S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K.

Sah and Chandra Gupta

Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta
ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow-226002, India

E conomic viability of sugar sector in India hinges on cost effective sugarcane

cultivation, as sugar mills incur more than 66% of sugar production cost on the
purchase of raw material. Sugarcane,with harvestable stalk yield of 100 t (tonnes), on
an average, produces 10 t of sugar, 4 t of molasses (ethanol production), 3 t of press
mud (organic manure production), 30 t of bagasse (co-gen of 1500 kW electricity
and manufacturing of paper etc.) besides 30 t of cane tops and leaves (for cattle feed
and trash mulching etc.). Exploiting the full production potential of sugarcane is of
utmost importance for maximizing its production as well as productivity, which is
an outcome of adequate and appropriate agronomic management practices. Efficient
use of precious farm resources (seed cane amongst others) has always been critical
for sustainable growth of sugarcane agriculture. Accurate and healthy seed cane
placement (preferably in least quantity) in soil not only helps in ensuring good initial
plant population in the farm but also reduces the cost of production by optimum
utilisation of available farm inputs. In addition to many inputs involved in sugarcane
production, focus on the seed cane saving technology is needed to effectively check
its increasing cost of cultivation.Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) is commercially
planted by using stalk cuttings or setts that accounts for about 20-25 percent of the total
cost of production. This method of cultivation is gradually becoming uneconomical.
In conventional system of sett planting about 6 – 8 tonnes/ha of seed cane (nearly
10% of total produce) is used as planting material, which comprises of about 25-
30 cm stalk pieces having 2-3 buds. This large mass of planting material poses a
great problem in transport, handling and storage of seed cane and prone to rapid
deterioration thus reducing the viability of buds and subsequently their sprouting.
One alternative to reduce the quantity and improve the quality of seed cane would
be to plant pre-sprouted single bud cane segments, popularly known as cane nodes.
These cane nodes are less bulky, easily transportable and more economical as seed
material. The cane node technology holds great promise in rapid multiplication of
newly released varieties of sugarcane. Moreover, it improves uniformity within row
spacing and provides room for decreased competition among plants.

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

In the past, various sugarcane researchers have reported that a small volume
of tissue and a single root primordium adhering to the bud are enough to ensure
germination in sugarcane. They have also stated that under favourable growing
conditions, sett or stalk with only one bud did well as seed material for good
germination of sugarcane. Indian sugarcane experts have showed the feasibility
of eliminating the inter-nodal part of the seed cane piece and using only buds for
commercial planting. Extensive work has been done using different types of seed
cane materials such as single bud settlings, bud chip raised seedlings, 1-3 bud setts
for crop establishment and then determining the effect of the planting material on
growth and yield of sugarcane in India. It has been observed that, due to saving in
seed material, the highest net returns can be obtained with seedlings raised from
single-bud setts. Earlier studies have established that about 80% (by weight) of seed
material can be saved by planting single-bud setts over the conventional 3-bud setts
planting. The single-bud sett seed material has relatively low food reserves (1.2-1.8
g sugar/single-bud sett) compared to conventional 3-bud setts (6.0-8.0 g sugar/3-bud
setts). The food reserves and moisture in the single bud setts deplete at a faster rate
compared to 2 or 3 bud setts, therefore sufficient soil moisture and nutrients must
be available at the time of planting. In view of the benefits of using single-bud setts
sugarcane planting, extensive research work has been carried out at ICAR- Indian
Institute of sugarcane Research, Lucknow on this aspect besides its validation at the
farmers’ fields in different sugar factory zones of Uttar Pradesh.
The cane growers may have to pay even more for the newly released varieties
due to scarcity of high quality seed cane. Therefore, it becomes imperative to
develop an efficient agro-technique for producing a sufficient quantity coupled with
optimum quality of healthy seed cane for planting sugarcane under such conditions.
Several techniques have been developed for multiplication of seed cane of promising
varieties at a faster rate, but could not be applied due to several problems. To solve
these problems, scientists at the Institute proposed a method of raising polythene
bag nursery from young buds located in the spindle region of sugarcane stalk and
transplanted the plantlets into the field. Planting single-bud setts in polythene bags
provides an opportunity for faster multiplication of newly released varieties of
sugarcane over the conventional system where the average germination rate of 35-
40% from 37000 three-bud cane setts (6-8 t/ha) results into wastage of precious
seed material. Further, the bulky cane cuttings used for planting harbour many pests
and diseases thereby decreasing cane yield and quality drastically. Accumulation
of diseases over vegetative cycles leads to further decline in yield and quality
over the years. In fact, poor seed cane quality is a major constraint in sugarcane

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

production. Development of tissue culture technology for rapid multiplication of

disease-free planting material has greatly facilitated mass production of quality
seed in sugarcane, but due to some technical problems and increasing cost, it could
not be carried forward further for commercial sugarcane production. To address
these aforesaid problems, a package of simple agricultural innovations popularly
known as “cane node technology” has been developed by ICAR-IISR, Lucknow
for sugarcane farming using less seed cane material in the form of single bud cane
node with priming techniques and seed cane treatments to enhance germination and
establishing adequate plant population in the field.
Concerns of conventional 3-bud setts sugarcane planting
• Huge seed cane requirement (60-80 q/ha)
• Entails significant investment in seed cane : 22-25% of the total cost of
cultivation
• Slow and low bud germination restricts early vigour of cane crop
• Narrow multiplication ratio (1:10) of sugarcane seed
• Irregular germination in time and space (about 10-15% bud setts fail to sprout)
creates 20-25% gaps in crop stand, resulting in low cane yield
• Transportation of huge quantity of seed cane reduces the seed quality and
makes adoption of packaging and seed certification procedures difficult
Cane node technology: the background
• To reduce the quantity of seed cane requirement from 6-8 to 1.5-2.0 tonnes per
hectare, ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow developed
STP (Spaced transplanting technique) method of planting wherein single-
bud stem cuttings are first raised in nursery bed then transplanted in the field.
However, for transplanting and better establishment of settlings two additional
irrigations are required over the recommended practice which favours prolific
weed growth and that adds to the cost of cultivation. Therefore, the technique
was not in much favour for its adoption at large.
• Recently, ‘bud-chip technique’ has also been tried, but in this technique also
transplanting is required. Bud-chips are not planted directly in the field.
However, this technique also suffers with the requirement of transplanting.
• The cane-node technology is a novel technique for priming of sugarcane
planting material, its packaging, transportation, certification and field
placement for faster germination and higher cane yield.

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

• Through priming of sugarcane planting material, we aim to accelerate

bud germination so that cane germination period in field conditions could
be reduced effectively from 45 days required in conventional 3- bud setts
planting.
Description of the cane-node technology
• For seed cane priming, a stem cutting having a bud along with root band and
attached an inch length of internode on both sides is taken as planting material
(Fig. 1a).
• This planting material is treated first with 0.10 – 0.75% liquid solution of
carbendazim for at least 30 minutes (Fig. 1b) followed by treatment for 15-
20 minutes in a liquid organic formulation made up of cattle dung and cattle
urine in a ratio of 1:1 to 1:5.
• This organic formulation in a container is diluted 5-10 times with water and
stirred for 5-10 minutes to make it as organic slurry for priming the planting
material (Fig. 1c).
• The planting material (cane nodes) is immersed in the slurry (Fig. 1d) for
15-20 minutes.
• After that seed material is incubated in a solid organic formulation made up of
decomposed farmyard manure and soil in the ratio of 1:1 to 1:5; in a corner of
field where these cane nodes are to be planted or any other desired place or in
perforated plastic crates (Fig. 2).
• For incubation, the planting material is to be kept in layers on a bed with
2-5 cm thick solid organic formulation between each two layers.
• In this fashion, 3 such layers of planting material and solid organic material
formulation, having 20-30% moisture content, is placed vertically one after
other.
• After three layers of solid organic formulation and planting material, it
must be covered by 1-5 cm thick layer of dry soil, followed by sprinkling of
chlorpyriphos at the concentration of 10 ml/L of water to safeguard against
termites.
• After covering, the swelling of buds starts which may be checked in the field
itself after 5-7 days under 25-350C temperature.

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

• If the planting of cane node segments are to be planted in some other fields/
places, then these 5-7 days may be utilized for transportation of such seed
cane material from nursery site to actual planting site.
• A minimum period of 5-7 days is required for completion of priming of seed
in the above mentioned temperature range.
• Once the packaged planting material reaches the destination (the period may
vary from 0-7 days depending upon the distance and mode of transportation)
the primed buds with discernible roots on conjoined root band are planted in
furrows.
• Emergence of shoots from such primed buds takes about 7-10 days depending
on soil moisture and temperature of the atmosphere, thus the total period
required for shoot emergence is 12-16 days against 45 days required with the
conventional practices. The germination percentage is more than 90% against
35-40% under conventional methods of planting.
Modus operandi under field conditions
Cane nodes preparation
Cutting of healthy cane nodes (4-5 cm long) having viable buds along with
root bands
Treatment of cane nodes
(a) Dipping of cane segments in 0.10-0.75% liquid solution of carbendazim at
least for 30 minutes
(b) Preparation of liquid organic formulation made up of cattle dung and cattle
urine in a ratio of 1:1 to 1:5
(c) The above solution is diluted 5-10 times with water and stirred for 5-10
minutes to make it an organic slurry
(d) Planting material is immersed in the above slurry for 30 minutes
Preparation of soil mixture for use in nursery bed
(a) Mixture of field soil and decomposed FYM/SPMC in the ratio of 1:1 to 1:5
maintaining moisture content of 20-30%
(b) Sprinkling of chlorpyriphos solution (10 ml/L of water) on the soil mixture to
safeguard against termite

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

Photographs showing sequential methodology of cane node technology of

sugarcane growing

Fig. 1 (a): Cane node segments Fig. 1 (b): Cane nodes treatment

Fig. 1 (c): Priming of cane nodes Fig. 1 (d): Cane nodes’ treatment in organic
slurry

