FARMING of BIOFUEL

CROPS
SUGARCANE FARMING
 FARMING OF BIOETHANOL CROPS
INTRODUCTION
Biofuel made from plant biomass is recently gaining attention as a countermeasure
to global warming and as an alternative to petrol.Bio-ethanol is obtained from the
conversion of carbon based feedstock. Bioethanol is usually classified into 3 types
depending on the type of raw material/ feedstock.
• The first one is bioethanol derived from sugar-based materials such as sugarcane,
sugar beet, rotten fruits and molasse; which may be converted to ethanol
directly.
• The second one is derived from starch-based materials such as grains of maize
and wheat, and root (potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava) and tuber crops; which
must be 1st hydrolysed to fermentable sugars by action of enzymes.
• The third one, so-called cellulosic bioethanol or second generation bioethanol, is
made from cellulosic materials including crop residue (e.g. rice straw and maize
stover) and woody materials; these may be converted to sugars using acid or
SUGARCANE FARMING
• Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) is a tall,clump-forming perennial grass that
is native to the tropics of Southeast Asia.
• Widely cultivated on a mass scale commercially, the long, thick stems are
harvested for their sweet sap, which is most commonly used to make sugar and
molasses.
• The wax produced by the stem is used to make paper and insulation for
electrics.
• Sugar cane is also used in fuel production and as an energy-producing biomass .

Characteristics of sugarcane are as follows:

Botanical Name Saccharum officinarum
Common Name Sugar Cane
Plant Type Perennial
Mature Size Up to 6m tall
Sun Exposure Full Sun, Partial Shade
Soil Type Loam, Sand, Clay
Soil Ph Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Bloom Time Spring
Flower Color White
Sugarcane Farming in Eswatini
• The economy of Swaziland is largely agro-based, making it more
vulnerable to climate change.
• Small-scale sugarcane farming is extensively practiced by many rural
households in the Lowveld.
• These farmers are organized into small scale farmer associations (SSFAs)
averaging 60 individual farmers (SSA 2008).
• Sugarcane production offers substantial employment presenting a good
opportunity for poverty reduction in Eswatini.
Best Soil for Sugarcane Cultivation
• Sugar cane plants can grow in a wide variety of soil types. Soil test must be
done before preparing the soil for sugarcane farming.
• -Well-drained, deep and loamy soil with a bulk density of 1.1 to 1.2 g/cm3
- An available water holding capacity of 15% or more is considered ideal for
sugarcane cultivation.
• For maximum production, the optimum soil pH is between 6 and 6.5 (slightly
acidic to neutral).
• But the sugarcane plants can tolerate a considerable degree of soil acidity and
alkalinity. So the plants can grow in soil with pH range between 5 and 8.5.
• For soils that don’t meet the minimum requirements, it’s recommended the
usage of a soil amendment.
• An efficiently proven soil-quality booster for sugar cane crops is biochar. In a
study conducted, biochar has not only improved the overall quality of the soil in
a sugarcane crop but also resulted in raising the sucrose content in plants.

• Biochar is a carbon-rich soil conditioner obtained by the combustion of fibrous

