Sugarcane

Selection and preparation of good seed of Sugarcane

Since good seed is the guarantee of better production, take care of the following factors for choosing good seed of sugarcane.

• Always choose seed from a healthy crop. Do not take seed, especially from a field that contains red rot disease. When making seed, sort out sick and weak sugarcane.
• It is better to cultivate a separate nursery for seed and protect it completely from diseases and pests.
• Do not take seeds from ratoon crop. Select seeds from the lari crop. However, september cultivated and ratoon crop seed can be used for September cultivation of crop.
• Use the top of the sugarcane for the seed and send bottom part to the mill.
• Do not take seed from lodging crop.
• To protect the eyes from injury, remove the sugarcane sheath by hands instead of peeling it with a sickle. Be careful while carrying.
• The setts should not be covered with green leaves otherwise growth is affected and there is also a possibility attack of termite.
• Do not delay sowing after preparing the seed. If it is late for some reason, cover the seed and sprinkle water periodically So that the sugarcane may not dry up.
• Soak the seed in the recommended fungicide solution for 5 to 10 minutes and cultivate it.
• Do not take seeds from the frost affected crop.

Seed Rate

For cultivation of sugarcane, use 30,000 setts with 2 buds, or 20,000 setts with 3 buds i-e 60,000 buds per acre. This number of setts obtain from about 100 to 120 maunds and requires about 12-16 Marla sugarcane.

    A survey by crop reporting service Punjab revealed that farmers who used 88 to 125 maund per acre of sugarcane seed achieved the highest yield, so farmers are requested to always use recommended quantity of sugarcane seed so that good production obtain.

Recommended varieties of Sugarcane

Early ripening varieties

    CP 77-400, CPF-237, HSF-242, CPF-250 and CPF-251

Medium ripening varieties

    HSF-240, SPF-234, SPF-213, CPF-246, CPF-247, CPF-248, CPF-249, CPF-253, CPSG-2525 and SLSG-1283

Late ripening varieties  

CPF252

  Note: HSF-240 is affected by Smut so do not keep the affected crop ratoon.

Table No. 2: Characteristics of the recommended varieties of Sugarcane

(The above information relating to types of sugarcane is provided by Sugarcane research institute, Faisalabad)

Suitable land and its preparation for cultivation of sugarcane

Heavy clay soil with good water drainage is suitable for good production of sugarcane crop. However, it can be cultivated on loamy and sandy loam soil, if water is available as needed. Salt affected soil with low drainage and sandy soils are unfit for cultivation of Sugarcane. The sugarcane crop is also cultivated with Rice and Cotton. After these crops are harvested, mix the remains of the previous crop in soil by running Rotavator or Disc harrow and then cross-chisel plough twice or once mold bold plough. Run Subsoiler to make deep furrow. Then level the land. Then porous the soil thoroughly by ploughing the land 3 or 4 times as per requirement. For good preparation of land, after every three years, once subsoiler plough to prepare the land deeper.

time cultivation

Spring Cultivation: Mid-February to End March. 

September Cultivation: September 1 to October 15.

method of cultivation

Cultivate sugarcane in open and deep furrows. After preparing and planking the land, make 10 to 12 inches deep furrows at a distance of 4 feet through Ridger. Add recommended fertilizers to them and then add setts to furrows. Make 2 lines of setts at a distance of 8 to 9 inches in such a way that their ends are interlinked. Add or spray recommended granular pesticide over the setts and cover them with a thin layer of soil. That is, do not planking, but put the soil with hands or feet, and apply light irrigation. Apply irrigation again when the furrows dry. So keep applying irrigation as per requirement till the crop grows.

Benefits of deep furrows

• Plants get sufficient of light, air and nutrition.

• Hoeing can be done with cultivator and the soil can be easily earthen up.
• Time and expenses are saved.
• Adequate quantity of irrigation can be done. Crop is protected from lodging.

