.300 /

hour:
Saving in cost : 63%
Saving in time : 97%
Dig two pits of 90 cm dia simultaneously at 1.5 m interval to a
depth of 30 cm suitable for planting sugarcane setts

Salient
features

Planting of cane in 1.5 x 1.5 m spacing with pit method favours

higher cane yield
Recommended as technology package under drip fertigation system
for cane

3. Sugarcane Sett Cutter:

Function

For cutting sugarcane sett with single bud

i. Type : Motor operated

Specification

ii.Capacity : One sett /

second
iii.Cost of the machine
(Approx) : Rs.2750/Cost of the unit (Approx) :
Rs.85000/-

General
Information

Cost of operation : Rs.300 /

hour:
Saving in cost : 63%
Saving in time : 97%

4. Sugarcane Detrasher
Function

For de-trashing the sugarcane leaves

i. Type : Manual operated

Specification

ii. Cost of the unit (Approx) :

Rs.200/iii.Cost of operation : Rs.900
/ ha
Labour requirement is less
Easy for handling
Reduced cost of de-trashing

Salient
features

Used for all varieties of cane

Also removes the sprouted
buds
Easy collection of de-trashed
leaves

5. Sugarcane Crusher
Function

Extraction of juice from sugarcane

Specification

Type : Horizontal type 4

roller crusher
Suitability for crops :
Sugarcane
Capacity : 185 kg/h

Test Results

Power requirement : 5 hp
electric motor
Labour requirement : Two
Shelling extraction : 65%
Cost of equipment : Rs
11,000/-

6. Sugarcane Intercultivator:
This newly developed intercultivator, has two
sets of tynes with three tynes in each set.
This can be hitched to the heel-adjusted
tractor. It can be run on the field 40 days
after planting to remove the weeds in
between the crop in two rows. The escaped
weeds and other large dicot weeds within the
rows can be removed by engaging minimum
labour. The improved intercultivator can
cover an extent of over a hectare in a day.
Its shovel-shaped tynes help in uprooting the
deep-rooted tubers of the monocot weeds,
which is not possible with hand held spades
or hoes.
7. Earthing up Ridger
Function : For making ridges and earthing
up the sugarcane field.
Cost of the equipment : Rs.15,000/-.
The performance of an earthing up
implement, which can be run in between the
crop rows to cover the nutrients applied as
first top dressing on the 40th day of planting.
This tractor-drawn implement consists of two
heavy body ridgers fitted to a strong frame.
When the crop is nearing 80 to 90 days of
age, a second top dressing is done, and the
same implement can be used again for full
earthing up of the plants. This labour-saving
implement can cover an area of 1.2-1.6
ha/day. The furrows are uniformly deep, and
it facilitates uniform flow of irrigation water in
the field.

8. Sugarcane Stubble shaver:

It is a single row stubble shaving with the
field capacity 0.26 ha /h. It consumes 3.5
liters diesel per acre. It helps in better ratoon
emergency in sugarcane.
It is tractor operated sugarcane stubble
shaver. It can be attached to any type of
tractor with 35 hp powers. The whole unit
can be easily attached through tractor three
point linkages. The innovation can cut single
row in a pass whereas the swinging blade
type shavers can cut two rows in a pass but
it will give the superficial cut. The cost of the
attachment is about Rs.15,000/-.
9. Ratoon Manager:
Ratoon manager is a tractor drawn
implement mounted on a 3 point linkage
driven by the PTO. This is a combination of
Stubble shaving, off-baring and harrowing. If
required, fertilizer & pesticide applicator can
also be provided as an optional. Ratoon
manager will be the best if the field
preparation (Ridges and Furrow) is done with
tractor and suitable for different row spacing.
It shaves the stubbles evenly and the offbaring helps to trim the roots. Harrowing
promotes better aeration and water
penetration to rejuvenate and induce the
growth of the sugarcane.

10. Ridger cum Weeder:

The ridger-weeder is unique as it does both
weeding and earthing-up in a single
operation in sugarcane crop. There is a
saving in cost and time by more than 60 per
cent. The cost of implement is Rs.75,000
Hence, in crop rows of 1.5 m normal spacing,
the implement can be very easily used
without damaging the crop. The soil is cut up
to 22.5 cm depth and is lifted up on the wing
board on each side. The lifted soil is thrown
on both sides. The tractor is moved in
`alternating field machine pattern' in the field
by going from one end of the field in one
direction between first and second row. The
machine can cover about 0.8 ha per hour
depending upon soil type.

11. Rotavator:
Rotavator, unlike traditional implements can produce a seed bed with one or two
passes. The tractor/rotavator combination can commence cultivation much sooner
after rain than traditional drawn implements. It is most suitable for Sugarcane stubble
removal, eradication of rhizomes.
Product Specification
1. Supporting chassis: tractor
2. External dimensions (L X W X H):
1150025005900mm
3. Power: 191KW260HP
4. Productivity: min30T/h
5. Row spacing: min1.4m
6. Length of cane part: 200-300mm
12. Sugarcane combine harvester:
Range of application:
Plan, Mountain area, Hill, Dry field.
Function:
1. Loading sugarcane, wood, and other
agricultural use.
2. Loading sandy soil, stone and other
construction use.
Feature:
1. Lifting high, loading height can reach 4.25m; it
can meet all truck loading sugarcane needing.
2. High-power, mate with four cylinder 260hp
engine.
3. It is well established for its flexible operations
with wide base tire, full hydraulic transmission
and steering.
4. It can harvest 1.2 ha/day ie., 20 tone/hr.

Main Technical Parameter

1. Operating weight (Kg):3600
2. Rate load (kg):1200
3. Static load (kw):2400

13. Sugarcane Bud Chipper:

Function: Remove the buds from cane.
Machine details:
It is floor-mounted and equipped with a knife
with a semicircular edge to surgically cut out
the buds. The machine, priced at Rs. 600.
The unit allows the user to be comfortably
seated on the ground and continuously feed
the cane with the left hand, while swinging
the right arm in a smooth arc to cut the
sugarcane buds using the ergonomic spring
loaded handle. The machine requires no
power or fuel to run it, weighs a few
kilograms making transport easy. The scope
of this equipment lies beyond just removing
buds from the cane.

Harvesting
About Harvesting

Harvesting Process
Types of Harvesting
Maturity symptoms and Harvesting period
Processing of Sugarcane
By Products

Harvesting process
Time of Harvesting

Harvesting of sugarcane at a proper time i.e. peak maturity, by adopting right

technique is necessary to realize maximum weight of the millable canes (thus sugar)
produced with least possible field losses under the given growing environment.
Harvesting either under-aged or over-aged cane with improper method of harvesting
leads to loss in cane yield, sugar recovery, poor juice quality and problems in milling
due to extraneous matter.
Therefore, proper harvesting should ensure:
To harvest the cane at peak maturity (i.e., avoiding cutting of either over-matured

or under-matured cane)

Cutting cane to ground level so that the bottom sugar rich internodes are

harvested which add to yield and sugar

De-topping at appropriate height so that the top immature internodes are

eliminated

Proper cleaning of the cane i.e., removing the extraneous matter such as leaves,

trash, roots etc.

Quick disposal of the harvested cane to factory

Harvesting: Sugarcane matures in 10-12 month in North India and 18-20 month in
South India. Brix value is 16-18 in Dec and Jan at or below 200 C. Different Indicators
of harvesting are leaves become yellow, plants stops growing and arrows come out,
cane produces metallic sounds, buds swell out and eyes start sprouting.

Harvesting Schedule

In India harvesting of sugarcane is carried out at 10 to 18 months stage, depending

upon the planting time and crop maturity.
In sub-tropics, autumn crop is harvested at 15 month stage, whereas spring
and summer (late-planted) crops at 10-12 months. Early varieties are harvested at
10 months stage, mid-late 10-12 months and late after 12 month stage. In tropical
zone adsali crop is harvested after 16-18 months stage.

Types of harvesting

Manual Harvesting
Hand knives, cutting blade or hand axes are
used for manual harvesting. It requires skilled
labourers as improper harvest of cane leads
to loss of cane and sugar yield, poor juice
quality and problems in milling due to
extraneous matter.

Mechanical Harvesting

Sugarcane is harvested by mechanical

harvester which move along the rows of
cane removing the leafy tops of the cane
and cutting the stalk into short pieces or
"billets". Billets are loaded into bins
which are towed alongside the harvester.
When full, the bins are taken by road or
tramway to the sugar mill.The field capacity
of mechanical cane harvesters varies with the
size (2.5 to 4 ha per day of 8 hours.

Maturity symptoms and Harvesting period

Pre harvest practices

a. Apply cane ripeners
1. Spray Sodium metasilicate 4 kg/ha in 750 litres of water on the foliage of crop
at 6 months after planting.
2. Ii.Repeat the same twice at 8th and 10th months to obtain higher cane yield and
sugar percentage.
b. Assessing maturity of crops
1. Assess the maturity by hand refractometer brix survey and 18 to 20 per cent
brix indicates optimum maturity for harvest.
2. Top-bottom ratio of H.R.Brix reading should be 1:1.
Harvesting

Harvesting of sugarcane at a proper time i.e., peak maturity, by adopting right

technique is necessary to realize maximum weight of the millable canes (thus sugar)
produced with least possible field losses under the given growing environment.
On the other hand harvesting either under-aged or over-aged cane with
improper method of harvesting leads to loss in cane yield, sugar recovery, poor juice
quality and problems in milling due to extraneous matter.
Prevention of Moisture loss in the Harvested cane

Covering the harvested cane with trash and sprinkling with water both under sun and
shade reduced the moisture loss and prevented quality deterioration. Among the
varieties studied, maximum loss of moisture (5.9%) was recorded by the variety Co
86249 while the varieties Co 94008 and Co 85019 have registered minimum loss of
moisture (4.7%).
Therefore, proper harvesting should ensure:
To harvest the cane at peak maturity (i.e., avoiding cutting of either over-matured

or under-matured cane)

Early varieties have to be harvested at 10 to 11 months age and mid-season

varieties at 11 to 12 months age.

Cutting cane to ground level so that the bottom sugar rich internodes are

harvested which add to yield and sugar

De-topping at appropriate height so that the top immature internodes are

eliminated

Proper cleaning of the cane i.e., removing the extraneous matter such as leaves,

trash, roots etc.

Quick disposal of the harvested cane to factory

Purity Percentage = (Sucrose %/HR Brix)100

A cane crop is considered fit for harvesting if it has attained a minimum of 16% sucrose
and 85% purity.
CCS (tons/ha) = [Yield (tons/ha) x Sugar Recovery (%)] /100

Sugar Recovery (%) = [S - 0.4 (B - S)] x 0.73

Where, S= Sucrose % in juice and B= Corrected Brix (%)

Cane yield

Cane

yield

stalk

number

single

cane

weight

stalk number depends on

1. Germination %
2. Tillering capacity
3. Percent cane formed shoots and their retention till harvest.
Stalk weight depends on
1. Length of cane
2. Diameter of the cane.
Harvesting should be aimed to realise maximum number of millable canes

produced with least possible losses.

General

The integrated production strategies for harvesting the maximum cane yield includes
1. Selection of suitable varieties specific to the locations
2. Through land preparation
3. Use of healthy nursery seed material
4. Planting at proper season with suitable varieties
5. Maintaining optimum plant population through adequate gap filling
6. Application of appropriate herbicide combinations for effective control of the
weeds
7. Enrichment of the organic content of the soil by way of application of bulky
organic manures or in situ incorporation of green manure crops.
8. Application of correct dose of inorganic fertilizers based on soil test
recommendations. Need based micro nutrient can be applied.
9. Use of bio fertilizers Especially Azospirillum, Acetobacter and Phosphobacteria
10.

Adoption of integrated pest and disease management stratagies

11.
Appropriate water management practices and especially adopting drip
fertigation systems
12.
Harvesting at appropriate time and upto bottom of the cane using sharp
knives.
For Ratoon

1. Collect the trash without burning

2. Stubble shaving for obtaining uniform sprouting
3. Shoulder breaking for loosening the soil compaction and cut the old roots
4. Apply additionally 70 kg N/ha as basal to boost initial growth
5. Ferrous sulphate can be sprayed (5 kg/ha) for correcting the Iron Chlorosis
PROCESSING OF SUGARCANE

Collecting the harvested cane

Mature canes are gathered by a combination of manual and mechanical methods.

Canes are cut at ground level, its leaves are removed and the top is trimmed off by
cutting off the last mature joint. Cane is then placed into large piles and picked up,
tied, and transported to a sugar factory.

Prevention of moisture loss in the harvested cane

Covering the harvested cane with trash and sprinkling with water both under sun and
shade reduced the moisture loss and prevented quality deterioration.
Cleaning and Crushing

Stalks are thoroughly washed and cut when

reaching the sugar mill. After the cleaning
process, a machine led by a series of rotating
knives, shreds the cane into pieces. This is
known as "grinding." During grinding, hot
water is sprayed on to the sugarcane to
dissolve any remaining hard sugar. The smaller
pieces of cane are then spread out on a
conveyer belt.

Juicing

The shredded pieces of sugarcane travel on the conveyer belt through a series of
heavy-duty rollers, which extract juice from the pulp. The pulp that remains or
"bagasse" is dried and used as fuel. The raw juice moves on through the mill to be
clarified.
Clarifying

Carbon dioxide and the milk of a lime are added to the liquid sugar mixture and it is
heated to the boiling point, as the process of clarifying begins. As the carbon dioxide
travels through the liquid it forms calcium carbonate, which attracts non-sugar debris
(fats, gums, and wax) from the juice, and pulls them away from the sugar juice. The
juice is then pushed through a series of filters to remove any remaining impurities.
Evaporation

The clear juice which results from the clarifying process is put under a vacuum, where
the juice boils at a low temperature and begins to evaporate. It is heated until it forms
into thick, brown syrup.

Crystallization

By evaporating what little water is left in the

sugar syrup, crystallization takes place. Inside
a sterilized vacuum pan, pulverized sugar is
fed into the pan as the liquid evaporates,
causing the formation of crystals. The
remaining mixture is a thick mass of large
crystals, which is sent to a centrifuge to spin
and dry the crystals. The dried product is raw
sugar, still inedible.

Refinery

Raw sugar is transported to a Cane Sugar

Refinery for the removal molasses, minerals
and other non-sugars, which still contaminate
the sugar. This is known as the purification
process. Raw sugar is mixed with a solution of
sugar and water to loosen the molasses from
the outside of the raw sugar crystals,
producing a thick matter known as "magma."
Large machines then spin the magma, which
separate the molasses from the crystals.
Crystals are promptly washed, dissolved and
filtered to remove impurities. The golden syrup
which is produced is then sent through filters
to remove the color and water. What's left is
concentrated, clear syrup, which is again fed
into a vacuum pan.

Separation and Packaging

Once the final evaporation and drying process is done, screens separate the different
sized sugar crystals. Large and small crystals are packaged and shipped, labeled as
white, refined sugar.
Sugar Facts
Refined white sugar is 99.9-percent sucrose.
White sugar is pure sucrose, containing no preservatives or additives.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Sugar,
Nutritional
(3.5 oz)

Sugars,
brown
granulated
per
100 g Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

value

Energy
Carbohydrates
Sugars
Dietary fiber
Fat
Protein
Water
Riboflavin (Vit. B2) Calcium
Iron
Potassium
-

1,619 kJ (387 kcal)

99.98 g
99.91 g
0g
0g
0g
0.03 g
0.019 mg (1%)
1 mg (0%)
0.01 mg (0%)
2 mg (0%)

Energy
Carbohydrates
Sugars
Dietary fiber
Fat
Protein
Water
Riboflavin (Vit. B2)
Calcium
Iron
Potassium
Folate (Vit. B9)
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Sodium
Zinc

- 1,576 kJ (377 kcal)

97.33 g
96.21 g
0g
0g
0g
1.77 g
0.007 mg (0%)
85 mg (9%)
1.91 mg (15%)
346 mg (7%)
1 g (0%)
29 mg (8%)
22 mg (3%)
39 mg (2%)
0.18 mg (2%)

By- Products

Raw sugar
Raw sugar is obtained from the processing of the sugar cane juice extracted from

the sugar cane stalks.

The juice is clarified with lime and subsequently concentrated to produce

massecuites which is a mixture of crystals and surrounding dense, dark brown

liquid called molasses.

The crystals (raw sugar) are separated from the molasses by centrifugation.
Refined sugar is purified white sugar of approximately 99.50 pol, a moisture

content of around 0.03% and an colour of less than 45.

Sugarcane Juice
The sugarcane variety for juice should give high in

juice extraction and have high sugar content. Some

of the varieties which are ideally suited for bottling
of juice are CoC 671, Co 62175, Co 7717, Co
86032 and Co94012.
The canes should be cleaned free of roots at the

nodes and adhering soil particles.

It is preferable to remove the rind portion of the cane

by suitable means as the pigments present in the

rind contribute to dark colour and unpleasant taste
to the juice.
The canes should be crushed in clean power operated

crusher (preferably with stainless steel rollers)

Then juice collected after filtration through muslin

cloth into a clean sterilized stainless steel vessel.

One medium sized lemon and 2-3g of ginger can be

added for every 3kg of cane while the canes are

crushed.

Gur or Jaggery
The result of the milling process is pure whole unrefined
non-centrifugal cane sugar, called Panela (right). The
earliest modern record of Panela is around 3000BC in
India, where Panela was known as Gur Jaggery, or more
commonly today Gur, or 'poor peoples sugar'.
Procedure
for
Preparation
of
jaggery:
1. Fresh sugarcanes are cut from the fields, canes are cut in
such a way that the head and tail are chopped off. They are
carefully brought in a plastic sack, to the place where they
are
made
juice.
2. To extract juice from the sugarcane, they use a small
power run machine, where at one side four or five canes are
fed, and at the other end, extracted sugar cane juice is
directly
feed
to
the
vessel.
3. Next step involved is boiling the extracted juice, juice is
feed to a large big iron vessel, which is usually called as
kadai.

