SUGARCANE (Saccharum officinarum )

CROP IMPROVEMENT
A. PLANTED (MAIN) CROP

1. SEASON AND VARIETIES

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:

SEASON, PERIOD OF PLANTING

1.   Main season
        i) Early   : Dec - Jan            ii) Mid : Feb - March            iii) Late: April - May

2. Special season : June - July
Early season varieties are suitable for special season.

                       
          Co 86032                                                                              Co 99004

www.sugarcane-breeding.tn.nic.in

       

 Co 99004 (Damodar)

II. PARTICULARS OF VARIETIES

III. MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS

IV. DISTRICT/SEASON - SUITABLE VARIETIES

ALL DISTRICTS (except  Kanniyakumari and Nilgiris)

Right seed

TNAU  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

Suitable varieties for Tamil Nadu

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.    

Co 86032                                                                                                              Co 99004

Source: www.sugarcane-breeding.tn.nic.in

CROP MANAGEMENT

MAIN FIELD PREPARATION FOR PLANTING SUGARCANE

1. PREPARATION OF THE FIELD

a) Wetland (Heavy soils): 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.

b) Problem soils with excessive soil moisture:
In problem soils, with excessive moisture where it is difficult to drain water, form raised beds at 30               cm intervals with Length - 5 m, Width - 80 cm, and Height -15 cm.

Garden lands with medium and light soils:

In medium and light soil irrigated by flow or lift irrigation adopt the following:

 2. BASAL APPLICATION OF ORGANIC MANURES:

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.

Preparation of reinforced compost from sugarcane trash and pressmud:

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 ratio 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 1.5 m. 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 more month. Then turn and mix the 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.

Composition of cane trash, pressmud and cane trash compost

3. BASAL APPLICATION OF PERTILIZER

MANAGEMENT OF MAIN FIELD OPERATIONS

1. PREPARATION OF SETTS FOR PLANTING

a.      Take seed material from short crop (6 to 7 months age) free from pests and diseases incidence.
i)       Detrash the cane with hand before setts preparation.
ii.      Use sharp knife to prepare setts without splits.
iii.     Discard setts with damaged buds, sprouted buds, splits etc.
iv.     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.

2. SETT TREATMENT

 3. SEED RATE

          75000 two-budded setts/ha.

4. PLANTING

Different systems of planting is not found to influence the millable cane population, commercial cane sugar per cent, cane and sugar yield.

Place the setts along the centre of the furrows

Sugarcane in ridges and furrows

Improved technologies on cane planting systems

Mechanisation of planting

Four feet row with two line planting in each row.
Daincha / Sunhemp intercropping for improving soil health; it also reduces early shoot borer incidences and increases cane yield.

Introduction of power weeder for weeding and earthing up to save the cost on labour and also to reduce human drudgery.

5. FILLING UP GAPS

6. 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.

7. RAISING INTER CROPS

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

8. WEED MANAGEMENT

WEED MANAGEMENT IN PURE CROP OF SUGARCANE

Spray pre emergence herbicide on the 3rd day of planting
(Atrazine 2 kg +500 ltr. of water)

(Oxyflurofen 750 ml/ha +500 ltr. of water)

Striga control in sugarcane

 Weed management in Sugarcane 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.

9. EARTHING UP

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.

10. DETRASHING

      Remove the dry cane leaves on 150th and 210th day.

11. PROPPING

      Do double line propping with trash twist at the age of 210 days of the crop.

12. TOP DRESSING WITH FERTILIZERS

a. 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.

NITROGEN SAVING

a.     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.
b.    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).
c.    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.
d.    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.

Nutritional Disorders :

Nitrogen deficiency : All leaves of sugarcane exhibit a yellow – green colour and retardation of growth.  Cane stalks are smaller in diameter and premature drying of older leaves.  Roots attain a greater length but are smaller in diameter.

Phosphorus deficiency : Reduction in length of sugarcane stalks, diameters of which taper rapidly at growing points.  The colour of the leaves is greenish blue, narrow and some what reduce length.  Reduced tillering, decreased shoot / root ratio with restricted root development.