Promotion of mechanical cultivation of Sugarcane

Since factors in cultivation of sugarcane, manpower is required to handling and harvesting and the cost of production is high. Keep in view of labour shortage and time is needed to make the cultivation factors of sugarcane more effective in time. That machines should be used for cultivation and harvesting of sugarcane. Under the ongoing Scheme for Promotion of Growth Production by the Department of Agriculture, modern macinery related to cultivation of sugarcane is being introduced, the use of which can not only significantly increase the production per acre of the economy despite the shortage of labour, but also reduce the production costs.

Intercropping of various crops in Sugarcane

In September cultivation of sugarcane, intercropping of various crops i.e. mustard, gram and lentils etc. can be done successfully. Short duration oilseed crops including Iri canola, Rapeseed and Anmol raya are suitable for this purpose. In this method, cultivate two lines of described crops between the double lines. This method provides additional production of oilseed crops and also protects the sugarcane crop from frost. Intercropping of lentil and kabali chana in the sugarcane crop has also proved successful.

Major diseases of sugarcane and their control

Biological Control Laboratories are working in 11 districts of Punjab (Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Hafizabad, Vehari, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Sheikhupura, Layyah and Muzaffargarh) under the Department of Agriculture Extension Punjab. In these, cards are prepared by rearing farmer-friendly insects (Chrysoperla and Trichogramma). Trichogramma is used to control sugarcane borer, while Chrysoperla cards are used for sucking insects, especially whiteflies and Aphid. Farmers can get these cards free of cost from these laboratories. Apart from this, Trichogramma cards can also be obtained from Fatima Sugar Mills Muzaffargarh, Shakarganj Limited Jhang, Layyah Sugar Mills Layyah, and Hussain Sugar Mills Jaranwala.
The details of the symptoms, expected damage and physical control of major diseases of sugarcane are given below, while for chemical control, use appropriate pesticides in consultation with the local staff of the Department of Agriculture Extension and Pest Warning.

Red Rot

This disease is caused by a special fungus called Cholletotricum falcatum. There is more than one variety that affects the crop. Red rot causes a significant decline in sugarcane and sugar production. The severity of the disease can completely destroy the crop. The third or fourth leaf of the affected plant starts drying from the edge, then the tips of the leaves begin to dry and dry down. Even the entire sugarcane starts drying up.

If you look at the sugarcane, the pulp of the setts is red, which starts to hollow towards the length in the center. And there are irregular white spots in it. In which the cotton like white fungi is clearly visible in the red cells. The sugarcane sheath gets crumple. And its color becomes reddish brown and is visible from the black spot of the fungus spore on the peel.

Control

• Approved resistant varieties should be cultivated.
• Seeds should be selected from a healthy disease-free crop.
• If diseased plants are seen in a field, then it should not be kept as ratoon and the sick plants should be uprooted and burnt.
• If there is a disease in a field, then the crop should be harvested for sowing soon.
• Proper rotation of crops also leads to a reduction in disease.
• Avoid cultivating sugarcane crop in lowland areas where water is standing.

Whip Smut

The cause of this disease is a fungus ustilago scitamineae. Whip Smut adversely affects sugarcane and sugar production. The central shoot of the plant grows in the form of a black whip. The black powder on it is covered in a fine white silk membrane. Which bursts and spread the Spores of disease further. The canes of the affected plant become thinner. The leaves become smaller and harder and growth stops. Diseased branches grow out of the buds of standing cane. Fungus spores enter into the soil and affect a healthy crop.

Control

• Varieties that are resistant to the disease should be cultivated. All commercial varieties of sugarcane, except SH-240, are resistant to the disease.
• The affected field should not be kept ratoon and rotation with other crops.
• Promote a healthy seed nursery.
• Cut and burn diseased plants immediately.
• Cultivate after Soaking the setts in a fungicide solution Thiophanate-methyl at 2 grams per liter of water for 5 to 10 minutes .

Pokkah Boeng

The cause of this disease is a fungus called Fusarium moniliforme. Yellow spots form at the beginning of the disease on the new leaves of sugarcane. Random red stripes to form on them. Sugarcane setts remain small and thin and become stair like marks. In case of a severe attack, the top of the cane turns brown and turns wrinkle. Spores of Disease are transmitted from one plant to another through air and rain.

