SUGARCANE

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) also known as Ganna/ Ekh belongs to Poaceae
family. It is the most important sugar crop, contributing more than 62% of the world sugar
production. It is a C4 plant, able to convert up to 2 percent of incident solar energy into biomass.
It is one of the most efficient photo synthesizers in the plant kingdom. India is the 2 nd largest
country in respect of both area and production of sugarcane in the World.
Sugarcane is one of the main crops for earning foreign exchange-White sugar, Brown
sugar (Khandsari) and Jaggary (Gur). Sugar industry is the largest agro based processing industry
next only to textile in India. Molasses and bagassy are important byproduct of sugar industry.
Molasses are used for production of alcohol by distilleries. Molasses are also used as an additive
to livestock feed. Alcohols serve as a base material in pharmaceutical and several other
industries. Green tops of cane are a good source of fodder for cattle. Press mud is used as manure
in alkaline and saline soils. Ethanol is also a byproduct of sugar industry which is blended in
petrol (5%) in India.
Origin
Barber (1931) was of the opinion that the thin Indian canes probably originated in the
moist parts of north eastern India, from some plant closely related to Saccharum spontaneum
(Kans). Tropical cane might have originated in some of the larger islands of Oceania, most
probably in New Guinea. Brandes (1956) also concluded that it originated in New Guinea, where
various forms of thick, tall, tropical cane have been grown from ancient times.
Area, Production and Productivity
Brazil is the biggest grower of sugarcane, which goes for sugar and ethanol for gasoline-
ethanol blends (gasohol) for transportation fuel. Top sugarcane producers are Brazil, India,
China, Thailand, Mexico and Pakistan. In India, sugarcane is sold as jaggery, and also refined
into sugar, primarily for consumption in tea and sweets, and for the production of alcoholic
beverages. Today, sugarcane is grown in over 110 countries. In 2014, an estimated 1880 million
metric tons were produced worldwide which amounts to 22.4% of the total world agricultural
production by weight. About 50% of production occurs in Brazil and India. In India sugarcane is
cultivated in 4.95 m ha with production of 352.16 m t with a productivity of 710.95 q/ha (2015-
16). The major sugarcane growing states in India are: UP, Maharashtra, TN, Karnataka, Gujarat
and AP. The highest productivity is in Tamil Nadu (1062 q/ha). The sugar recovery is highest in
Maharashtra (11.1%) followed by Gujarat and Karnataka with all India average of 9.90%, which
is much less than the Hawaii (12.28).
Classification
Sugarcane belongs to the genus Saccharum in the family Poaceae. Cultivated sugarcane
is classified into three species.
Saccharum officinarum: These are noble canes known as ‘Ponda’ in north India and grown for
chewing purposes. These are thick and juicy canes good for chewing purpose also. This species
includes the tropical canes indigenous to the New Guinea. These canes contain high sugar
content, low fibre and produce high tonnage. These are generally resistant to smut but are
susceptible to red rot and mosaic diseases. The cultivation of this species is limited to tropical
areas. But in recent years these canes have been succeeded by hybridisation among Officinarum,
spontaneum and other species in subtropical regions.
Saccharum sinense: This specie of cultivated sugarcane is indigenous to north-eastern India.
This specie is characterised by long and thin stalks, broad leaves, low to medium sucrose content
and early maturity. This species includes 'Pansahi'. 'Nargori' and 'Mungo' groups of sugarcane.
Internodes of these canes are long and more or less zigzag and nodes are prominent.
Saccharum barberi: This species is also indigenous to north-eastern India. It is characterized by
short and thin stalks, narrow leaves, low to medium sucrose content, and early maturity. This
species includes 'Saretha' and 'Sunnabile' groups of sugarcane.
Both the above mentioned species, indigenous to north-eastern India were in cultivation
for many centuries but now-a-days canes of these species have been replaced by complex hybrid
clones. In addition to the above three cultivated species there are two wild species S. spontaneum
and S. robustum.