Potassium deficiency: Depressed growth, yellowing  and marginal drying of older leaves and development of slender stalks.  An orange, yellow colour appears in the older lower leaves which develop numerous chlorotic spots that later become brown with dead centre.  A reddish discoloration which is confined to the epidermal cells of the upper surfaces and midribs of the leaves. The young leaves appear to have developed from a common point giving a “Bunched top” appearance.  Poor root growth with less member of root hairs.

Zinc deficiency: Mild zinc deficiency exhibit a tendency to develop anthrocyanin  pigments in the leaves.  Pronounced bleaching of the green colour along the major veins and also striped effect due to a loss of chlorophyll along the veins.  In acute cases of zinc deficiency there is evidences of necrosis and growth ceases  at the growing  point (meristem).

Iron deficiency: Symptoms of Iron deficiency are generally seen in young leaves where pale stripes with scanty chlorophyll content occur between parallel lines.  In advanced stages of deficiency the young leaves turn completely white, even in the veins.  Root  growth also becomes restricted.

Boron deficiency : Boron deficiency could be seen in the cane by depressed growth, development of distorted and chlorotic leaves and the presence of definite leaf and stalks lesions.  In extreme cases of boron deficiency the plant will die.

Importance of Balanced Nutrition
                The soil fertility has declined in many sugarcane  growing areas of the state due to improper and some times, distorted fertilizer schedules adopted over the years under intensive cultivation of the crop. Hence balanced application of fertilizer based on soil test values and crop requirement is essential.

How to Evaluate fertilizer requirement

Through STCR fertilizer prescription equations
a. Perianaickenpalayam series (Inceptisols) of Coimbatore
    and Erode STL Jurisdiction
    FN = 4.17 T – 1.09 SN – 1.11 ON
    FP2O5 = 1.01 T – 2.56 SP – 1.01 OP
    FK2O = 3.44 T – 0.84 SK – 1.03 OK

b. Gadillum series (Red laterite) of Cuddalore STL Jurisdiction
   FN = 4.06 T – 0.74 SN – 0.87 ON
   FP2O5 = 0.71 T – 1.09 SP – 0.72 OP
   FK2O = 2.67 T – 0.57 SK – 1.30 OK

c. Irugur series (Inceptisols) of Coimbatore, Erode, Trichy and Salem  STL Jurisdiction
   FN = 3.42 T – 0.56 SN – 0.93 ON
   FP2O5 = 1.15 T – 1.94 SP – 0.98 OP
   FK2O = 3.16 T – 0.73 SK – 0.99 OK

Micro nutrient fertilizers :

1.             (a) Zinc deficient soils : Basal application of 37.5 kg/ha of zinc sulphate.
(b) Sugarcane crop with zinc deficiency symptoms: foliar spray of 0.5% zinc sulphate with 1%  urea at 15 days internal till deficiency symptoms disappear.

2.             (a) Iron deficient soils: Basal application of 100 kg/ha of ferrous sulphate.
(b) Sugarcane with Iron deficiency symptoms: foliar spray of 1% ferrous sulphate with 1%    urea at  15 days interval till deficiency symptoms disappear.

3. 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.

Recommended dosage of macro and micronutrients

Macronutrients

                275  : 62.5 : 112.5 kg N, P2O5  and K2O per ha

                275 + 25% extra N  : 62.5 : 112.5 kg N, P2O5  and K2O per ha
c.             Sugarcane for jaggery manufacture (plant as well as ratoon crop)
                225  : 62.5 : 112.5 kg N, P2O5  and K2O per ha

3. WATER MANAGEMENT

      Irrigate the crop depending upon the need during different phases of the crop.

Germination phase (0 - 35 days):

Provide shallow wetting with 2 to 3 cm depth of water at shorter intervals especially for sandy soil for enhancing the germination.  Sprinkler irrigation is the suitable method to satisfy the requirement, during initial stages.
     