Molasses
Molasses is a viscous byproduct of the processing of sugar cane. To make molasses, the sugar cane juice is
extracted from the canes, usually by crushing or mashing; it can also be removed by cutting. The juice is
boiled to concentrate it, which promotes the crystallization of the sugar. The result of this first boiling and
removal of the sugar crystals is first molasses, which has the highest sugar content because comparatively
little sugar has been extracted from the source. Second molasses is created from a second boiling and sugar
extraction,
and
has
a
slight
bitter
tinge
to
its
taste.
The third boiling of the sugar syrup makes blackstrap molasses. The majority of sucrose from the
original juice has been crystallized, but blackstrap molasses is still mostly sugar by calories. However, unlike
refined sugars, it contains significant amounts of vitamins and minerals. Blackstrap molasses is a source of
calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron; one tablespoon provides up to 20% of the daily value of each of
those nutrients. Blackstrap, often sold as a health supplement, is also used in the manufacture of cattle feed
and for other industrial uses.
Bagasse
The bagasse (or the crushed cane fibres), which results from the milling, is used in the
boilers for steam production which is used to power the process. The surplus bagasse
is used in industry, to produce power, make paper, building materials, as a fuel and
even as stock feeds.
Ethanol

Sugarcane can also be used to make ethanol, a liquid that can be used as an
automotive fuel or a gasoline additive. Sugarcane is an excellent feedstock because
the biomass of the sugarcane plant is relatively rich in the sugar that can be readily
turned into fuel. Brazil is the worlds leading producer of sugarcane ethanol and it is
estimated that upward of 40% of Brazils transportation energy needs are met by sugar
cane ethanol.
Syrup

Sugar cane syrup is athick syrup that is

created by evaporating the juice extracted
from sections of sugar cane. The preparation
of this type of cane syrup usually involves
boiling the juice for several hours, and making
sure to skim the surface of the juice
throughout the process. When prepared
properly, this approach yields a thick syrup
that is extremely sweet, making it ideal for use
in both home cooking and the preparation of
commercial foods

Candy

Candy is a type of confectionery mineral composed of relatively large sugar crystals.

Thecandy is formed by allowing a supersaturated solution of sugar and water to crystallize
onto a surface suitable for crystal nucleation, such as a string or stick. Heating the water before
adding the sugar allows more sugar to dissolve and thus produces larger crystals. Crystals
form after 67 days. Food coloring may be added to the mixture to produce colored candy.
Rum

Rum is a distilled beverage made from sugarcane by products such as molasses and sugarcane
juice by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually
aged in oak and other barrels
Filter cake or mud press

Filter cake or mud press is a chocolate, sticky waste during juice extraction of cane stalks
containing 5-15 % protein, calcium and phosphorus; 5-15 % sugar; 10-30% fiber; 10-20%
ash and other micronutrients. It is a by-product with high potential as important component of
organic fertilizer and animal feed and as source of sugarcane wax and methane (gas for fuel)
when process.
Yeast

Yeasts are complex, protein-rich, living unicellular organisms that have been selected and
isolated through research, Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce baker's yeast. It is normally
produced from molasses. About 4 kg of molasses would be required to produce 1 kg of active
dry baker's yeast (92 percent dry matter). Yeast is used in bread production at about 1 percent
by weight of flour. On a dry matter basis, it contains about 44 percent protein
Confectionary

Sugar confectionery refers to a large range of food items, commonly known as sweets. Boiled
sweets,
toffees,
marshmallows,
and
fondant
are
all
examples.
Today, sugar confectionery includes a large range of food items, commonly known as sweets.
Some examples are; Boiled sweets, Toffees, and Marshmallows.
Sugarcane Tops

Sugarcane tops are a major by-product of the sugarcane industry which is left in the field after
harvest and widely used for feeding draught animals or cattle owned by workers on the sugar
estates or by the sugar companies. The tops, or leaves from sugarcane are mostly fed to large
ruminants and so do not normally constitute a feed resource for small stock.

Sugarcane Marketing
About Sugarcane marketing

Marketing Depends On
Transport of Cane
Cane Price and Payments
Sugar Mills and Factories

Marketing Depends On

Marketing of sugarcane/sugar is highly controlled and subject to government

restrictions. No producer/importer/exporter of sugar can sell/dispose of/deliver

any kind of sugar except under and in accordance with the direction issued by
the Government.

The profitability of sugar mills is affected by the ratio of free sale quota to levy

quota. Though this ratio has been considerably reduced to 10:90, the sale of
free sugar is subject to monthly release system.

Sugarcane alone accounts for 60 per cent of the cost of sugar production. Though

the Central Government fixes the Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) for sugarcane,
the mills have to procure sugarcane at State Advice Prices (SAPs) fixed by the
State governments. As the SAPs are invariably higher than the SMP, it affects
the viability of processing.

There is a visible difference in the plant size and operational efficiency of the mills

in the private and the co-operative sector.

To achieve operational efficiency, availability of sugarcane is required throughout

the season and requires proper management of raw material. It is however,

difficult to ensure owing to farmers harvesting more than the quantity ordered
to clear their fields or diverting cane to gur/khandsari units.

Transport of Cane

Organising an efficient cane transport

system is of paramount importance, so

that the cane is delivered at required
quantity within 24 hours.

Optimum

economic distance for cane

transport ranges from 10 to 26 km.

Cane price and Payment

The price for the sugarcane supplied to the sugar factory is fixed by the local state

governments based on the cost of cultivation and other factors and the price is
linked to the sugar recovery. The Tamil Nadu State Government has recently
(year 2009-2010) fixed a price of Rs.1, 550 per tonne of cane with 9.5 percent
sugar recovery.

The sugar factories make payment to the registered cane growers through banks.

Sugar Mills And Factories

Tamil Nadu Co.op Sugar Mills and Factories

Ambur
Coop.
Sugar
Mills
Ltd., Amaravathy Coop. Sugar
642
Vadapudupet
635
812 Krishnapuram
Vellore
District Coimbatore
Ph: 04252 - 252221 -2 lines
Ph: 04171-242227, 242337.

Mills

Ltd.,
111
District

.M.R. Krishnamurthy Coop. Sugar Mills Kallakurichi -I Coop. Sugar Mills Ltd.,
Ltd.,
Moongilthuraipattu
605
702
Sethiathope,
Chidambaram
TK Villupuram
District
Cuddalore
Dist.
608
702 Ph: 04151 - 250304
Ph: 04144 - 244391 / 92 / 93 / 95
Coromandel
Makavalli,
K.R.
Mandya
District-571
Ph.: 08230-210844

Coop.
Sugar
Mills
Ltd.,
Sugars Cheyyar
PET. Anakkavoor, Thenthandalam Village 604 401
District
426 Tiruvannamalai
Ph: 04182-222354/222454

10.Madurantakam Coop. Sugar Mills Ltd.,

Padalam
603
808
Kancheepuram
District
Ph: 04115-515221 / 515222

Pondicherry
Coop.
Sugar
Mills
Lingareddipalayam
605
502
Katterikuppam.
Ph: 0413
2674602
/
2674603
2674604 / 2674682

Public Sector Coop. Sugar Mills

19. Arignar
Anna
Sugar
Kurungulam
613
Thanjavur
Ph: 04362 - 382425

Mills
303
District

20.Madura
Pandiyarajapuram
Madurai
Ph: 04543-254261

Sugars,
209
District

625

21.Perambalur
Sugar
Mills,
Eraiyur
621
133
Perambalur
District.
Ph: 04328 - 252221 / 252223 / 252235

Private Sector Sugar Mills

Dharani Sugars & Chemicals Ltd., Rajashree Sugars & Chemicals Ltd
Dharani
Nagar Vaigai
Dam
Post,
Varadaraj
Nagar
Vasudevenallur

627
760 Theni District
Ph : 2441370, 2441371, 2441372
: +91 - 4546 - 237250, 237251
Ph
Ambika
Sugar
Sakthi
Sugar
Mills
Pvt.
Ltd., Sri
Thittakudi
Appakudai,
Erode Pennadam,
Ph :0424246241,
246341 Cuddalore District
Ph: 04144 - 244391 / 92 / 93 / 95
EID Parry India Ltd., Kurumbur Village, . Kothari Sugars
Aranthangi
Taluk, Kattur
Road,
Pudukottai
Trichy District
Ponni
Sugars
Odapalli,
Cauvery
Pallipalayam, Erode-638 007

&

Mills
Taluk

Chemicals Ltd.,
Lalgudi
Taluk,

Ltd., Bannari
Amman
Sugars
Ltd.,
R.S, Aluthukombai
Sadhmugi
P.B.
16,
Sathyamanglam TK, Erode 638 401
Tamil
Nadu.
Ph : (91)-4295-220363, 220387

Sugar mills and factories in Karnataka state

Sri
Chamundeswari
Sugars
Ltd., Bannari
Amman
Sugars
Ltd.,
Bharathinagar,
Karnataka
571
422 ALAGANCHI VILLAGE - 571 301
K.M.Doddi, Maddur Tq., Mandya dist P.B.No.
27,Nanjangud,
Mysore
Dist.,
Ph.: 08232 - 35342 / 35343
Ph.: 0821-228844, 55, 66, 77, 88,235045
Jamakhandi
Sugar
HIREPADASALGI
Naganur
Jamakhandi
Bagalkot
Ph.: 08353 54081/54163

Mills
587

Ltd.,
Post,
301
Taluk.
Dist.

The
Mysore
Sugar
Company
Ltd
Sugar
Town,
MANDYA
571
401
Ph.: 08232
Fin.
Advisor:224221
224196 GM: 224036, 224228

Athani Farmers Sugar

Vishnuanna
Post: Navalihal
Ph.: 0831 - 255425 / 236510

Factory

Coromandel
Makavalli,
K.R.
Mandya
District-571
Ph.: 08230-210844

Ltd.,
Nagar,
591234

Sugars
PET.
426

Sugar mills and factories in Kerala state

1.The Travancore sugars & chemicals Ltd., 3.The
Co.operative
Valanjavattom
p.o, Chittur678
Tiruvalla-689
104, Palakkad.
Pathanamthitta Dt.
2.Mannam sugar
No.4324,Ayurveda
Pandalam-689 501.

mills

co.op

Sugars

Ltd.,
101,

Ltd.,
college,

Regulated markets for sugarcane in Tamil Nadu

Villupuram Market Committee

Market
Committee/
Regulated
Markets

Address

Std Code

Phone No

Commodities

Thiyagadurgam

Rishvindiyam
Road,
Thiyagadurgam
606 206

04151

233234

Sugarcane

Std Code

Phone No

Commodities

262223

Sugarcane

Phone No

Commodities

650399

Sugarcane

Coimbatore Market Committee

Market
Committee/
Regulated
Markets

Address

Anaimalai

Pollachi
Road, 04259
Anaimalai 642 104

Theni Market Committee

Market
Committee/
Regulated
Markets

Address

Std Code

Madurai

16, Kulamangalam 0452

Salai,
Sellur,
Madurai 625 002

CODEXALIMENTARIUS
C O D E X A L I M E N T A R I U S is about safe, good food for everyone - everywhere.
The C O D E X A L I M E N T A R I U S international food standards, guidelines and
codes of practice contribute to the safety, quality and fairness of this international food
trade. Consumers can trust the safety and quality of the food products they buy and
importers can trust that the food they ordered will be in accordance with their
specifications.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by FAO and WHO in 1963 develops
harmonised international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice to protect
the health of the consumers and ensure fair trade practices in the food trade. The
Commission also promotes coordination of all food standards work undertaken by
international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Codex standards are based on the best available science assisted by independent
international risk assessment bodies or ad-hoc consultations organized by FAO and
WHO. While being recommendations for voluntary application by members, Codex
standards serve in many cases as a basis for national legislation.
Codex process - in many cases assisted by the Codex Trust Fund, which strives to
finance - and train - participants from such countries to enable efficient participation.
Being an active member of Codex helps countries to compete in sophisticated world
markets - and to improve food safety for their own population. At the same time
exporters know what importers demand, and importers are protected from substandard
shipments. International governmental and non-governmental organizations can
become accredited Codex observers to provide expert information, advice and
assistance to the Commission.
Standard for Sugars

CODEXSTANDARDFOR
SUGARS1
CODEX STAN 212-1999
1.

SCOPE AND DESCRIPTION

This Standard applies to the following sugars intended for human consumption without further processing
(synonyms are in round brackets). It includes sugars sold directly to the final consumer and sugars used as
ingredients in foodstuffs. The description of each of the sugars is also given below:
Name

Description

White sugar

Purified and crystallised sucrose (saccharose) with a

polarisation not less than 99.7 Z.

Plantation or mill white sugar

(or any other equivalent name accepted in the
country of origin in which it is sold)

Purified and crystallised sucrose (saccharose) with a

polarisation not less than 99.5 Z.

Powdered sugar
(icing sugar)

Finely pulverised white sugar with or without the addition

of an anticaking agent

Soft white sugar

Fine grain purified moist sugar, white in colour with a

sucrose plus invert sugar content of not less than 97.0%
m/m.

Soft brown sugar

Fine grain purified moist sugar, light to dark brown in

colour with a sucrose plus invert sugar content of not less
than 88.0% m/m.

Dextrose anhydrous

Purified and crystallised D-glucose without water of

crystallisation, with a D-glucose content of not less than
99.5% m/m on a dry basis and a total solids content of not
less than 98.0% m/m.

Dextrose monohydrate

Purified and crystallised D-glucose containing one

molecule of water of crystallisation, with a D-glucose
content of not less than 99.5% m/m on a dry basis and a
total solids content of not less than 90.0% m/m.

Powdered dextrose
(icing dextrose)

Finely pulverised dextrose anhydrous or dextrose

monohydrate or mixtures thereof, with or without the
addition of an anticaking agent.

Glucose syrup

A purified concentrated aqueous solution of nutritive

saccharides obtained from starch and/or inulin. Glucose
syrup has a dextrose equivalent content of not less than
20.0% m/m (expressed as D-glucose on a dry basis), and a
total solids content of not less than 70.0% m/m.

Dried glucose syrup

Glucose syrup from which the water has been partially

removed to give a total solids content of not less than
93.0% m/m.

This Standard replaced the Standards for White Sugar, Powdered Sugar (Icing Sugar), Soft Sugars, Dextrose
Anhydrous, Dextrose Monohydrate, Powdered Dextrose (Icing Dextrose), Glucose Syrup, Dried Glucose
Syrup, Lactose, and Fructose.

Adopted 1999. Amendment 2001.

Lactose

A natural constituent of milk normally obtained from

whey with an anhydrous lactose content of not less than
99.0% m/m on a dry basis. It may be anhydrous or
contain one molecule of water of crystallisation or be a
mixture of both forms.

Fructose
(laevulose)

Purified and crystallised D-fructose with a fructose

content of not less than 98.0% m/m, and a glucose content
of not more than 0.5% m/m.

Raw cane sugar

Partially purified sucrose, which is crystallised from

partially purified cane juice, without further purification,
but which does not preclude centrifugation or drying, and
which is characterised by sucrose crystals covered with a
film of cane molasses.

2.

FOODADDITIVES

Only those food additives listed below may be present. Wherever possible levels should be as low as
technologically achievable.

2.1.

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

The maximum permitted sulphur dioxide levels in the final product are set out below.
Sugar
White sugar
Powdered sugar
Dextrose anhydrous
Dextrose monohydrate
Powdered dextrose
Fructose
Soft white sugar
Soft brown sugar
Glucose syrup
Dried glucose syrup
Dried glucose syrup used to manufacture sugar
confectionery
Glucose syrup used to manufacture sugar
confectionery
Lactose
Plantation or mill white sugar
Raw cane sugar

2.2.

Maximum permitted level

(mg/kg)
15
15
15
15
15
15
20
20
20
20
150
400
None
70
20

ANTICAKING AGENTS

The following anticaking agents are permitted for use in powdered sugar and powdered dextrose to a
maximum level of 1.5% m/m singly or in combination, provided that starch is not present:
Calcium phosphate, tribasic
Magnesium carbonate
Silicon dioxide, amorphous (dehydrated silica gel)
Calcium silicate
Magnesium trisilicate


CODEX STAN 212-1999

Page 3 of 5

Sodium aluminosilicate
Calcium aluminosilicate
Powdered sugar and powdered dextrose may have up to 5% starch added if no anticaking agent is used.

3.

CONTAMINANTS

3.1

HEAVY METALS

3.1.1

Raw cane sugar

Raw cane sugar shall be free from heavy metals in amounts which may represent a hazard to human health.

3.1.2

Other Sugars

The products covered by this Standard shall comply with the maximum limits established by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission.

3.2

PESTICIDE RESIDUES

The products covered by this standard shall comply with those maximum residue limits established by the
Codex Alimentarius Commission for these commodities.

4.

HYGIENE

It is recommended that the products covered by the provisions of this standard be prepared and handled in
accordance with the appropriate sections of the Recommended International Code of Practice - General
Principles of Food Hygiene recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC/RCP 1-1969), and
other relevant Codes of Hygienic Practice an Codes of Practice.
The products should comply with any microbiological criteria established in accordance with the Principles
for the Establishment and Application of Microbiological Criteria for Foods (CAC/GL 21-1997)

5.

LABELLING

In addition to the provisions of the General Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (CODEX
STAN 1-1985), the following specific provisions apply:

5.1

THE NAME OF THE FOOD

All products covered by this Standard must conform to the description given for that product in Section 1 of
the Standard.
In addition, the following specific provision applies to powdered dextrose (icing dextrose) - the name shall
be accompanied by a reference to dextrose anhydrous or dextrose monohydrate or both as appropriate.
Where the glucose syrup contains fructose above 5% it shall bear a description to reflect this.

5.2

LIST OF INGREDIENTS

The presence of starch and the maximum amount present shall be declared on the label or containers of
powdered sugar or powdered dextrose.

6.

METHODSOFANALYSISANDSAMPLING

See relevant Codex texts on methods of analysis and sampling.


CODEX STAN 212-1999

Page 3 of 5

ANNEX
This text is intended for voluntary application by commercial partners and not for application by
governments.

I.

ADDITIONAL COMPOSITION AND QUALITY FACTORS

The composition and quality factors for the sugars covered by the Standard are set out in Table 1.

II.

ADDITIONAL METHODS OF ANALYSIS

See relevant Codex texts on methods of analysis and sampling.