Fig. 2: Cane nodes ready for planting in Fig. 3: Establishing nursery for cane nodes
nurserry plantation

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

Fig. 4: Status of cane nodes after 5-6 Fig. 5: View of a cane node after
days of incubation incubation

Fig. 6: Cane nodes kept in the plastic tub Fig. 7: Planting of incubated cane nodes
for planting in the field in the field planted crop

Fig. 8: Tillers production of cane nodes Fig 9: Growth of sugarcane planted by

cane node method

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

Selection and preparation of nursery

(a) Corner of a field on the planting site
(b) Nursery size should be 5.0 m × 0.60 m to accommodate planting material for
1 ha field
(c) Layering of 2 cm soil mixture from the base of nursery bed
Placement of cane nodes in nursery
(a) Placing of cane nodes on the nursery bed just like a mat
(b) Layering of 2 cm soil mixture over the cane nodes
(c) Placing second layer of cane nodes and covering with 2 cm soil mixture
(d) Covering of nursery bed with dry sugarcane leaves
(e) Sprinkling of water over nursery bed on alternate day basis to maintain
20-30% soil moisture
Incubation period
(a) Primed cane nodes are kept in incubation for 5-7 days
(b) Buds start swelling after 2 days of implantation
(c) Sprouts of 0.2-0.4 cm length emerge on buds after 5-7 days
Field plantation
(a) Planting of sprouted buds at 75 cm × 30 cm distance (spring planting season)
or as per planting geometry to be adopted in accordance with the planting
seasons or as per requirement.
(b) Follow up of normal agronomical practices as is done in conventional planting
(Fig. 3 to Fig. 9)
Table 1: Conventional versus cane node planting in sugarcane cultivation
Sr. Parameters Conventional Cane node planting
No. planting material material (stem cutting
(3- bud setts) having a bud alongwith
roots band only)
1. Seed cane quantity 60-80 q/ha 15-17 q/ha
2. Length of planting 25-30 cm 4-5 cm
material
3. Weight of planting 125-150 g / segment 20-25 g / segment
material

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

4. No. of planting 44,400/ha (75 cm × 44,400/ha (75 cm ×

material required 30 cm spacing) 30 cm spacing
5. No. of buds required 1,33,200/ha 44,400/ha
6. Expenses on the total 20-25% 5-6%
cost of cultivation
7. Buds germination Slow (35-38% at 45 Quick (85-90% at 45
DAP) DAP)
8. Plant vigour Slow, on account of Early, on account of early
late emergence of emergence of leaves and
leaves and less leaf more leaf area
area
9. Seed cane 1:10 1:40
multiplication ratio
10. Extent of plant 10-15% buds fail Almost gapless initial
population to sprout and thus planting density
create 20-25% gaps,
and reduces yields
of cane and ratoon
subsequently
11. Scope of enhancing Sub-optimum, thus Optimum, and can be
planting density difficult enhanced further by
manipulating planting
geometry and nutrition
level
12. Transportation of A cumbersome job Can be done easily
seed cane due to huge quantity
13. Maintaining genetic Difficult due to unfair No chance of mixing
purity and mixing of mixing in open truck, due to less seed cane
seed cane and during and farmers remain quantity and genetic purity
transportation suspicious maintained
14. Seed cane packaging Difficult due to Easier due to less quantity
bulk quantity and
mechanical damage
to buds due to truck
loading

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

15. Seed cane Not possible due to Possible due to packing

certification unpacked planting
material
16. Suitability for Not very good Good, because of uniform
intercropping planting density
17. Gap filling, weeds Not very easy Easier, sprouted planting
management and late materials get ready in
planting advance
On-station experimental results
An experiment on “Cane node technology of sugarcane planting” was initiated
at ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow for two crop seasons
during 2014-2015 and 2015-16 consisting of the treatments namely, T1 : Cane node
(a stem cutting having a bud along with root band) only, T2 : Cane node + 2 cm
internode (both side of the cane), T3 : Cane node + 2 cm internode (upper side of
the cane only), T4 : Cane node + 2 cm internode (lower side of the cane only), T5
: Conventional planting of 1-bud setts, T6 : Conventional planting of 2-bud setts
and T7 : Conventional planting of 3-bud setts. On the basis of results obtained, it
was observed that the cane node technology may be useful in reducing the seed
cane quantity in sugarcane cultivation in addition to rapid multiplication of newly
released varieties of sugarcane germination of cane buds.
Experimental data indicated that the germination of cane buds counted at 25,
35 and 45 days after planting (DAP) under cane node planting treatments (T1, T2, T3
and T4) was maximum and it was, on an average, 67.69, 71.35 and 82.50% as against
23.79, 32.99 and 39.00% under conventional planting by 3-bud setts, respectively.
Higher germination percent in cane node planting treatments also produced
significantly more number of tillers and millable canes than that of conventional
planting methods (T5, T6 and T7). Cane yield also exhibited almost the same trend
as the number of tillers and millable canes under different treatments, and it was
significantly higher under cane node planted treatments producing 8.72% more cane
yield than that obtained under conventional 3-bud planting method (75.31 t/ha).
CCS% cane did not differ significantly due to different treatments in the test.
Off-station experimental results
The results of cane node technology experiment done at ICAR-IISR, Lucknow
were validated at the different farmers’ fields under sugar mills zone areas (east,
central and west) of Uttar Pradesh. This experiment was carried out in two farmers’

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

fields each at two villages in east, central and western sugar factory zones separately.
Experimental results indicated that the cane yield obtained in different farmers’
fields of all the three sugar factory zones exhibited almost the same trend with that
of germination %, tillers and millable cane numbers (Table 2). On an average, the
cane yield of 95.11 t/ha obtained under cane node planting from all the three sugar
factory zones, and it was higher by 8.88% than that of conventional method of
planting (86.66 /ha). The technology of sugarcane planting by cane node method is
becoming popular among sugarcane farmers in the state, since it gives not only good
cane yield but also saves precious seed cane planting material and thereby reduces
cost of cultivation. Sugarcane farmers are also preferring this technology and using
it for rapid multiplication of newly released varieties of sugarcane (Fig. 10).
Table 2. Germination percent, number of tillers, number of millable canes and
cane yield obtained under cane node and conventional planting techniques in
different sugar factory zones of Uttar Pradesh
Sugar factory Germination Tillers (‘000/ha) Millable canes Cane yield (t/ha)
zone/ village / (%) (‘000/ha)
farmer Cane Conven- Cane Conven- Cane Conven- Cane Conven-
Node tional Node tional Node tional Node tional
(A) Hata (East U.P.)
(1) Village : 1
(i) Farmer 1 79.64 38.73 168 159 120 100 103.6 80.55
(ii) Farmer 2 72.30 39.74 164 152 110 105 75.35 67.94
Mean 75.97 39.24 156 156 115 103 89.21 74.25
(2) Village : 2
(i) Farmer 1 79.70 39.20 159 145 104 100 88.00 80.34
(ii) Farmer 2 78.80 40.83 160 147 108 99 91.51 81.67
Mean 79.25 40.02 160 146 106 99 89.76 81.01
Mean of Eastern 77.61 39.63 163 151 111 101 89.49 77.63
U.P.
(B) Biswan (Central U.P.)
(1) Village : 1
(i) Farmer 1 85.3 42.7 189 179 127 110 105.92 93.95
(ii) Farmer 2 88.6 41.5 182 169 128 112 109.96 96.78
Mean 86.9 42.1 186 174 128 111 107.94 95.37
(2) Village : 2
(i) Farmer 1 87.3 43.2 183 165 130 118 107.30 98.15
(ii) Farmer 2 89.4 39.6 188 171 125 117 101.90 90.74
Mean 88.4 41.4 186 172 128 118 104.60 94.45
Mean of Central 87.65 41.75 186 173 128 115 106.27 94.91
U.P.

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

(C) Ramala (West U.P.)

(1) Village : 1
(i) Farmer 1 92.3 45.8 206 205 139 130 95.30 92.30
(ii) Farmer 2 86.7 42.3 207 202 130 127 88.71 86.41
Mean 89.5 44.05 206 203 135 129 92.01 89.36
(2) Village : 2
(i) Farmer 1 85.9 40.9 208 207 136 134 90.08 88.70
(ii) Farmer 2 89.4 39.7 210 200 129 125 84.14 82.31
Mean 87.7 40.3 209 203 133 130 87.11 85.51
Mean of Western 88.6 42.18 207 203 134 130 89.56 87.44
U.P.
Mean of Uttar 84.63 41.20 185 176 124 115 95.11 86.66
Pradesh

Table 3: Details of cost of cultivation of sugarcane under conventional and cane

node planting techniques based on average data of sugarcane growing in east,
central and western zones of Uttar Pradesh (2017-18)
Sr. Particulars Conventional Cane node
No.