Control

• Disease affected varieties should not be cultivated.
• Choose a healthy crop for seeds.

Red Stripe

The cause of this disease is a bacteria called Xanthomonas rubrilinians. Red stripes form on the longitudinal of the sugarcane leaf and sometimes the part of the peak rots and smells like dead.

Control

• The following of resistant varieties against disease should be cultivated.
• Choose a healthy crop for seeds.

Rust

The disease first appeared in Pakistan in 1990. Dark brown spots appear on fresh leaves which make the affected leaves reddish brown. In case of a severe attack, the leaves are filled with reddish powder. The disease is spread by a fungus called Puccinia Melanocephala. If it rains in spring cultivation, the disease appears in April-May. In September cultivation, the disease intensifies from October to December and then from February to April. Low temperatures and hot weather help in spreading it.

Control

Varieties that are resistant to disease should be cultivated. All commercial varieties of sugarcane are resistant to this disease. The drainage of water in the field should be proper. The water did not stand for long.

White Leaf Disease of Sugarcane

The white leaf disease of sugarcane is dangerous. Which is spread by a particular type of germ that enters into the internal system of the plant and affects the process of photosynthesis. The green matter of the leaves is lost and the yield decreases. Over the past two years, the attack of the disease has increased alarmingly in many areas of Sindh. The attack of this disease is still low in Punjab province, but its possibility in the future cannot be denied, so it is necessary to take proper planning and possible precautions so that the crop can be protected from its deadly effects.

Symptoms

• The leaves of the affected plant become completely white and the green matter is lost.
• In the beginning, light yellow stripes form in longitudinal and then the entire leaf becomes white and white spots of green color are also seen somewhere.
• New leaves are white in the form of a circle. While the old leaves appear in the form of bunches.
• If there is a severe attack, sugarcane is not made.
• The disease can attack at any stage from emergence to harvesting. However, the attack of the disease is more in August to October.
• The chances of this disease are relatively high on the crop cultivated in the sandy soil.

Causes
Hopper i-e Aphid plays an important role in the spread of this disease. It spreads through the cultivation of diseased seeds and ratoon of the affected crop.

Control

1. Department approved varieties should be selected for cultivation.

2. Preparing the Land

• While preparing the land, the residues of the first crop should be destroyed and burnt separately.
•  While preparing the field for cultivation, the field should be leveled so that the water does not stand and all the plants can get equal nutrition.

3. Selection of healthy seeds

Selection a healthy seed for sowing is most important for this purpose:

• Seed harvesting tools should be used by soaking them in Detergent or Dettol.
• Workers working in the fields should wash their hands with soap.
• Seeds should always be obtained from a healthy laree crop.
• In order to get healthy seeds, a separate nursery of good varieties of sugarcane should be planted and seeds should be selected from there, the nursery plot should be changed every year. If possible, nursery for seeds should be cultivated in areas where there are no effects of disease. Hot water treatment of sugarcane seeds should be done in sugar mills and then its nursery should be grown, from where seeds can be provided to the farmers.

4. Ratoon crop

• Healthy crop should be kept as ratoon.
• The diseased crop should not be kept and the crops rotation should be done in the affected field. In sugar mills, where it is not possible to crops rotation, the harvesting of the diseased crop should be completed by 15 December and then the field should be ploughed at least four times in longitudinal and horizontal and the residues of the diseased crop should be completely eliminated and then a new variety of sugarcane should be cultivated in the second fortnight of March.

5. Standing crop

Regular inspection of the field should be done in the first 60 days of the crop and diseased plants should be cut and burnt.

Harmful sugarcane insects and their control

A severe attack of frost reduces the weight of sugarcane and the quality of sweetness decrease. The attack affects the buds of sugarcane and reduces their ability to sprout, which can lead to seed problems for the upcoming crop. Therefore, in view of the frost, farmers should follow the following recommendations to protect the sugarcane crop, especially the seed crop, from the frost and severe cold.