Table 1: Additional Composition and Quality Factors

White
sugar

Composition and
quality factors

Sulphated ash
(% m/m)

N/A

Conductivity ash
(% m/m)

PMWS

N/A

0.04

Soft
brown
sugars

Soft
white
sugars

Powdered
sugar (icing
sugar)

Dextrose
monohydrate

Powdered
dextrose

Glucose
syrup

Dried
glucose
syrup

Fructose

Lactose

3.5

N/A

N/A

0.25-on a
dry basis

0.25-on a dry
basis

0.25-on a
dry basis

1.0-on a
dry basis

1.0-on a
dry basis

N/A

0.3-on a
dry basis

N/A

0.2

0.04

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.1

N/A

0.1

Dextrose
anhydrous

Invert sugar content

(% m/m)

0.04

0.1

12.0

0.3-12.0

0.04

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Sucrose plus invert

sugar content
(% m/m expressed as
sucrose)

N/A

N/A

88.0

97.0

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.5

6.0

Loss on drying
(% m/m)

0.1a

0.1a

4.5

3.0

0.1a

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Starch content
(% m/m)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

5.0

N/A

N/A

5.0

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Colour
(ICUMSA units)
pH (for 10% m/m)

60

150

N/A

60

60

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

30

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

4.5-7.0

4.5-7.0

N/A

N/A n
t

N/A - not applicable, PMWS - Plantation or mill white sugar,

a does not apply to white sugar in lump or cube form or to crystal candy sugar
(crystal korizato) or to rock sugar (korizato), or to powdered sugar (icing sugar) to which starch has been added

SUGARCANE INSTITUTIONS AND SCHEMES

About Sugarcane Institution

International Institutions
National Institutions
Sugarcane Research Station
Schemes

International Institutions

SOUTH AFRICAN SUGARCANE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Functions:
The South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) is a world renowned

agricultural research institute at the forefront of a thriving sugar industry.

Research at SASRI is clustered within four multidisciplinary programmes, namely

variety improvement,Crop protection,crop production & management and system

design and optimization.

An Extension Service provides the essential link between researchers and sugarcane

farmers. SASRI also offers a range of services including fertiliser advice, disease
diagnoses and education courses.

Contact:
1. SOUTH AFRICAN SUGARCANE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
170 Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe
Private Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300
Telephone: (031) 508 7400
Fax: (031) 508 7597
E-mail: sasri@sugar.org.za
USDA-ARS, SUGARCANE RESEARCH UNIT

The Location provides administrative and facility support to the Sugarcane Research Unit
as it strives to develop research-based solutions that enhance the viability of sugarcane
as a sugar and/or biofuels feedstock. This is implemented using multidisciplinary research
teams to develop improved varieties and environmentally friendly production strategies
that will insure industry profitability, expand the cropping range, and combat a constantly
evolving pest complex that includes diseases, insects, and weeds.

Contact:
USDA-ARS, Sugarcane Research Unit,
5883 USDA Road
Houma, LA 70360 , Tel. (985) 872-5042 , Fax. (985) 868-8369

BANGLADESH SUGARCANE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI) is only institute in the country
which is mandated to conduct research and provide sugarcane technology to meet the
demand of the farmers in the mill zones and non-mill zones and to keep sugarcane
cultivation
a
viable
enterprise
for
the
farmers.
Two basic functions are performed by this institute: a) Development of sugarcane variety
as well as improved production technology and b) Dissemination of varieties and
technologies to the farming community.

Contact:
Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute
Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Ishurdi - 6620, Pabna, Bangladesh
Telephone: +88 07326 63414 (Exchange), +88 07326 63628 (DG), Fax: 88 07326 63888
NATIONAL SUGAR CROPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NSRI)

Objectives:
To collect and test viability of sugarcane fuzz.
To develop new sugarcane varieties.
To test national and international sugarcane varieties.
To screen sugarcane varieties for flowering synchronization.

Contact:
National Sugar Crops Research Institute (NSRI),
Sugarcane Research Institute, Thatta.
PARC-Makli, Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan.
Telephone No : (92-29) -770524, 770267
Fax: Fax:(92-29) 770524
Email: keerio10@hotmail.com

YUNNAN SUGARCANE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Functions:
Sugarcane germplasm (including new elite varieties)exchange and introduction.
Sugarcane molecular biotechniques and genetic engineering.
Sugarcane crossing/breeding and development of new techniques.
Sugarcane drought resistance and water saving techniques.
Experts exchange visits and scientific exchange.

Contact:
Director
Sugarcane Research Institute
Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Science
363, Eastern Lingquan Road
Kaiyuan
Yunnan Province, ER. China
Tel : 86-87347227014
MITR PHOL SUGARCANE RESEARCH CENTER, THAILAND

Our objectives and approach is three fold. First is to increase sugar production per unit
area and quality through a
dedicated breeding program and to develop package of practices for maximizing cane
production through fertilizer,weed and water management. Second is through transfer
of appropriate and new technology to farmers and finally to
conduct researches in process to improve recoveries and quality of sugar and byproducts.

Mitr phol Sugarcane Research Center, Thailand.

399 Moo Chunpae
Phukieo Road,
Khoksa-ard, Phukieo,
Chaiyaphum - 36110

WEST INDIES CENTRAL SUGAR CANE BREEDING STATION

Functions:
1. High Quality Breeding
2. Genetic Base Broadening
3. High Biomass and Multipurpose Cane Varieties
4. Breeding strategies and the genetic basis for important agronomic traits

Contact:
West Indies Central Sugar Cane Breeding Station,
Groves, St. George,
Barbados, BB19073.

NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SUGARCANE RESEARCH

Objectives:
Monitoring

of sugarcane diseases, insect

pathotypes/races and bio-control agents.

pests

and

rodents

including

To develop technologies for rearing and mass production of bio-agents of insect

pests and diseases.

To develop cost effective Agro-techniques for enhanced input use efficiency and

sustained soil health.

Development of superior sugarcane varieties with special reference to subtropics.

Application of Biotechnological approaches for sugarcane improvement.
To develop technology to minimise post-harvest deterioration of sugarcane.
Developing appropriate technology for

1. Water harvesting at IISR farm

2. Minimising abuse of repetitive use of tractor and associated equipment on
soil health
3. Requisite instrumentation

Contact:
Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research
Raibareli Road, P.O. Dilkusha, Lucknow - 226 002
Ph: (Director) 0522-2480726 (EPABX) 0522-2480735/6/7,
Fax : 0522-2480738
Email: iisrlko@sancharnet.in
SUGARCANE BREEDING INSTITUTE

Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, India, one of the pioneering breeding

institutes in the world was established in 1912, to evolve superior varieties of sugarcane
to cater to the needs of the various agro climatic zones in the country.
Superior varieties of sugarcane, evolved by the Institute have elevated the status of the
nation from a sugar importer to the largest manufacturer of sugar in the world today.
Indian varieties are being grown and used as breeding stocks in 26 other countries in the
world as well. Today we have the privilege of being the largest producer of sugar from
an area of 4.229 million hectares of land, encompassing all types of soil, climate and
constraints and still with a productivity as good as any other country of this magnitude.
The Institute also is the repository of the largest collection of sugarcane germplasm in
the world, which is being used continuously for the enlargement of the genetic base of
future sugarcane varieties and improvement of productivity. In addition to the major role

as the source of improved varieties for the nation, commendable contributions have been
made in the areas of crop production and crop protection researches also.

Contact:
Director
Sugarcane Breeding Institute
Coimbatore - 641 007.
Tamil Nadu,India
Director - Ph:91-422-2472621 Fax:0422-2472923 Email:sugaris@vsnl.com,sugaris@md3.vsnl.net.in
U.P. COUNCIL OF SUGAR CANE RESEARCH

Functions:
The institute are engaged in fulfilling the major objectives of the organisation
like
conducting
research
on
various
aspects of sugarcane in relation to breeding and productivity, evolving varieties for
different agro climatic zones of the state, producing and multiplying the nucleus seeds
of
improved
varieties
for
distribution
to
the
farmers
and
disseminating the research
findingsthrough various communication media.

Contact:
U.p. Council of sugar cane research,
Shahjahanpur (uttar pradesh), india.
GENDA SINGH SUGARCANE BREEDING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE

G.S.S.B.R. Institute, since its establishment, has been playing an active role in the
development and release of new sugarcane varieties suitable for the agro-climatic zone
of the eastern U.P. and Bihar. It has successfully released about twenty four varieties till
date. The major objective of this institute is to evolve improved varieties of sugarcane
besides basic and applied research in Genetics, Cytogenetics, Physiology, Biochemistry,
Agricultural, Soil and Pesticide Chemistry, Agronomy, Pathology, Entomology, Extension
and Biometrical aspects of Sugarcane.
For the first time in history of sugarcane breeding, a new method of hybridization
"Modified Lantern Technique" was developed at Seorahi, which made it possible to
develop high sugared, high yielding and disease resistant varieties by implementing
desired crossing programme in U.P.

Contact:
Genda Singh Sugarcane Breeding & Research Institute
SEORAHI, P.O. Tumkuhi Raj,
Distt. Khusinagar - 274407 U.P.
ph- 05564-262024
SUGARCANE RESEARCH STATION-GUJARAT

Objectives:
To work out the production technologies for recommended and promising sugarcane
varieties.

Screening
of
various
genotypes
against
pests
and
diseases.
Screening of various varieties for jaggery including research on jaggery making and
storage.
To carryout time-bound, result oriented research on various priority problems.
To carryout research on the utilization of by-products of the sugarcane and sugar
industries.
To provide technical services such as advisory, consultative, extension and information
services as well as training facilities to sugarcane farmers and technical personnel's of
Sugar industries.

Contact:
Sugarcane Research Station
Navsari Agricultural University
Navsari-396 450, Gujarat
SUGARCANE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, PUNJAB

Functions:
Cane and sugar yield maximization research.
Development of varieties for varied soil and climatic conditions.
Production technology for ratoon cropping.
Drought and salinity effect and post harvest losses minimization.
Research for efficient cropping system.
Technology for cane mechanization.
Economic utilization of sugarcane by- products.

Contact:
Suagracane Adaptive Trial Substation,
Barpali,
Distt Sambalapur,
Punjab.

MAIN SUGARCANE RESEARCH STATION

Objectives
1. To evaluate the Coimbatore canes under different agro-climatic conditions.
2. To work out appropriate sugarcane based cropping system under different farming
situation.
3. To develop sugarcane varieties resistance to salinity, drought and water logging
conditions.
4. To develop production technology under limited water, poor quality of irrigation
water and saline soils of costal area.
5. To identify the pest and diseases its nature of damage and to work out its control
measures.
6. To screen the most stable sugarcane variety for south saurashtra Agro-climatic
zone of Gujarat.
7. To find out the nutrient and water requirement of promising varieties of sugarcane.
8. To develop the economical agronomic package of practices for sugarcane crop.

Contact:
Main Sugarcane Research Station,
Kodinar, Junagadh district,
Junagadh Agricultural University,
Gujarat.
SUGARCANE RESEARCH STATION-WEST BENGAL

Functions:
Agronomic Evaluation of Promising Sugarcane genotypes
Evaluation of Pre-Zonal/Zonal varieties /genotypes for resistance to red rot, wilt and

smut
Survey of sugarcane diseases naturally occurring in the area on important sugarcane

varieties
Evaluation of Zonal varieties /genotypes for their reaction against major insect pests.
Survey and surveillance of sugarcane insect pests.

Contact:
Sugarcane Research Station.
Bethuadahari, Nadia.Pin-741126.
Government of West Bengal (Department of Agriculture)
Website: www.srswb.org. Email :info@srswb.org.
Ph No: (03474) 255353.
VASANTDADA SUGAR INSTITUTE

Vasantdada Sugar Institute is one of the recognized centres under All India Coordinated
Research Project (AICRP) on sugarcane since 1986. Under the project various
sugarcane varieties are tested for determining their suitability for growing them in
various agro-climatic zones. Taking into consideration the suitability of the released
sugarcane varieties, sugar factories in Maharashtra are provided with the planting and
harvesting programme for achieving maximum returns. This section is engaged in
collection and maintenance of sugarcane germplasm, development of elite sugarcane
varieties through hybridization and undertaking field performance trials under AICRP
programme of the selected promising genotypes.
Section has also undertaken the studies on the flowering behaviour of sugarcane
varieties at various locations in Maharashtra and has identified Amboli, Dist.
Sindhudurg as a suitable place for establishing a Sugarcane Breeding Centre.

Contact:
Vasantdada Sugar Institute
Manjari Bk, Taluka Haveli,
Pune-412 307,
UP, India
Ph: 091-20-26993988, 26993989
Fax : 091-20-26992735
E Mail: vsilib@giaspn01.vsnl.net.in
NATIONAL SUGAR INSTITUTE

The main functions of the Institute are : Provide technical education and training in research in all branches of sugar

chemistry, sugar technology, sugar engineering and allied fields;

Provide technical education and training in research in all branches of sugar

chemistry, sugar technology, sugar engineering and allied fields;

undertake research on problems

pertaining to sugar technology, sugar and sugarcane

chemistry and sugar engineering in general and those of sugar
factories in particular

utilization of byproducts of sugar industry and

Give technical advice and assistance to sugar factories with a view to

improving their efficiency and to assist them in their day-to-day problems.

Assistance is also provided to Central and State Governments in matters
relating to sugar and allied industries.
Contact:
National Sugar Institute, Kalyanpur, Kanpur-208017, UP, India
Ph: 091-512-2570541/ 542/543/730 , Fax: 091-512-2570247
E Mail: nsiknp@sancharnet.in

RESEARCH STATION
TamilNadu
SUGARCANE RESEARCH STATION,cuddalore

OBJECTIVES:
To develop sugarcane varieties with high yield and high quality for different seasons
To carry out research for increasing sugarcane production in the coastal belt
To develop cost effective and adoptable sugarcane production techniques
To formulate integrated pest and disease management practices for sugarcane

Contact:
Sugarcane Research Station
Semmandalam, Cuddalore - 607 001
Tamil Nadu, India
Phone : +91-4142-220630
Fax : +91-4142-212630
E-mail : phsrscud@hotmail.com
arscuddalore@tnau.ac.in
SUGARCANE RESEARCH STATION, SIRUGAMANI

Sugarcane activities:
To tackle the problems in sugarcane cultivation in wetland under flow irrigation.
To evolve high yielding, high quality sugarcane varieties which are resistant to early

drought and late water logging, saline and alkaline conditions, red rot, smut and
internode borer.

To develop Integrated Nutrient Management practices with special emphasis on soil-

plant-health care.

Contact:
SUGARCANE RESEARCH STATION,
TAMIL NADU AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY,
SIRUGAMANI- 639 115,TRICHY
TAMILNADU, INDIA.
arssgm @tnau.ac.in

SUGARCANE RESEARCH STATION,GUDIATHAM

Objectives:
1. Evolving clones suitable for jaggery production.
2. Evolving high yield and high quality clones suitable for early, mid and late season
crushing.
3. Evolving high yielding and good quality clones with tolerance to come up well in the
tannery effluent affected soils.
4. Evolving drought tolerant clones.
5. Evolving shade tolerant clones suitable for growing as intercrop in coconut gardens.
6. Identifying suitable management practices for obtaining maximum sugarcane and
sugar yield per unit time.
7. Screening varieties resistance to various pests and diseases.
Contact:
Sugarcane Research Station,
Gudiatham,
Melalathur - 635 806
North Arcot Dt.
Ph: 04171-220275
SUGARCANE RESEARCH STATION,THIRUVALLA

Functions:
Three sugarcane hybrids - Madhuri, Thirumadhiram and Madhurima - were released

from this Centre for cultivation.

The Centre identified yield barriers of sugarcane in the areas.
Agrotechniques

for

the

cultivation

of

sugarcane

were

standardised

and

recommended.
An appraisal on the major sugarcane diseases of Kerala was also done.
The cultivar Co 7704 was identified as resistant to red rot and recommended for

cultivation.

The Centre also released a snake gourd variety - Kaumudi and a bitter gourd variety

- Priyanka for cultivation.

Contact:
Sugarcane research station,
Kallunkal p.o.,
Thiruvalla,
Pathanamthitta Dt-689 102
Ph: 0469-2604181Kallunkal p.o.,
Thiruvalla,
Pathanamthitta Dt-689 102
Ph: 0469-2604181

SUGARCANE BREEDING INSTITUTE RESEARCH CENTRE,KANNUR

Mandate
Maintenance of world collection of sugarcane germplasm
Developing varieties resistant / tolerant to water logging
Utilization of germplasm resources for developing new genetic stocks
sugarcane germplasm : collection, maintenance, evaluation, documentation and

utilisation

Contact:
Sugarcane Breeding Institute Research Centre,
Civil Station Post,
Kannur - 670 002
Kerala.
Tel.No. 0497-2705054.
SUGARCANE BREEDING INSTITUTE, REGIONAL CENTRE-KARNAL

Objectivies:
To evaluate the sugarcane germplasm under sub-tropical conditions and identify

potential donors.

To conduct inheritance studies in sugar -cane varietal crosses, sugar yield

components, biotic, abiotic stresses in sub-tropical climatic conditions.

To evaluate sugarcane varieties for sub-tropical conditions of the country.

To produce breeder seed of some elite sugarcane varieties for supplying to sugar
mills/farmers.
Contact:
Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Regional Centre
Agarsein Marg, Opp. PWD colony
Post Box No. 52, Karnal 132 001
Ph: 0184-2268096: 0184-2265567 EPBX Extn 1-35
Fax: 0184-2265723
Gram: IKSHU, Karnal
E-mail: bksahi.@Yahoo.co.In.

SUGARCANE BREEDING INSTITUTE RESEARCH CENTRE,KARNATAKA

Objectivies:
To encourage and assist farmers in the backward district of Bijapur, to take up

sugarcane cultivation on scientific lines

To test the varieties of sugarcane under the agro-climatic conditions of North

Karnataka, to select and multiply seeds of suitable varieties, and to supply diseasefree healthy seeds of these varieties to farmers for commercial cultivation
To evolve and popularise sound soil and water management practices
To educate and train farmers in various aspects of scientific agriculture
To devise and popularise labour-saving agricultural implements and machines suited

to the region

Contact:
Sugarcane Breeding Institute Research Centre,
Girishnagar,
Jamkhandi-587302,
Bijapur (Dt), Karnataka,
Ph : 0853-40482

SCHEMES

SUGARCANE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

The State Scheme on sugarcane development is being implemented in all the districts except Thoothukudi,
Ramanathapuram, The Nilgiris and Kanyakumari with the objective of increasing area, production and
productivity of sugarcane in Tamil Nadu.
Sl.
No.

Components

Target
1999-2000

Achievement
Upto
Feb.2000

Programme for
2000-2001

Area coverage (L.ha.)

2.75

2.90

2.75

Gur Production (L.MT)

37.00

37.00

37.00

Release of parasite - Physical 10500

(ha.)