biomass in oxygen-restricted conditions. Its a type of charcoal produced from
fast pyrolysis of woody biomass.
• This component can enhance soil’s quality and its fertility by raising the pH level,
increasing its capacity of retaining moisture, preserving the nutrients better, and
attracting more beneficial microbes and fungi.
 CULTIVATION PRACTICES
Propagation
• Propagation can be done by stem cutting off sections of the stalks called “setts” or
seed pieces. Stem cutting has become the most common reproduction method
and each cutting must contain at least one bud.
• Stem cuttings of immature canes 8 to 12 months old are used. Cane setts with
roots and shoots are known as settlings/tissue culture. Settlings can be raised
either in nursery beds or in polythene bags.
• Single node settlings are used as a planting material in spaced transplanting
technique. When the settlings are of about 6 week old, they are transplanted in
the prepared main field. Little portion of stem with one bud is known as bud
chip.
• Bud chips are used to raise settlings in a nursery. Settlings are ready in 5 to 8
weeks for transplanting in the main field.
Soil Preparation
• Soil must be prepared perfectly before planting the sugarcane plants.
• Plough the soil perfectly to a fine tilth - essentially for proper germination of
the sets plant emergence and root growth.
• Add as much organic fertilizers as you can while preparing the soil.
• Just like any plant, the sugar cane needs certain nutrients to grow. In
addition to the essential three macronutrients required by any plants
(nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), this crop type needs abundant
supplies of calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
• At the time of planting, add 45 kg Nitrogen, 85 kg Phosphorus, 85 kg
Potassium and around 50 tonnes of well-rotted manure per hectare.
Climate Requirements
• Sugarcane is considered as a tropical plant.
• It is a long duration crop and thus it encounters all the seasons such as
rainy, winter and summer during it’s life cycle.
• The plants generally grow best in tropical hot sunny areas. A long, warm
growing season with a high incidence of solar radiation and adequate
rainfall is required for growing sugarcane.
• For ripening and harvesting sugarcane, a fairly dry, sunny and cool, but
frost-free season is required.
• Therefore, judging by the characteristics of the climate where it grows the
best, we can say that sugarcane is a sun and water-loving plant.
Varieties
• Numerous sugarcane varieties are available throughout the world. But not all
these varieties are good for growing in all places around the world. Some of
these varieties grow well in specific area.
• The foliage colors of sugar cane vary depending on the cultivar you select, but
they tend to be large and richly green with sharp edges - so sharp that care has
to be taken when handling.
• Sugarcane typically produce flower spikes in the fall, although these will only
bloom on plants being grown as perennials rather than annuals.
• It is the stalks of sugar cane that makes them most easy to identify. They are
thick and have jointed internodes, and the shades can also vary depending on
the cultivar.
• Not all the varieties are good for commercial production purpose
Different Varieties of Sugarcane
Sugarcane is basically of 3 types:
• Chewing Sugarcane: This type of sugarcane varieties have a soft, fibrous center
which is good for chewing. The fibers tend to stick together as you chew so that
spitting it out once the sugar is depleted is easier.
• Syrup Sugarcane: This type of sugarcane varieties have a variety of sugar types
that don’t crystallize easily, but are good for making sugar syrup. Most of the
commercial sugarcane farmers used to cultivate this types of sugarcane.
• Crystal Sugarcane: The varieties of crystal sugarcane types are produced
commercially and used to make crystallized table sugar.
Planting
Planting can be done at
any time. But most of the
commercial farmers start
planting sugarcane buds
from September to
October and February to
March or in rainy season.
The sugarcane plants
generally take one year to
mature.
Spacing - Row spacing for commercial sugarcane farming ranges from
60 to 120 cm for sub-tropical regions.
Sowing Depth - Sow the sugarcane buds at a depth of 3-4 cm and then
cover it with soil.
Planting Methods
Sugarcane is generally planted in 4 different planting methods.
1) Ridge & Furrow Method
• In this method, the ridges and furrows are opened with the help of
ridger by keeping 120 cm distance between furrows in heavy soil and
105 cm distance in light to medium soil.
• First sets are laid on the end of the
top ridge to end and later planted in
furrows by two ways known as wet
method and dry method of planting.
• The main and sub-irrigation channels
are opened at an appropriate
distance.
Dry Method: Dry method is
followed in heavy soil to avoid the
pressing the sets deep into the soil.
The sets are placed in the furrow
end to end by facing eye buds on
sides and covered by giving a layer
of soil. And after successful
completion of planting, water the
field immediately.

Wet Method: Wet method is

followed in medium to light soil.
First water the field before planting.
Then plant the sets by pressing 2.5
to 5 cm deep in furrows with feet
or hand. The sets are placed end to
end by facing buds on sides.
 2) Flat Bed Method