Growth Stages
Germination and establishment stage: The germination phase is from planting to the
completion of germination of buds. Under field conditions germination starts from 7 to 10 days
and usually lasts for about 30-35 days. In sugarcane, germination denotes activation and
subsequent sprouting of the vegetative bud. Optimum temperature for sprouting is around 28-
30oC. Base temperature for germination is about 12 oC. Warm, moist soil ensures rapid
germination. Under field conditions, about 60 per cent germination can be considered safe for
raising a satisfactory crop.
Tillering stage: Tillering starts from around 40 days after planting and may last up to 120 days.
Tillering is a physiological process of repeated underground branching from compact nodal
joints of the primary shoot. Tillering provides the crop with appropriate number of stalks
required for a good yield. Maximum tiller population reaches around 90-120 days after planting.
By about 150-180 days, at least 50 per cent of the shoots die and a stable population is
established. Though 6-8 tillers are produced from a bud, ultimately only 1.5 to 2 tillers per bud
remains to form canes. Ratoon crop gives much higher and early tillering than a plant crop.
Grand growth phase: Grand growth phase starts from 120 days after planting and lasts up to
270 days in a 12-month crop. During the early period of this phase tiller stabilization takes place.
Out of the total tillers produced only 40-50% survives by 150 days to form millable cane. Most
important phase of the crop wherein the actual cane formation and elongation and thus yield
build up takes place. A temperature around 30 oC with humidity of around 80% is most
conducive for good growth.
Ripening and maturation phase: Ripening and maturation phase in a twelve-month crop lasts
for about three months starting from 270-360 days. Sugar synthesis and rapid accumulation of
sugar takes place during this phase and vegetative growth is reduced. As ripening advances,
simple sugars (fructose and glucose) are converted into cane sugar (sucrose). Cane ripening
proceeds from bottom to the top and hence bottom portion contains more sugars than the top
portions. Ample sunshine, clear skies, cool nights and warm days and dry weather are highly
conducive for ripening.
Crop rotation
Two year rotatons are: Maize-potato-sugarcane, Maize-sugarcane-wheat, Rice-sugarcanewheat
and Cotton-sugarcane-ratoon.
Three years rotations are: Rice - sugarcane - ratoon - wheat, Cotton- sugarcane – ratoon - wheat,
Sugarcane - ratoon-kharif paddy-winter rice and Rice-groundnut-sorghum-ragi-sugarcane.
Intercrops: Potato, chickpea, onion, garlic etc.
Climatic requirement
Sugarcane cultivation requires a tropical or subtropical climate. It requires humidity of
70% for more vegetative growth. Heat, humidity and sunlight intensity play important role in
sugarcane germination, tillering, vegetative growth and maturity. Sugarcane grows well in humid
and hot weather. An average mean temperature of 26 to 32 oC is best suited for growth of
sugarcane. Temperatures above 38°C reduce the rate of photosynthesis and increase respiration.
For ripening, relatively low temperatures in the range of 12° to 14°C are desirable. Severe cold
weather inhibits bud sprouting in ratoon crop and arrests cane growth. It needs a period of water
stress for sucrose accumulation in the stems.
Sugarcane in India is grown from 8oN to 30oN latitude covering a wide range of climatic
conditions and soils. Two distinct regions of cane cultivation are recognized: the tropical and
subtropical. The tropical region is south of Vindhyas and climatically best suited for sugarcane
cultivation while the subtropical region, North of Vindhyas experiences extremes of temperature.
Here the summer temperatures are very high and winter temperatures are very low. The cane
growing season is thus restricted at both ends. The shorter the growing season the lesser the
yields and lower the sugar recovery.
Soil requirement
Sugarcane does not require any specific type of soil as it can be successfully raised on
diverse soil types ranging from sandy soils to clay loams and heavy clays. Sugarcane grows
extremely well in medium to heavy, well drained, soils of pH 7.5 to 8.5 and high organic matter
content. Water logged soils and soils with poor drainage are not suitable. Growth of sugarcane
will be poor in light sandy soils.
Field preparation
The successful raising of plant and subsequent ratoon crop depends, to a considerable
extent, on the seed-bed provided to the plant crop. The soil should therefore be well prepared in
improving tilth which contributes to good germination, stand and final yield of the crop. It is
essential that preparatory tillage is done at deeper layers for better spread of roots. After the
harvest of previous crop, the field is deep ploughed with a soil turning plough. All large clods are
broken and leveling is done to facilitate irrigation and drainage.
Sowing time
o
Sugarcane requires about 25-32 C temperature for germination. This temperature
requirement is met twice in north Indian conditions, i.e., in October and February-March.
Autumn planting of sugarcane is done in October. For higher yields, planting should be
completed up to 20 October. Delay in planting may cause reduction in yield as germination of
sugarcane is reduced due to low temperatures in late planting.
Spring cane is planted in February-March. March is the best time for cane planting in
Punjab and Haryana, February-March in Uttar Pradesh and January-February in Bihar. The
planting time is advanced as we move towards east. In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra and Karnataka, cane planting is done in December-February.
Adsali planting is done during July-August in south and crop takes about 15-18 months
for harvesting. Eksali planting is common in south India. The crop is planted during January-
February and harvested after one year.
Selection of seed
Though yield of sugarcane depends upon variety, quality of good seed is an equally important
criterion. Sugarcane is propagated by cuttings or section of the stalks called setts.
The setts should be:
i. Fresh and juicy.
ii. Age should be of 9-10 months.
iii. Should be free from pests and diseases.
iv. Eye buds should be fully developed.
v. Select sett from planted cane for seed and never from a ratoon cane.
Use 2/3rd top portion of cane, being comparatively immature, has buds of good viability, and is
the best portion for use as seed.