• Irrigate the crop.
• Avoid hoeing on foggy days.
• After harvesting, deliver sugarcane to mill without delay.
• Cultivate sugarcane in the projected areas of frost in north and south ridges.
• Keep attention on the forecast of the Meteorological Department and follow the recommendations in time.
• Harvest the crop keeping in mind the types of sugarcane and ripening of the crop First September harvest the varieties of cultivation, ratoon and early ripening. Then harvest the average and late ripening varieties. Harvest the flooded, rat-infested and lodge crop first.
• Stop irrigation a month before the crop is harvested.
• After cutting the sugarcane, supply it to the mill as soon as possible so that the weight and recovery do not decrease.
• Harvest the crop after January 15 for ratoon crop.
• Cut the sugarcane half to one inch deep from the surface of the ground. In the case of keeping a ratoon, the underground buds sprout in a more healthy environment and on the other hand, the larvae of the borers in the base are also destroyed.

The identification, method of damage and control of harmful sugarcane insects are detailed below.

Termite:

Immediately after cultivating sugarcane, these insects eat the buds and cellulose of the setts from inside and make it hollow and filled with soil. Even after growing the crop, the roots and underground parts of the plants are damaged by eating and the affected plants dry up. Sandy, dry and newly cultivated lands are more affected.

Control

• Use decomposed manure only. The use of fresh manure increases the chances of its attack.
• Peel the sheath of setts and cultivate it.
• Do not leave the field dry for too long and do timely irrigation.
• Plastic pipes and ordinary cardboard chemical traps in the field also reduce the attack of termites. So, use four to five traps per acre.

 Black Bug

It causes more damage to the ratoon crop. In the months of April and May attacks at the initial growth of the crop. Adults and larvae suck leaf sap while staying inside the leaf cover. The affected crop turns yellow in color and dark red spots form on the leaves. Production is badly affected. Its attack is more in drought.

Control

• Don't let the crop water stress.
• Avoid to keep a severely attacked crop for ratoon.

Borers of sugarcane

a. Initial stem borer

Its moth color is brown. It has two protruding straight bulges in front of its mouth and small black spots on the edges of its front wings, while the back wings are white in color and the female lays white eggs in the form of bunches on the inner surface of the leaves of small plants. From which the larvae hatch and make a tunnel by making a hole in the stem and cut the growing branch and dry it from inside. This insect causes more damage to the spring crop of sugarcane and completely destroys it by attacking the initial stem.

b. Top Borer

The color of the moth is white. There is a bunch of brown hair at the end of the female's abdomen. The color of the larva is white and the longitudinal side on the abdomen is a dark brown stripe. From March to till November, 4 to 5 instars of it attack. The first instar attacks in early March, the second in May, the Third in July and the fourth in August. The wilt can be easily control as well as fine holes are clearly visible on the new leaves. A bunch of branches forms towards the top of the sugarcane. In winter, this insect is in the top of sugarcane in the state of larva.

c. Stem Borer

The color of the moth is brown, there is a line of black spots on the outer edges of the front wings. The color of the larva is grayish white or yellow and there are five stripes of brown on the body. It spends the winter in the stubble in a state of larva. In February-March, the moths born and till November, five generations are born. From April to June, the attack is severe. The wilt can be seen in May-June which cannot be easily control. Larva builds tunnels in the stem in July and the process continues till September-October. Branches appear on the side of the sugarcane. The damage is greater in drought.

d. Root Borer

The color of the moth is light yellowish brown. While the color of larva is milky white, the color of the head is yellowish brown and the body is wrinkled. This insect spends the winter in the stubble in the condition of larva. From April to October, three instars are born, the larva enters through a hole in the stem near the surface of the soil and goes down making a tunnel. 2-3 of leaves wilt and dry up along the plant shoot. It causes more damage to the short crop. The damage is more in drought.

h. Gurdaspur Borer

The color of the moth is muddy brown and there are seven black spots on the edges of the front wings. The color of the larva is brown, the head is brown and the body has four stripes of reddish longitudinally. This insect spends from November to May in the sugarcane fields in a larva state. With the arrival of rain, moths come out in July. The larva cut the stem sheath into a circle just above the knot on top of the sugarcane and then form a spring-like tunnel. The upper part first wilts and then dries up completely. The upper part of the sugarcane affected by wind or touching can easily break. The attack usually takes place in the form of patches. Therefore, the damage can be estimated by standing at a high place around the field.