1. Field preparation
a) Disc ploughing: 3 hrs
b) Harrow – 2: 5 hrs
c) Cultivator – 2: 4 hrs
d) Planking - 1: 2 hrs
14 hrs 8400 8400
e) Labour - 2 348 348
------------ ------------
8748 8748

2. Seed cane and its preparation

a) Seed cane: 70 qtl (conventional): 17 qtl (cane node) 26600 6460
b) Harvesting: 12 labour (conv.): 04 (cane node) 2088 696
c) Sett cutting: 08 labour (conv.): 06 (cane node) 1392 1044
d) Seed transportation: 1 hr (conv.): 0.5 hr (cane node) 600 300
e) Establishment of cane node nursery: 05 labour --- 870
----------- -----------
34480 9370

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

3. Seed cane treatment and planting

a) Seed cane treatment: 112g bavistin + 2 labour 728+348=1076 728+348=1076
b) Furrow opening: 2 hrs 600 600
c) Sett placement: 8 labour (conv.), 4 labour (cane node) 1392 696
d) Covering + Planking: (1 pair bullock and 2 labour) 425+348=773 425+348=773
---------------- -------------
3841 3145
5. Irrigation:
a) 07 (01 pre-planting + 06 growth period) (15 hrs/irrigation) 26250 26250
b) Labour: 2 (pre-planting) + 12 (growth period) 2436 2436
---------- ----------
28686 28686
6. Manure, fertilizer & application
a) FYM @ 100 q/ha 7000 7000
b) Transportation of FYM:2 hr 1200 1200
c) Spreading: 4 labour 696 696
d) 150 kg N + 80 kg P + 60 kg K 3600 3600
e) SSP: 500 kg 2297 2297
f) Urea: 300 kg 1400 1400
g) MOP: 100 kg 1320 1320
-------- --------
17513 17513
7. Plant protection
a) Chlorpyriphos @ 6.25 lit/ha 1484 1484
b) Labour: 3 522 522
c) Coragen: 0.375 lit 4750 4750
d) Labour: 3 522 522
------------- -----------
7278 7278
8. Inter-culture operation
a) Hoeing with kassi – 2 @ 25 labour/hoeing 8700 8700
b) Hoeing with cultivator: 2 (1 pair bullock + 2 labour) / hoeing 850+348=1198 850+348=1198
c) Earthing: 2@ 30 labour 11440 11440
d) Propping : 3@ 20 labour 10440 10440
------------- -------------
31778 31778
9. Harvesting @ Rs. 40/q 28000 28000
10. Supervision 8000 8000
Total cost of cultivation (Rs./ha) 1,68,324/- 1,42,518/-

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

Fig. 10: Activities pertaining to priming of cane nodes at farmers field of Hata sugar
factory (East U.P.)

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

Prevailing market rate of inputs:

Sugarcane (seed cane): Rs. 380/ q MOP: Rs. 1400/q
Tractor: Rs. 600/ hr Bavistin: Rs. 650/kg
Labour Rs. 174/ day
One pair bullock: Rs. 425/ day Coragen: Rs. 12668/lit.
FYM: Rs. 70/ q Urea: Rs. 696/q
Chloropyriphos Rs. 295/lit.
SSP: Rs. 720/q Irrigation Rs. 250/hr

The components of cost of cultivation as indicated above (Fig. 11) clearly

indicate that seed cane and preparation accounts for 22% of the total cost of
cultivation. This cost can be reduced significantly with the adoption of cane node
technology as it needs only 15-17 q/ha of seed cane quantity as against 60-80 q/ha
under conventional 3-bud setts of sugarcane planting.

Crop supervision Field preparation

4% 5%

Sugarcane
harvesting
16% Seed cane & its
preparation
22%

Intercultural
operation
16% Seed cane
treatment &
planting
4%
Irrigation
18%
Manures,
Fertilizers & its
Plant protection application
4% 11%

Fig. 11: Component wise cost of cultivation of conventional sugarcane

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

Table 4: Economic returns from both the methods of sugarcane cultivation

Sl. Items Pooled mean of 03 years data (Farmers’ fields)
No. Cane node Conventional 3 bud
technology setts
1 Cane yield (t/ha) 88.00 81.70
2 Cost of cultivation (Rs/ha) 1,42,518 1,68,324
3 B:C ratio 2.01 1.58

The benefit cost ratio was higher in case of cane node method of sugarcane
planting (2.01) compared to conventional 3 bud setts (1.58) (Table 4). The
technology of sugarcane planting by cane node method is becoming popular among
sugarcane farmers in different zones of the state since it gives not only good cane
yield but also saves precious seed cane planting material and thereby reduces cost of
cultivation. Sugarcane farmers are also preferring this technology and using it for
rapid multiplication of newly released varieties of sugarcane.
Benefits of cane node technology
1) The seed cane quantity requires for this method is 15-17 quintals as against 60-
80 quintals/ha in conventional planting, and thus reduces cost of cultivation.
2) Benefit: cost ratio worked out for sugarcane planting by cane node technique
was 2.01 as against 1.58 under conventional method of sugarcane planting.
3) Seed cane multiplication ratio: 1:40 as against 1:10 in conventional method of
planting.
4) It leads to quicker germination by planting of sprouted cane nodes in the field.
5) Uniform plant population that leads to higher yield of cane by way of
maximizing initial crop stand.
6) An excellent tool for rapid multiplication of newly released varieties of
sugarcane.
7) Easier packaging, transportation and seed cane certification because of smaller
seed cane quantity required for sugarcane planting by cane node method.
8) Mechanization in sugarcane agriculture and intercultural operations (inter and
intra) can easily be done on account of uniform stand establishment of initial
plant population of sugarcane.

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

9) Disease management is easier under cane node technology method since

smaller quantity of seed cane material can be well treated than that of a huge
seed cane quantity required for conventional method of sugarcane planting.
10) Settlings developed through cane node technology can be used appropriately
for gap filling after germination of conventionally planted sugarcane crop.
11) Sugarcane planting by cane node technology can be a very good option for
late planting situations after harvest of scented varieties of rice in November
(eastern Uttar Pradesh and north Bihar) and wheat in April-May (western
Uttar Pradesh and parts of Haryana and Punjab) since it reduces the time to be
taken for emergence of cane buds planted in the field.
12) Selection of viable cane buds for planting is easier due to smaller seed cane
quantity since the same operation becomes quite difficult and time taking too in
case of huge seed cane quantity required for conventionally planted sugarcane
crop. Mechanical damage of cane buds during harvesting of sugarcane and
also the damage caused by various insect pests occur usually.
13) Seed cane preparation and also the planting of sugarcane can easily be done
by women farmers as it reduces drudgery in various operations involved in it.
14) It gives a very good scope for the development of cane node planter, so that the
smaller quantity of seed cane material could be loaded easily in the machine
and planting in the field subsequently.
15) In case if we do not have land for the establishment of a nursery for cane nodes
priming and sprouting during incubation then the same operation can be done
using plastic crates or gunny bags suitably.
16) Leftover sugarcane material after cutting of cane node segments can be well
utilized for jaggery making or supplied to local cane juice venders / sugar
mills.
Limitations and future line of work in cane node technology
1) The technology is undoubtedly useful in reducing the seed cane planting
material and rapidly multiplying the newly released varieties of sugarcane
besides enhancing the yield of cane up to some extent.
2) As per our observations, the best time for its planting in subtropical climatic
conditions is in autumn (September – October) and early spring (February)
seasons owing to less loss of soil moisture.

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

3) But when the planting is extended beyond February the available soil moisture
depletes at faster rate due to blowing of desiccating westerly winds. This is
the major bottleneck in obtaining good germination of cane nodes besides
limiting the proper establishment of emerged plantlets thereafter.
4) Moreover, nutritional aspect is also an important factor to look into since
food materials available in cane nodes is certainly less than that in 30 cm long
3-bud setts used in conventional planting.
5) There is a need to address the soil moisture constraints and nutrition aspects
for accelerating cane buds germination and early vigour of emerged plantlets
vis-à-vis maximized plant population in main planting season.
6) Cutting of sugarcane stalks for
planting with traditional method is
costly, time-consuming, requires
great human force and high volume of
sugarcane stalk per hectare. Also the
existing (traditional) tools used for
bud cutting of sugarcane are unsafe,
messy and need skill and training.
The risk of injury is also too high.
This necessitates the development
of a node cutting machine for
sugarcane. Now-a-days seed cane Fig. 12 : Cane Node Cutting Machine
cutting machines (1 HP) with the
cutting efficiency of 4500 buds per hour have been developed/fabricated
commercially (Fig 12) to reduce the human force and time. However, these
machines may not have control on cutting location. Sometimes, cut may
appear on the bud as well, which results into no germination of the bud and we
lose the precious seed cane material. In addition to proper controlled cutting
of stalk, it is necessary to identify any disease in the node as it affects the yield
and quality of the sugarcane.
7) To reduce the human effort required for sugarcane planting by developing
automated sugarcane node cutting machine, it is required to have proper
control on cutting location so that cut can not appear on node besides cutting
of maximum nodes at minimum time for enhanced efficiency of the desired
operation.

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

Common package of practices for sugarcane raised through cane node

technology and conventional planting method
Planting Seasons
Since Sugarcane requires about 25-32°C for good germination, and this
temperature requirement is met twice in Uttar Pradesh i.e. in the month of October
and also in the months of February-March. The planting schedule of sugarcane in the
state is illustrated here as under:
(A) Autumn planting: 15 September-30 October
(B) Spring planting:
(i) Eastern zone: 15 January – end of February
(ii) Central zone: 15 February – end of March
(iii) Western zone: 15 February – end of March
(C) Late planting after harvest of wheat: April – 15 May (western zone of the
state)
Sugarcane Varieties Recommended for Uttar Pradesh
Sugarcane varieties recommended for general cultivation in Uttar Pradesh are
given in Table 5.
Table 5: Sugarcane varieties for general cultivation in Uttar Pradesh
Particulars Name of Sugarcane varieties
Early Mid late
1. State All Areas All sugarcane Co S 8436, Co S 767, Co S
as a of the producing districts Co S 88230, 8432, Co S 97264,
whole state of the state Co S 95255, Co S 96275, Co S
Co S 96268, 97261, Co S 98259,
Co S 03234, Co S 99259, Co Se
UP 05125, 01434, UP 0097,
Co Se 98231, Co S 08279, Co S
Co S 08272, 08276, Co S 12232,
Co Se 95422, Co Se 11453,
Co 0238, Co 0118, Co 05011,
Co 98014, Co S 09232 and
Co S 13231 and Co S 13452
Co S 13235