1000

10500

Release of parasite - Financial 3.13

(Rs. in Lakhs)

3.50

3.75

Demonstration Plots (Nos.)

575

575

575

AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION PROGRAMME

Name of Scheme

: Agricultural Mechanisation Programme

Project Area

: All Districts (Except Chennai)

Details of Works

: Subsidy assistance is provided to farmers for procuring Agricultural

Machinery and implements such as Tractors, Power Tillers, Self
propelled Paddy Transplanters, Self propelled paddy reapers,
Rotavator, Cultivator, Disc Plough, Chisel Plough etc.,

Benefits
(Subsidy)
Eligibility
Time-limit
Implementation

offered : 25% of the cost of machinery / implements or the ceiling limit

prescribed by Government of India for each machinery / implement,
whichever is less.
: All farmers
for : Programme will be completed within the financial year.

WORLD BANK AIDED TAMIL NADU IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE MODERNIZATION AND WATER
BODIES RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT (TN IAMWARM) PROJECT

Name of Scheme

World Bank aided Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture

Modernization and Water bodies Restoration and
Management (TN IAMWARM) Project

Details of Works

Installation of Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems.

Underground PVC Pipe laying and community Bore
wells
Farm
mechanization
Construction
of
Farm
ponds
Construction of Water Harvesting Structures such as
Check
dams
&
Percolation Ponds are proposed to be taken up in the
above
sub
basins.
Information,Education, Communication and Capacity
Building

Benefits offered (Subsidy)

Installation of Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation 50% subsidy to farmers subject to the ceiling fixed by
systems
Government of India
PVC Pipe laying & Community Bore wells 100% grant to farmers. However, 10% beneficiary
contribution is collected for maintenance.
Farm mechanization

100% subsidy to Water Users Association

Construction of Farm ponds

90% subsidy to General Category farmers. 95% subsidy

to SC/ST farmers

Construction
of
Harvesting Structures

Water 100% grant to farmers however the 10% beneficiary

contribution is collected for maintenance

Eligibility

: All farmers in the selected sub-basins.

Time-limit for Implementation

: Programme completion annually

PRECISION FARMING-SUGARCANE

The Precision Farming technology is capable of increasing the productivity of crops

by 2 to 3 times over the present level of productivity.

This technology is highly effective for Agricultural Crops like Sugarcane, Cotton and

Maize. Under this programme, drip irrigation with fertigation is provided besides
adoption of all other scientific cultivation methods.

Training is imparted by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University on technological aspects.

This programme will be implemented as 20 Ha. clusters by registering the Farmers

Societies for obtaining Bank loan and for marketing their produce.

Bringing more area with available water and get higher production through adoption

of scientific methods of cultivation, it is programmed to cover 4000 hectares with

Agricultural Crops during 2009-10 at a cost of Rs.10.88 crores.

The 50% subsidy extended for Drip irrigation is now enhanced to 65% subsidy with

the central assistance of 40% and State assistance of 25% from 10%.

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE SCHEME - TAMILNADU

National Agricultural Insurance Scheme is being implemented in Tamilnadu from the

year Kharif 2000 onwards.

National Agricultural Insurance Scheme is implemented in all the districts by the

state Government through Agricultural Insurance company of India Ltd with the
objective;
To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event
of failure of any of the notified crop as a result of natural calamities, pests and
diseases.
To encourage the farmers to adopt progressive farming practices, high value
inputs
and
higher
technology
in
Agriculture.
To help stabilize farm incomes, particularly in disaster years.

Under this scheme, the Food crops (Cereals, Millets and Pulses), Oilseeds,

Sugarcane, Cotton, Annual Commercial/ Annual Horticultural Crops are covered.

Till 2005-06, only the enrolled loanee farmers got the benefits.
In order to provide the benefits of the scheme to non loanee farmers also, the State

Government have sanctioned Rs.8 crores to extend 50% premium subsidy during
2006-07 to non-loanee farmers to motivate them to enroll under crop insurance
scheme.

During 2008-09, an amount of Rs.40 crores sanctioned to extend 50% subsidy and

Tamil Nadu is the only State providing premium subsidy under crop insurance
scheme for protecting the farmers.

Besides, as per Government of India norms 5% subsidy is provided by Government

of India to small and marginal farmers in both loanee and nonloanee category.

MINOR IRRIGATION SCHEME

Name
of
Area of operation: All
Details of Works:

Scheme: Minor
District (Except Nilgiris

Irrigation
and Kanyakumari

Scheme
District)

Selection of sites for construction of openwell and Borewells.

Construction of tubewells in alluvial soil.
Revitalisation of wells by side boring and blasting in hard rock areas.
Construction of Borewells in hard rock areas.

Eligibility: Farmers of all categories

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (NADP)

Name of Scheme

: National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP)

Project Area

: All Districts (except Chennai)

Details of Works

Sl.No Component

Item of works

Agricultural Mechanisation

a) Introduction of newly developed

agricultural1 machinery / implements
b)
Popularising
conventional
machinery / implements.

Dry Land Development

1. Plastic lined farm pond with portable

sprinkler unit

b)
Unlined
farm
c) Compartmental Bunding
3

pond

Establishment of land resources Digitisation of cadastral maps

inventory and GIS data base
potential crop growing villages

Benefits
(Subsidy)

of

offered : 50% subsidy assistance is provided to farmers for purchasing

(Subsidy) newly developed agricultural machinery/ implements
such as mini combine harvester, multi crop thrasher, paddy
transplanter , post hole digger etc., and 25% subsidy assistance
or the ceiling limit prescribed by the Government of India
whichever is less, is provided to farmers for purchasing
conventional machinery / implements such as power tiller,
rotavator, cultivator, offset disc harrow, disc plough etc., The
dry land development works are taken up with 90% grant and
10% farmers contribution.

KARANATAKA

SUGARCANE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME UNDER MMMA

Scheme Details
This Scheme aims at development in agriculture through Work Plans prepared by

the States themselves.

The Scheme provides flexibility to States to develop and pursue activities on the

basis of their regional priorities.

The States have flexibility within given parameters to select Schemes of their choice

out of the 27 Schemes and their components and include them in their Work Plans.

The States are also free to include new interventions in the Work Plans provided it

is not covered under any other Scheme of the Central Government or is not part
of any ongoing State Scheme. T

The expenditure on any "New Initiative" should not be more than 10% of the total

allocation to the State under the Macro Management Scheme.

The approved pattern of assistance under the scheme is in the ratio of 90:10 for the

Centre and the States respectively.

The Central assistance to be released will be in the ratio of 80% Grant and 20%

Loan.

How To Apply
The Commissioner for Cane Development &
Director of Sugar,
Government of Karnataka
No 32, 6th floor, Chowugle House,
Cresent Road, Bangalore - 560 001
Ph: 080 22250248 / 22262148
Fax: 080 22250248

LOAN FOR CLEARANCE OF CANE PRICE ARREARS

Scheme Details
The Central Government approved a scheme in December, 2007 to provide loans for
sugar factories from banks on the basis of excise duty paid and payable in 2006-07 and
2007-08 sugar seasons on production of sugar, with full interest subvention up to a
maximum of twelve per cent per annum, out of which five per cent of the interest
subvention was provided through budgetary support from the Central Government and
the rest seven per cent from the Sugar Development Fund to utilize the loan proceeds
for payment of sugarcane arrears of 2006-07 and sugarcane dues of 2007- 08 sugar
season (October-September).
How To Apply
The Commissioner for Cane Development &
Director of Sugar,
Government of Karnataka
No 32, 6th floor, Chowugle House,
Cresent Road, Bangalore - 560 001
Ph: 080 22250248 / 22262148
Fax: 080 22250248
CENTRAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED UNDER VARIOUS RENEWABLE ENERGY
SCHEMES
/
PROGRAMMES

Scheme Details
The Government has been providing several concessions in the form of fiscal and
Financial incentives to encourage the use of renewable energy sources. These include
capital/interest subsidy, accelerated depreciation, nil/concessional excise and customs
duties. Further, as applicable to all new infrastructure projects, profits earned from sale
of renewable power are exempt from Income Tax for any 10 years out of the first 15
years of projects operation. This apart, preferential tariff for grid interactive renewable
power is being given in most potential States.
How To Apply
M/s. Karnataka Renewable Energy
Development Ltd.,
No.19, Queen's Road,
Maj.Gen. A.D.Loganathan INA Cross,
Bangalore - 560 052
Ph: 080 22282220/21, 22208109, 22207851
Fax: 080 22257399

LOANS FROM SUGAR DEVELOPMENT FUNDS

Scheme Details
The Sugar Development Fund Act, 1982 provides for formation of a fund to be called
Sugar Development Fund. The source of the Fund is the proceeds of the duty of excise
levied and collected under the Sugar Cess Act, 1982, net of cost of collection and the
moneys received by the Central Government for the purposes of this Act including any
income from investment of such amounts.
Among other purposes for which the Fund can be applied, the following types of loans
can be given to the sugar factories from the Fund:
i) Loans for facilitating the rehabilitation and modernization of any sugar factory or any
unit there of Expansion of crushing capacity upto 10,000 TCD is considered part of
modernization.
ii) Loans for undertaking of any scheme for development of sugarcane in the area in
which any sugar factory is situated.
iii) Loans to any sugar factory or any unit thereof for bagasse based cogeneration
power projects with a view to improving their viability.
iv) Loans to any sugar factory or any unit thereof for production of anhydrous alcohol
or ethanol with a view to improving their viability.
How To Apply
The Commissioner for Cane Development &
Director of Sugar,
Government of Karnataka
No 32, 6th floor, Chowugle House,
Cresent Road, Bangalore - 560 001
Ph: 080 22250248 / 22262148
Fax: 080 - 22250248
CONVERSION OF PURCHASE TAX ON SUGARCANE INTO INTEREST FREE LOAN

Scheme details:
New sugar factories and existing sugar factories who have not availed purchase tax
deferment having co-generation facilities and ethanol production would be considered
for conversion of purchase tax on sugar cane as interest free loan on case to case basis
depending on the financial position of the factory In case of existing Sugar factories
which establish co-generation plants, ethanol plant, such investment will be treated as
expansion for availing incentives & concessions as
per this Policy, but limited to the investment made on such additional projects.
How To Apply
The Commissioner for Cane Development &
Director of Sugar,
Government of Karnataka
No 32, 6th floor, Chowugle House,
Cresent Road, Bangalore - 560 001
Ph: 080 22250248 / 22262148
Fax: 080 22250248

LONG TERM LEASE OF SHUT COOPERATIVE SUGAR FACTORIES

Scheme details:
Cooperative sugar factories, which have remained shut for long owing to a variety of
reasons will be handed over to private entrepreneurs on a 30-year lease. This will
increase crushing operation.
How To Apply
The Commissioner for Cane Development &
Director of Sugar,
Government of Karnataka
No 32, 6th floor, Chowugle House,
Cresent Road, Bangalore - 560 001
Ph: 080 22250248 / 22262148
Fax: 080 - 22250248
ESTABLISHMENT OF SUGAR INDUSTRY SPECIFIC ZONES

Scheme details:
Sugar industry specific zones will be created in Bidar, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Shimoga and
Mandya Districts.
How To Apply
The Commissioner for Cane Development &
Director of Sugar,
Government of Karnataka
No 32, 6th floor, Chowugle House,
Cresent Road, Bangalore - 560 001
Ph: 080 22250248 / 22262148
Fax: 080 - 22250248
PLEDGE LOAN SCHEME

Scheme details:
This scheme is in force since 1994-95 in 132 markets of the State. Loans up to
Rs. 50,000-00 or 60% of the value of the agricultural produce may be paid to
the farmers against the pledge of their agricultural produce. No interest will be
charged for the first 30 days. Interest at the rate of 8% and 12.5% will be
charged for the next two successive months The scheme is for a short period of
90 days
How To Apply
http://maratavahini.kar.nic.in/apmc_eng/
e_schemes.htm

SUGARCANE DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES

Scheme details:
Rs. 4.45 lakhs is provided for conducting demonstrations and supply of equipment seed
sets.
SWARNA MITRA SCHEME

The Salient Feature of the scheme are presented below:

Scheme to provide easy loans to meet their immediate agricultural requirement
Loans against pledge of gold ornaments
Rate of interest as applicable to agricultural cash credits
Repayment coinciding with the harvesting season
Advance amount RS.650?-per gram,subject to a maximum of Rs 5 lacs per borrower

KERELA

Crop Insurance Scheme

Sponsored by

State Government

Funding Pattern

100% by State Government.

Ministry/Department Agriculture Department

Description

Farmers in the State face production risks on various counts, such as drought, floods,
etc. A crop insurance scheme has been in operation in the State, with contribution from
the participating farmers, covering 25 major crops grown in the state since 1995. The
present scheme aims at revamping the crop insurance programme making it viable so
as to cater to risk coverage of small and marginal farmers. Outlay of the scheme is
Rs.100.00 lakhs.

Beneficiaries

Farmers enrolled in this insurance scheme

Eligibility criteria

Any farmer.

How to Avail

By contacting the Agriculture department and local self government institutions

Validity of the Scheme

Introduced On

01 / 04 / 1995

Valid Upto

31 / 03 / 2010

Schemes for Integrated Pest Management System

Sponsored by

State Government

Funding Pattern

100% by State Government

Ministry/Department Agriculture Department

Description

Of late, the share of high yielding varieties of seeds has increased by leaps and bounds
in the total quality of seeds used in the State for cultivation of food crops. These high
yielding varieties are susceptible to various pests. It is in this context that the
agriculture department of Government of Kerala has proposed a scheme to establish a
full-fledged system of pest surveillance in a phased manner, to cover major crops of
the State. The thrust of the scheme will be on biocontrol measures from a long-term
perspective. The main objectives of the scheme are: 1.To keep pests and diseases of
crops below Economic Threshold level by adopting an integrated pest management
practice. 2.Constant pest surveillance and monitoring to ascertain pest population
3.Creating awareness among farmers on the prominent pests and diseases, which cause
severe damage to crops and suggest measures to prevent them. The total outlay of the
scheme is Rs. 50.00 lakh

Beneficiaries

Farmers

Eligibility criteria

Any farmer.

How to Avail

By contacting the Department of Agriculture, and the concerned Panchayat.

Validity of the Scheme

Introduced On

01 / 04 / 2009

Valid Upto

31 / 03 / 2010

Small Farm Mechanisation

Name of the Scheme

Small Farm Mechanisation

Sponsored by

State Government

Funding Pattern

100% State Government

Ministry/Department Agriculture Department

The primary objective of the scheme with total outlay of Rs. 50
lakh is to give special support for development of machines
suited to garden land agriculture, import of equipments suited
for undulating terrain as well as to support R&D on small farm
mechanization. The larger objective of the scheme is to initiate
a comprehensive mechanization project in the State.

Description

Details

The object of the scheme is to provide credit for the purchase

of
new
tractor/new
tractor
for
2nd
time/tractor
rennovation/repair/replacement of spares/small tractors (GOI )
scheme/power tiller/thresher/power sprayer

Eligibility criteria

Any farmer

How to Avail

By contacting the Agriculture department, local self government

institutions

Validity of the Scheme

Introduced On

01 / 04 / 2009

Valid Upto

31 / 03 / 2012

Mahila Kisan Yojana

The Scheme Mahila Kisan Yojana is meant to assist women beneficiaries belonging to
Scheduled Castes to engage in agricultural and allied activities and generate income for
the sustenance of their family. The assistance is rendered to those beneficiaries having
minimum or marginal land holdings on their own which are suitable for undertaking any
kind of agricultural activity. The maximum unit cost of the scheme is 50,000/- and the
rate of interest is 5%. The loan is repayable within a period of 5 years.
Modernisation of Agricultural Farms under the Department of Agriculture

Name of the Scheme

Modernisation of Agricultural Farms under the Department of

Agriculture

Sponsored by

State Government

Funding Pattern

100% by State Government

Ministry/Department Agriculture Department

The Government farms under the Department of Agriculture,
spread all over the state, are the primary agency involved in the
production and supply of planting materials of various crops to
the farmers. It is in this context that the government envisages
this scheme to augment the production of planting materials
through departmental farms. The scheme aims at modernizing
the departmental farms under the agriculture department so
that they function not only as production centers of quality
planting materials, but also as centers of demonstration for
advanced agricultural technology. As part of the scheme, the
farms will be provided with basic as well as sophisticated
infrstructural facilities like green houses, irrigation support,
tissue culture, seed processing and storage facilities. The outlay
will be used for purchase of newly evolved planting materials,
increasing the area under progeny orchards production of
planting materials and infrastructure works. The total outlay of
the scheme is Rs. 125.00 lakhs.

Description

How to Avail

By contacting the Department of Agriculture and concerned

panchayaths

State sponsored sugarcane programme

Improved Cane Seed Production and Distribution Scheme

Under this scheme foundation and primary seed nurseries are sown on farmers field
objective : To provide improved seed to farmers.
i.

Foundation Nursery : Under this scheme, nucleus cane seeds are obtained from sugarcane
research centres and distributed to farmers.

Subsidy : General Rs.1000/- hect. SC/ST : Rs. 2000/i.

Primary Nursery : Seeds/sets produced from foundation nurseries are used for sowing primary
nurseries. Such nurseries are maintained by progressive and skilled farmers :

Subsidy : General Rs.500/- hect. SC/ST : Rs. 1000/-

Soil and Sett Treatment Programme

Under this scheme, soil and sett treating pesticides are distributed to farmers on
subsidised rates.
Subsidy : From Government : 12.50 percent
From Sugar Mill : 27.50 percent
From Cane Development Council : 10.00 percent
Ratoon Management Programme

Under this scheme, plant protection chemicals/ urea are sprayed on farmers cane
fields. Following subsidies are given to farmers :
Subsidy : From Government
: 12.50 percent
From Sugar Mill
: 27.50 percent
From Cane Development Council
: 10.00 percent
Total
: 50.00 percent

CENTRAL SCHEMES

Sustainable development on sugarcane base cropping system(SUBACS)

Name of the
Sustainable development on sugarcane base cropping system(SUBACS)
Scheme
Sponsored by Central Government
Funding
Pattern

100% central sponsored

Description

The major programme components covered under the SUBACS are as under : i Field
Demonstration ii. Training iii. Farmers Field School iv. Farm Implements v. Seed
Multiplication vi. Drip Infrastructure

Beneficiaries

Individual,Family,Community,Women,other,

Details

Subsidy is available under the Scheme on various components including agriculture

implements such as Plant Protection Equipments improved farm implement. Subsidy is also
available on certified quality seeds and IPM demonstrations. Subsidy per farmer or per activity
should not exceed 25% of the cost or the present subsidy level approved under the schemes,
whichever is lower.