Control of sugarcane borers

• If the crop does not want to be ratoon, then rotavate its stubble before mid-March. This will destroy the larvae of stem, root and Gurdaspur borers.
• Before February 15, cut two or three setts from attacked plants from the bottom and feed it to the animals.
• Deploy lights traps in sugarcane fields from March to October. This is the best way to destroy it.
• In April/May, cut the affected stem of the plants from the ground and bury into soil. This will destroy the larvae in them.
• Cut the plants from underground or at least the equivalent of the ground when harvesting. This will destroy the Gurdaspur, root and stem borers to a great extent.
• In May/June, earthing up around the crop. This will not allow the moths of Gurdaspur from stem to come out and attack the crop.
• Take trichogramma cards available from the laboratories of the Department of Agriculture or sugar mills and apply 20 to 25 cards per acre from April to October in the fields. The card planting interval should be one month and the number of eggs per card should be 500.
• Since the Gurdaspur borer is attacked in the form of patches, keep regular observation of the crop in July/August and if the attack is seen anywhere, cut two or three setts from attacked plants from the bottom and feed it to the animals or bury them in the ground. Do not keep the ratoon of the heavily attacked field of Gurdaspur borer.

Sugarcane Pyrilla

It is a sap sucking insect whose larvae and adults suck sap from the lower surface of the leaves. Due to the material secreted from their body, black fungus is grown on the surface of the leaves, which stops the process of photosynthesis in the leaves, weakens the plants and stops the growth of sugarcane and also affects the quality of sugar very badly.

Control

• At the very beginning of the attack, adults and larvae should be caught by nets and destroyed.
• In winter, do not burn the sheath after harvesting so that the beneficial insects present in it are safe.
• Two insects of Sugarcane Pyrilla one is (Tetrastichus pyrillae) and second is (Epiricania melanoleuca) are very important, which effectively eliminate Sugarcane Pyrilla.
• Such fields where insects are abundant, cut their leaves 6’’ in length with eggs and pupa, and in the affected fields of Sugarcane Pyrilla where there is no insect.

Sugarcane Whitefly

The sugarcane white fly is different from the cotton white fly but both belong to the same family. On the affected leaves, yellow-colored long pupae are seen in large numbers that stick to the leaves and do not move. If you look closely at the infected plants, adult whiteflies can also be seen flying or sitting on the leaves. Larvae damage by sucking sap from the leaves. In case of severe attack, the leaves turn yellow and dry and the growth of plants stops. Sometimes they dry up and begin to wilt. Both quality and production are affected.

Control

• If the attack is in a small, cut the attacked leaves and bury them in the ground.
• Use proper granulated chemical in consultation with the staff of agriculture extension and pest warning department before the height of sugarcane reaches six feet.
• Do not burn the sheath at all so that the beneficial insects present in it are safe.

Mites

Two types of mites attack on the sugarcane crop.

1.Red Mites

Very small reddish-brown mites lay eggs in a web on the lower surface of the leaves. Larvae and adults suck the sap of the leaves. The color of the leaves turns brownish-red. May to July the attack is severe in hot dry weather. Initially the attack usually takes place in patches and later they infest the crop very quickly. Heavy rain washes them away and reduces the attack.

2.White Mites

These mites form white webs on the lower surface of the leaves. White spots are seen in successive parallel rows on the leaves. Mites are very hardy. Chemical also has little effect on the net. The attack is severe in August-September.

Control

• Irrigation the crop on time. Don't let there be a shortage of water.
• Rain reduces the intensity of the attack of red mites. therefore keep inspecting the crop from the beginning and if you see an attack anywhere, immediately spray it well with water. The attack usually takes place in patches. Repeat the spray twice a week.
• White mites attack is more common in high humidity weather. Keep the fields clean of weeds or dispose of the affected leaves for its control.