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

2. West- Meerut, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Co J 64, Co S 03251, Co S 94257,

ern zone Hapur, Bulandshahr, Co Lk 9709, Co S 96269,
Saha- Baghpat, Co 0237, Co 0239, UP 39, Co Pant
ranpur Saharanpur, Co 05009, 84212, Co S 07250,
Muzaffarnagar, Co Pk 05191, Co H 119, Co Pant
Shamali Co Lk 11203 in 97222 Co J 20193,
addition to varieties Co 0124 , Co H 128,
mentioned at row Co Lk 09204,
number -1 Co Lk 11206, in
addition to varieties
mentioned at row
number -1
3. Central Lucknow, Lucknow, Co J 64, Co S 94257,
zone Bareilly, Lakhimpur-Kheri, Co Se 01235, Co S 96269, UP 39,
Morad- Sitapur, Hardoi, Co Lk 9709, Co Pant 84212,
abad Raebareli, Kanpur, Co 0237, Co 0239, Co H 119,
Kanpur-Dehat, Co 05009, Co Pant 97222,
Farrukhabad, Co Pk 05191, Co J 20193,
Unnao, Bareilly , Co Lk 12207 in Co 0124 and
Pilibhit, addition to varieties Co H 128,
Shahjahanpur, mentioned at row Co Lk 12209 in
Badaun, Aligarh, number -1 addition to varieties
Etah, Mathura, mentioned at row
Muradabad, number -1
Sambhal, Amroha,
Rampur and Bijnor
4. East- Deoria, Deoria, Kushinagar, Co Se 01235, Co Se 96436,
ern zone Gorakh- Azamgarh, Mau, Co 87263, Co 87268, Co 0233,
pur, Ballia, Gorakhpur, Co 89029, Co Se 08452,
Devipa- Maharajganj, Basti, Co Lk 94184, Co Lk 12209 in
tan, Siddharthnagar, Co 0232, addition to varieties
Faizabad Santkabirnagar, Co 01421, mentioned at row
Gonda, Balrampur, Co Lk 12207 in number -1
Shravasti, Behraich addition to varieties
Faizabad, Varanasi, mentioned at row
Bhadohi, Jaunpur, number -1
Ghazipur, Barabanki,
Ambedkar Nagar,
Sultanpur, Amethi,
Prayagraj, Mirzapur
etc.
5. Approved varieties for waterlogged areas ----- U.P. 9530,
Co Se 96436,
Co Se 1039 and
Co S 08272

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

Preparatory Tillage / Field Preparation

For higher sugarcane yields, providing optimum soil environment is an
essential pre-requisite since the crop remains in the field for about 2 to 3 years due to
the practice of raising ratoon crops. Further intense mechanization involving traffic
of heavy machinery from planting to harvesting and transporting to the sugar mill
or distillery, can cause the deterioration of soil physical conditions. This translates
into soil compaction with a cohort of harmful side effects viz., reduction in storage
& movement of air and water, mechanical difficulty for root growth and difficulty
in absorption of nutrients from the soil itself and from the fertilizer. Therefore, a
through land preparation every time a new crop is planted is absolutely essential to
bring the soil to fine tilth for proper germination of the sets and field emergence and
root growth.
Objectives of Land Preparation
• To prepare a seed bed which permits optimal soil water air relations
• Good physical conditions for early root penetration and proliferation
• To incorporate preceding crop residues and organic manures
• To destroy weeds and hibernating pest & disease organisms
• To facilitate proper soil chemical and microbial activity
In alluvial soils of Uttar Pradesh, tillage operations through tractor drawn
implements are most ideal and quick. For initial ploughing use either mould board
plough or disc plough to a depth of 20-25 cm. Subsequently, depending upon soil
types, 3-6 crosswise ploughings to a depth of 10 cm by deshi plough or tractor drawn
disc harrow/cultivator are also done. After each ploughing, the field is levelled by
running a heavy wooden plank to break the clods for making the soil pulverised and
to compact the soil lightly in order to conserve soil moisture. For clayey soils the use
of rollers is also suggested. Organic manures like FYM, compost press mud cake
etc. if to be applied should be evenly spread and mixed thoroughly in the soil at the
time of field preparation. Before opening planting furrows, soil should be clod free
and well pulverised. Whenever, soil turning is desired, a mould board plough should
be used. On the other hand, when the soil is hard, uneven and composed of crop
stubbles, a disc plough is preferable. Ploughing at optimum soil moisture content is
very essential to achieve tilth. Too wet soil interrupts movement of machinery and
causes destruction of soil structure. On the other hand too dry soil will not allow
tynes to penetrate deep and results in frequent mechanical breakdowns, increased
power requirement and cloddy soil surface affecting soil water air relations.

21
Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

The secondary tillage operations are carried out using disc harrows, tyned
harrows or rotavator. The rotavator is a very useful multipurpose implement, which
cuts the crop residues, shred them and incorporates in the soil in one pass. Use
mechanical methods (sub-soiling or chiselling or deep ploughing) or biological
means (green manuring between last ratoon harvest and start of a new crop) to
destroy the compacted layer and to allow roots to develop normally. Sub-soiling
has also shown to reduce fuel consumption, working time and facilitate optimum
plant population.The adequacy of moisture is very much necessary for sprouting
of sett-buds. In this state care is taken to conserve as much moisture in the soils as
possible, so that planted cane is able to germinate satisfactorily. As the planting is
necessarily done during the comparatively dry season, considerable loss of moisture
from the soil and setts/cane nodes takes place, and usually only 30 to 40% of the
buds germinate in case of conventional 3-bud setts sugarcane planting.. Therefore,
optimum soil moisture at the time of sugarcane planting should be 20-30% in alluvial
soils of Uttar Pradesh.
Fertilizer /Manures
Sugarcane is a heavy feeder of nutrients. A crop of sugarcane producing 100
tons/ha of biomass removes approximately 205 kg N, 55 kg P, 275 kg K and 30 kg
S besides 3.5 kg Fe, 1.2 kg Mn, 0.6 kg Zn and 0.2kg Cu from the soil. Adequate
manuring, therefore, is essential for sustaining high yields. Generally soils of Uttar
Pradesh are deficient in N except in some parts of north eastern region. Further nearly
50% soils are deficient in P and 20% in K. At present, in most areas sugarcane-crop
is inadequately fertilized. So, adoption of location specific judicious and balanced
nutrient management practices is required for enhancing cane yield.
The nitrogen requirements of sugarcane depend upon the soil and climate.
In U.P sugarcane crop requires 150 kg N/ha. In vicinity of sugar mills, sulphitation
press-mud is also used as manure. Recommended doses of N, P and K @150, 60
and 60 kg/ha should be applied, of which 1/3rd of total N + full doses of P and K are
given as basal dressing before placing of setts/nodes in the furrows, while rest of N
is top-dressed in two equal splits at the tillering phase before the onset of monsoon.
Now-a-days, deficiency of sulphur is constantly increasing in Indian soils and it has
become a limiting factor in sugarcane cultivation. In marginally deficient soil, the
application of 30 kg S/ha has been useful. Foliar application of micro-nutrients has
been found effective in increasing cane yields in U.P.
Integrated use of various sources of nutrients in sugarcane is becoming
imperative for maintaining soil fertility and to improve crop productivity. Different

22
 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

components of integrated nutrients management include use of legumes in sequential

or intercropping system, organic manures, crop residues, factory by-products or
effluents and bio-fertilizers in combination with inorganic fertilizers. At the IISR,
Lucknow, the use of farmyard manure alone or with urea maintained the organic
matter content of the soil at higher level than urea alone up to the fourth ratoon.
However, the higher yield of plant as well as of ratoon occurred with combined
application of fertilizer and farmyard manure. The application of farmyard and green-
manure in sugarcane established their beneficial effects in improving production
efficiency of fertilizer-N, especially at the optimal level of 150 kg N/ha (358 kg
cane/kg N applied).
Planting Methods
Sugarcane setts are planted as two or three bud setts in furrows / trenches
made at distance varying according to seasons and methods of planting. Distance
between furrows vary from 75 cm in spring planting, 90 cm in autumn planting, 60
cm in late planting and 120 cm in trench method of planting. Prominent methods of
planting prevalent in Uttar Pradesh are given below.
(A) Flat Planting
The field is prepared in a fine tilth by one or two deep ploughing followed by
harrowing and planking. Shallow furrows of 10-15 cm depth at a distance of 90 cm
in autumn and 75 cm during spring season are opened. Setts are placed in furrows
end to end taking care that one 3 - bud sett falls in each running 30 cm length of
furrow following either head to head or bud to bud alignment and compacted with
heavy wooden plank to conserve soil moisture. Sugarcane cutter planter developed
by ICAR-IISR, Lucknow effectively reduces the time and labour required for flat
sugarcane planting. Only 05 man days are required by this planter in place of 30-40
man days in manual planting.
(B) Trench Method
In this method, farmers realize high input use efficiency and it provides ample
scope for accommodating inter-crops between sugarcane rows. Trenches, 30 cm
wide and deep are made with centre to centre distance of 120 cm and sugarcane
setts are placed along both the walls of trench (30:90 cm). This method is suitable
for mechanized operations, lesser requirement of labours with enhanced water use
efficiency. In this method farmers obtain cane yield of 110 t/ha with cost benefit ratio
of 2.15.