Later, irrigation can be provided at 0.75, 0.75 and 0.50 IW/CPE ratio during tillering, grandgrowth and maturity phases respectively. The irrigation intervals in each phase are given below:

                                                Days of irrigation interval
Stages                                                                   Sandy soil                                 Clay soil

Tillering phase (36 to 100 days)                                   8                                              10
Grand growth phase (101 - 270 days)                        8                                              10
Maturity phase (271 - harvest)                                      10                                           14

Drip Irrigation:

Paired row – Drip layout in sugarcane
                                                                                                                                  Source:http://www.tnau.ac.in/tech/swc/fertigation.pdf

Concept of fertigation

.Advantages of Fertigation

Fertilizer Tank – cost Rs 3500

Ventury Rs 1250

Fertilizer pump Rs. 12,000

Contingent plan

Gradual widening of furrow:

At the time of planting, form furrow at a width of 30 cm initially. After that, widen the furrow to 45 cm on 45th day during first light earthing up and subsequently deepen the furrow on 90th day to save 35% of water.

                                                                Subsurface irrigation in sugarcane
Pit method of sugarcane planting under drip fertigation system

Technology

 Benefits

 Economics

Pit planting of cane in 1.5 m x 1.5 m pit spacing registered the highest net return of Rs.1, 19,649 ha-1 and 1, 55,982 ha-1 with in BCR of 2.26 and 3.31 in plant and ratoon crops respectively compared to the net return of       Rs.1,16,650 and 1,27,360 registered in conventional method of cane cultivation in plant and ratoon crops.
Source: TNAU, Coimbatore, 2006

Pit method of sugarcane planting under drip fertigation system

Drought Management:

 14. PRE-HARVEST PRACTICES

a. Apply cane ripeners

b. Assessing maturity of crops

i.      Assess the maturity by hand refractometer brix survey and 18 to 20 per cent brix indicates optimum maturity for harvest.
ii.     Top-bottom ratio of H.R.Brix reading should be 1:1.

15. HARVESTING

i.        Early varieties have to be harvested at 10 to 11 months age and mid-season varieties at 11 to 12 months age.
ii.       Harvest the cane at peak maturity. Cut the cane to the ground level for both plant and ratoon crops.

Sugarcane management in saline soils

An integrated approach involving the measures indicated belowe to be employed to manage sugarcane under salinity and to improve productivity

Seed rate: Higher seed rate of 25 % is recommended to compensate for germination loss and to ensure adequate crop stand.

Trench planting: Modified trench system of planting in saline soils and salt irrigated areas has recorded improved yields around 15 %.

Use of organic manure: Organic manures viz., pressmud (10-15 t/ha), farmyard manure (25 t/ha), bio earth etc., improve the availability of essential nutrients (Zn, Fe, Ca, Mg and Mn).

Green manures: Growing green manure intercrop and in situ incorporation of green manures is highly beneficial to improve productivity in salt affected areas.

Nutrient management: 25% additional nitrogen dosage has been found to improve yields under saline conditions. Application of top dressing of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers through pocket manuring is advantageous and helps in improving yield significantly.

Sugarcane genotypes tolerant to salinity: Varieties Co 6806, Co 7219, Co 7717, Co 8208, Co 85004, Co 85019, Co 86032 and Coc 671 are suitable for salt affected soils.
Source: SBI, Coimbatore

SHORT CROP (NURSERY CROP)

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)

II. PRECAUTIONS IN MAINTAINING NURSERY CROP

Adopt similar production techniques for raising short crop with the following modifications.
1.   Do not detrash
2.   Do not prop
3.   Harvest at 6 to 7 months age
4.   Remove trash by hand while preparing setts
5.   Avoid bud damage

RATOON CROP

I. MANAGEMENT OF THE FIELD AFTER HARVEST OF THE PLANT CROP

Complete the following operations within 10 days of harvest of plant crop to obtain better establishment and uniform sprouting of shoots.
1.   Remove the trash from the field.  Do not burn it.  Irrigate the field copiously.
2.   Follow stubble shaving with sharp spades to a depth of 4 - 6 cm along the ridges at proper moisture.
3.   Work with cooper plough along with sides of the ridges to break the compaction.
4.  The gappy areas in the ratoon sugarcane crop should be filled within 30 days of stubble shaving. The sprouted cane stubbles taken from the same field is the best material for full establishment. The next best method is gap filling with seedlings raised in polybags.
5.   Apply basal dose of organic manure and super phosphate as recommended for plant crop.

II. MANAGEMENT OF THE CROP