Sugarcane Pink mealybug

Sugarcane pink mealybug is generally not considered a more dangerous insect, but its attack is increasing in many places in the current weather conditions. Especially in the districts of southern Punjab, the sugarcane mealybug is mostly on top of the knots under the leaf. From where it sucks the sap of the leaves and stem and causes damage. If the attack becomes severe, the leaves begin to dry up and the crop appears to have withered. Generally, the female of this insect is slightly flat round and pink, which has a white powder on its body, which can lay up to 1,000 eggs. Eggs hatch after 10 to 14 hours. They are stored in a sac on the back of the female abdomen and from there they move towards the new tillers, then reach the desired place i.e. inside the leaf and start sucking the sap of the plants and here their rest of life cycle is completed. This insect male has a wing.

Control

• Destroy crop residue.
• Keep the crop clean of weeds
• Selection of seeds free from diseases and insects for sowing.
• Cultivate setts by removal the sheath of the leaves.

Chemical prevention of harmful sugarcane pests

The attack of white lice is more in high humidity seasons. Keep the fields clean of weeds or dispose of the invaded leaves for its control.

Other animals that damage the sugarcane crop

Rats

Rats attack on the roots and stem of the crop. They cause severe damage to the crop by chewing it. The attacked sugarcane dries up.

Control

• Destroy weeds and Sarkanda from around the fields can reduce the number of rats as they hide in them.
• Do not make the ridges too wide so that they cannot make tunnels in them. Further plow and re-make the channels of your farm after every second third year.
• Do not hunt wild cats, jackals and owls. Rats are their main food.
• Put ghee bread, guava or apple etc. in the cage or trap and hunt and destroy the rats.
• Mix zinc phosphide in jaggery and flour and make tablets and keep it close to the rat burrows so that the rats die by eating the tablets.
• Placing a tablet of aluminum phosphide inside the burrow and closing it will also destroy the rats. Close all burrows before placing tablets. The next day see that the burrows from which fresh soil has been dug place toxic pills and close the burrows well. Place thorny branches over them so that the rats cannot dig soil from the burrow.
• Add 25 grams of zinc phosphide, 25 ml of edible oil and 100 grams of sugar syrup in boiled grains of one kg of wheat to make poisonous baits, broadcast on affected crop. Repeat this process 10 days a week.

Porcupine

It attacks on the roots and stems of sugarcane and goes far away from their homes and causes damage. Burrows are made in heaps of soil and in barren places.

Control

• Remove the heaps of soil and barren places from the surrounding fields.
• When the Porcupine goes out in search of food at night, kill them with sticks etc.
• Find out the burrows and during the day, put 2-3 tablets of fumigant (Phosphine or Detia gas) in each hole, put the shoots in the holes and then put soil and close it so that it suffocates inside the burrow.

Wild boar

They cause a lot of damage to the crop. They damage the crop by breaking it, chewing it and falling it.

Control

• Eliminate them with the help of dogs etc.
• Put poisonous baits in the way of the arrival of the affected fields, Those who are killed.

In spring sowing of Sugarcane, Bathu, Bili Booti, Jangli chaulai , Jangli Palak, Jangli Hallow, Karund, Dumbi sitti, Itsit, Murak, Karabara, Deela, Khabal Naru, Kulfa, Gajar Booti, Senji and Lehli, while september sowing crop grows Itsit, Deela, Jangli swanak, Dhidhan, Lomar grass , Makro, Madhana, Hazar dani, Qulfa, Swanaki, Tandla and cholai etc. Weed inguinal is essential for getting good yield. It is estimated that weeds may reduce the production of the commodity by up to 25%. Weeds can be destroyed in the following ways:

Non-chemical control

• Hoeing

The importance of hoeing for healthy growing of sugarcane is accepted. It also destroys weeds and the soil becomes soft and the roots of crop spread well. The first hoeing in sugarcane crop should be after emergence while second should be done after a month.  plough one time in wattar and second time in dry after in each hoeing. Between furrows by cultivator while weeding should be done between the plants by Ramba. Soil earthen up around stem after last hoeing. This not only controls the weeds but also protects the crop from falling.