For preparing the flat beds, plow,

harrow and level the land.
Depending upon the soil types, 60 to
90 cm distance is kept between two
rows.
The sets are pressed into the soil
with hand or feet to a depth of 2.5
to 5 cm and covered with soil.
This method of planting is used in
the areas with lots of rainfall.
3) Rayungan Method
• This method of planting sugarcane is followed in the heavy rainfall areas.
• In such areas, the sugarcane field get flooded during the rainy season
which affects germination. And in such cases, the sets cannot be planted
directly in the main field.
• So, single bud sets are planted vertically in nurseries which are prepared
high lying area of the farm in the month of June-July.
• The sprouted sets are transplanted in the main field after six weeks when
the danger of flooding is over.
4) Trench Method
• In this method, trenches are made about 90 to 120 cm apart and 22 to 30 cm
deep.
• The soil at bottom is loosened and mixed with manures. And then the sets are
planted in the middle of the trenches and covered with soil.
• Irrigation is given immediately after completion of planting.
• This planting method produces large clumps of sugarcane which do not lodge
when tied together.
• The damage from wild animals is less in this method.
Fertilizing
• This is one plant that definitely benefits from regular fertilization as they
are greedy when it comes to nutrients.
• During their optimum growth period in the summer, your sugar cane will
appreciate applications every week.
• Although sugar cane is a vegetative crop that does well with decent
quantities of nitrogen, be careful not to go too high as this can result in
weak stems.
• Do a soil test and apply fertilizers as recommended by an expert. Add as
much organic fertilizers as you can while preparing the soil.
• In winter due to low temperature, uptake of nutrient by crop become less
and plant give yellow appearance.
• To recover crop take spray of 19:19:19 @100gm/15Ltr of water. In water
scarcity situation spray of Urea+Potash @2.5kg/100Ltr is helpful for crop.
Watering
• Watering/irrigation play a very important role in the total production of
sugarcane.
• The number of irrigation required will vary depending upon soil types, water
availability and time of the year. The hot weather associated with dry winds
and drought increases the water requirement of the crop.
• Apply first irrigation when about 20-25% buds have germinated. But in
monsoon (seasonal prevailing wind), apply irrigation depending upon rainfall
intensity and frequency. In case of scanty of rainfall, apply irrigation with 10
days interval. And increase irrigation intervals afterwards, for example water
with 20-25 days interval.
• Do mulching in between cane rows to conserve moisture into the soil. Try to
avoid water stress from April to June, because water stress during these days
will reduce yield. Avoid water logging in standing field. Tillering stage and
elongation or grand growth phase are critical for irrigation.
• Soil between the furrows of canes, is taken with the help of spade and applied
to the sides of the plants. It help to mix top dressed fertilizer well within the
soil, also it help to support plant and prevent it from lodging.
Mulching
• Mulching is very beneficial for retaining moisture into the soil. It will also helps
to prevent weeds from the sugarcane field. You can use organic materials for
using as mulch.
Controlling Weeds
• Weeds consume most of the nutrients from the field.
• As sugarcane is widely space crop, weeding with hand or interculture operation
can be easily carried out. Take 3-4 hoeing after every irrigation.
• Chemicals can also be used for controlling weeds by carrying out pre-
emergence weedicide applications.
Diseases
Red Rot: Common symptoms
- leaves from top, third and fourth show yellowing and drying.
- Discolored lesion on rind is shown at the later stage.
Plant disease resistance varieties for controlling this disease.
Select disease free sugarcane for planting and disinfect soil around the diseased
clump.
Wilt: Root borer, nematodes, termite, drought and water logging condition
cause plant to wilt infection. It reduces germination and also reduces yield.
Use disease free setts for planting. Treat the setts with Carbendazim at the rate
of 0.2% plus Boric acid at the rate of 0.2% for 10 minutes. Intercropping with
garlic, coriander and onion will reduce this disease.
Pokkah Boeng: Pokkah boeng is an air borne disease.
• Symptoms - The affected plants bear distorted and wrinkled leaves. The leaves
show reddish patches at base of leaf blade.
• Spray with Carbendazim at the rate of 4 grams per liter of water or Copper
Oxychloride at the rate of 3 grams per liter of water.

Pests
Sugarcane plants are affected by some pests. The most common pest of sugarcane
and their controlling methods are as follows:
Early Shoot Borer: The sugarcane plants are attacked by these pests in the
germination stage upto internodes formations. The larva make holes in shoot
below the ground level and then enter into it, and thus causes dead heart.
Apply Chlorpyriphos at the rate of 1 liters per acre with 100 to 150 liters of water
over the setts placed on furrows with the help of rosecan.
Early-shoot borer and white grub
White Grub: The white grubs feed on root system and thus damage the
crop. Entire drying up of stalks and easily dislodging of sugarcane are
the main symptoms for white grub infestation.
Treat the cane with Chlorpyriphos. Apply Phorate at the rate of 4 kg or
Carbofuran at the rate of 13 kg per acre in the soil at or before sowing.