23
Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

(C) Paired row sugarcane planting

• Ridge and furrow are made at a distance of 45 or 60 cm and a gap of 120 cm
is left after every two rows
• Setts are planted in the paired rows
• Irrigation and fertilization is done in the planted paired rows
• In the skipped area intercropping of potato or any legume can be taken
(D) Raised bed seeder-cum sugarcane planting
Raised bed seeder-cum-sugarcane cutter planter (RBS) has been developed
at ICAR-IISR, Lucknow to plant two rows of sugarcane in furrows and drill two
rows of wheat or any other crop as companion crop on the main raised beds. It has
effective capacity of 0.20-0.25 ha/hr and saves approximately 60% of the cost of
operation.
Irrigation /Water Management
In sugarcane, maintenance of optimum soil moisture during all stages of crop
growth is one of the essential for obtaining high yield. The crop should, therefore, be
grown in areas of well-distributed rainfall or under assured and adequate irrigation.
Therefore, in the absence of rains, the cane is irrigated every 25-30 days during its
growing period. In dry areas and in sandy-loams soils, irrigation is needed at an
interval of as short as 8 days. In deep clay loams irrigation can be withheld for longer
periods, up to 2 or 3 weeks. Frequent light irrigation, each of 40 to 50 mm, adjusted
to suit growing period of the crop and to the prevalent weather conditions are very
useful. Towards the time of harvesting, the irrigation frequency is reduced and just
before harvest, irrigation is withheld for about a month.
Summer is dry and hot, the crop needs water more frequently. In canal-
irrigated areas, frequency of irrigation depends entirely on the running of the canals.
The severity of these conditions is slightly mitigated by high water-holdings capacity
of the alluvial loam soil. In central and western U.P., 4 to 6 irrigations are usually
given, which help crop to tide over summer. In eastern Gangetic plains cane subsists
almost entirely on subsoil moisture and rainfall and receives 2-4 irrigation at the
most. In post-monsoon season, the crop receives only 1 or 2 irrigation or none at all;
however, these post-monsoon irrigations only help keep crop in a good conditions.
In areas where frosts occur, irrigation is applied to save crop from them. Sugarcane
responds to irrigation and it is profitable to apply frequent light irrigation to crop
during hot weather. There are 3 methods of irrigation in sugarcane culture, i.e. flood,

24
 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

furrow and skip-furrow methods. Skip-furrow irrigations save water up to 36.5%

and increases water-use efficiency (WUE) by 64%. Where irrigation facilities are
scarce in summer, trash-mulching in inter-row spaces is done for conserving soil
moisture.
The tillering phase of sugarcane in Uttar Pradesh comes in between March and
June, and the crop is in emergent need of water to enhance the growth of sugarcane.
Critical stages of growth and tillering are given here as under.
i. Germination phase: 45 days after planting
ii. First phase of tillering: Last week of April
iii. Second phase of tillering: 10-15 May
iv. Third phase of tillering: Last week of May to first week of June
Moreover, sugarcane crop needs much water during formative phase in July-
August, but sufficient water demands of the crop is met through rains in this period.
Water saving technologies is given here as under.
i) Skip furrow method of irrigation
In this method of irrigation, instead of irrigating all the rows and inter-row
spaces, one row is skipped and irrigation is given in alternate rows. With this
technique, limited water may be used to irrigate larger area. In this method, sugarcane
is planted in flat bed as usual and after germination, 45 cm wide and 15 cm deep
furrows are made in alternate inter-row spaces. At the time of irrigation, the furrows
thus made are irrigated. Irrigating sugarcane with this method results in 36.5 per cent
water saving and 64 per cent increase in water use efficiency (Fig. 13).

Fig. 13: Skip-furrow method of irrigation

25
Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

ii) Trash mulching

Sugarcane trash is a waste material available after harvesting of the crop.
Trash is spread @ 10 t ha-1 in the alternate inter-row spaces in ratoon crop at the
time of its initiation (Fig. 14). Because of trash mulching, effectiveness of irrigation
is increased as the evaporation losses of moisture from soil surface reduced
considerably. Sugarcane crop yield and water use efficiency increases by 26 and 40
per cents, respectively, due to trash mulch as the trash mulch keeps the soil moisture
at a higher level for a longer time as compared to uncovered soil surface. Increase
in sugarcane yield due to trash mulch is attributed to favourable moisture condition,
increased microbial activities and addition of water-soluble nutrients from the trash.
In the long run, soil organic carbon content is also improved.

Plate 14: Trash mulching in cane rows and drip method of irrigation

iii) Irrigation at critical growth stages

In the areas of limited water supply, ensuring irrigation at critical period of
water need of the crop and deferring the same at somewhat less critical period,
improves yield and irrigation water use efficiency. These critical stages for sugarcane
are emergence, first order of tillering, second order of tillering and third order of
tillering. Depending upon the availability of water, the crop is irrigated at these
stages. If two irrigations are available, then the irrigations are provided at second
and third order of tillering. If three irrigations are available, then the irrigations are
provided at all three orders of tillering. If four irrigations are available, then the
irrigations are provided at all the four critical stages.
iv) Drip irrigation
Micro-irrigation is the frequent application of small quantities of water on,
above or below the soil surface, by surface drip, subsurface drip, micro sprayers
or micro sprinklers. Water is applied as discrete or continuous drops, tiny streams
or miniature sprays through emitters or applicators placed along a water delivery
line near the plant. Micro-irrigation is characterized by low rate, frequent irrigation;

26
 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

water being applied near or into the root zone of plants and low-pressure delivery
systems. In drip irrigation, water is supplied directly to the root zone using a network
of tubes and dippers/emitters nozzles placed along the water-delivery line. This
involves precise control and manipulation of soil moisture temporally and spatially,
which improves water economy, growth and ultimately crop yield. The uniformity of
water application in drip irrigation would be as high as 95% if the system is properly
planned, designed and operated.
Intercultural Operations
The first hoeing and weeding is given to the crop, 3-4 weeks after planting.
But in U.P., shoots usually take a long time to emerge. Weeds particularly nut grass
comes up rapidly in the planted field. This rapid infestation of the planted field calls
for one blind hoeing and is given within 1 or 2 weeks. After germination, depending
on the field conditions and the frequency of irrigations, 2 or 3 more hoeings and
weedings are needed during first 3 months after planting. Tedious, cumbersome and
time-consuming nature of manual weed-control methods and scarcity of human
labour have rendered this practice less effective and impractical. Alternatively,
chemical weed control through pre-emergence application of Atrazine @ 2 kg a.i. /
ha, followed by 2, 4-D spray @ 1 kg a.i./ha (post-emergence at 60 days after planting)
has been found to provide good weed control. The final earthing-up is completed
before monsoons and is generally synchronized with application of the final dose of
nitrogen. Good care in weeding and inter -culture help clumps tiller early and form
millable canes thereafter. The crop is managed to grow rapidly to form a canopy over
inter-spaces. This helps keeping down the weeds, and reduces cost of weeding and
inter-cultural operations and also reduces the moisture loss from the soil surface.
Weed Management in Sugarcane
Results of experiments at different sugarcane growing areas in Uttar Pradesh,
it is estimated that weeds take away about 160 N, 25 P2O5 and 200 K2O kg ha-1 in the
sugarcane system if not checked and controlled. A species of morning glory (Ipomoea
hederacea) causes around 25 per cent loss in case yield in eastern Uttar Pradesh and
Bihar by twining round the clumps. Orobanche (Aeginetia indica), a root parasite
is capable of producing certain enzymes that cause degeneration of sucrose in cane
plant to the extent of 75 per cent. According to an estimate, collective crop losses
due to weeds, insect pests and plant pathogens in 2006-07 in India is to the tune of
Rs. 14 lakh million. The weeds are notorious in being responsible for major part of
this losses (about 40%). Weed management is the application of certain principles
and suitable methods that will improve the vigor and uniform stand of the crop. At
the same time avoid or discourage the invasion and growth weeds. Weed control is
an essential part of all crop production systems. Weeds reduce yields by competing

27
Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

with crops for water, nutrients and sunlight and may directly reduce profits by
hindering harvest operations, lowering crop quality and producing chemicals which
are harmful to crop plants (alleopathy). Left uncontrolled, weeds may harbor insects
and diseases and produce seeds, rootstocks, stolons, rhizomes or stem cutting which
infest the field and affect future crops.
Damage / losses caused by weeds in sugarcane
• In India, the reported cane yield losses range from 12 to 72 per cent. If weeds
are not properly controlled in the initial stages, the yield loss could go up to
17.5 t/ha. Twining weeds which sprout at later stages and twine around clumps
affect cane growth and cause around 25 per cent loss in yield. The total cane
yield loss in the country per annum is around 25 million tonnes (equivalent to
2.5 million tonnes of sugar) valued around Rs. 1500 crores.
• Poor growth of sugarcane resulting from weed infestation also causes quality
depression in sugarcane. Weeds harbor certain disease and insect pests that
attack sugarcane and thus lead to indirect losses.
• Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) the cogan grass (Imperata cylindrica) and
other graminacious weeds are known to be alternate hosts to Ratoon Stunting
Disease (RSD) of sugarcane.
• Twining weeds like Ipomoea spp. are becoming a problem in many sugarcane
growing areas, escalating cost of cultivation besides decreasing cane yields.
The twining weeds also cause serious harvesting problem.
Critical Period of weed Competition
In sugarcane fields, weeds get adequate time and space to germinate
and establish well before the crop is able to compete. Hence, weeds pose tough
competition to crop until the grand growth phase (150 days after planting) sets in.
Generally, sugarcane is the most sensitive to weeds infestation during tillering.
Sugarcane crop should be kept weeds free during its tillering phase, which under
north Indian conditions falls between 60 and 120 days after planting for spring
planted crop. Autumn planted cane crop in central, eastern and western parts of Uttar
Pradesh requires weed free environment from November to June. Sugarcane, in
general, requires weed free environment for the first 90 to 100 days before the rapid
close in of the cane canopy.
Cultural Management
Deep summer ploughing and inclusion of short duration crops in intensive
cropping systems are effective in minimizing the weeds infestation. Inclusion of

