Sugarcane

Introduction
 Common name: Sugarcane
 Scientific name: Saccharum officinarum
Family : Poaceae/ Gramineae
Genus : Saccharum
Chromosome no.
2n=80( Saccharum officinarum)
2n=48-128(Saccharum spontaneum)
 Economic importance
Sugarcane is main source of sugar in India
and holds a prominent position as a cash
crop.
India has largest area under sugarcane in the
world and also ranks first in sugar production.
Sugar juice is used for making white sugar,
brown sugar and jaggery.
Main by-products of sugarcane industry are
bagasse and molasses.
It is used for production of compressed
board, paper and plastics.
Molasses is used in preparation of ethyl
alcohol.
Green tops of cane are a good source of
fodder for cattle.
Sugar industry is the largest agro-based
industry next only to textiles in India.
 Origin and history
Cultivation of sugarcane in India date back to Vedic
period
In India cultivation of sugarcane is found in 1400 to
1000B.C
Word Saccharum, derived from the Sanskrit
"sarkara = white sugar
Barber (1931) said that thin Indian canes
originated in north eastern India.
Tropical Indian cane originated in larger islands of
Oceania most probably in new guinea.
It originated in new Guinea.
 Area and distribution
In world sugarcane producing countries are India, brazil,
Cuba, Mexico, Pakistan, china, Philippines.
Area:19.4 million hectares
Production: 1274.7 MT
In India Area; 4.2 million hectares, Production: 299 MT.
U.P has the largest acreage under sugarcane and 48% area
under this crop and contributes 38.6% of production.
But production per hectare is highest in Tamilnadu.
 Morphology
The plant
Grass family with tillering capacity
Above ground parts are
Stem of stalk with nodes and internodes
Leaves

C4 plant, able to convert up to 2 percent of incident

solar energy into biomass.

Most efficient photo synthesizers ( Any organism that

uses photosynthesis to generate carbohydrates) in the
plant kingdom.
 Morphology

Roots
Sett roots developed from root primordial
Shoot root , thicker branched
Buttress roots, fibrous branched( buttress roots—
roots that grow out from the tree trunk and which
help to support the tree).
The leaf of the sugarcane plant is divided into two
parts: sheath and blade, separated by a blade joint.
 The sheath, as its name implies, completely sheaths
the stalk, extending over at least one complete
internode.
The inflorescence, or tassel, of sugarcane is an
open-branched panicle .It is also known as arrow.
Therefore flowering is also known as "arrowing".
Stem cuttings or sections of the stalks called "setts" or
seed pieces propagate sugarcane. Each sett contains
one or more buds.
 classification
Cultivated sugarcane is classified into three
species
1. Saccharum officinarum
2. Saccharum sinense
3. Saccharum barberi
Two wild species of sugarcane
1. S.spontaneum
2. S. robustum
(a) Tropical canes:
1. 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.
• Contain high sugar content, low fiber
• Generally resistant to smut but are susceptible to
red rot and mosaic diseases.
• The cultivation of this species is limited to tropical
areas.
(b) Indian canes:
1. Saccharum sinense: This species of cultivated sugarcane
is indigenous to north-eastern India.
• Characterized 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.
2. Saccharum barberi: This species is also indigenous to
north-eastern India.
• It is characterised by short and thin stalks, narrow leaves, low
to medium sucrose content, and early maturity.
• This species includes 'Saretha' and 'Sunnabile' groups of
sugarcane.
 Important Growth
Stages
1. Germination and establishment stage
2. Tillering stage/formative stage
3. Grand growth phase
4. Ripening and maturation phase
 Germination and establishment stage
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-
0
30 C.
Base temperature for germination is about 120C.
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 under ground
branching from compact nodal joints of the primary shoot.
Tillering provides the crop with appropriate number of stalks
required for a good yield.
Though 6-8 tillers are produced from a bud,
Ultimately only 1.5 to 2 tillers per bud remains to form canes.
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.
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% survive by 150 days.
Most important phase of the crop wherein the actual
cane formation and elongation and thus yield build up
takes place.
Under favourable conditions stalks grow rapidly
almost 4-5 internodes per month.
 A temperature around 30o C with a 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.
• Cropping system:
•Two year rotations are: Maize-potato-
sugarcane, Maize-sugarcane-wheat, Rice-
sugarcane-wheat and Cotton- sugar-cane-
ratoon.
•Three years rotations are: Rice - sugarcane
- ratoon - wheat, Cotton- sugarcane –
ratoon - wheat, Sugarcane - ratoon-kharif
paddy and Rice/groundnut/sorghum/ragi-
sugarcane – ratoon - wheat.
•Intercrops: Potato, mustard, chickpea,
onion, garlic etc.
• Climatic requirement:
• It 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. Rainfall 75-120cm.
• It grows well in humid and hot weather. An average mean
temperature of 26 to 32 ° C 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.
• 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.
Varieties

