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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Not possible. When moths can get attracted from adjacent fields it is more probable for the more attraction in pheromone deployed field itself.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

• 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.

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.

Trichogramma chilonis is not an efficient parasitoid to control INB. So, T.chilonis release may be dispensed with for INB management.

Not as a sole method. That is detrashing alone may contribute to only 2 to 4% reduction in incidence.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Activity of the top shoot borer starts with the onset of the monsoon rains.

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.

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.

No. Irrigation temporarily stops termite attack due to excess moisture and when the optimum moisture level is reached the attack will revive.

Application of chlorpyriphos @ 5 lit/ha with 1500-1800 lit water in the furrow during planting controls termite in Sugarcane.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

No. The neonate that crawl over the body of the person may give a tickling sensation but not known to cause any allergic irritation.

Not true. If the climate is favourable, it would take a minimum of two to three months to spread to entire field.

No. It will give only 50 per cent control which is not sufficient to minimize SWA population.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Major pest distributed throughout India. The adults are straw-coloured, with posterior-portion 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.

This pest normally infests the crop during pre-monsoon period, mostly from August to October months in the coastal region of Tamil Nadu.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Loamy soils have more nematode problem rather than in the wet clayey soils.

• 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.

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.

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.

The disease occurs in all the stages of crop in the field from germination to harvest.

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.

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.

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.

While cutting partially infected canes cut ends will show reddening and nodal region may show rectotic patches.

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.

Yes. It survives for a limited period in the soil, but in the leftover infected stubbles it survives for many months.

During monsoon seasons the spread is more

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.

Co 86032, Co 86249, Co 93009, Co 97008, Co 99004, Co 99006

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Conversion of growing apex region into a blackish whip-like structure containing millions of black powdery spores covered by translucent white silvery membrane.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When severe smut infection occurs during early stage of the crop of the ratoon significantly yield reduction is expected.

Yes. Hot water combined with fungicide (Tridimefon 0.1%) at 52?C; 30 min effective in eliminating pathogen infection in the setts.

Crop showing more than 2% of smut infection should not be ratooned.

Up to 1% smut infection level the seed selection can be permitted.

• Pokkah boeng • Top rot • Sooty mould Herbicide damage may also look similar.

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.

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.

Yes. Such canes show symptoms of both the diseases.

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.

Healthy seed, crop rotation, optimizing soil moisture status and reducing root borer infestation are recommended to control wilt in an integrated approach.

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.

Yes. Dipping of setts in the fungicide solution (Carbendazim, 0.05%) protests the cut ends from the surviving fungus in the soil.

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.

Some of the susceptible varieties are CoC 671, CoC 90063 and CoC 92061.

Grassy shoot disease resistant varieties of sugarcane include Co 86249, CoG 93076 and CoC 22.

• Treat setts with aerated steam at 50°C 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

Phytoplasmas.

Profuse tillering with lean, lanky and chlorotic tillers. Stunting of affected canes with auxiliary bud sprouting.

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.

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.

Infected seed cane serves as primary source and insect vectors spread the pathogen cane to cane in the field.

Yes. Aerated steam therapy eliminates the pathogen in the seed canes.

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.

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.

Through infected seed canes and insect vectors.

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.

No. It also affects plant crop. But the severity is more in ratoons.

Slow decline of varietal performance with cane thinness and poor vigour.

Reddening of nodal tissue (internal) in the form of streaks, dots or commas. No symptoms can be seen in internodes.

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.

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.

• 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

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.

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.

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%

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.

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.

• 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 20-25 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 85°C. Chemical clarificants include phosphoric acid and super phosphate. Boiling is continued and the second scum is removed at 98°C. The strike point is 106°C 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 1-1½ years. It is necessary to add 0.1% sodium metebisulphite for better preservation.

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 70°C 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).

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.

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.

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.

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 30- 40%. It also improves soil fertility and helps in weed check.