Sugarcane firming process

Question

Anurag Gupta · Answer

Sugarcane farming is a profitable and popular agricultural practice, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to successfully cultivate sugarcane:

1. Climate and Soil Requirements
Climate: Sugarcane thrives in tropical climates with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 35°C. It requires a frost-free environment and around 1200-1500 mm of annual rainfall for optimal growth. Areas with moderate rainfall and long sunny days are ideal.
Soil: The best soil for sugarcane is well-drained loamy or clayey soil with good fertility. pH levels of 6.5-7.5 are ideal. Avoid waterlogged or sandy soils.
2. Land Preparation
Plowing: Plow the field thoroughly, 2-3 times, to a depth of 25-30 cm to ensure the soil is loose and aerated.
Leveling: After plowing, level the field properly to maintain uniform water distribution during irrigation.
Organic Matter: Add compost or organic manure (10-15 tons per hectare) to enrich the soil with essential nutrients.
3. Selection of Varieties
Select high-yielding and disease-resistant sugarcane varieties suited to your region. Some popular varieties include:
Co 86032, Co 94012, and CoC 671 for tropical regions.
Co 118 and CoJ 85 for subtropical regions.
4. Planting Season
Tropical regions: The best time for planting is February to April.
Subtropical regions: Ideal planting times are September-October and February-March.
5. Seed Selection and Treatment
Seed Selection: Use healthy sugarcane sets (cuttings) with 2-3 buds each for planting.
Seed Treatment: Before planting, treat the sets with a fungicide (like Carbendazim or Bavistin) to protect against fungal diseases. Dipping the sets in hot water (50°C) for about 30 minutes is also effective for eliminating pests and diseases.
6. Planting Methods
There are two common methods of planting sugarcane:

Furrow method: Plow furrows 75-90 cm apart, depending on the variety and soil type. Place the sugarcane sets horizontally in the furrows.
Trench method: Similar to the furrow method, but deeper trenches (15-20 cm) are used to ensure better root development.
7. Spacing and Depth
Row spacing: Keep rows 75-90 cm apart.
Depth: Plant the sets 5-10 cm deep in the soil.
8. Irrigation
Sugarcane is a water-intensive crop, so irrigation is crucial, especially during the dry season.
First irrigation should be done immediately after planting. Subsequent irrigation depends on the climate, but sugarcane requires irrigation every 7-10 days during dry spells.
Drip irrigation can help conserve water and improve water use efficiency.
9. Nutrient Management
Sugarcane needs a balanced fertilizer regimen for optimal growth.
Nitrogen (N): 150-200 kg/ha.
Phosphorus (P): 50-60 kg/ha.
Potassium (K): 80-100 kg/ha.
Apply organic fertilizers or vermicompost to improve soil health. Split applications of chemical fertilizers are preferred: the first dose after 30-45 days of planting and subsequent doses every 30 days.
10. Weed Control
Manual weeding: Hand hoeing or mechanical weeding should be done 2-3 times in the first 90 days after planting.
Herbicide application: Herbicides like Atrazine or Metribuzin can be applied as pre-emergent treatments to control weed growth.
11. Pest and Disease Management
Pests:
Sugarcane borers: Apply insecticides like Chlorpyrifos or Imidacloprid.
Aphids: Use Neem oil or other organic sprays.
Diseases:
Red rot: A major disease in sugarcane. Treat with resistant varieties and fungicides like Thiram.
Smut: Manage with fungicides and certified disease-free seed sets.
12. Earthing Up
Earthing up is done 2-3 months after planting to provide better anchorage to the plant and improve root development. It also helps in controlling weeds and retaining moisture.
13. Harvesting
Sugarcane is ready for harvesting in about 10-18 months, depending on the variety and climate.
Signs of maturity: The leaves start drying, the cane becomes hard, and the juice content increases.
Harvesting technique: Cut the cane close to the ground using a sickle or harvester. Avoid damage to the roots, as sugarcane can ratoon (regrow) after the first harvest.
14. Ratooning
After harvesting, the sugarcane stubble left in the field can regrow to produce another crop (ratoon crop). Ratooning can save planting costs but requires good field management.
15. Post-Harvest Management
Transport to mills: Once harvested, sugarcane should be transported to the mill quickly (within 24-48 hours) to prevent loss of sugar content.
Juice extraction: The cane is crushed to extract juice, which is further processed into sugar, ethanol, or jaggery.
Yield and Profitability:
A well-managed sugarcane farm can yield 60-100 tons per hectare, depending on soil fertility, irrigation, and variety.
Profitability is high, especially if grown with good ratoon management, proper irrigation, and disease control.
By following these steps and utilizing best practices, you can ensure a successful sugarcane farming venture with high yields and profitability.