• CoS.687, CoPant.84211, CoJ.64, CoLk.8001, Co.1148, CoS.767,

CoS.802, CoC.671, CoC.85061, Co.8021, Co.6304, Co.1148, CoJ.79,
CoS.767, Co.740, CoM.7125, Co.7527, CoC.671, Co.740, Co.8014,
Co.7804, Co.740, Co.8338, Co.6806, Co.6304, Co.7527, Co.6907,
Co.7805, Co.7219, Co.7805, Co.8011
Land Preparation
Sugarcane crop requires well prepared soil to ensure sufficient moisture retention,
well leveled soil for easy irrigations and intercultural operation, soil with good tilth to
facilitate earthing up and well drained soil to save the crop from waterlogging in case
of heavy rains.

To prepare the field for sugarcane a number of ploughings are given with a country
plough, clods are broken, and stubbles are removed.

This is followed by deep-ploughing with tractor or mould-board-plough and planking.

Finally, 2 or 3 harrowings are given to bring the seed-bed into fine tilth.

 After sowing, ridges are made to divide the field into convenient size beds for
irrigation and drainage.
Seed preparation and treatment

• Cane is cut into three budded setts usually 30-45cm long.

• About 35000 to 40000setts are needed to plant one hectare which
can be obtained from 750-800 quintals of cane.
• To prevent the seed setts being attacked by fungal diseases and to
improve germination, the seed setts are dipped into 0.5% solution of
agallol(3%) or 0.25% solution of aretan (6%) before planting.
• Aretan along with BHC is also recommended in Northern india.
Seed and sowing

• Healthy seed material, free from pests and diseases like red rot, wilt,
smut, ratoon stunting should be selected for seed purpose.
• The top one third to half portion of cane being immature has buds of
high viability and is better for sowing.
• Bottom portion of cane is rich in sugar and takes a long time in
germination, this should be used in jaggery making.
• Setts should be taken from healthy crop not more than 10-12 months
age.
• Sowing time: The crop must be planted according to the season as
follows:
• 3 times in a year: October( autumn), february-march(spring),
July(adsali)
• Spring season : Mid February to end of March.
• Late planting (After wheat): Up to 15th May (CoH 110, CoH 119, CoS 767, COH
35).
• Late planting – beyond March, reduction in duration and yield
• Autumn season: End of September to first week of October.
 Method of sowing
1. Flat planting

Flat planting method is mostly common in intensive sugarcane growing

areas where soil-moisture is available in plenty.

 Sets are kept in shallow (8-10 cm) deep furrows at 75 cm apart.

 On an average, one viable bud per ten centimeter length in each furrow
is planted (i.e. one sett/feet).

The field is heavily planked.

This method of sowing is popular in North India.

2. Furrow planting
Furrow planting method is mostly common under low soil moisture condition.
 After sowing irrigation is given immediately.
 Sets are kept deep (10-15 cm) furrows, at 90 cm apart. On an average, a 3 budded
sett/feet length is planted.
 Furrows are covered with 5-6 cm soil and irrigation in furrows is applied.
3. Trench method
Trench method of sowing sugarcane is mostly used
in areas where strong winds and rainy season
cause lodging of the cane i.e. in coastal areas
where crop grows tall.

Furrows are not made, but in place of these only

trench 25 cm deep at 90 cm distance in line are
made by manual labour.

Fertilizers, and insecticides are mixed with soil

and trenches are again filled with soil, keeping one
set/trench at the depth of 5 cm. irrigation is applied
only on successful sprouting.
Manures and fertilizers

•Sugarcane is a heavy feeder.