Eligibility
criteria

All Categories of Farmers

How to Avail

Selection of beneficiaries to be done through recommendation of District Agriculture Officer.

Sustainable Development of Sugarcane Based Cropping System (SUBACS) Macro Management

Of Agriculture

Name of the Scheme

Sustainable Development of Sugarcane Based Cropping System (SUBACS) Macro

Management Of Agriculture

Sponsored by

Both: Central & State Government

Ministry/Department Agriculture Department, Haryana

The object of the scheme is to ensure the development of sugarcane in the assigned
area of the sugar mills (in 15 sugar mills of the state). The productivity of sugarcane
crop is to be increased by replacement of traditional varieties with the improved one.
Any slackness in the development of sugarcane in the State would count for under
utilization of crushing capacity of sugar mills, which would increase the cost of sugar
production.

Description

All Farmers

Eligibility criteria

Validity of the Scheme

Introduced On

30 / 09 / 2000

Valid Upto

01 / 01 / 2012

Sugarcane Development Scheme

Name of the Scheme

Sugarcane Development Scheme

Sponsored by

Central Government

Funding Pattern

The funding pattern is 90% Central share and 10% State share. The work Plan for 200607 under Agriculture sector has been posed at Rs.1331.00 lakh, out of which 25% will
flow to KBK districts as mentioned here under. Besides, due emphasis have been given
on SC, ST and women category of farmers.

Ministry/Department Agriculture Department

It is proposed to train good farmers already trained under the Farmers Field School to
create a resource group of master trainers from among them. This will not only boost
the morale of the farmers already adopting the new technologies, but also help in
building confidence of other farmers and thereby forging a meaningful and sustainable
public- private partnership.

Description

Validity of the Scheme

Introduced On

24 / 07 / 2007

Valid Upto

01 / 01 / 2012

National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS)

Beneficiaries:
Scheme is available to all farmers loanee and non-loanee both irrespective of the size of
their
holding.
Objectives/facilities:
To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of

failure of any of the notified crop as a result of natural calamities, pests and
diseases attack.

To encourage the farmers to adopt progressive farming practices, high value in-puts

and high technology in agriculture.

To help to stabilize farm incomes, particularly in disaster years.

General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) is the Implementing Agency.
Sum insured may extend to the value of threshold yield of the area insured.
Provides subsidy of 50 percent in premium of small and marginal farmers. The

subsidy will be phased out over a period of 5 years on sunset basis.

Common Schemes for sugarcane cultivation

Field Demonstration

Field Demonstration : (75:25) Field demonstrations are done on farmer's field as per
target. Each demonstration will be for the size 0.5 hectare field.
Subsidy : Rs. 5000 per demonstration.
Objective : To popularise scientifically recommended and most suited agro specific
informations regarding varietal selection, fertilizer management, irrigation and plant
protection measures etc. amongst farmers.
Seed Multiplication

Seed Multiplication :Promising sugarcane varieties are multiplied on progressive

farmer's
field.
Subsidy : 10 percent of the cost of cultivation or Rs. 2000 per hectare (whichever is less)
Prerequisites :
Nursery growers are required to be members of cane cooperative society/sugarcane seed
corporation etc.
Varieties recommended by Core Committee are desired to be used for seed multiplication.
Nursery growers should be progressing farmers having sufficient knowledge about latest
agro-practices.
MHAT

Moist and hot air treatment plants are installed in sugar mills/seed corporations or on
sugarcane research centres.
Subsidy : Rs. 2.00 Lakh per MHAT plant.
Utility :
Treated seeds are free from pests and diseases and also give better and faster
germination.

Distribution of Agricultural Implements

Herein agricultural implements are supplied to cane growers on subsidised rates.

Subsidy :
Manually drawn implements :50% of the cost of implement or Rs. 600 whichever is

less.

Bullock drawn implements : 50% of the cost of implements or Rs. 1500 whichever

is less

Tractor drawn implements : 25% of the cost of implements or Rs. 10000 whichever

is less

In this scheme only ISI marked agricultural Implements are supplied to farmers.

Frequently Asked Question

About Frequently Asked Question

SEASON

VARIETIES

CULTIVATION PRACTICES

NURSERY PREPARATION

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT

WEED MANAGEMENT

PEST AND DISEASE

SUGARCANE PROCESSING

RATOON MANAGEMENT

Contract All | Expand All

SEASON
What are the seasons is best for planting sugarcane in Tamil Nadu?
i) Early season: Dec Jan
ii) Mid season: Feb March
May
iv) Special season: June July

iii) Late season: April

Which season is best for planting sugarcane in Kerala?

The normal planting season is October-December. Delay in planting reduces cane yield.
Planting should not be delayed beyond February in the plains. In hilly tracts where
sugarcane is cultivated under rain fed conditions, planting should be done after decrease
of heavy rains.
What are the seasons is best for planting sugarcane in Karnataka?
Eksali - December-February for the 12-month crop Preseasonal - October-November for
the 15 to 16 month crop Adsali - July-August for the 18-month crop
How much rainfall is required for cultivating sugarcane?
A total rainfall between 1100 and 1500 mm is adequate provided the distribution is right,
abundant in the months of vegetative growth followed by a dry period for ripening.
What is the optimum temperature for germination of sugarcane?
32 to 38c

Varieties

What are the varieties that serves for resistant of red rot?
32 to 38c
What are the varieties that serves best for TamilNadu under drought
conditions?
CoV 92102, CoC 90063, Co Si (Sc)6, Co G (Sc) 5, Co C (Sc) 22, Co 86032, CoSi 95071,
Co 86249, CoG 93076, CoV 94102, Co 85019, Co Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22, Co
86032, Co 86027, Co 97009, Co Si(Sc)6, Co G (Sc)5, Co C (Sc)22, CoG 94077, CoC
671.
What are the new varieties of sugarcane released recently?
Two clones evolved at the Sugarcane Breeding Institute, namely Co 98014 (Karan 1),
an early variety (spring planting) suited to North Western Zone and Co 99004
(Damodar), a mid-late variety suited to Peninsular India (Gujarat, Maharashtra, interior
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu, Karnataka and Kerala) have been released as varieties for
the general public during February 2007.
What are the salient features of Co 98014 (Karan 1) sugarcane variety
Mean cane yield: 116.69 t/ha Mean sugar yield: 16.83 t/ha Disease reaction: Resistance
to red rot and wilt Others: (a) Tolerant to drought and salinity; (b) Tolerant to internode
borer (c) Golden yellow A1 quality jaggery (d) Shy flowering habit The variety has
excellent field habits like erectness; early vigorous growth, dark green foliage, tall canes
without spines or splits and 14% mean fibre content.
Where the seed for sugarcane will be available in areas of TamilNadu?
For the varieties released from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University for supply of primary
seed materials the Sugarcane Research Stations at Cuddalore, Sirugamani and
Melalathur may be contacted. For other varieties promoted by the factories, for seed
materials the concerned factories may be contacted.
What are the varieties that are suitable to kerala?
Co Tl 88322 (Madhuri), Co 92175, Co 92175, Co 740, Co 6907, Co 7405 and Cul 57/84
(Thirumadhuram), Cul 527/85 (Madhurima), Co 88017 (Madhumathi)
In varieties pertaining to Kerala which are tolerant to drought?
Co 92175, Cul 527/85 (Madhurima), Co 88017 (Madhumathi) are drought tolerant. Cul
527/85 and Co 88017 are also red rot resistant.
In varieties pertaining to Kerala which are tolerant to red rot?
Cul 527/85 and Co 88017, Co Tl 88322 (Madhuri), Co 6907, Co 7405 and Cul 57/84
(Thirumadhuram) are resistant to red rot.
Which sugarcane variety has high sugar content and best suited for Kerala?
Co 6907, Co 7405 and Cul 57/84 (Thirumadhuram).

Which are the varieties suitable to Karnataka?

i. Early season varieties : Co 6415, Co 7704, CoC 671, Co 85002 ii.Mid and Late season
varieties : Co 62175, Co 740, Co 8014, Co 8021, Co 8011, Co 8371,Co 7804, Co 86032.

What are the early maturing varieties of sugarcane?

Early maturing varieties are- Co 658, Co 62174, Co 62198, CoC 671, CoC771, CoC 772,
CoC 8001, CoC85061, CoC86062, CoSi86071, CoC90063, CoC 91061, CoG 94077, Co
Si 95071, CoC 98061, Co 86010, Co 86249.
What are the late maturing varieties of sugarcane?
Late maturing varieties are- Co 6304, CoC 8201, CoC 771, CoC 778, CoC 779, Co 419,
Co 740, Co 658, CoG 93076, Co 85019, CoC 99061, Co 86032, CoC (SC) 22.

Cultivation Practices
How to prepare a wetland for cultivating sugarcane after harvesting paddy?
In wetlands, preparatory cultivation by ploughing the land and bringing the soil to fine
tilth could not be done. i) After harvest of the paddy crop, form irrigation and drainage
channels of 40 cm depth and 30 cm width at intervals of 6 m across the field and along
the field borders. ii) Form ridges and furrows with a spacing of 80 cm between rows with
spade. iii) Stir the furrows with hand hoes and allow the soil to weather for 4 to 5 days.
What type of soil is suitable for growing sugarcane?
Sugarcane can be grown in all types of soils ranging from Sandy loam to Clay loam soils.
How can we conserve our soil fertility?
Integrated management with organic manure and inorganic fertilizers.
How much soil organic matter is necessary for higher sugarcane yield?
2-3% soil organic matter.
What are the measurements to create ridges and furrows in case of problem
soil before cultivating the sugarcane?
In problem soils, with excessive moisture where it is difficult to drain water, form raised
beds at 30cm intervals with Length - 5 m, Width - 80 cm, and Height -15 cm.
What are the proportions in which the organic manure has to be applied to a
field inorder to cultivate sugarcane?
Apply FYM at 12.5 t/ha or compost 25 t/ha or filter press mud at 37.5 t/ha before the
last ploughing under gardenland conditions. In wetlands this may be applied along the
furrows and Incorporated well. Test the soil and apply P fertilizer based on soil test
values. Otherwise apply superphosphate (375 kg/ha) along the furrows and incorporate
with hand hoe. Apply 37.5 kg Zinc sulphate/ha and 100 kg Ferrous sulphate/ha to
zinc and iron deficient soils.
What size of pits can be made to plant sugarcane? Or How to prepare pits for
sugarcane planting?
Pit to pit spacing- 1.5 1.5 m, number of pits/ha- 4,444 pits, pit diameter 0.9 m, Pit
depth 0.38 m, number of budded setts / pit 32 (Single budded setts) or 16 number
of single budded setts.

How to plant sugarcane in pit method after pit preparation?

Fill the pits to a depth of 15 cm with compost and native soil and mix it well. Place the
healthy setts in circular fashion leaving 10 cm from the outer boundary of the pits with

equal spacing between each setts and cover the setts with the soil. On 50 to 60 days
after planting give partial earthing up by sliding the soil from the outer boundary of the
pit and full earthing up should be given leaving a depression of 2.5 cm from the ground
level at 90 to 100 days after planting.
When to use fertilizer after transplantation of sugarcane settlings?
Within 7 to 14 days.
What is the recommended fertilizer dose for the pith method of sugarcane
planting?
Fertilizer dose- 275:62.5:112.5 kg NPK/ha The entire phosphorous dose can be
applied as basal at the time of planting. The nitrogen and potassium as urea and MOP
(White potash) should be applied through fertigation system in 14 equal splits starting
from 15 DAP upto 210 DAP.
How can we satisfy higher nutritional demand of sugarcane?
Ensure application of balanced fertilization with recommended doses of fertilizers.
What is dual row planting method of sugarcane? What is its advantage?
To facilitate mechanization and to improve the cane yield under wide rows, a new
technology, 'dual row planting' is developed. In this method, broad furrows are formed
at a spacing of 150 cm and in the middle of the furrows sugarcane setts are planted in
two rows adopting a spacing of 30 cm between them. The dual row system of gave
planting cane yield of 136.3 t/ha and the highest variety Co 94005 recorded the highest
cane yield under dual row planting.
What are the benefits of paired row cultivation?
Two grow more than one intercrop, to earn more income within the same land and to
generate more scope of utilizing labour force.
What is the Spaced transplanting method?
Recently in STP (Spaced transplanting) method single eyed sets are used for planting.
Either direct sets or seedlings raised in polybag nurseries are transplanted into the field
after 50-55 days. For this STP or single eyed set method 750-1MT seed per acre is
required. This method saves seed cost by 60-70%. In this method distance between two
sets kept at 30cm.
Which are improved methods of sugarcane planting?
Different improved methods of sugarcane planting are: Ridge-furrow, flat, trench,
double row, ring pit, Spaced Transplanting (STP), Poly bag
What is technology detail of ring-pit method?
About 7600 pits/ha of 90/75 cm diameter and 45 cm deep are made by tractor mounted
pit-digger machine. Twenty 2 budded treated setts are arranged horizontally in cyclic
manner in each pit partially filled with mixture of 5 kg FYM, 45 gm DAP, 45 gm Urea and
some part of soil, then followed by spray of chlorpyriphos 20% EC @ 5 liters/ha On setts,
soil cover up to 2.5 cm above setts and light irrigation. Half of the excavated out soil
with 25 gm urea is filled back in each pit in the month of March/April, remaining half of
the soil is placed in pit with 25 gm urea and 4.5 gm Phorate 10 G by the end of June.
Which method of planting is suitable for late conditions?

Under late planting condition 25000-30000 STP raised settlings are transplanted in one
hectare land maintaining 75 cm row spacing and 60 cm plant to plant spacing leaving 5
cm of shoot above ground level followed by irrigation.
What is Chip-bud technique?
In this technique the bud along with a portion of the nodal region is chipped off using a
bud chipping machine. This bud is used for planting.
What are the advantages in tissue culture of sugarcane?
Production of true to type plantlets Rapid multiplication Independent of seasonal
constraints Maintaining and improving the productivity of outstanding varieties in the
field Production of disease free planting material from apical meristem
Within how many days gap filling was done?
Fill the gaps, if any, within 30 days after planting with sprouted setts.
What is trash mulching
Mulch the ridges uniformly with cane trash to a thickness of 10 cm within a week after
planting. It helps to tide over drought, conserves moisture, reduce weed population and
minimise shoot borer incidence. Mulch the field with trash after 21 days of planting in
heavy soil and wetland conditions. Avoid trash mulching in areas where incidence of
termites is noticed.
What are the possible intercrops for sugarcane?
In areas of adequate irrigation, sow one row of soybean or blackgram or greengram can
be used. Intercropping of daincha or sunhemp along ridges and incorporation of the
same on the 45th day during partial earthing up helps to increase the soil fertility, and
also the cane yield. Especially Intercropping of Co.1 Soybean gives a yield of 800 kg/ha
without any adverse effect on cane yield.
What are the non flowering varieties of sugarcane?
Non-flowering varieties are Co 8021, Co 86032, Co 87025, Co 91010, Co 94005 and Co
94008.
How to control flowering in sugarcane?
Ethephon (ethrel) applied at the rate of 500 ppm effectively controlled flowering in a
number of profuse flowering varieties. By altering the planting date, flowering can be
avoided in heavy flowering areas. Adsali planting or special season planting (July to
September) helps in avoiding flowering and its adverse effects.
What are the benefits of detrashing sugarcane?
It increases sugar recovery by reducing insect & disease pests.
Recommend the suitable intercrops in sugarcane?
Soyabean, blackgram, greengram and cowpea are suitable for intercropping with
sugarcane

Nursery Preparation

What is the seed rate for cultivating sugar cane?

Azospirillum: Prepare the slurry with 10 packets (2000 g)/ha of Azospirillum inoculums
with sufficient water and soak the setts in the slurry for 15minutes before planting.
Fungicide: The setts should be soaked in Carbendazim (1 gram in 1 litre of water)
What is the seed rate for cultivating sugar cane?
75,000 two-budded setts/ha.
40,000 three-budded setts/ha.
What are the essential qualities of good seed of sugarcane?
Straight and standing, no side shooting, should be certified with good germination
capability and free of insect & diseases.
What is the rate of planting sugarcane setts in a row?
Plant the setts accommodating 12 buds/metre length
Plant more setts near the channel or double row planting at every 10th row for gap
filling, at later stage.
What is the spacing for planting sugarcane setts ?
i) Ridges and furrows - 80 cm between rows ii) Dual row planting - 150 cm between two
broad furrows (middle of the furrows sugarcane setts are planted in two rows adopting
a spacing of 30 cm between them) iii) Pit method of planting - Pit to pit spacing- 150
cm 150 cm.
What are the seasons for raising sugarcane nursery and planting in the main
field?
Raise six to seven months old nursery crop prior to main field planting as follows:
Raise nursery crop during

Main field planting

June

December - January (early season)

July

February - March (Mid season)

August

April - May (Late season)

Dec Apr

June - September (Special season)

Nutrient Management

What is the fertilizer dose to be used in nursery plot for sugarcane?

Apply 125 kg Urea / ha + 125 kg MOP/ha one month prior to harvest.
What is the fertilizer requirement for Sugarcane and the schedule for
Tamilnadu?
i. Sugarcane plant crop (meant for sugar mills)
Recommendation
for Plant crop

Blanket

Straight Fertilizer(Kg/ha)

Recommendation(Kg/ha)

Super
Muriate
phosphate potash

Urea

Basal

62.5

390

30-45 days

90

37.5

200

62.5

75-90 days

92.5

37.5

205

62.5

120-135 days after

Planting

92.5

37.5

205

62.5

Total

275

62.5

112.5

610

390

of

187.5

ii. Sugarcane Ratoon crop (meant for sugar mills) 275 + 25% extra N: 62.5: 112.5
kg N, P2O5 and K2O per ha
Recommendation
for Ratoon crop

Blanket
Recommendation(Kg/ha)
N

Straight Fertilizer(Kg/ha)
Super
Muriate of
phosphate potash

Urea

68.5

62.5

148

390

30-45 days

90

37.5

200

62.5

75-90 days

92.5

37.5

205

62.5

120-135 days after

ratooning

92.5

37.5

205

62.5

Basal

Total

343.5

62.5

112.5

758

390

187.5

iii. Sugarcane for jaggery manufacture (plant as well as ratoon crop)

225: 62.5: 112.5 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per ha
Recommendation
for
jaggery
manufacture

Blanket Recommendation(Kg/ha)

Basal

62.5

30-45 days

75

37.5

75-90 days

75

120-135 DAP or
DAR

75

Total

225

62.5

Straight
Fertilizer(Kg/ha)

Urea

Muriate
Super
of
phosphate
potash
390

162

62.5

37.5

162

62.5

37.5

162

62.5

112.5

486

390

187.5

Recommended dose and method of Press-mud application?