Seed treatment
Soaking in water: Soaking of canes in cold water for a period of 12-18 hours may improve
germination by 12-20%. Soaking of whole cane has been found to be more beneficial than
soaking the setts.
Hot water treatment: The main objective of this treatment is to convert fructose into glucose,
because glucose is essential for germination. The secondary object of this treatment is to control
the chlorotic streak disease of the canes. The bottom and middle setts are soaked in hot water at
50oC for 30 minutes and 20 minutes respectively, and the top setts are soaked at 52 oC for 5-7
minutes.
Dip the cane setts in 0.25% solution of Aretan / Mencozeb (Dithane M 45) for 4-5 minutes.
250 liters of solution is sufficient for treating setts for one hectare area. Rubber gloves should be
put on while treating the setts. The person employed for Seed treatment should not have any cuts
or scratches on his hand.

Spacing
The crop is planted at a row to row spacing of 75 cm during spring season and 90 cm
during autumn season. But in intercropping with potato the row spacing should be kept at 90 cm.
In case of winter season the crop can be intercropped with wheat and sowing of wheat should be
done with the help of bed planter with three rows of wheat by applying 80 kg seed/ ha. Irrigate
the furrows upto half level and this will help in better and early germination of the sugarcane.
Seed rate
The seed rate varies with buds/setts and row spacing from 30,000 (In adsali crop planted with 3
budded setts) to a maximum of 1, 00,000/ha (north-western India with 2 budded setts). The seed
rate of sugarcane used in different zones of India is given below:

Method of sowing
Flat planting: In this method shallow furrows are opened with a local plough or cultivator at
row spacing from 60 to 75 cm depending upon the situation. There should be sufficient moisture
in the field at the time of planting. The setts are planted in them . After this furrows are covered
with 5-7 cm of soil and field is leveled by heavy planking. In most parts of northern India and
some tracts of Maharasthra, cane is planted by this method.
Spaced transplanting (STP) method with single eye sett: Recently in STP method single eye
setts are used for planting. Either direct setts or seeding raised in polybag nurseries are
transplanted into the field after 50-55 days. For this STP or single eyed sett method 18-20 q/ha
seed is required. This method saves seed cost by 60-70%. In this method distance between two
setts is kept at 30 cm.
Furrow planting: In this method furrows are made with sugarcane ridger about 10-15 cm deep
in northern India and about 20 cm in south India. Setts are planted end to end in furrows and
covered with 5-6 cm soil, leaving upper portion of furrows unfilled. Immediately after covering
the setts water is let into furrows. This method is practiced in parts of UP and in Peninsular India,
particularly in heavy soils.
Trench planting: In some coastal areas as well as in other areas where the crop grows very tall
and strong winds during rainy season cause lodging of cane, trench method is adopted to save the
crop from lodging. Trenches at a distance of 75-90 cm are dug with the help of ridger or manual
labour. Trenches should be about 20-25 cm deep. After this already prepared mixture of fertilizer
should be spread uniformly in the trenches and mixed thoroughly in the soil. The setts are
planted end to end in the trenches. The tractor –drawn sugarcane planter is a very suitable device
for planting cane in trenches.
Ring or Pit system: This system was evolved by Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research,
Lucknow. In the system, circular pits of 90 cm diameter are dug out to a depth of 45 cm with a
gap of 60 cm on one side and 90 cm on another side is found suitable. At this spacing irrigation
channels are opened in the 90 cm gaps. At this spacing about 4000 pits can be formed per
hectare. The pits are re-filled with loose soil and farmyard manure or pressmud mixture to a
depth of 15 cm. While planting, 20 setts are planted per pit and covered with soil to a thickness
of 5 cm. As the crop grows, the soil is filled into the pits while manuring. This system has given
very high yields in the subtropics. In the tropical India, about 25% higher yields were obtained.
The system also gives better rations and has been found useful under saline soils and saline water
irrigated conditions. The system may be useful under drip system of irrigation. In this system as
the cane setts are packed closely lik spokes in rim. Mostly mother shoots develop which
apparently were better than the tillers in the conventional planting. Due to suppressed tillering in
the ring system from the very beginning, vigorous growth of mother shoots occurred. Due to this
the thickness and height of individual canes increased resulting in higher single cane weight.
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 90 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.
Wider row/Paired row plantation: To increase cane productivity and reduce the cost of
production it is recommended that the sugarcane varieties having high tillering characters can be
planted with a row spacing of 150 cm in case of heavy soils and 120 cm for lighter soils. The
paired row plantation with 30-150-30 cm is also suited for sugarcane. These methods of planting
ensure to take up intercrops in sugarcane together with higher inputs use efficiencies.
Bud transplanting: Sugarcane buds with half of its stalk can be planted in small polythene
sleeves, which are filled with leaf mould and soil and after they have sprouted out they can be
transplanted in the final field along with the polythene bag opened at bottom. The seedling
mortality has been found to about 5%. This is modified method of bud chip method where in bud
chips of cane are taken out and placed in the required media for growing and then these seedling
are used for planting cane.
Varieties
In our country, sugarcane is being cultivated over a wide range of contrasting agroclimatic
conditions and accordingly the varietal requirements also vary from location to location. To
achieve this objective, All India Coordinated Research Project on sugarcane was initiated by
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi during 1970-71. As a result of sugarcane
breeding programmes in different states a number of varieties yielding higher cane tonnage and
sugar per unit area as compared to the commercially cultivated varieties have been developed. A
list of such high yielding, high sugar varieties are given in Table:
Varieties recommended for Rajasthan State are as follows
Early maturing varieties
CoJ 64: It is early maturing variety. Its sugar content is 18-20%. Germination of this variety is
very good and it is good for ratoon crop but it is susceptible to moisture stress condition. For
getting higher yield water must be ensured and it should be kept free from insect and pests. It is
susceptible to top and stem borer. Its average yield is 500q/ha.
Co 527, Co 997, CoL 29, Co 6617, Co 6314, Co 419, Co 1253