•A crop producing 800 quintals of cane
per hectare removes from the soil
approx. 90-110kg N,180-300 kg P2O5,
60-180 kg potash and 80-90kg calcium.
•120 to 150 kg per hectare N,80kg/ha
P2O5 and 60kg potash
 Time and method of application

• Nitrogen is important element applied in optimum amounts, little

amount of nitrogen results in lower yield and too much results in
poor quality juice.
• Fertilizer application has to be completed in early period of
growth.
• For spring planted crop half of the nitrogen and full phosphorous
and potash should be applied at the time of planting. And rest of
nitrogen 80-90 Days after planting.
• For autumn planted crop half of the nitrogen and full phosphorous
and potash should be applied at the time of planting and rest of
nitrogen 110-120 Days after planting.
• In adsali planting 1/3 of the nitrogen and full phosphorous and
potash should be applied at the time of planting and rest of
nitrogen is applied in three split doses upto 180 days.
Water management

•200-300cm water required.

•Autumn cane required 7 irrigations-5
before and 2 after monsoon.
•Autumn cane required 6 irrigations.
•Critical stages: Formative phase and
grand growth phase.
• 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,chenopodium album,
lathrus sativa,Anagallis arvensis etc.
Weed management
•Mechanical and chemical methods.
•2,4-D effective against broad leaf weeds
in autumn cane. Applied after 25-30
DAP@1kg a.i /ha in 500-600 litres of
water.
•Spring cane weeds can be controlled by
atrazine@2kg a.i/ha in 500-600 litre of
water followed by 2,4-d @1 kg a.i /ha.
Cultural operations
Important cultural operations in
sugarcane in addition to weeding,
manuring and irrigation are
•Earthing up
•Detrashing
•Propping and
Earthing-Up
• This practice is followed where furrows are practiced
• Earthing up are 2-3times during crop period.
• The first earthing-up is known as "partial earthing-up .
• To cover the fertilizers
• To provide anchorage to root system
• Hoeing
• This operation is done where soil crust formation is very
common
• In sub tropics hoeing is done after germination is over using
a bullock drawn or a tractor - drawn harrows
 Full earthing-up is done after final
manuring (90-120 days coinciding with
peak tillering);
 The soil from the ridge is thrown on both
sides towards cane rows and the furrows
will become as ridges and ridges as
furrows.
 The furrows so formed are used for
irrigation.
While carrying out this operation some of
the germinated setts may be uprooted and
they are pressed down manually
 Detrashing
• On an average a stalk may produce30-35 leaves.
All are not useful for effective photosynthesis
• Only the top 8-10 leaves are sufficient
• Most of the bottom leaves are dried will not
participate in photosynthesis
• At the same time they drain out the food
materials which otherwise could be used for
stalk growth
• Therefore it is important to remove the dry
and lower leaves. This operation is known as
de-trashing
Detrashing helps in

• clean cultivation
• Easy movement of air within the crop canopy
• Reduce certain pests like scales mealy bugs, white fly etc.,
• Easy entry into the field
• Avoids bud germination due to accumulation of water in the
leaf sheath
• Easy to take up cultural operations including sprayings
• Easy to harvest, obtaining clean canes for milling
Detrashed leaves can be used for
• Mulching in the furrows or
• Used for composting
• Infested leaves with pest or disease may be burnt out
 Propping
• Tying the canes by using the lower bottom leaves to
check lodging of cane
• Propping can be either done for each row or two rows
can be brought together and tied
• It is for:
• Prevention the lodging
• Extensively followed in all sugarcane growing areas
• Lodging also very common in
• Tall varieties
• Top growth is heavy and where the growth
habit is not erect, and
• The varieties with less fiber content
Maturity and harvest

• Sugarcane ripens about early December but sugar content of juice

continues to rise till about end of march.
• Lower leaves gradually withering up and leaving fewer green
leaves at the top.
• Ripening of sugarcane refers to rapid synthesis and storage of
sucrose in the stalk
• Accumulation of sugar in the stalk starts soon after completion of
elongation phase
• Glucose produced during photosynthesis is not utilized for
conversion but stored as sucrose
• As the crop advances in maturity:
• Water content decreases
• Sucrose content increases
• Reducing sugars(glucose and fructose) decreases
• At peak maturity sucrose content is at maximum
Yield

• Average yield of 11-12 months old crop- 00-

500 quintals .
• Adsali crop(18 months ) crop – 1000-1200
quintals.