Sulphinated Press-Mud Cake (SPMC) @ 10 t/ha is evenly spread in the field and mixed
with soil at last ploughing before sugarcane planting.
Please inform about the symptoms of zinc deficiency in sugarcane and
measures for its amelioration.
Leaves of the middle portion of the cane become yellow in case of zinc deficiency.
Yellowing starts from the tips of the leaves and proceeds towards the base of the leaves.
In accute deficiency the leaves dry up. Zinc Sulphate (0.5%) + Urea (2.5%) or Zinc
Sulphate (0.5%) + lime water are sprayed for its amelioration.
What is the role of nitrogen in sugarcane cultivation?
Influences sugarcane yield and quality. Required for vegetative growth (tillering,
foliage formation, stalk formation and growth) and root growth. Vegetative growth in
sugarcane is directly related to yield.
In what way phosphorus is useful to sugarcane?
Uptake depends on presence of soluble and plant absorbable form. P- requirement
is relatively less than N and K. Necessary for formation of proteins and thus for yield
build up. Important for cell division leads to crop growth Stimulates root growth
Necessary for plant metabolism and photo synthesis Required for adequate tillering
Interacts with N and thus enhance ripening.

What is the role of potassium in sugarcane cultivation?

Requirement of K is greater than N and P. Required for carbon assimilation, photo

synthesis translocation of carbohydrates Involved in various enzymatic activities
Important for sugar synthesis and translocation to the storage organs. Develops
resistance to sugarcane against pest, disease and lodging. Maintains cell turgidity
under moisture stress conditions. Balances the effect of N and P
What is recommended dose of bio-fertilizer use in sugarcane.
Acetobacter culture @ 12 kg/ha mixed with 125 kg FYM is applied over setts in forrows
at the time of planting.

Irrigation Management
How many irrigations are necessary for sugarcane?
3 to 5.
What are the irrigation intervals in each phase of sugarcane that must be
given?
The irrigation intervals in each phase are given below:
Days of irrigation interval
Stages

Sandy soil

Clay Soil

Tillering phase (36 to 100 days)

10

Grand growth phase (101 - 270 days)

10

Maturity phase (271 harvest)

10

14

What is fertigation system?

Fertigation is the judicious application of fertilizers by combining with irrigation water.
Fertigation can be achieved through fertilizer tank, venturi System, Injector Pump,
Non-Electric Proportional Liquid Dispenser (NEPLD) and automated system. For
fertigation recommended dose of NPK is 275:15:112.5 NPK / ha in sugarcane fields
What is surface drip irrigation?
The application of water to the soil surface as drops or a tiny stream through emitters
placed at predetermined distance along the drip lateral is termed as surface drip
irrigation. It can be of two types - online or integral type surface drip system. Integral
dripline is recommended for sugarcane.

What is sub surface drip irrigation?

The application of water below the soil surface through emitters molded on the inner
wall of the dripline, with discharge rates (1.0 - 3.0 LPH) generally in the same range as
integral surface drip irrigation. This method of water application is different from and
not to be confused with the method where the root zone is irrigated by water table
control, herein referred to as subirrigation. The integral dripline (thin or thick-walled) is
installed at some predetermined depth in the soil depending on the soil type and crop
requirements. There are two main types of SDI - "one crop" and "multicrop".

Weed Management
How many days of sugarcane field should be maintain weed free?
120 to 135 days.
How to control parastitic weed striga in sugarcane field?
If the parasitic weed striga is a problem, post-emergence application of 2,4-D sodium
salt @ 1.25 kg/ha in 500 litre of water/ha may be done. 2, 4-D spraying should be
avoided when neighboring crop is cotton or bhendi. Apply 20% urea also for the control
of striga as direct spray.
How to manage weeds in sugarcane field with intercropping system?
Premergence application of Thiobencarb @ 1.25 kg ai/ha under intercropping system in
Sugarcane with Soybean, blackgram or groundnut gives effective weed control. Raising
intercrops is not found to affect the cane yield and quality.
Suggest the herbicides suitable for control of weeds in sugarcane?
Pre-emergence application (Before the emergence of weeds) of Atrazine 2kg a.i. / acre
mixed with 80 - 100 l of water within 3 days after planting while spraying these
herbicides soil should contain optimum moisture. Gramoxone 1 l / acre mixed with 80 100 l of water should spray 8 - 12 days after planting that is just before the emergence
of sugarcane. To control the sedges and broad leaved weeds apply gramoxone 1 litre +
Fernoxone 1kg / acre . Dilute these herbicides separately in water mixed in tank while
spraying.
What is the Pre-emergence weed management?
Protect the sugarcane crop without weeds for 90 days from planting onwards. During
3rd or 4th day after planting spray Atrazine @ 2.5 kg/ha uniformly on the surface of
field before the emergence of weeds. Chemical should be diluted in 1000liter of water
and spray through hand sprayer. Separate hand sprayer and nossel should be used for
herbicide application. Before application of fertilizer, weeds which are not controlled by
herbicide application should be uprooted by hand weeding. By this method we can
reduce the maximum level of crop damage.
What is post-emergence weed management?
After the emergence of weeds, spray 2-4-D @ 2.5kg/ha to control broad leaves weed.
Grass sp are controlled by hand weeding. Spraying of Ethoxy sulfuron @ 13kg/10 litre
of water controls the Cyprus sp.

Pests And Diseases

What are the major beneficiary insects of sugarcane?

a) Trichogramma chilonis Ishii b) Telenomus dignoides Nixon
What are the sucking pests of sugarcane prevalent in the regions of
TamilNadu?
White fly, scale insects, woolly aphid, mealy bugs, leaf hoppers are wide spread in
epidemic and endemic forms in certain localities of Tamil Nadu.

Which is the serious pest of sugarcane in Tamilnadu region?

White grub is a major pest in the northern and western districts of Tamil Nadu. The
damage in the ratoon crop is more severe than in the plant crop. The grubs live in
the soil and feed on the root portion of the plant, causing wilting and drying of the
canes in the latter date. When there is severe infestation entire crop is lost.
Which are the serious diseases of sugarcane prevalent in regions of
Tamilnadu?
Red rot is the major serious disease of sugarcane. Smut is the major disease of
sugarcane in Tamil Nadu causing severe economic loss next only to red rot.

Early Shoot Borer

What is the chemical control measure for early shoot borer?
When an ETL (Economic Threshold Level) of 15% dead heart is reached apply any one
of the following insecticides: Soil application: Lindane10G 12.5 kg (or) Carbofuran3G
33 kg (or)Chlorpyriphos10G 12.5 Kg/ha Spraying: Monocrotophos 36 WSC 1000 ml
(or) Chlorpyriphos 20 EC 1000 ml (or) Phosalone 35 EC 1000 ml Newer chemical
against sugarcane shoot borer: Regent 3G @ 75g a.i/ha is found to be effective against
shoot borer.
Why should not power sprayer is used for applying insecticides for shoot borer
control?
For effective control of shoot borer, the insecticide should cover the site targeted by
shoot borer in the plant which is the inner of the leaf sheath and collar region of the
shoots. To cover such an area in each and every shoot, only high volume sprayers will be
of use as the spray fluid can be directed precisely to the target region of each and every
shoot. Moreover, the quantity of spray fluid to be used for the given length of row can be
achieved correctly. Power sprayer is more suitable for foliage feeding pests.

Is not Sevidol 8G effective against shoot borer?

Granular insecticides, in general, can only give less coverage to target parts of plants
than EC formulations for contact action. Moreover application of granules on leaf whorls
of very small shoots numbering about one lakh in an acre is extremely difficult. More so,
because sand is to be used as diluents with the granules, due to improper mixing of
granules and sand, many a time shoots will receive no granule or sublethal dose only.
Further, the slight fumigant action of carbaryl as fumigants will not be effective in the
open and the slight systemic action of gamma sevidol is not of any consequence as even
the fully systemic Furadon or Temik are not effective against shoot borer. Also, using a
combination insecticide like sevidol is unscientific as it would render both insecticides
useless due to development of cross resistance. Also, one of the components of Sevidol,
viz gamma BHC is already banned by the government.
Why is not shoot borer controlled even after the application of lindane or
chlorpyriphos?
If the application procedure described earlier is followed it will certainly give control of the
borer. Further, dead heart formation by shoot borer takes a few days to a few weeks
depending on the instar attacking the shoot, age of the shoot, prevailing weather and
varietal ability. So, if new dead hearts are noticed even after the insecticidal application,
they would have been the shoots already damaged by the borer and were in the process
of drying at the time of insecticide application.
What are the control measures other than insecticide for shoot borer?
Frequent irrigation and deployment of pheromone traps. Shoot borer attack kills the shot
which would naturally induce formation of compensatory shoots. If irrigation is given, the
formation and growth of compensatory shoots are encouraged. In fields where frequent
irrigation is not possible compensatory shoots will not be formed and the infested parts of
the fields will remain gappy Spray Granulosis virus at 1.5 x 1012 PIB/ha twice on 35 and
50 days after planting (DAP) or release 125 gravid females of Sturmiopsis inferens /ha on
30 and 45 DAP.
What are the pheromone traps?
Pheromone traps are an important device in early pest warning system to detect
presence of insects in fields and give an indication to initiating pest control measures with
appropriate insecticides or biological control agents at the right time. Pheromone traps
are lures that contains the female hormones to attract the male insects. When
pheromone lure is placed in dispenser and kept in the trap, pheromone from dispenser
gradually evaporates and spreads in air by diffusion process. Male species of insects
receives the smell of pheromones and get attracted to the lures, which serve as female
trap, and male insects eventually get trapped. Insecticides with knock down and
fumigation effect, such as dichlorvos, kerosene and diesel are used to kill trapped males,
which might have otherwise mated with females to produce innumerable eggs. Once the
insect enters the trap, it will not be able to come out.

Where from the pheromone traps could be obtained?

The Rajshree sugars and Chemicals Ltd., Varadharaj nagar,Vaigai dam, 625 562, Theni
and Pest control India Ltd., Bangalore are producing the pheromones. The former firm
recommends eight traps per acre while the latter recommends four per acre. But 10 traps
per acre, 45cm trap height and weekly filling of water and kerosene in the trap are
essential for the method to be effective against shoot borer.
Can we use the same pheromone for any pest?
We can use the same trap for any pest but not the same pheromone lure. Each species
has different pheromones and hence only specific ones are to be used.
There is no special smell in the rubber septa supplied by the firms? How to
find out they are genuine?
The smell will be known only to the individuals of the particular insect species and even
the other pest species will not be able to identify it. From the collection of months in the
traps the genuineness of the septa can be ascertained provided there is moth emergence
when deployed.
What are the side effects of pheromones?
No side effects at all at the quantity of 3mg used in a lure. On the other hand it has same
advantages that are not there even in biological control or in resistant varieties.

In fields set with pheromone traps for internode borer, its attack was more
while the adjacent fields where pheromone traps were not set was having less
INB. Could the reason be that moths are attracted from that field to our fields?
Not possible. When moths can get attracted from adjacent fields it is more probable for
the more attraction in pheromone deployed field itself.
Suppose the maintenance of pheromone traps is poor in deployed field, the
moths attracted from adjacent fields will not be killed and so the population of
the moth in the pheromone deployed field will rise which could have increased
the incidence?
No. The attracted moths are only males and females. So even if they were not killed they
cannot lay eggs and also the females once mated with the local males will not mate
again. So there is no possibility of increase in pest incidence.
Will trash mulching reduce shoot borer incidence?
Yes. The trash acts as mechanical barrier to the tiny and just emerged shoot borer larvae
which have to move from one clump to another only through the soil surface as leaves of
adjacent clumps will not touch each other during that age of crop. Moreover, the trash
will encourage development of general predators such as spiders, carabid beetles etc
which increase chances of predation of the moths and the dispersing larvae. However, the
possibility of cut worm or rat damage in mulched fields is more.

A light earthing up on 35th day will reduce shoot borer incidence?

No.

It will not because, the larvae are so tiny that they can find their way to the lower
part of the shoot below the soil in the gaps present in between the leaf sheaths and the
shoots which can never be covered by any amount of earthing up.
The dead shoots of plants have a lot of small white larvae. Are they the
causative agents?
No. Shoot borer larvae are big and only one and rarely two will be present in a shoot.
Several tiny larvae seen in dead shoots are saprophytic maggots that develop on
decaying plant matter and never be able to attack a plant. If you want to collect shoot
borer larvae, select the shoots showing wilting of spindle (and not dried ones) which will
have shoot borer larva.

Internode Borer
What pest attacks the internode portion of sugarcane reducing its quality
ultimately?
Internode borer affects the crop from 4th month stage onwards up to harvest. The pest
affects the nodal portions of the crop and conspicuous by their bore holes. Affected crop
exhibits nodal sproutings and frass material inside the tunnels.
How do Internode borer enter and get effect the Sugarcane crop?
Caterpillars bore at the nodal region and enter the stem. Its feeding makes the tissues
red. Entrance hole is usually plugged with excreta .A single larva may attack a number of
nodes.
How to control the internode borer in sugarcane?
Release egg parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis at the rate of 2.5 cc/release/ha. Six
releases 15 days interval starting from 4th month onwards will be necessary. During
rainy weather and when ants are present, release the parasite through mosquito net
covered plastic disposable cups.

Detrash the crop on the 150th and 210th day after planting.
What is the possible cause for the presence of dead heart in sugarcane?
Top borer, a serious pest of sugarcane creates dead heart condition. Its incidence is seen
from 6th month stage onwards. The affected cane exhibits dead heart in central whorl
leaf which cannot be pulled out easily. Sprouting of top buds in cluster renders a bunch
top appearance in the plant. More than the yield, sugar recovery loss is more pronounced
in crops damaged by top borer.
Even after Trichogramma chilonis release the dead heart formation by INB is
not reduce. Why?
Trichogramma chilonis is not an efficient parasitoid to control INB. So, T.chilonis release
may be dispensed with for INB management.

Can detrashing be effective for INB management?

Not as a sole method. That is detrashing alone may contribute to only 2 to 4% reduction
in incidence.
Are pheromones effective for INB management?
Of the available methods this gives better results, provided, the number of traps is set at
25 per hectare, traps are set at 90 to 120 cm height, deployed on 5th month of the crop,
water and kerosene/diesel level is maintained at weekly interval without fail and the lures
are changed once in 45 to 50 days. In addition, the quality of pheromone lure supplied
and the method of storage of spare lure by the supplied and the method of storage of
spare lure by the farmer governs the efficacy. Even if any one of the aspects is not met
with, the control will not be achieved.
Since only male moths are attracted to the traps it will not be of any use? Why
not we attract the female moths also?
Reproduction of an insect is by mating of male and female moths. In nature for INB the
male and female ratio is 50:50. Also, a female mate only once in its life span of 8-10
days. So, it is sufficient that any one sex is destroyed. Since in nature only female moths
produce the pheromone it can be exploited economically to our advantage.
When already mated male moths are attracted to the pheromone traps how
the trap will be effective?
Unlike the female moths of INB, a male moth is able to impregnate one fresh female daily
for up to 4 to 6 days in its average life span of 7 days. Thus, males caught on any day
prevent subsequent mating with fresh females. So when a male moth is trapped its
subsequent mating is prevented. Sooner they are caught, the better would be the control
and so timely deployment of trap and proper maintenance of trap is essential.
Why is INB attack increasing more nowadays?
Previously INB confined its attack the formative internode and did not produce dead
hearts. So farmers will not know the INB attack unless they detrash the cane. However,
INB has changed its mode of attack since 1989 wherein it destroys the meristem and
causes dead hearts and bunchy top similar to that of top borer damage. This symptom is
very glaring and eye catching. Besides, the variety Co 86032 is highly susceptible
particularly to meristem damage when the crop is 7 months onwards. Since this variety is
grown in 80% of Tamil Nadu almost all sugarcane growers have become aware of such
damage.
What is the control for the top borer pest?
Release Isotima javensis at 100 pairs/ha or Trichogramma japonicum @ 2.5 CC/ha four
to six times at fortnightly intervals from the onset of symptoms.

How do Top shoot borer enter and affect the crop?

Caterpillars damage the cane beyond 3 months age. Larva first tunnels into the mid rib of
leaves, leaving red marking, usually in the second to fifth leaf from the top. As a result of
biting across the spindle, a number of shot holes are formed in the leaf. Larva enters the
cane and damages the growing point and feeds on internal tissues, side shoots develop
and give rise to a "bunchy top". Dead heart when formed is reddish brown, appears
charred, and can not be easily pulled out
Which seasons does this Top shoot borer effect the crop?
Activity of the top shoot borer starts with the onset of the monsoon rains.
How to differentiate the INB and top borer dead hearts?
In INB dead the spindle leaves and one or two leaves below will dry. In top borer dead
hearts inner most leaf alone will dry. INB dead hearts will be very prominent and straw
coloured and when pulled will slide from the spindle and come away. The lower part will
show the drying symptom, discolouration and some time saprophytic maggots. In top
borer dead hearts the colour will be generally dark brown, small in size, may or may not
have feeding puncture holes and when pulled will snap and a part of dry leaf will come.
The immediate green leaves may show shoot holes of one or two rows and the lower
green leaf may show the mid tunneling. This is the most distinguishing symptom.

Termites
Will termite attack be more in light soils?
Not necessarily. There are 13 species of termites in sugarcane. Some will be in light soil
and some in heavy soil. So attack can be in any soil type.
Will the termite be controlled if irrigated?
No. Irrigation temporarily stops termite attack due to excess moisture and when the
optimum moisture level is reached the attack will revive.
How to prevent sugarcane against termite?
Application of chlorpyriphos @ 5 lit/ha with 1500-1800 lit water in the furrow during
planting controls termite in Sugarcane.
Even if termite mounds are not there in the vicinity termite attack is seen in
the field?
Of the 13 species of termite in sugarcane not all form above ground mounds. Five species
form below ground mounds and hence will not be visible.