Medium and Late maturing varieties

Co 7717: It is an medium early maturing variety which ripens by the end of November. Sucrose
content about 17%. A good tillering variety with excellent stand, good ratooner, erect growing
and non-lodging, responds well to heavy manuring, resistant to drought, cane yield and sugar
content fairly high. It gives about 800 q of stripped cane per hectare. It is moderately resistant to
smut, resistant to top borer, shoot borer and root borer but moderately susceptible to red rot.
Suitable for cultivation in whole Haryana.
Co 312, Co 419, Co 421, Co 449, Co 1111, Co 1253, Co 1307, CoS 245, Co 1107, Bo 17, Co
6304, CoS 510, Co 449, Co 858, Co 421, Co 997, Bo 17
Fertilizer management
If sugarcane is planted after harvest of wheat than apply full dose of P2O5 and 75 kg
N/ha at planting time and 75 kg N/ha in the end of June or with the start of monsoon. If
sugarcane is sown in the sandy loam than it is necessary to apply 25 kg ZnSO4/ha at the time of
planting.

Irrigation management
On an average, one tonne cane needs about 60-70 tonnes of water. Thin varieties of cane
need about 150 cm water, whereas thick canes require 200 cm water. Adsali planted canes
require 200 cm in addition to 75 cm rainfall. The crop should be irrigated at 50% of available
soil moisture.
First irrigation is applied at 20-25% germination or about 20 days after sowing. The
irrigations are given at 10-15 days interval during summer, and 25-30 days interval during
winter. In case of drought during rainy season, the crop should be irrigated as and when required.
The crop needs maximum water at tillering stage and during elongation or grand growth phase.
Thus sugarcane needs about 10-12 irrigations in western parts of Uttar Pradesh, 6-8 in eastern
Uttar Pradesh, and 4-6 irrigations in tarai areas.
Drainage is also equally important in waterlogged areas. Waterlogged conditions may
deteriorate the quality of cane. Drainage greatly helps not only in higher yields, but also sucrose
content of the cane.
Furrow method of irrigation is mot commonly used in the country. In areas of water
scarcity, sprinkler or drip irrigation is preferred.
Weed management
Most common weeds of sugarcane in India are: Sorghum halepense, Cyperus rotundus,
Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria sanguinallis, Eleusine indica, Saccharum spontaneum, Trianthema
monogyna, Euphorbia hirta, Eclipta alba, Commelina benghalensis, Digera arvensis,
Phyllanthus nirui, etc. The most critical period for the weed competition in sugarcane is up to 4
months after sowing beyond which the crop smoothers the weed flora by itself. Blind hoeing
followed by planking 7-10 days after sowing takes care of emerging weeds. Two hoeing 30 and
60 DAS followed by interculture with country plough between the rows at 90 DAS helps to
eliminate crop weed competition in sugarcane.
Trash mulching in ratoon crop checks the emergence of weeds in addition to moisture
conservation. Pre-emergence (2-3 DAS) application of Simazine @ 4 kg/ha or Atrazine @ 2.5
kg/ha or Sencor @ 1.5-2.0 kg/ha by mixing in 625-700 L water can provide effective control of
several grass and broad leaf weeds. For the control of Cyperus and Ipomoea spp., spray 1.0-1.25
kg/ha of 2,4-D ester or amine, Almix @ 20 g/ha or 2,4-D Sodium salt @ 2.5 kg/ha in 500-625 L
water at 30 and 60 DAS.
Hoeing and earthing
Hoeing and earthing are two main operations in sugarcane cultivation. Hoeing is done
with the help of Savel or cultivators. It starts just after one week of sowing (blind hoeing), the
second about 3 weeks after sowing, and subsequent hoeings after every irrigation. Blind hoeings
helps in breaking the hard crust at surface, which might create problems to the sprouting
seedlings. Besides covering the exposed setts, it also helps in uprooting the weeds, and replacing
the damaged setts by diseases or insects.The crop requires about 4-6 hoeings. The hoeings are
necessary for better aeration, moisture conservation and control of weeds.
Earthing is also required in sugarcane cultivation. It is done to facilitate irrigation and
economise water, to drain out the excess water from the field, to control weed infestation and to
protect the crop from lodging.
Tying, Wrapping and protection of sugarcane
These operations are most essential in sugarcane cultivation just to provide mechanical
support to the grown up plants to prevent lodging. The leaves are removed from the plants and
wrapped together by taking all canes in one bundle. By wrapping the distribution of
CO2becomes easy and proper to all plants through out the field. After wrapping the clumps in
adjacent rows are tied together (cross-wise). Tying should be done in August, when cane reaches
about 2 m height. Green leaves should not be tied up together while tying up the crop.
Harvesting
The sugarcane crop matures within 10-12 months in north India and 18-20 months in south India.
The crop should be harvested when brix value reaches to 12-18 or when glucose content is less
than 0.5% (tested by Fehlings solution. Usually this stage arrives during December-January,
when atmospheric temperature is about or below 20oC. Under high temperature conditions, the
sucrose gets converted into glucose resulting in poor quality of produce. The yellowing of leaves,
emergence of arrows, cane become brittle & brakes easily, cane produce metallic sound, and
swelling out of buds from nodes are the other indicators of crop maturity.
Yield
In north India, a good crop yields about 60-100 tonnes/ha but in south India (adsali crop) it may
yield about 80-130 tonnes/ha. The economic constituents are:
(i) Juice percentage in ordinary crusher 50-60%
by power crusher 60-70%
by vacuum crusher 70-75%
(ii) Products from juice 18-21% (11% of sugarcane juice)
Jaggery 9-10% (maximum 15-18%) in juice
Sugar 6-10% in juice
(iii) Sucrose content in cane 13-24%
(iv) Molasses 3.5%