28
 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

lowland rice in sugarcane based cropping systems can effectively check the Cyperus
rotundus. Hand weeding, digging with spades and intercultivation using three-tyned
cultivator are commonly used for weed control in sugarcane crop. Removal of weeds
by hand at 30, 60 and 90 DAP is the best among all the cultural and mechanical
methods of weed control. Sugarcane trash mulch at 7.5 to 10 t ha-1 to an average
thickness of 10 cm over the soil surface is effective against many weeds besides soil
moisture conservation. Optimum stage for trash mulching is 45 DAP which does
not create hindrance to germination and tillering of sugarcane and also suppress
excessive tillers. Intercropping of vegetables (potato, cauliflower, cabbage, knoll-
khol, turnip, radish etc.), spices (garlic, onion, fenugreek, coriander etc.), legumes
(pea, Bengal gram, French bean etc.), oilseeds (toria, mustard, linseed etc.), flowers,
medicinal plants etc. in autumn and green gram, black gram, cow pea etc. in spring
planted crops not only reduces competition from weeds, but also enhances the
income per unit area and time.
Use of Herbicides
Most commonly used herbicide is pre-emergence spraying of Atrazin 50 %
WP @ 2 kg a. i. ha-1 mixing in 1150 litres of water upto 72 hours of sugarcane
planting at sufficient soil moisture followed by 2,4-D Sodium salt 80% WP @ 1.25
kg a.i. ha-1 mixed with 1150 litres of water at 60 DAP. This controls almost all the
weeds and provide weed free environment for required duration.
Integrated Weed Management (IWM)
Integrated weed management, therefore, focuses on the control of sugarcane
weeds through judicious use of mechanical, cultural, biological and chemical methods
at different stages of weed and crop growth to get the effective and economical
results.
Plant cane
(i) Weeds should be controlled during most critical period (planting-120 days) of
crop growth.
(ii) Under manpower availability, three manual hoeings or intercultural operations
at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting should be done.
(iii) Under limitations of manpower availability, pre-emergence application of
either atrazine 50% WP (@ 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1) or metribuzin (1.0 kg ha-1) in 1150
litres water ha-1 followed by either post-emergence spray of (Na salt) 1.0 kg
ha-1 (1150 litres water ha-1) or one manual hoeing at 60 days after planting can
successfully be done.

29
Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

(iv) Under heavy infestation of Cyperus rotundus, a blanket sprays of glyphosate

(1 kg a.i. ha-1) in 625 litres water ha-1 after 15-20 days of cane planting (before
emergence of cane) followed by one hoeing at 60 days of planting should be
done.
(v) After 150 days, earthing-up should be done to suppress the weeds.
(vi) The physical removal of weeds by manual labour implements like khurpi,
kassi, spade, hand hoe, etc. are very effective in controlling weeds at early
stages of crop growth. However, in mechanized cane cultivation bullock or
tractor-drawn cultivators, harrows and rotavators could be used for the control
of weeds.
(vii) Artificial mulches have been used for intercepting sun-light reaching the soil
surface and thus starve out weed seedling as they emerge. Uniform spread of
5 to 10 cm thick trash blanket in-between the rows, as also in the inter-plant
spaces help in suppressing weeds. The trash keeps all weeds suppressed and
the fields remain almost free from weeds. It is necessary to give a thorough
hoeing and weeding in the field before spreading the trash, particularly
if the field has been weedy. In places, where obnoxious grass weeds are in
abundance the trash cover has to be a little thicker, say 10 cm to 15 cm thick.
This is indeed a very potent and useful way of suppressing weeds in sugarcane
fields. Beside weed control, trash mulching saves water, labour and costs, and
gives higher yields of cane. Spreading the black polythene film (Solarization)
in interspaces suppresses the growth of weeds and conserves soil moisture.
Ratoon cane
(i) Weeds in ratoon crop should be controlled within 60 days of crop initiation.
(ii) With the availability of manpower, three hoeings at 1, 4 and 7 weeks after
ratoon initiation should be adopted for effective control of weeds.
(iii) Under limitations of manpower availability, pre-emergence application of
either atrazine 50% WP (2.0 kg a. i. ha-1) or metribuzine 70% WP 1.0 kg
a. i. ha-1 (1150 litres water ha-1) followed by either spray of 2, 4-D 80% WP(Na
salt) at 1.0 kg a. i. ha-1 (1150 litres water ha-1) or hoeing at 45 days after ratoon
initiation should be practiced.
(iv) Trash mulching in alternate rows and hoeing in unmulched rows at 1 & 6
weeks after ratoon initiation is also a good option.
(v) In the standing crop, during or after monsoon, weeds should be removed
manually.

30
 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

(vi) Crop should be given earthing-up at 120 days to suppress the weeds.
Management of binding weeds
In sugarcane, application of atrazine 50% WP @ 2 kg a.i./ha or metribuzine
70% WP @ 1.25 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergence followed by DICAMBA @ 350 g a.i./
ha at 75 DAP is effective for controlling binding weeds in sugarcane.
Hoeing & Earthing-up
Hoeing and earthing-up are two main operations in sugarcane cultivation.
Hoeing is done with the help of shovel or cultivators. It starts just after one week
of planting (blind hoeing), the second about 3 weeks after planting and subsequent
hoeing after every irrigation. Blind hoeings helps in breaking the hard crust at
surface, which might create problems to the sprouting of seedlings. Besides covering
the exposed setts, it also helps in uprooting the weeds, and replacing the damaged
setts by diseases or insects. The hoeings are necessary for better aeration, moisture
conservation and control of weeds. Hoeing is done first in a week or so after planting
in order to break the surface crust, else light irrigation is followed by the same
period in order to help emergence of sprouts. After the sprouts are out, the hoeing
by bullock drawn implements is followed to control weeds as well as for loosening
surface soil. If the weeds are more, the hoeing is followed by hand weeding. One
to two hand weedings and one hoeing are given within 6–8 weeks after planting by
which time first top dressing of nitrogen fertilizer is given. Before next nitrogen,
fertilizer application (12-16 weeks after planting), one more hand weeding followed
by hoeing is usually necessary. Earthing-up is also required in sugarcane cultivation.
It is done to suppress the growth of excess tillers facilitate irrigation and economize
water, to drain out the excess water from the field, to control weed infestation and to
protect the crop from lodging.
Propping/ Detrashing
Propping is also a general practice in which canes are tied up so that they
may not sway during winds and lodge. The best way is to bring stalks together from
adjacent rows and tie them up with their own trash and old leaves. Earthing is
recommended in July while tying in August and September when sugarcane of about
5 feet height. Do not tie upper leaves. It is done to prevent lodging, economize
water use efficiency, control weeds and draining excess water. Detrashing refers to
removal of unwanted bottom dry and green leaves at regular intervals.
Propping
The operation of tying the leaves together using the bottom dry and green
leaves is known as propping.

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

• It is done to check the lodging of cane.

• Usually the trash without removing from the cane is twisted to form a sort of
rope and cane stalks are tied together. This is known as trash-twist propping.
Propping can be either done for each row or two rows can be brought together
and tied.
• In some parts of western Uttar Pradesh, bamboo poles are used and propping
is done but it is too expensive. In areas where cane top growth is heavy and
wind velocities are high, propping is necessary to prevent lodging. It reduces
cane breakage and loss of stalk number at harvest and thus reduces loss of
cane yield.
Advantages of Detrashing
• Helps in maintaining clean field
• Enhances air movement and enriches CO2 within the crop canopy providing
an ideal micro-climate for unrestricted growth of cane
• More food material is made available for stalk growth
• Reduces the problem of infestation of several insect-pests like scales, mealy
bug, white flies etc
• Reduces bud sprouting due to accumulation of water inside the sheath in some
varieties.
• Bud sprouting is not desirable as it would reduce main stalk growth and affect
sugar accumulation
• Facilitates easy entry and movement in the field, for inspection of the crop
• A clean field minimizes rodents, rats, squirrels in the field which may otherwise
cause damage to the crop
• Facilitates easy and economy in harvesting besides clean canes for crushing
• Detrashed trash can be used as a mulch for moisture conservation
• Such detrashed leaves can be used for composting
Intercropping in autumn planted sugarcane
Intercropping refers to growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the
same piece of land with a definite row-planting pattern to obtain higher productivity
per unit area and time. Rapidly increasing population, increased demand for food,
limited scope for extension of cultivation to new areas, diversified needs of small

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

farmers for food and cash, etc. have necessitated the adoption of intercropping
systems. In long duration crops like sugarcane, intercropping holds much promise.
Due to slow establishment of sugarcane during the first 90-120 days, the greatest
scope for complementary effect lies in the addition of annual intercrops to the
temporal system to improve resource use efficiency in the early crop growth.
Intercropping offers an opportunity for profitable utilization of available space.
Sugarcane growers take advantage of this and grow various short duration crops
like cereals, pulses, vegetables and spices as intercrops to obtain interim return.
Small sugarcane growers need not wait until the harvest of the sole crop to obtain
financial returns. Intercropping of economically important short duration crops
with sugarcane through utilization of the present limited land resources would help
to sustain sugarcane cultivation and provide interim return to marginal and small
farmers, besides meeting the ever-increasing demand for vegetables and pulses.
Great potential exists in India for increasing crop production and productivity
through wider use of multiple cropping in cereals, millets, oilseeds, legumes and
fibre crops. Legume intercrops in cropping systems enhance soil fertility through
the excretion of amino acids into the rhizosphere. The nitrogen fixed by the legume
intercrop may be available to the associated sugarcane in the current season itself, as
sugarcane remains in the field for over nine months after the harvest of the legumes.
A further possibility of soil fertility improvement is through addition of crop
residues, which on decomposition adds to the fertility of the soil. Since considerable
addition of nutrient occurs through intercrops, there is a possibility of reducing N
application through fertilizer. The intercrops and cultivars selected should be of dwarf
type with compact canopy and short duration. In general, the optimum row spacing
recommended for autumn planted sugarcane is 90 cm which is widely followed in
sub-tropical India, although there is a possibility to adopt wider row spacing. Such
wider row spacing permits intercropping without adversely affecting the cane yield
and thus increases the overall productivity and profitability of the system. Wider row
spacing now becomes an important agronomic consideration to adopt mechanization
on account of non-availability of labourers in sugarcane cultivation.
In the sub-tropical region, sugarcane is normally planted in autumn (September-
October), i.e. before the onset of winter or after the cessation of winter. This planting
of sugarcane invariably yields 15-20% higher sugarcane as also 0.5 units more
sugar recovery than spring planted cane. The cane planted in the autumn season
germinates before the onset of winter and remains in the field without much growth
until the spring sets in. During this period, the cane does not make much demand
for the growth resources. This facilitates rising of any rabi crop as intercrop with
autumn planted sugarcane. Several studies demonstrated that the total productivity

