SUGARCANE Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) also known as Ganna/ Ekh belongs to Poaceae ©” family. Its 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 has the largest area under sugarcane in the world and also ranks first in sugar production. Sugarcane is one of the miain crop 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 thatthe thin Indian canes probably originated in the «7 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 Oceana, 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 siigarcane, 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 ‘Tefined 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 2009, an estimated 1,683 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 Indi In India sugarcane is cultivated in 4.42 mha with production of 285 mt with a productivity of 645 q/halfThe major sugarcane growing states in india are: UP, Maharashtra, TN, Kamataka, Gujarat and AP. Haryana ranks 8" in production and 9" in area in India with a productivity of 570 qfha. The highest productivity is in Tamil Nadu (1062 q/ha). The sugar recovery is highest in Maharastra (11.1%) followed by Gujrat and Karnataka with ali India average of 9.90%, which is much less than the Hawaii (72.28). 3! . 0 bap Bi dara Jer Glebe “He dame veh 4 ony by Bes cor serghs)‘are susceptible to red rot and mosaic diseases. The cultivation of this *\ Classification Sugarcane belongs to the genus Saccharum in the family Poaceae. Cultivated sugarcane is classified into three species. Papo aeereernete eee Saccharum officinarum: These are noble canes known as ‘Ponda’ in north India and grown for chewing purposes, These are thick and juicy canes goodfor 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 — species is limited to tropical areas, But in receni 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 Jong and thin stalks, broad leaves, low to medium sucrose content and early maturity. This species includes ‘Pansahi’. ‘Nargori’ and ‘Mungo’ groups of TuBarcane. Tatemodes 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 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. Both the above mentioned species, indigenous to north-eastern India were in cultivation for ‘many centuries but now-a-days can¢s 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 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- 30°C. Base temperature for germination is about 12°C. Warm, moist soil ensures rapid ‘germination. Under field conditions, about 60 per cent germination can be considered safe for raising a satisfactory crop. : The germination phase is from planting to the ue stage: Tillering starts from around 40 days after planting and may last up to 120 tays. 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. Maximum tiller population reaches around 90-120 days after planting. By about 150-180 days, atleast 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. 70 v aoGrand growth phase: Grand growth phase starts from 120 days after planting and lasts up to Whee jonth 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°C with humidity of around 80% is most conducive for good growth. sb. Ripening and maturation phase: Ripening and maturation phase in a twelve-month crop

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 6G in 600 — 1000 liter water/ha. Pyrilla: Nymphs and adults both suck the cell-sap from the underside of the leaves. The damaged leaves tum 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. Sugareane top borer: Young leave bore into the mid rb 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 {nto the shoot and feed there. “The attached plants produce dead hearts which emits aleohotic 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 inthe 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 te field. Lodged or waterlogged fields are more severely infested. Root borer: The young larvas 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 ke/ha of Quinalphos 5 G before irrigation. 719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 ut 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 4 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 abo ve-mentioned operati ee ield shot iver “ »perations are over the field shoul ven irrigati accordis " rr the field should be given irrigation Trash mulchin, ig helps to check the weed: i i a s, reduce water requirement and as organic The C crop should be provided an efficient drainage for draining out excess water from the field. Th ' r \¢ weed control, earthing up, hoeing and plant protection measures should be ‘ollowed 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 cents 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 suerose content out of the total solids present in juice. 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