Disease management
Red Rot (Colletotrichum falcatum): The initial symptoms appear as drying of the lower leaves at
the tips and margin. In few days whole crown dries and cane shows red to purplish discoloration.
Longitudinal splitting of the diseased cane shows the characteristic reddening of internal tissues
interrupted by white transverse patches. The affected tissues emit a characteristic alcoholic smell.
Whip Smut (Ustilago scitaminea): This disease is recognized by the production of black whip
like structure at the apex of the affected stalk which is initially covered by a white silvery
membrane. As the whip matures, silvery membrane ruptures exposing millions of black spores.
Smutted shoots do not produce millable canes.
Wilt (Cephalosporium sacchari, Fusarium moniliforme): This disease is characterized by
yellowing/withering of crown leaves late in the season followed by rapid drying of canes. The
cane becomes light and hollow and on splitting shows reddening as a conical patch at each node.
The affected canes emit a characteristic sour smell different from alcoholic smell as in case of
red rot.
Ratoon Stunting (Leifsonia xyli sub sp. xyli): Ratoon stunting disease does not show any
specific external symptoms. The stalks become thin and internodes are shortened. Later on the
foliage turns yellow and plant gives a stunted look. In mature canes discoloration of individual
vascular bundles is prominent at the nodes. In young canes, the symptoms appear as pinkish
discoloration of the tissues below the apical meristem.
Grassy Shoot Disease (Phytoplasma): The appearance of premature and profuse tillers with
narrow leaves are the symptoms of disease. Later on, side shoots develop from the bottom of the
stalk and proceed towards the top. After some time softening of leaf texture takes place which
gives grass like appearance to the clump. There is overall stunting of clump. The affected
stubbles may not sprout.
Sugarcane Mosaic (Sugarcane Mosaic Virus): The prominent symptom is the mottling of basal
portion of younger leaves. Alternate chlorotic and green areas on the leaves contribute to mosaic
appearance which can best be observed on leaves held against light source.The virus is
transmitted through the diseased sugarcane setts. Secondary spread of the disease takes place
with the help of aphids which transmit the virus in a non-persistent manner.