How should termite mounds be eradicated?

Toss one celphos tablet and plug all the holes with mud. If the mounds are without
chimneys a hole is made, celphos tablet tossed in and the hole plugged.
Will mixing of used engine oil or kerosene in irrigation water give protection
against termites?
No.Termite attack will be patches here and there. The oil mixed with irrigation water will
not spread uniformly to all places and required quantity of oil cannot be mixed to cover a
large area. But though applying of engine oil on termite affected spots will certainly
control will be temporary and the oil will spoil the structure which is more damaging than
termite attack.

Scale Insects
What is the control measure for scale insect?
Scale is not a serious pest to take up control measures. The feeding by scale is from the
storage cell that contains sugar. It may use negligible amount of sugar for its
development and so the damage is not sever. Because, the dead remains of the scale
insect continue to stick to the internodes till harvest it will give an illusion of severe
infestation of entire cane at the given time but in fact the encrustation has built up over
several months. Any contact insecticides such as dichlorvos etc. When applied to the
infested cane stalk after detrashing will only kill matured scales as young ones would
have already settled on tender internodes that are covered by understandable leaf
sheaths from which the infestation will continue.
What insecticide is best for sett treatment against scale insect?
If the setts are to be planted in situ there is no need for sett treatment with any
insecticide as scale cannot develop on setts below the soil for four months till internodes
are formed. However, if the setts are to be taken from infested place to new areas for
planting such setts may be dipped in dichlovos at 1ml per lit water and placed in cement
bags with the mouth tied and transported. The quick acting Nuvan with fumigant action
will effectively kill the scale population on the setts.

Mealy Bugs
How to control mealy bug infestation in sugarcane?
Mealy bug is another minor pest and dose not causes any appreciable loss.
Detrashing will help to minimize the incidence. Apply any one of the following
insecticides when the incidence is noticed spray on the stem only: Methyl parathion 50 EC
1000 ml (or) Malathion 50 EC 1000 ml.

How do the Mealybug Pest effect the Sugarcane Juice?

Nymphs and adults suck sap and reduce the vitality of the crop; excrete honey dew on
which sooty mould grow, due to which internodes appear black, and cane growth is
retarded.

Wooly Aphid
Dose SWA cause itching on the body?
No. The neonate that crawl over the body of the person may give a tickling sensation but
not known to cause any allergic irritation.
SWA is spreading to the entire field within 10 days.
Not true. If the climate is favourable, it would take a minimum of two to three months to
spread to entire field.
Is Thimet granule application very effective for SWA?
No. It will give only 50 per cent control which is not sufficient to minimize SWA
population.
Since Thimet granules have powerful odour, SWA is effectively controlled even
when they are placed in perforated polythene bags and the bags are hung at
different places in the cane field.
Not true. The respiratory system of human and that of insect is entirely different. Unless
the chemical has specific fumigant action and when it could be used in air tight places
then only the fumigant action will work. Since, Thimet is not a fumigant it cannot be
effective against SWA when suspended on sugarcane plants and even if it is a fumigant it
cannot work in the open.
Is methyl parathion dust very effective for SWA?
Not so. Dusts in general are less effective than EC formulations because it cannot be
applied thoroughly to cover the lower surface of leaves and are not systemic.
Is there any microbial agent for SWA control?
No. There are no microbial agents native to SWA. The pathogens of other insects are not
effective also. Moreover spraying the pathogen in sugarcane field is very difficult as they
have to be sprayed only on the under surface of the leaves to facilitate contact with the
pest.
Where we can get predators of SWA?
They will be available in the SWA infested field itself and not commercially available
anywhere. However a method to rear it in trays by farmers themselves has been
developed by SBI.

Can SWA attack any other crop?

Though there reports that it develops in maize and sorghum it is not recorded widely.
Moreover, because of the long duration and continuous availability of sugarcane crop and
the ability of SWA to attack any stage of sugarcane crop, there is no pressure on the
aphid to switch or seek other hosts as alternatives.
How to control the wooly aphid pest infestation in sugarcane?
Application of granular systemic insecticides after two days of irrigation may reduce the
infestation of aphids even up to 30 days. During acute incidence, spray any one of the
following insecticides once or twice in affected patches: Acephate 75SP 2gm/lit (or)
Chlorpyrifos 25EC 2ml/lit (or) Monocrotophos 36WSC 2ml/lit.
What are the biological control methods for wooly aphids in sugarcane?
Conservation of lepidopteran predator, Dipha aphidivora predator population in limited
areas of sugarcane crop for further distribution and use thereof. Regular surveillance and
monitoring of sugarcane woolly aphid for timely forewarning and adoption of IPM
measures including judicious use of recommended pesticides and bio-pesticides
(Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Verticillium lecanii).

Pyrilla
How do the Leaf hopper/canefly look like?
Major pest distributed throughout India. The adults are straw-coloured, with posteriorportion of the wings darker, wings folded on back in a roof-like manner and head
projected forward forming a rostrum. Eggs are laid in clusters of 20-25, on the under
surface of leaves, and are covered by a white-fluffly material. Nymphs are pale brown
with a pair of wax - covered anal processes.
When can expect the incidence of Pyrilla pest in sugarcane?
This pest normally infests the crop during pre-monsoon period, mostly from August to
October months in the coastal region of Tamil Nadu.
How should pyrilla be controlled?
In peninsular India, pyrilla had never assumed a pest status. The nymphal instars have
five stages and the skin moulted at each stage sticks to the leaves persistently giving an
illusion of severe pyrilla population. Moreover, in all parts of peninsular India its
parasitoid Epiricania melanoleuca is present which will (automatically) naturally control
the pest. It is very important not to spray any insecticide in pyrilla affected field where
Epiricania is present.
How do the Leaf hopper/canefly Quality of juice effected?
Nymphs and adults suck sap from the leaves. In severe cases the leaves fade and dry up.
Plants present a sickly and blighted appearance. Insects excrete honeydew on which
sooty mould develops. Since, sucrose content is reduced; the quality of Jaggery is
drastically affected.

White Fly

What are the symptoms caused by white fly attack in sugarcane?

The insects appear as immobile white and black spots/dots on leaves, the black one being
nymphal instars and white the puparia. The insects adhere to the undersurface of leaves
and desap the plant. The affected crop turns pale, yellow, reddish brown in later stage
and finally the leaves dry up. Yield loss of cane and sugar is considerable in damaged
fields.
How to manage the white fly damage?
Spray any one of the following when the incidence is noticed (1000 l spray fluid): Fenitrothion 50 EC 2000 ml (or)

Monocrotophos 36 WSC 2000 ml. Spraying acephate 2g per lit water will control
whitefly. The spray has to be repeated after a month to kill the nymphs emerging from
eggs. Being a sucking pest, this pest becomes more predominant in problem soil areas
as encountered in saline, alkaline, poor drainage, micronutrient deficiency, drought
conditions etc. Ill drained fields are more affected.

White Grub
How to control the white grub incidence in sugarcane?
Avoid ratoons in infested fields, Provide adequate irrigation, since under inadequate soil
moisture conditions, the pest appear in the root zone. Apply lindane 1.3 D 125 kg/ha
near the root zone and give one more round 30 days later
How to control white grubs in standing sugarcane crop?
It is very difficult and a costly operation to control white grubs in standing crop of
sugarcane. No insecticide is effective against white grubs. Stagnating water for 24hrs in
the cane crop will bring the grubs above ground which may be handpicked and destroyed.
Care to prevent lodging of crop due water stagnation should be taken.

Rat
How to control rat?
First it has to be ascertained whether the rats come from outside the sugarcane field or
live inside the sugarcane fields. Generally, if they are coming from outside the cane
fields, the attack will start from the boundaries. If they have burrows inside the field, the
attack will be in patches at the beginning itself. After the cane harvest, the live burrows
in and around the sugarcane fields are to be identified. This is done by first plugging the
rat holes with mud and inspecting them the next day to check whether they are opened.
The opened burrows indicate rat activity. These burrows should be applied with half half a
tablet of celphos and the burrow mouth plugged with the mud. Since celphos is a
fumigant with odour less poisonous gas it should be handled only by the experienced
persons and two persons should handle it. The soft rind varieties such as Co 86032 may
be avoided in rat attack prone areas and hard rind varieties may be grown.
Which is the best chemical for poison baiting of rats?

In general poison baits will not be of much use in fields that have abundant food supply.
If zinc phosphide is used in baits, the rats will develop bait shyness after a few feeding
and baiting will become ineffective. Moreover, the baits will kill birds such as peacock,
patridge, quoel etc.
Any predators are available for use against rats?
Available but not practicable. Wild cats, snakes, owls, mongoose, jackals etc are effective
but cannot be brought to cane fields. Domestic cats besides being not so effective will
become used to the feeds provided by human beings or would hunt easier prey such as
lizard and may not effectively hunt rats.
Can we use cats, snakes, owls for rat control?
They are natural predators of rat. However, to colonies them in sugarcane fields is
difficult process. Even if they are colonized the danger of snake bite and the hooting of
owl is considered inauspicious. Except jungle cats, domestic ones may not be effective
hunters of rat in the field and may pose danger to domestic birds. Besides, the predators
in general have strong territorial behavior and so it is not possible to have any number of
predators than destined ones in a unit area. Because of this the desired result will not be
achieved in the expected time frame. Moreover, once the rat problem is solved these
predators may be danger or nuisance to us.
Should an extra sticking agent added with insecticide solution for better
sticking on foliage?
No. The insecticide itself contains the sticking agent. For instance, if you take
Chlorpyriphos 20EC, of the one litre of insecticide purchased, only 200ml (20%) is the
actual insecticide and the remaining 80% are the wetting, sticking, spreading, and
emulsifying agents to make the insecticide effective. So is the malathion 50EC or Nuvan
76EC etc.
In which soil nematode infection is predominant?
Loamy soils have more nematode problem rather than in the wet clayey soils.
How to control the incidence of sugarcane nematodes?
Apply carbofuran 3G @ 33 kg/ha at the time of planting or 2 months after planting or
Cartap 1.5 kg a.i./ha or apply pressmud at 15 t/ha or poultry manure @ 2 t/ha or neem
cake 2 t/ha or apply pressmud @ 15 t/ha or poultry manure @ 1 t/ha before last
ploughing in garden lands. Under wetland conditions, intercropping sunnhemp or
marigold or daincha coupled with application of pressmud 25 t/ha or neem cake 2 t/ha.

Diseases

Red Rot
How the red rot disease spreads in sugarcane?
The disease is mainly spread by the preparation of setts from diseased cane. Bottom
portion of the cane left over in the field after harvest, irrigation, rain and wind also
spread the disease causing fungi. Ratooning of the affected cane also spread the disease
further.
What is the sett treatment to control the red rot disease?
Adopt sett treatment with Carbendazim before planting (Carbendazim 50 WP (0.5 gm in 1
litre of water) or Carbendazim 25 DS (1gm in 1 litre of water) along with Urea (10 gm in
1 litre of water) for 5 minutes) to avoid the red rot disease in sugarcane.
At what stage of the crop the disease is expected?
The disease occurs in all the stages of crop in the field from germination to harvest.
What are the typical symptoms?
Orange / yellow discolouration of leaves followed by drying of canes in a clump. External
rind discolouration as dull brown patches on nodes and internodes. Splitting of the canes
reveal the typical reddening of internodal tissues with intermittent white spots. At later
stage mycelia growth is seen in pith region.
What type of symptoms can be seen on leaves?
Usually leaves in the infected canes show orange to yellow discolouration before drying.
In highly susceptible varieties reddish brown lesions on the mid ribs can be seen.
How it affects the crop yield?
Infected stalks result in death of canes, leading to reduced cane yield. Inversion of
sucrose into glucose and fructose due to pathogenic invertases cause loss in sugar
recovery.
How to identify disease infection in seed canes?
While cutting partially infected canes cut ends will show reddening and nodal region may
show rectotic patches.
Will it cause more damages in ratoon?
Yes. Since the initial inoculum to cause the disease is high, more damage to the crop is
noticed in ratoon crop than in plant crop. However, in case of epidemic situations plant
crop also suffers more damage.
Do the pathogens survive in the soil?
Yes. It survives for a limited period in the soil, but in the leftover infected stubbles it
survives for many months.

In which season the disease spread fast?

During monsoon seasons the spread is more

Factors enhancing disease severity?

Monsoon months with cyclonic winds favour spread of the disease very fast. Flooding of
sugarcane fields over large areas favour dispersal of inoculums through flood water. Even
a limited seed cane infection favours disease built up in plant and ratoon crops.
What are the varieties available for cultivation?
Co 86032, Co 86249, Co 93009, Co 97008, Co 99004, Co 99006
Is it advisable to plant sugarcane in redroot affected fields?
No. Once red rot infection is noticed, planting of susceptible sugarcane varieties should
not be done. If resistant varieties are available planting can be taken up.
What is to be done after noticing the first symptoms?
The infected clumps should be uprooted and burnt immediately to prevent spread of
inoculums. Uprooted areas should be drenched with 0.05% Carbendazim to arrest the
inoculums spread.
Effectiveness of fungicide control?
Spraying of fungicide is not effective since the pathogens are deep seated in the cane.
Dipping of setts in systemic fungicide before planting will help to prevent soil-borne
infection in causing disease in the germination phase.
Can we cultivate red rot susceptible varieties with proper plant protection
methods?
Yes. It can be cultivated in red rot free areas. By practicing integrated approaches of
clean seed, field hygiene, disease surveillance and water management it can be
controlled effectively. However it is suggested to avoid susceptible varieties in epidemic
situations.158.
What cares can to be taken in seed nurseries :
The nursery crop should be raised in red rot free area. In any case red rot infected fields
should not considered for seed purpose. The seed crop should be monitored regularly to
ascertain its freedom from the disease.

Smut
What is sugarcane smut?

Sugarcane smut is a serious disease of sugarcane which can reduce yields by 30 to 100
percent. The disease is caused by the fungus Ustilago scitaminea. It is highly infectious
and can be spread by wind or carried on clothing and machinery.

What are the diagnostic symptoms in the field?

Conversion of growing apex region into a blackish whip-like structure containing millions
of black powdery spores covered by translucent white silvery membrane.
When the symptoms will be manifested?
The symptoms can be seen at all the stages. More symptoms can be seen during cane
formation. In ratoons symptoms can be seen much earlier. In severe cases sprouts from
the ratoon would show whips.
Why the smut affected canes show whips?
Smut fungus infects the cane systematically including apical meristem. After infecting
apical meristem, the fungus converts the growing shoot into a whip-like structure with
millions of smut spores covered with silvery membrane.
How the disease spreads?
Primary transmission takes place through infected seed canes. In the field through air the
spores from the whips are transmitted from cane to cane in the field.
Why do the affected canes turn bushy?
Since the pathogens infection in the meristem breaks the apical dominance numerous
side shoots are induced in the smut infected plant, which gives the bushy appearance.
At what situations smut causes severe yield losses?
When severe smut infection occurs during early stage of the crop of the ratoon
significantly yield reduction is expected.
Is it amenable for heat therapy?
Yes. Hot water combined with fungicide (Tridimefon 0.1%) at 52?C; 30 min effective in
eliminating pathogen infection in the setts.
Can the affected crop be rationed?
Crop showing more than 2% of smut infection should not be ratooned.
Up to what level of disease seed selection can be permitted?
Up to 1% smut infection level the seed selection can be permitted.
What other diseases may look like smut?

Pokkah boeng Top rot Sooty mould Herbicide damage may also look similar.

Wilt
What are the diagnosable symptoms?
External gradual yellowing and drying of foliage, shrinkage and withering of canes.
Internal infected canes show light to dark reddish brown discolouration of ground
tissue, pithiness and boat shaped cavities in the middle of the internode.
How to differentiate the stalk symptoms with red rot?
Reddening of ground tissue with characteristics white spots as red rot are absent in case
of wilt. Further wilt affected cane would show pithiness with boat shaped cavities with
reddish brown discolouration.
Whether sugarcane is infected by both red rot and wilt same time?
Yes. Such canes show symptoms of both the diseases.
What aggravates wilt severity?
Extended drought in the summer followed by water logging in the monsoon. Damages to
roots, especially by root borer and other root pests increase wilt severity.
How to control wilt?
Healthy seed, crop rotation, optimizing soil moisture status and reducing root borer
infestation are recommended to control wilt in an integrated approach.

Sett Rot
Why the germination phase vulnerable to infection?
Surviving pathogen in the soil enters the sett tissues through cut ends and cause rotting
if they are not protected with fungicide, delay in germination due to deep planting or
water stagnation in the field enhance entry into the setts and pathogenesis.
Is it amenable for fungicide control?
Yes. Dipping of setts in the fungicide solution (Carbendazim, 0.05%) protests the cut
ends from the surviving fungus in the soil.
How to prevent this disease?
Avoiding deep planting during monsoon and preventing water stagnation during
germination phase. Dipping of setts in fungicide has to be done as a prophylactic
measure before planting.
What are varieties that are susceptibile to top rot in sugarcane?

Some of the susceptible varieties are CoC 671, CoC 90063 and CoC 92061.

Grassy Shoot
What are the varieties that are resistant to sugarcane grassy shoot disease?
Grassy shoot disease resistant varieties of sugarcane include Co 86249, CoG 93076 and
CoC 22.
What are the possible treatments for grassy shoot of sugarcane?
Treat setts with aerated steam at 50C for 1 hour to control primary infection. Spray
dimethoate @ 1ml in 1 litre of water to control insect vector Avoid ratooning if GSD
incidence is more than 15 % in the plant crop

What is responsible for the disease?

Phytoplasmas.
What are the characteristic symptoms?
Profuse tillering with lean, lanky and chlorotic tillers. Stunting of affected canes with
auxiliary bud sprouting.
How to differentiate its symptoms with deficiency symptoms.
Excess tillering with chlorotic leaves (partial or complete) is the typical symptoms the
excess tillering will not be seen. Further the axillary buds show sprouting only in GSD
affected canes. Chlorosis due to iron show recovery of symptoms when sprayed with
ferrous sulphate whereas in case of no recovery will be there. Further, GSD appears in
isolated clumps whereas chlorosis due to deficiency appears in patches.
Why it is more severe in ratoons?
Due to low pathogen load in plant crop, the crop suffers less. Once ratooned, the
pathogen in ht stubbles initiates disease in the newly emerging shoots and such clumps
will not millable canes.
How the pathogen spreads?
Infected seed cane serves as primary source and insect vectors spread the pathogen cane
to cane in the field.
Is it amenable for heat therapy?
Yes. Aerated steam therapy eliminates the pathogen in the seed canes.