• Crop rotation

Instead of cultivating a crop in the same field again and again, if fodder is cultivated in field i-e Berseem, Sorghum with rotation than weeds are eliminated or reduced.

Chemical Control

The use of weedicide is a very effective way to control weeds. Information and instructions on poisons and their use should be obtained from the local members of the Department of Extension and Pest Warning. Misuse of weedicide can cause crop damage. The best suggestion for weed control from sugarcane is to spray twice i.e. before emergence and after emergence.

• Spray before germination

In condition of wattar after cultivation of sugarcane, an alternate poison spray S-Metolachlor EC960 at 1000 ml or Mesotrione + Atrazine 50 WP at 1000 grams or Aclonifen 500 ml per acre can be sprayed. These weedicides destroy most seasonal weeds. Often there is no need to spray second dose. But in some cases, despite the spray the Deela survives to a great extent, which may require a second spray to destroy. For removal of Deela before one and a half months after cultivation of sugarcane, Halosulfuron 80 WDG at 20 grams per acre per 100L of water should be sprayed. When the crop is 65 days old, it is plough by cultivator or multi-rotary weeder or small rotavator and earthen up soil at the time of 100 to 110 days, most of the weeds are completely removed.

• Spray after germination

If no weedicide is used at the time of sowing, Mesotrione + Atrazine + Halosulfuron methyl WDG 80 at 500 grams per acre or alternative recommended weedicide can be sprayed within a month after sowing. In order to achieve better results, irrigation is required a week after spraying.

Weed Control in ratoon crop of Sugarcane

In order to prevent khabal, baro, madhana, kalar grass and other weeds from the ratoon crop, it is necessary to spray in the wattar before the weather becomes hot i.e. during mid-March to mid-April by combining Topramazone + Atrazine (500+35) and 80-100 grams in 120 liters of water. Plough three weeks after spraying and earthen up soil eight weeks later.

Precautionary Measures

• Do not use weeds as fodder after spray.
• Do not spray double in any place nor leave any space vacant.
• Use special nozzles for standard spray, such as Flood Jet before germination and Flat Fan or T-Jet nozzle after germination. 
• Do not spray in 'strong wind' fog or rain.
• Use new weedicide that are effective in hot weather.
• Keep water content at 100 to 120 liters per acre.
• Do not spray on an empty stomach and avoid eating and drinking even during spray.
• Use specific clothing and other protective materials during spray.
• Take care of the wind direction while spraying so that poison does not fall on the sprayer.
• Take a bath in excess water after spray and change clothes.
• Wash the machine thoroughly after spray.
• It is better to use a different machine for spraying of weeds and pesticides.
• Fill half of the spray machine with water before adding poison, then add the recommended amount of recommended poison and add remaining water.

Water determination used for spray (Calibration)

Fill the spray machine with water to the prescribed extent and spray it on the crop as if you are spraying poison. When the water in the machine is ended, find the area of the sprayed crop. Suppose this area makes 1/8 of an acre, it will take eight water tank to spray one acre of crop. Mix one part per tank of water by dividing the recommended quantity of poison evenly into eight parts to spray on an acre area.

Instructions for Sugarcane Ratoon Crop

More than half of the area of sugarcane in Punjab province is the ratoon crop. In terms of type of productivity and fertility of the land, one or two ratoon crops are generally taken. The profitable aspect of sugarcane crop depends on the productivity of its ratoon crop. Farmers generally take 30 to 40% less than the lira crop from the ratoon crop. Pay attention to the following points to get better yield from the ratoon crop.

• Farm Selection for Ratoon Crop

Do not select the field in which there is a severe attack of disease and pests for the ratoon crop. Also do not keep the fallen crop for the future. The ratoon crop requires more attention. Therefore, it is important to pay full attention and get good yield. Also keep in mind the type of sugarcane while keeping ratoon.