Integrated Disease management

1. Use of resistant varieties
Red Rot: CoS 767, CoH 119, CoH 110
Smut: CoH 99, CoH 92, CoH 56
Wilt: CoS 8436, CoH 99, Co 7717
GSD: CoH 99, CoS 8436

2. Cultural practices
a) Select healthy seed as primary inoculum of major diseases of sugarcane is transmitted through
diseased setts.
b) Crop debris, trash and stubbles should be burnt after harvesting of crop.
c) Rouging of smut and red rot affected stools during the early period of plant growth. It is
helpful in checking the secondary spread of the disease.
d) Avoid ratooning of crops having high incidence of smut, red rot and grassy shoot disease.
e) Follow at least three years crop rotation for eliminating the soil borne inoculums of red rot and
wilt diseases, respectively.
f) Early harvesting and effective drainage are useful in minimizing the losses due to red rot.

3. Chemical treatment
a) Sett treatment with 0.25% Emisan for 6 minutes for controlling smut infection in setts.
b) Application of suitable insecticide during post monsoon season for the control of root orer
which will in turn reduce the wilt incidence under field conditions.

4. Heat therapy
Moist hot air treatment (MHAT) at 54 o C for 2 hours at RH > 95% is most effective against
GSD, RSD and external sett borne infection of smut and red rot pathogens.

Insect management
Termite: Immediately after planting the insect feed on the buds or after sprouting feed on the
young tillers thereby causing drying of the tillers and reduce the plant population. Immediately
after planting the setts ,spray 6.25 liter chloropyriphos 20 EC or 20 kg Canodane 6 G in 600 –
1000 liter water/ha.
Pyrilla: Nymphs and adults both suck the cell-sap from the underside of the leaves. The
damaged leaves turn yellow and shrivel later on. During heavy infestation drying of whole plant
may occur. They excrete honey dew on which black mould develops and the leaves give sickly
black appearance.
Black bug: Both the nymphs and adults suck cell-sap from the central whorl. The damaged
leaves turn yellow and the small holes of feeding can be seen.
Sugarcane whitefly: Both the nymphs and adults suck cell-sap from the leaves. Yellow streaks
appear on the damaged leaves and the crop gives palish green appearance. A black mould
develops on honeydew extracted by the whiteflies. Spray 2 liter of malathion or 1.5 litre of rogor
in 1000 liter of water.
Sugarcane top borer: Young leave bore into the mid rib of a leaf, mining their way to the base.
They enter the spindle, feed on the growing point and portion of the cane causing the bunchy top.
Apply 20 kg/ha of Phorat 10 G (Thimat)
Sugarcane shoot borer: The leaves reach the plant base, bore into the shoot and feed there. The
attached plants produce dead hearts which emits alcoholic smell when pulled out.
Stalk borer: The larvae feed on the leaf sheath or on mid rib for sometimes and then bore into
stalk by making circular holes in the rind. Dead hearts are also produced in young plants. The
larvae bore into one internode after another and move from one plant to another infesting upto
90% canes in the field. Lodged or waterlogged fields are more severely infested.
Root borer: The young larvae bore into the stem below soil surface and cut right across the stem
reaching the adjoining tillers. The central leaves of damaged plants dry up and form dead hearts
before the cane forming stage. Apply 20 kg/ha of Quinalphos 5 G before irrigation.
Gurdaspur borer: Four to five hours after hatching the young larvae enter the top portion of the
cane through a single hole just above a node. They feed gregariously by making spiral galleries
which run upwards. After 7-10 days, when the cane had dried up, the larvae come out and the
larvae enter the adjoining cane. Thus, the dried cane tops can be spotted in the field.
Sugarcane mealy bug: Both nymphs and adults are found in the canes having tight fitted
sheaths. They drain away large quantity of sap from the canes. A sooty mould develops on the
secretions giving blackish appearance to the canes. Mottling diseases is also transmitted by these
bugs.
Tarai borer: During rainy season larva enters in the cane and feed in the form of tunnels and the
feeding portion becomes red in colour. Irrigation and high nitrogen application increase the
susceptibility. Release Tricoderma predator @50000/ha at 10 days interval from mid July to
October. Tricoderma is available from Sonepat Sugar Mill.