Yellow Leaf Disease

What are the characteristic symptoms?

Yellowing of mid ribs in the 3 to 5 leaves during and after cane formation stages. Laminar
yellowing along the discoloured mid rib and drying of leaf along the mid rib from the tip.
Will it affect the crop yield? If so to what extent?
The disease affects the yield significantly in susceptible varieties as well as in uncared
fields. Expression of the disease in the early sage would cause more damage to the crop.
In the affected canes intermodal elongation gradually decrease and show bunching of
leaves in the apex. In addition to loss in cane yield, sugar recovery is also affected in the
infected canes.
How the disease spreads?
Through infected seed canes and insect vectors.
How to control the disease?
Through meristem tip culture, the virus can be eliminates from the cane. Later proper
seed nursery programmes are to be followed to ensure supply of disease free seed canes.

Ratoon Stunting
Does it affect ratoon crop only?
No. It also affects plant crop. But the severity is more in ratoons.
How the disease can be recognized in the field?
Slow decline of varietal performance with cane thinness and poor vigour.
Is there any diagnosable symptoms??
Reddening of nodal tissue (internal) in the form of streaks, dots or commas. No
symptoms can be seen in internodes.
Why the canes become thin due to RSD?
The pathogenic bacterium systemically colonizes the xylem vessels. If the same seed
source is used for many years the pathogen titre increase and cause decline in varietal
performance.
What are the suggested control measures?
Aerated steam therapy eliminates the pathogen from the infected canes. Use of
disinfectants to clean seed cane cutting tools would reduce chances of spread of pathogen
from infected to healthy setts.

Sugarcane Processing

What should be the criteria for the best quality of cane / juice?
Should have accumulated peak sucrose content in juice Should have low level of non
sugars Should have high purity Should have optimum fibre content Should have
negligible amount of unwanted materials (trash, binding materials, dead and dry canes,
mud particles, water shoots, etc.) Should have higher quantity of juice There should
not be pith in the can

What are the factors that affect the quality of the juice?
Factors like variety, nutrient management practices, stage of maturity, soil condition,
growing condition, lime and method of harvesting, and time of transport to mill, incidence
of pest and disease etc. have profound influence on the accumulation of sucrose and
other non-sugars in cane juice.
How does the soil type and quality of irrigation water affect the quality of
sugarcane?
The quantity and quality of irrigation water also influences the juice quality to a large
extent. Cane grown under saline and alkaline conditions tends to accumulate large
proportion of chlorides and sodium in addition to increased mineral content. Sugarcane
grown under river water irrigation produces juice of better quality as compared to
sugarcane grown under well water. Reduction in sheath moisture by increasing interval of
irrigation at maturity phase is reported to be conducive for increased sucrose content in
juice.
What is the composition of cane juice?
The constituents of the normal cane juice fall within the following limits: Water: 75 to
88% Sucrose : 10 to 21% Reducing sugars: 0.3 to 3% Organic matter other than sugar:
0.5 to 1% Inorganic compounds: 0.2 to 0.6% Nitrogenous bodies: 0.5 to 1%
What is meant by maturity / ripening in sugarcane?
In sugarcane by maturity or ripeness it is generally meant the stage which the juices in
the cane stalk contains an economic level of sucrose and not to the changeover of the
crop from vegetative to reproductive phase. At this stage, the stalk will contain stored
sugar to support reproduction, but its sugar storage potential has not necessarily been
realized. In a simple way ripening is storage of excess sucrose. If juice pol and purity
percentages are more than 16 and 85, respectively the cane is considered to be ripe.
Several factors like soil fertility, added fertilizers (quantity and time), pests and disease
attack in addition to variety and weather parameters actually decide the maturity of the
cane.

How to determine the maturity / ripeness of sugarcane?

Small mill test: the juice is analysed for brix, sucrose and purity values in laboratory
using brix hydrometer spindle and polarimeter. A minimum purity value of above 85%
indicates its suitability for harvest. Ratio of top / bottom brix: as the stalk gradually
ripens, the brix of the joints up to the one leaving the highest dead leaf tends to become
equal. Hence when a stalk is divide into equal parts, the ratio of their average brix, the so
called top / bottom ratio (TBR) will be indicative of the degree of ripeness. In the case of
unripe cane this ratio will be less than one. As the cane ripens TBR will approach unity.
How to conduct a pre-harvest maturity survey in sugar factory?
The maturity survey should be started at least 4-6 weeks before the scheduled harvest
date. Separate survey for plant crop and ratoon crop should be preferable. The fields
should be grouped according to variety and month of planting. Entire area in a factory
zone should be grouped into number of zones of convenient size of about 50-60 ha.
For each zone or area one team of persons comprising one Cane Assistant with two
laborers for collection of samples should be assigned. Each team can normally visit 2025 fields per day and complete the work. Thus one team can complete the survey in
approximate 120-150 fields within 6 days. About 40 teams for each factory area can
complete the entire area of a factory (5000-7000 ha) during one week time. The
refractometer brix values of representative samples of each field should be recorded with
the help of a hand refractometer and juice extractor needles. Then the fields are
arranged in the descending order of brix values for each zone. Cutting orders are
issued based on the brix values in descending order. The above method of issuing cutting
order helps to crush the cane of uniform maturity and avoids cane of immaturity, thus
leading to improvement in sugar recovery to the tune 0.2 to 0.5 per cent over and above
the existing sugar recovery figure.

How long a harvested cane can be kept without deterioration?

A well ripened harvested crop, may lose its sugar within a few days after harvest, which
tends to increase further due to high ambient temperature, pre-harvest burning, harvest
and transportation injuries and microbial infestation. However, not much harm is caused
if the cane is crushed within 24 hours of harvesting. Stalling beyond 24 hours results in
considerable loss in cane weight due to moisture loss and reduction in juice sucrose
content due to inversion. Such juice also creates problems in processing. The losses
increased with the increase in duration of stalling.
What are the varieties tolerant to post harvest deterioration?
Varieties CoC 671, Co 7314 and Co 775 were found to be comparatively resistant than
CoJ 64, CoS 510, Co 7240, CoC 8001, Co 6907 and Co 62175. Studies at Coimbatore
indicated that CoC 671 is comparatively less prone to post harvest inversion than Co
6304. CoC 671 stales less and is less inclined to inversion or dextran formation, even
after 14-16 months.

How to minimize post harvest deterioration in sugarcane?

1. Harvesting of immature and over mature canes should be avoided. 2. Quick transport
of varieties identified to be susceptible to post-harvest deterioration. 3. Keeping the
harvested cane under shade during hot weather period 4. Covering of harvested cane
with trash and sprinkling of water periodically to keep the cane moist. 5. By dipping the
cut ends of cane in certain biocides like polycide @ 2 ml/lit or bactrinol-100 @ 100 ppm
and spraying the same on the stored cane could arrest deterioration upto 120 hours. 6.
Dipping both the cut ends of cane in sucroguard improved sugar recovery upto 0.9%.
Due to 70% reduction in microbial population of the primary juice of cane.
What is the composition of cane jaggery?
The jaggery contains approximately 60-85% sucrose, 5-15% glucose and fructose. Along
with 0.4% of protein, 0.1 g of fat and 0.6 to 1.0 g of minerals (8 mg of calcium, 4 mg of
phosphours and 11.4 mg of iron). It is also found to contain traces of vitamins and amino
acids. 100g of jiggery gives 383 kcal of energy. In ayurvedha, jaggrery is considered as
the best base material for the preparation of medicines. In contrast, the white crystal
sugar contains only sucrose to the tune of 99.5% without any minerals.
What is an ideal juice clarificant for jaggery making?
The clarificant should meet the following requirements Removal of all constituents of
juice other than sucrose, reducing sugars, inorganics (phosphates, iron and calcium) and
organics (higher proteins and fats) Control of undesirable colour development and
inversion of sucrose during boiling and concentration. Better crystallization.
Prevention of overheating and charring. No adverse effect on jaggery taste and human
health. Longer storage life of the product. Easy availability of clarifying agent.
What are the various vegetable clarificants that are used for jaggery making?
Stem and root of green plant of Deola and Bhendi, Green bark of the Phasla and Semul
trees, dry bark of the sukhlai plant, Seeds of castor, groundnut and soyabean. The
quantity of clarificant is approximately 40-70 g per 100 lit of cane juice.
What are the various chemical clarificants that are used for jaggery making?
Hydros (sodium hydrogen sulphite), Lime (calcium oxide), Sodium bicarbonate, Sodium
carbonate, Sajji (50% sodium carbonate, 6.4% sodium sulphate, 4.5% sodium chloride),
Super phosphate and alum are used. Use of various chemicals as juice clarificants during
jaggrey preparation results in presence of harmful chemicals like SO2 in jiggery and also
affects the taste and storability of such jaggery.

What are the varieties good for jaggery making?

State Varieties Andhra Pradesh : Co 6907, CoT 8201, Co 8013, Co 62175, Co 7219, Co
8014, CoR 8001 Bihar : CoS 767, Bo 91, Co 1148 Gujarat : CoC 671, Co 7527, Co 62175,
Co 8041, Co 740 Haryana : Co 7717, Co 1148, Co 1158, CoS 767 Karnataka : Co 7704,
Co 62175, Co 8014, Co 8011, CoC 671, Co 86032 Madhya Pradesh : Co 775, Co 7314, Co
6304, Co 62175 Maharashtra : Co 775, Co 7219, CoC 671,Co740,Co 7257,C0 86032
Orissa : Co 7704,Co 7219,Co 62175,Co 6304 Punjab : CoJ 64,Co 1148,CoJ 81 Rajasthan
: Co 997,Co 419 Tamil Nadu : CoC 671, Co 62175, Co7704, Co 6304, Co 8021, Co
86032,CoC 92061 Uttar Pradesh : CoS 687, CoJ 64, Co1148, CoS 767, CoS 767, CoS
802,CoS 7918, Co 1158, CoS 8408, CoS 8432, Bo 91, CoS 8315, CoS 8016,CoS 8118,
CoS 8119, Bo 19, CoS 837 West Bengal : CoJ 64, Co 1148
What are the methods of jaggery storage?
The following methods may be adopted for the storage of jiggery without much
deterioration in quality. Large quantities of jaggery may be stored in the go-downs
provided with moisture absorbing agents like calcium chloride or quick lime. Use
sugarcane trash, fly ash, palmirah leaves, paddy husk etc, in between layers of jaggery.
Smoking of go-down with paddy husk particularly during monsoon period. Storing of
jaggery under low temperature maintains freshness in flavour and no loss in sucrose
content. Storing of jaggery in gunny lined with black polythene sheets. Drying of gur
in shade during summer to a moisture content of less than 6% and storage of dried gur
in polythene lined gunny bags improves shelf life of jaggery. Ordinary earthen pots
painteeed from inside as well as outside, wooden boxes, baskets made of palmirah leaves
can be used for storing jaggery at home.
What are the standard specifications for cane jaggery grading?
S.No. Characterstics Grade 1 Grade 2 1. Sucrose % (minimum) 80 70 2. Reducing sugars
% (maximum) 10 20 3. Moisture % (maximum) 5 7 4. Water insoluble matter %
(maximum) 1.5 2.0 5. Sulphated ash % (maximum) 3.5 5.0 6. Sulphur dioxide ppm
(maximum) 50 50 7. Ash insoluble in dilute HCL (maximum) 0.3 0.3
How to make organic jaggery?
Many times the market jaggery has been found to contain excess quantities of harmful
chemicals like sulphur dioxide. Due to use of chemicals the taste and storability of such
jaggery is also affected. In this context growing of sugarcane naturally and with use of
organics and also preparation of jaggery with use of organic clarificants assumes
importance in order to produce quality jaggery. There is a growing demand for
organically produced jaggery both within the country and in the export market. For
preparation of organic jaggery, the sugarcane should be grown in field free from any
residue of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides etc. from the previous crop. Follow
all the recommended techniques for growing the sugarcane by applying only organic
source of required nutrients, totally avoiding pesticides and herbicides. For controlling the
pest, biocontrol methods may be adopted.

How to prepare liquid jaggery?

Liquid jaggery is an intermediate product obtained during jaggery making. This contains
water, sugars and non-sugars. Fructose and glucose are in equal proportions with
proteins, organic acids, and minerals. After the juice is extracted, potassium alum
crystals added to the juice. This facilitates sedimentation of solid particles. The clear juice
is poured into a boiling pan. About 50 g of lime is added to bring the ph to 6.0. Bhendi
mucilage is added and the first scum is removed when the temperature is 85C.
Chemical clarificants include phosphoric acid and super phosphate. Boiling is continued
and the second scum is removed at 98C. The strike point is 106C and at this stage
the pan is removed and 0.04% of citric acid is added. Liquid jaggery is sweeter than cane
sugar and jaggery. After complete settling, liquid jaggery is filled in clean and sterilized
bottles. This can be stored for 1-1 years. It is necessary to add 0.1% sodium
metebisulphite for better preservation.
How to prepare bottled sugarcane juice?
1. Choose a variety with high sugar content, light coloured and with less fiber (CoC 671,
Co 62175, Co 7717, Co 86032, Co 86249 and Co 94012). 2. Grow the cane in normal
soils with good quality water. 3. Use organic manure liberally instead of inorganic
fertilizers. 4. Avoid high and late application of nitrogen. 5. Choose the pest and disease
free cane for crushing. 6. Harvest the cane at peak maturity. 7. Crush the cane within 24
hours after removal of rind. 8. Add one lemon with 2 to 3 g of ginger for every 3 kg of
cane material. 9. Warm the juice to 60 to 70C and keep it at that temperature for 15
minutes. 10. Remove the impurities by filtering the juice with a muslin cloth. 11. To the
clear juice add sodium metasulphite as a preservative at a rate of 1 g per 8 lit of juice.
12. Transfer to a hot water sterilized bottles, close it with a corking machine. 13. Serve
chilled. 14. Bottled juice can be stored for 6 to 8 weeks. 15. Initial investment required
for bottling 500 Nos. per day will be approx. 16. Rs. 10,000/- (cost of bottles, stainless
steel vessels, electric heaters, hot water sterilization tank and corking machine excluding
cost of crusher).

Ratoon Management
Is there any technology for improving sprouting in winter initiated ratoon?
To improve sprouting in winter initiated ratoon potash at the rate of 80 kg/ha along with
irrigation, one month prior to plant cane harvest is given. FYM based Trichoderma culture
@ 20 kg/ha with PMC (10 t/ha) application helps in sprouting of winter initiated ratoon.
Which method is suitable for obtaining optimum number of millable cane from
ratoon crop?
Farmers can obtain higher ratoon yield when sugarcane is planted under paired row
system (30: 120 cm) with 20% higher on normal seed rate and gap filling at 1st irrigation
in ratoon crop. This also curtails the gap filling operation in ratoon crop.

Please tell the suitable gap filling material and when gap should be filled in
ratoon crop?

30-35 days old polythene bag/STP raised settlings are suitable gap filling material. The
gap appearing at above 60 cm should be filled within 30 days after ratoon initiation.
What is method of trash mulching and their advantages in ratoon crop.
Trashes collected after harvest of plant crop should be evenly spread in alternate
rows,followed by light irrigation and spray of Chlorpyriphos 20 EC solution @ 5.0 liters/ha
in 1600 liters of water to control termite and army-worm. Trash mulching in ratoon
conserves moisture and thus, preserves ground water by saving irrigation water up to 3040%. It also improves soil fertility and helps in weed check.

Related Links
About Related Links

Government Links:
Ministry of Agriculture
Government
department)

of

http://agricoop.nic.in
India

(Agriculture

http://india.gov.in/citizen/agriculture/index.php

Dacnet

http://dacnet.nic.in/

Ikisan for sugarcane

http://www.tn.gov.in/departments/agri.html

Govt of Tamilnadu(agriculture department)

http://www.tn.gov.in/departments/crop/indexhtml

National informatics centre

http://www.nic.in

AGMARKNET

http://www.agmarknet.nic.in/

Tamilnadu Cooperative Sugar Federation Ltd. http://www.tn.gov.in/sugar

Research institutes:
Indian Council of
http://www.icar.org.in/
Agriculture Research
Indian Institute of
http://www.iisr.nic.in/
Sugarcane Research
Sugarcane Breeding
Institute,Coimbator http://www.sugarcane.res.in/
e
HARC
Sugarcane
http://www.harc-hspa.com/HARCSGR7.HTM
Research
Sugarcane Research http://www.agripunjab.gov.pk/index.php?f=1&m=66&1=163&r=
Institute,Punjab
0
Tamil
Agricultural
University

Nadu

http://www.tnau.ac.in/

Sugarcane research
http://cuddalore.nic.in/sugar.htm
station, cuddalore
Sugarcane research
http://vellore.nic.in/Research%20Institute/research-mela.htm
station, Melalathur

Sugarcane research
http://sites.tnau.ac.in/trri/srs-sir
station , sirugamani
Kerala Agricultural
http://www.kau.edu/Default.htm
University
Sugarcane Breeding
Institute, Regional http://karnal.gov.in/res_sbric.asp
Centre, karnal
National
Institute

Sugar

http://www.sasa.org.za/sasri_overview615.aspx/

South
African
Sugarcane Research http://www.nsi.gov.in
Institute (SASRI)
Reginol
sugarcane
research
institute, http://www.nau.in/Research_SugarScane.htm
gujarat
Vasantdada
institute

sugar

http://www.vsisugar.com/

Miscellaneous Links:
Sustainable
initiative(manual)

sugarcane

http://assets.panda.org/downloads/ssi_manual.pdf

Sugaronline

http://www.sugaronline.com/

Sugar Association

http://www.agritech.tnau.ac.in/agriculture/sugarcrops_sugarcane.htm

Agri tech Portal

http://www.harc-hspa.com/HARCSGR7.HTM

Sugarcane
cultivation
management book

and

http://www.agripunjab.gov.pk/index.php?f=1&m=66&1=163&r=0

The sugar technologists association of

http://www.staionline.org/
India
TNAU Domestic & Export Market
http://www.tnagmark.tn.nic.in/
Intelligence Cell
Sugar Knowledge International

http://www.sucrose.com