• Time to keep the ratoon

From end January to March is very suitable for having a ratoon crop of Sugarcane. The shgufs sprout well from the ratoon crop that is currently kept and the plants make a good bushes. During November, December and January, the ratoon does not make more bushes, because the intensity of the cold kills the hidden eyes in stems and some of the stems are rotten under the ground. The ratoon crop currently kept also contains a lot of gaps.

• Gap filling

If there are gaps in the ratoon crop, must be filled. It is better for gap filling that separate nursery should be prepared.

To achieve the full production of sugarcane, cultivation of crop in February requires 64 inch per acre while cultivation of crop in September requires 80 inch per acre of water. Thus, the annual rainfall factor has to be extracted and 16 to 20 times irrigation is required. Water deficiency has bad impact on production. The reduction in the required amount of water by 20 to 40% leads to reduction in production of sugarcane by 12 to 26% respectively.

The proposed irrigation interval in terms of weather is given in Table No. 5.

Use of organic fertilizers

In most of our soils, organic matter has been severely reduced, affecting not only crop productivity but also reducing the effect of the chemical fertilizers in the crop. Therefore, it is important to use indigenous or green manure i.e. organic manure. Therefore, add 3 to 4 trolleys Farm yard manure (300-400 maund) per acre to Sugarcane crop. If this is not possible, after the end of 2 or 3 years of the crop duration, cultivate a green manure crop i.e. Guara, Jantar, Berseem or Senji etc. and dump it into the ground when it is flowering. Prepare the land about 30 to 35 days after so that the manure may rot well in soil. Put half bag of urea per acre to speed up the rottening process.

Use of Press Mud as Fertilizer

Press mud dung is the best alternative to manure.  Therefore, in case of not using Farm yard manure, use press mud 3 to 4 trolleys per acre a month before cultivation, which significantly increases production and maintains the fertility of the land.

Use of chemical fertilizers

Use chemical fertilizers keeping in view laboratory analysis of Soil, basic fertility of Soil, abundance cultivation of different crops and annual crop pattern. The recommendations for use of fertilizers for the crop in terms of fertility of the soils are given in the table.

Fertilizer recommendations for crop of sugarcane

Note:

• In case of zinc deficiency, use zinc sulphate (33%) at 6 kg per acre or other compound in its alternative at time of cultivation.
• In case of use of Press Mud or organic fertilizers Keep in mind the fertility of the soil when determining the amount of chemical fertilizers.
• Add entire amount of phosphorus and potash fertilizer and about 1/4 of nitrogenous fertilizer in furrows before sowing. Use the remaining nitrogenous fertilizer in three splits after emergence. September cultivated sugarcane 1/3 nitrogen fertilizer should be added one month after cultivation and the remaining 2 splits should be added at the end of March and April respectively.  In case of spring cultivation, add 1st dose of nitrogen fertilizer in April, 2nd in last May and 3rd in last June while earthing up soil
• In case of late supply of nitrogen fertilizer, crop growths and sprouts, which threatens to fall and affects production and also increases the attack of borers.
• Alternative fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potash ingredients are also available. Farmers can also use alternative fertilizers to obtain the required quantity of recommended nutrients. The quantity of nutrients found in different fertilizers is given below.

Table: Quantity of nutrients in different fertilizers

(The above recommendations relating to fertilizers are provided by the Soil Fertility Research Institute, Lahore)

Instructions for the Sugarcane Ratoon Crop

Consumption of fertilizers

The need for nitrogen fertilizer for the ratoon crop is 30% more than that of the lira crop. In the month of February, March, when the cold intensity decreases, apply water after cleaning the field in which the ratoon crop is to be kept, etc. When wattar comes, add full amount of recommended phosphorus and potash fertilizers, while one-third of the nitrogen fertilizer drop at sugarcane lines and plough. Be careful not to uproot sugarcane stem. Add remaining nitrogen fertilizer doses in the last week of April and June while earthing up soil. In case of delay of nitrogen fertilizer, the crop continues to grow and sprout, which threatens to lodging of crop. The production and quality of lodging crop is affected. Keeping in view the fertility of the soil, fertilizer the ratoon crop according to the following Table no. 6.

Table No. 6: Fertilizer recommendations for ratoon crop