Ratoon management
Although sugarcane productivity has shown the increasing trend, a wide gap exists
between potential and existing productivity levels. Ratooning constitutes around 50% of the total
area under cane and ratoon productivity invariably falls below that of the plant cane, even though
ratoon crops are expected to have higher productivity and early maturity than the plant crop.
Several countries like Mauritius, Hawaii, USA, South America, etc., rise multiple rations,
thereby saving on the cost of the seed material, labor involved in planting and attaining much
higher profitability per unit area compared to India, where we generally do not grow beyond one
or two ratoons.
Following points should be followed for higher ratoon productivity:
-Selection of sugarcane varieties which can give fair or better ratoon yield
-The crop should be timely harvested close to the ground.
-The left over of plants viz. dry leaves or cane trashes should be partially removed and make
stubble shaving at ground level. If the preceding crop is infected with severe pest, diseases and
weeds then burn the field soon after harvesting. Burning evolves heat, which converts sucrose of
stubbles into glucose for a quick sprouting of tillers during winter.
-After stubble removal and burning of trashes the field should be given irrigation and then inter
cultivation by plough for providing better aeration to roots, for making soil loose and root
pruning. This helps in a quick root production and sprouting of ratoons. This is termed as off-
barring.
-The gaps in the ratoon crop should be attended.
* With pre-germinated settling raised through polybag system
*Taking the clumps from thickly populated area and filling the gaps
* Removing the clumps from one side of the plots and the place vacated in the process may be
replanted fresh.
-When all the above-mentioned operations are over the field should be given irrigation according
to the crop needs.
-Trash mulching helps to check the weeds, reduce water requirement and as organic manure for
soil.
-The crop should be provided an efficient drainage for draining out excess water from the field.
-The weed control, earthing up, hoeing and plant protection measures should be followed as they
are done in the planted crop.
Relative merits and demerits of ratooning
Merits
-Cost of seed, seed bed preparation and planting is saved.
-Ratoon crop utilizes the residual fertility of the previous crop.
-Ratoon crop matures earlier and helps in running sugar mills earlier. Thus the field is vacated
earlier for the next crop.
- The quality of the produce is superior to planted cane.
- Total cost of cultivation is less as compared to the planted one.
-The yield remains equal or higher than the planted crop if proper management is done.
Demerits
- Ratoon crop is invariably attacked severely by insects, pests and diseases. Thus the yield is
lower than planted crop.
- The soil becomes poor in fertility when ratooning is done for more than two years.

Quality Parameters
Important sugarcane quality parameters for assessing cane maturity are the juice Brix, pol
or sucrose percentage and purity.
Juice Brix: Juice Brix refers to the total solids content present in the juice expressed in
percentage. Brix includes sugars as well as non-sugars. Brix can be measured in the field itself in
the standing cane crop using a Hand Refractometer. This is usually referred as a Hand
Refractometer Brix or HR Brix.
Juice Sucrose or Pol Per Cent: The juice sucrose per cent is the actual cane sugar present in the
juice. It is determined by using a polarimeter, hence sucrose per cent is also referred to as pol per
cent. For all practical purposes pol % and sucrose % are synonyms. Now a days an instrument
called sucrolyser is also available for determining sucrose % in juice.
Purity Coefficient: It refers to the percentage of sucrose present in the total solids content in the
juice. A higher purity indicates the presence of higher sucrose content out of the total solids
present in juice. The purity percentage along with sucrose percent aids in determining maturity
time.
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.
Commercial Cane Sugar: The commercial cane sugar (CCS) refers to the total recoverable
sugar percent in the cane. This could be calculated by the following formula:

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 (%)