33
Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

of crops in sugarcane + rabi crops intercropping system is substantially higher

than the total productivity of sole rabi crop in winter followed by sole sugarcane
planted in spring season. Dwarf type crops with compact canopy including legumes,
oilseeds, cereals, spices and vegetables are suitable as intercrops in autumn planted
sugarcane. Potato has been reported to be a promising intercrop in autumn planted
sugarcane in sub-tropical India. Therefore, cultivation of short duration spices and
vegetables as intercrops in sugarcane can be a successful package as it provides the
needed income during the early stages and increases the total productivity without
affecting the cane yield in the system. There is a higher demand for vegetables in the
market now-a-days since the consumption of vegetables is increasing at faster rate in
modern time as these are supplementary items in human diet.
Recently, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt.
of India while addressing a seminar on ‘Hundred Year of Sugarcane Varieties’, said
that the government has set a target of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 and is
taking various steps to achieve this objective. The Minister stressed that the sugarcane
farmers should be encouraged to adopt intercropping to boost their income. To boost
income of cane farmers, the Minister called upon the farmers to go for intercropping
and grow pulses, oilseeds or vegetables along with sugarcane. Moreover, Progressive
farmers in certain areas of Punjab have improved their earning three times what
they did earlier after they started inter-cropping their cane with garlic, potato and
turmeric. In inter-cropping, cane rows are sown three to four feet apart and this space
is used for the other crops. According to estimates of the cane department of Govt.
of Punjab, around 40 to 50 per cent of the farmers are already growing autumn cane
with suitable intercrops. At a few places, up to 80 per cent farmers have gone for
intercropping with autumn planted sugarcane. In autumn planting seed requirement
is reduced and yet gives a high yield, besides bringing in an additional income from
inter crops. Alongwith vegetables and spices , the under mentioned rabi crops can be
grown successfully as intercrop with autumn planted sugarcane (Table 6) in Indian
sub-tropics for enhanced yields and net returns.
Table 6: Suitable intercrops for autumn planted sugarcane
Cereals Wheat
Legumes Pea, French Bean, Chickpea, Lentil
Oilseeds Mustard, Toria, Linseed, Sunflower, Sesame
Flowers Gladiolus, marigold
Medicinal and aromatics Mentha, Ginger
Spices Chillies, Onion, Garlic, Coriander, Fennel, Cumin, Fenugreek,
Nigella, Turmeric
Vegetables Potato, Tomato, Carrot, Turnip, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Knoll
Kohl, Lettuce, Radish , Lady’s Finger, Cucurbits

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 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

Package of practices for vegetables intercropping with autumn planted sugarcane

Vegetable crops viz., cauliflower, cabbage, knol-khol, turnip, carrot, radish
and potato are suitable for intercropping with autumn planted sugarcane (Fig. 15).
Agronomic practices adopted for raising different intercrops are given in Table 7.
Sugarcane is planted in furrows 90 cm apart keeping one-three budded setts @ 30
cm row length in the first fortnight of October. Sugarcane is fertilized with 150 kg
N/ha (1/3 at planting as basal dressing + 2/3 in two equal split doses as top dressing
after harvesting of intercrops at proper moisture) while, intercrops are given one-
third of the total N + full doses of P2O5 and K2O at their respective sowing times and
remaining half of N is top dressed after 30 days of sowing as per Table 7.
Table 7: Details of variety, row arrangement, date of sowing / harvesting, seed
rate and fertilizer application for different intercrops
Intercropped Variety No. of Date of Date of Plant Seed Rate Application of
Vegetables intercrop sowing harvesting To (kg/ha) Fertlizer (kg/
rows in Plant ha)
between Dis-
two cane tance N P K
rows (cm)
Cauliflower PSB-16 Two First Fort- First Fort- 45 0.350 80 40 40
(Brassica night of night of (for
oleracea var. November November nursery)
botrytis L.)
Cabbage Pride of Two First Fort- First Fort- 45 0.400 80 40 40
(Brassica India night of night of (for
oleracea var. November November nursery)
Capitata
F.alba)
Knol-khol King of Three First Fort- First Fort- 20 0.450 60 30 30
(Brassica North night of night of (for
oleracea var. November November. nursery)
Caulorapa
O.C. Linn.)
Turnip PTWG Three First Fort- First Fort- 20 0.800 40 20 20
(Brassica night of night of (for
rapa L.) November November nursery)

Carrot Pusa Three First Fort- First Fort- 10 3.50 60 30 30

(Daucus Keshar night of night of
Carota L.) November November.
Radish Janupuri Three First Fort- First Fort- 10 7.00 40 20 20
(Raphanus night of night of
sativus L.) Novem- November.
ber.
Potato C-3797 Two First Fort- Second 20 2200 160 80 80
(Solanum night of Fortnight
tuberosum L.) November of Febru-
ary

35
Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

Sugarcane + Potato Sugarcane + Cabbage

Sugarcane + Knol-khol Sugarcane + Radish

Sugarcane + Garlic Sugarcane + Cauliflower

Sugarcane + Sugarbeet Sugarcane + Coriander

Fig. 15: Intercropping of rabi / winter crops with autumn planted sugarcane

36
 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

Management of Insect pests in Sugarcane cultivation

Sugarcane is a long duration crop of approximately 12 months duration in
sub-tropical India, and is attacked by a number of insect pests and diseases.  According
to an estimate, sugarcane production declines by 20.0 and 19.0 % by insect pests and
diseases, respectively.  To increase the crop productivity, management of insect-pests
and diseases is of great significance.  Due to diversity in agro-ecological conditions
across the state of Uttar Pradesh, the incidence of insect pests and diseases varies
and therefore, management strategy should be adopted accordingly. Sugarcane is
infested by about 288 insects of which nearly two dozen causes heavy losses to the
quality as well as quantity of the crop.  The scenario of insect pests and diseases
varies both in sub-tropical and tropical belt of sugarcane growing.  Top borer and
stalk borer are found pre-dominantly in sub-tropical areas whereas internodes borer
and early shoot borer are prevalent in tropical region. Based on feeding habits, the
major pests infesting sugarcane may be broadly classified as borers, sucking pests,
sub-terranean pests, defoliators etc.
1) Borers: include shoot borer, top borer, stalk borer, Internodes borer, gurdaspur
borer, plassey borer and root borer.
2) Sucking pests: includes pyrilla, white fly, thrips, scale insects, mealy bug and
wooly aphid.
3) Subterranean pests: include termites and white grub.
4) Defoliators: include grasshopper and army worm.
Several management strategies have been developed as a result of research
and development work.  In order to save environment from chemical pollution, use
of bio-control has been given utmost attention.  The management technologies have
been integrated as per need for increasing the efficiency. The details pertaining to
management of prominent insect pests are given below.
(i) Shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus snell.)
Control measures
• Irrigation and light earthing during summer months also reduce the incidence.
• Destruction of infested shoots along with larvae and pupae from April to June.
• Installation of 10-11 pheromone trap/ha for collection of male moth.
• Spraying of chlorpyriphos 20 % EC @ 5 litre + 1600 litres of water/ha over
the seed cane setts in the trenches/furrows followed by 4-5 cm covering with

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

soil. However, drenching of chlorantraniliprole (coragen 16.5 % SC) @375

ml + 800 litres of water may be done using water can along the base of cane
rows in the month of April if the incidence is seen repeatedly.
• Release of Trichogramma chilonis @ 50,000 parasitized eggs /ha from March
to May at 15 days intervals.
(ii) Top borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis Walk.)
The top borer, Scirpophaga excerptalis Wlk., Infests sugarcane during all the
stages of crop growth, and is the major pest in the sub tropical region.
Control measures:
• Collection and destruction of top borer egg masses during February to March
(First brood) and April to May (Second brood).
• Removal and destruction of affected shoots along with larvae and pupae
during April (First brood) and June (Second brood).
• Installation of 10-11 Pheromone traps/ha for moth collection.
• Soil application of Carbofuran 3G@1.00 Kg a. i. /ha (33Kg) at the soil surface
along cane rows in the last week of June. Sufficient soil moisture should be
there at the time of application.
• 2 Drenching of Coragen 20% SC @150 ml/acre dissolved in 400 lit of water
at the base of plant during last week of April with the help of Knap-sac sprayer
followed by irrigation effectively control Second and Third brood of top borer.
However, drenching of chlorantraniliprole (coragen 16.5 % SC) @375 ml +
800 litres of water may be done using water can along the base of cane rows.
• Release of Trichogramma japonicum @50000 parasitized eggs /ha from July
to September.
(iii) Stalk borer (Chilo auricilius Dudgeon.)
Control measures
• Application of balance fertilizer, proper drainage, destruction of water shoots
and detrashing of dry leaves in August and September.
• Earthing up of canes during June and July and binding of canes during July
and August.
• Release of Trichogramma Chilonis @ 50000 parasitized eggs / ha from July
to September at 15 days intervals

38
 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

• Cotesia flavipes is a natural parasitoid of larvae. About 40-60% parasitisation

is recorded after monsoon.
(iv) Root Borer ( Emmealocera depressella, Swinhoe)
Control Measures
• Stubbles shaving practices should be adopted in affected areas
• Crop rotation should be adopted in affected areas.
• Spraying of chlorpyriphos 20 % EC @ 5 liter/ ha after dissolving in 1875
liter of water at the time of planting, and drenching of Imidacloprid 17.8 % SL
@ 500 ml/ha in the mid of August if the symptoms of the pest are visible in
standing cane crop.
• In the case of difficulties in drenching/spraying in standing cane crop, then
Imidacloprid 17.8 % SL @ 500 ml/ha and chlorpyriphos 20 % EC @ 5 liters/
ha mixing with 25 Kg of soil should be applied along cane rows after flooding
in field in August-September.
• Released of Trichogramma chilonis @ 50,000 egg parasitoids/ ha from July to
September at 15 days interval.
(v) Internode borer (Chilo sacchriphagus indicus)
Control measures
• The control measures applied for stalk borer will be equally effective for this
borer also.
• Removal of dry leaves of sugarcane from fifth to nine months age of the crop.
• Removal of water shoots of the crop at eighth and nine months age of the crop.
• Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied at the recommended dose only.
• Proper drainage of water should be ensured.
• Chemical and biological control measures should be adopted as per
recommendations given for stalk borer treatment.
(vi) Pyrilla (Pyrilla perpusilla)
Control Measure
• Cane trash should be completely removed from the field after harvesting and
may be utilized as compost.