Termites: Treat the sugarcane buds before planting. Dip the setts in
imidacloprid solution at the rate of 4 m per 10 liter water for 2 minutes
or at the time of planting spray Chlorpyriphos at the rate of 2 liters per
acre on setts.
Pyrilla: The adult pyrilla suck leaf sap under the surface of leaves. And it results
in yellowing white spot and withering.
• Spray with Dimethoate or Acephate at the rate of 1-1.5ml per liter of water in
severe infestation.
Root Borer: Root borer enter into the root zone of shoot below ground.
Yellowing of leaves from leaf apex to downwards along the margin is seen due
to infestation.
• Treat the buds with Chlorpyriphos before planting. And if infestation is
observed in field, do drenching with Chlorpyriphos near the root zone.
Remove infected cane away from field and destroy it.
Pyrilla and root borer
Stalk Borer: The larvae feeds on inner surface of leaf sheath, mid rib and stalk.
Actually, it can attack any region of stalk.
• To prevent these pests, avoid excess use of nitrogen, keep the field clean and
provide proper drainage.
• Chemical control is rarely effective. Release parasitoid, Cotesia flavipes at
weekly interval from July to November.
Top Borer: Top borer attacks crops from tillering (production of side shoots)to
maturity phase. The larvae makes tunnels into midribs causes white streak
which later turns brown.
• To control do drenching (pesticide mixture is poured to the soil surrounding
the plant) of Rynaxypyr in between period of month end of April to first
week of May.
• Maintain proper drainage in soil, as water logging increases top borer
incidence.
Pruning
• Most sugar cane cultivars grown as perennials reach at least two or three
meters. If they are thriving and vigorously shooting up, they can begin to
sprawl and loose their upright, clump-forming habit. If this happens, it is
usually best to cut them back; otherwise, they can look untidy and can be
difficult to maintain.
• As mentioned, the cut stalks are excellent material for organic mulch, or
they can be propagated to make new plants or even harvested.
• Other than this, it is simply a case of removing any dead, withered foliage.
Propagating Sugar Cane
Growing and propagating sugarcane is not very difficult. There are mainly two
ways to start your sugar cane crop:
• Grow sugar cane from seeds
• Grow sugar cane from cuttings

Growing sugar cane from seeds

• While growing sugarcane by seeds is not the most popular choice, it is one of
the ways you can start your first cane crop.
• Once you plant the seeds, it will typically take between 7-14 days for them to
sprout.
• When seedlings are large enough, they should be ready for transplanting in
the garden or larger containers.
• You might not be able to find sugar cane seeds in all the stores that sell
plant seeds because the demand for it is not as high as for the conventional
garden plants.
• Also, most stores will only sell the seeds in bulk. Hence, you might want to
consider growing your sugarcane directly from cuttings since it’s faster and
the success rate is also higher.
Growing sugar cane from cuttings
• The preferred way of propagating sugar cane is by stalk cuttings. You can
either split a stalk you already have or buy some already cut.
• You can even purchase already sprouted sugarcane rootstocks to reduce the
growing time and increase the success chances even more.
Sugar cane cutting for Planting
Sugarcane cutting
• Keep in mind that the nodes will develop new roots, not the section between
the nodes. Therefore, every cutting should contain at least a node. Some
people even prefer to keep two nodes or more.
• Using a pruning lopper, cut the stalk a few mm under a node and a few mm
above the same or the next node.

• Next, you can put the cutting in water until the nodes develop new roots or
plant it directly in the ground or a container. Both methods work just as well.
The advantage of planting it directly into the soil is that you skip the extra
steps.
• If you choose to put the stalk section in water, you can place it vertically and
only sink the first node if the cutting has more, or you can even put it
horizontally and submerge it entirely, the sugarcane sprouts will find their
way to the surface either way. Just make sure that you don’t bury them too
deep into the ground.
Harvesting
When To Harvest Sugar Cane?
• In tropical, frost-free climates,
farmers allow sugarcane crops to
grow between 12 to 18 months.
• This is usually the time range when
the cane contains the highest level of
sugars and gives the best yields.
• Typically, after a week or two,
because of the high level of sugars,
the plants will begin to ferment and
will soon become inedible.
• Harvesting of sugarcane at right time is very important for getting maximum
yield and also for high sugar recovery.
• Harvesting at over aged or under aged sugarcane leads to loss in cane yield.
• Harvesting time can be decided depending upon withering of leaves. Some
people also use hand sugar refractometer to know the right harvesting time.
• Sickles are generally used for harvesting.
• Stalks are cut at ground level, so that the bottom sugar rich internodes are
harvested which add to yield and sugar.
• Quick disposal of the harvested sugarcane to factory is necessary after
harvesting.
Post Harvest
• Sugarcane provides a juice, which is used for making white sugar and many by
products like bagasse and molasses.
• Sugarcane contains the following: water (73-76%), soluble solids (10-16%), and
dry fiber or bagasse (11-16%. It takes a series of physical and chemical processes
that occur in 7 steps to make the two main products, ethanol and sugar.

Yield
• Exact amount of yield per hectare vary depending on numerous factors. On
average, you can expect 100-150 tons per hectare.
Marketing
• Marketing sugarcane is very easy and simple. After harvesting, you can transport
the sugarcane with tractors or lorry to local Government markets or sugar mills.
You can also sell in the local market if you produce the chewing sugarcane
types.