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Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

• Irrigate the field to conserve the E. melanoleuca

• The eggs may be destroyed after the collection of egg masses during March
and May.
• If the incidence of the pest is seen epidemic in July-August then the spraying
of Quinalphos 25% EC @1.0-1.2 litre + 500 litres of water /ha may be done.
• Release of nymphal adults ectoparasitoid, Epiricania melanoleuca @ 4000-
5000 cocoons and 4-5 lakh eggs/ha during July-August reduces the pest
build up.
Note: There should be no application of insecticides if the Epiricania
population appears in the affected field, but the ratio should be 3:1 in pyrilla and
Epiricania.
(vii) Termite (Odontotermes obesus Rambur)
Control Measures
• Irrigation of field reduces the incidence.
• Application of Chlorpyriphos 20% EC @ 5 lit./ha or Imidacloprid 17.8% SL
@ 400 ml/ha dissolved in 1875 lit in water over cane setts at the time of
planting.
Application of Metarrhizium anisopliae / Baeuvaria bassiana (109 cfu/gm)
@ 5 kg/ha mixed with farm yard manure over cane setts at the time of planting.
(xi) White grub (Holotrichia consanguinea Blanch.)
Control measures
• Ploughing of the field up to 15-20 cm depth for exposing the different stages
of white grub.
• Spraying of 2% Imidacloprid insecticide on host trees.
• Installation of the light trap and pheromone trap (Methoxy benzene) to attract
the beetle.
• Application of clothianidin 50 WDG @ 250 gm dissolved in 1875 lit of water
before onset of monsoon in cane planted rows and irrigate the field.
• Application of B. bassiana @ 5 kg/ha mixed with 1 quintal of press mud cake
or compost in cane planted rows and irrigate the field.

40
 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

Sugarcane diseases and their management packages

Red rot, smut, rust (fungi), grassy-shoot disease (mycoplasma) and ratoon-
stunting disease (bacteria) are the important diseases of sugarcane, transmitted
through seed-cuttings (seed). They are, to a great extent, responsible for lowering
cane yield, its quality or both. The planting of vigorous and diseases free healthy
seed-canes from a well-nourished, short-duration nursery crop of sugarcane helps
to eliminate diseases; and secondary infection through other sources is prevented.
The raising of seed cane nurseries from heat-treated canes offers the best scope for
eliminating primary diseases infection of ratoon stunting and grassy shoot diseases.
The moist hot air treatments can be done through equipment developed at the IISR,
Lucknow. Full-length detrashed canes are loaded in the treatment chamber. For the
treatment, the temperature inside the chamber is brought to 54⁰C with a relative
humidity of 99%. Injection of steam into the chamber creates required humid
condition. Priming time of 2 hr is required to reach the desired level of temperature
and humidity. Thereafter another 2.0-2.5 hr are needed for the actual treatment.
Thus total period of operation including initial heating period, becomes 3.5-4 hr
and at a time 0.5-0.6 tonnes of cane can be treated. Description of major diseases in
sugarcane is given below.
(i) Red rot (Colletotrichum falcatum)
Management
Management of red rot has been a challenging work for the pathologist. The
deep-seated nature of infection within the stalk, the hard nature of the cane rind and
the nature of the pathogen, all the therapy have been found to be ineffective in the
control of red rot. The use of resistant sugarcane varieties is the most effective method
of prevention and control. Healthy cultural practices, clean nursery programme,
clean cultivation, roguing of diseased plants, biological control (Trichoderma and
Pseudomonas), crop rotation and chemical treatment should be adopted. There is
a need for restricting transport of cane from an infected zone to disease free zones.
(ii) Smut (Ustilago scitaminea)
Disease management
The use of resistant sugarcane varieties is the most effective method of
prevention. Seed selection and rouging of infected clumps is more beneficial to
manage the spread of smut disease. Smut teliospores lack dormancy and hence could
not survive in soil or debris in the absence of buds. Removal and destruction of the

41
Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

smutted clump should be collected as whips in a thick cloth bag/polythene very

carefully. Hot water treatment for 520 C for 2 hours or MHAT for 50 for 2.30 hours
is to be effective in controlling the smut pathogen residing in the planting setts.
Collected whips bag should be immerse in boiling water for 1 hr to kill the spores.
IDM should be follow for management. Sett dipping with 0.2% Bavistin before
planting the setts is also useful to this disease.
(iii) Wilt (Cephalosporium sacchari)
Disease management
Seed material should be selected from the disease-free plots, disease free stalk
and should be dipped in Bavistin 0.2% before planting. The practice of ratooning
should avoided from diseased fields, burn the trashes and stubbles in the field. Crop
rotation with coriander or mustard as a companion crop in the early stages is more
beneficial to manage this disease. Dip the setts in 40 ppm Boran or Manganese for 10
minutes or 0.1% carbendazim for 15 minutes are useful. Dipping the setts in 40 ppm
of boron or manganese, or spraying the plants with either of these minor elements
reduces the disease intensity. Use of Borax @ 15 Kg/ha is also used through soil
treatment. Trichoderma culture (10 Kg/ha) is also used as a biological control of this
disease.
(iv) Grassy shoot disease/Albino (GSD)
Disease management
Selection of setts should be avoided from diseased area. Rouging of infected
clumps is more beneficial. Hot water treatment for 520 C for 2 hours or MHAT for 50
for 2.30 hours is to be effective to control. Vector should be controlled by spraying
insecticide to prevent secondary infection.
(v) Pokkah boeng
Pokkah boeng is an air-borne fungal disease and caused by various species of
Fusarium fungus (Fusarium sacchari, Fusarium verticilloides, F. moniliforme). The
earliest symptom of pokkah boeng is a chlorotic condition towards the base of the
young leaves. Frequently, a pronounced wrinkling, twisting and shortening of the
leaves accompanied the malformation or distortion of the young leaves and rotting
of spindle leaves. In severe cases, one or two or even more transverse cuts in the rind
of the stalk in such a uniform manner as if, the tissues are removed with a sharp knife
called knife-cut stage. In these cases yield losses can occur.

42
 S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

Disease management
Spraying of 0.1% Bavistin or 0.2% Blitox-50 or 0.2% Copper oxychloride or
0.3% Mancozeb are most effective fungicides to reducing the pokkah boeng disease
at an interval of 15 days in a month.
Ripening
The maturity of sugarcane is generally recognized by the gradual withering
of lower leaves and presence of fewer green leaves at the top if the growers can
keep and use a hand refractometer which indicates the total soluble sugars in juice,
the testing of maturity would be easier. If samples of juice taken from the middle
portions of the stalks show, on the average, the hand- refractometer reading of 20, the
cane crop may be considered to have reached stage of maturity. The Fehling’s test
for glucose provides a better technological assessment of quality of the canes, the
glucose content usually reaching values of less than 0.5% in juice at peak maturity.
In U.P. sugarcane ripens by early December in a normal season, but the sugar
content of juice continues to rise till end of March. After that the temperature rises
very high and the canes standing in the field gradually dry up. Early duration varieties
ripen 2 to 3 weeks earlier but in the latter part of the crushing season the differences in
juice quality narrow down. Sugarcane reaches its peak maturity during the months of
December to March. Sugarcane requires bright clear sunny days and cool nights for
attaining higher levels of recovery. Maturity is delayed by late rains, warm weather
in the late season and high amount of fertilizer-nitrogen. Quality of the juice gets
deteriorated. When winters are harsh, frost may damage the crop seriously, leading
to rotting of buds and drying of leaves, rendering cane unfit for gur or sugar-making.
Maturity and Harvesting
Sugarcane crop matures within 10-12 months in north India depending upon
the season of the crop. The crop should be harvested when sucrose contents value
reaches to minimum 16.5% with 85% juice purity. Thus impurities of sucrose in
total dissolved solids are most important factor which governs the maturity of crop.
Usually this stage arrives during December-January when atmospheric temperature
is about or below 200C. 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 & breaks easily can produce metallic sound
and swelling out of buds from nodes are the other indicators of crop maturity. The
sucrose content in waterlogged condition increases suddenly after receding of water

43
Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

and drops again after a few days. It has also been observed that canes of waterlogged
areas start drying at a faster rate after receding of water in comparison to normally
grown canes. It is, therefore, revealed that sugarcane matures earlier in waterlogged
areas. So, cane should be harvested as early as possible after water recession, so that
the maximum amount of sucrose is obtained. To ensure maximum yield of sugarcane
and ultimately sugar from the crop, it would be necessary to have proper harvesting
to achieve higher sugar recovery, which naturally increases sugar production per unit
area. Stalks are cut at the ground level, preferably at least 3 to 5 cm above the ground
level. The dried leaves are stripped off up to the top-most mature internodes, where
stalks usually break easily. The harvested canes should always be crushed quickly.
In U.P during the cold season the harvested canes kept in shade for 1 or 2 days
may help in quality of juice but canes loses its weight unless kept moist. In the late
season quick processing of the harvested cane is essential to avoid deterioration in
the quality due to activity of Leuconostoc bacteria.

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S. N. Singh, A. D. Pathak, T. K. Srivastava, A. K. Sah and Chandra Gupta

Notes

45
Cane Node Technology for Sugarcane Planting

Notes

46