Sugarcane Farming Techniques
Sugarcane is a tropical perennial grass which has a potential to grow to a height of 4.3 meters having a thickness of around 5.1 centimeters. Sugarcane is called a perennial grass of value because of its ability to store Carbohydrates in the form of sucrose. Its economic value comes from stalk sucrose or Carbohydrates, which it reserves and can be grown both on a small scale and on large scale special for commercial purposes.
The sucrose stored in sugarcane is used as a raw material in production of sugar which is used in different countries.
Most of the world's sugar we use is made from sugarcane, making it a hot business in different countries.
The success of sugarcane production depends on farmers agronomic skills on cane production.
This article will provide in detail on how to grow sugarcane both on a small scale and commercial large scale production.
Climatic Requirements
1. Temperature
Sugarcane requires a warm, sunny and moist climate and fertile, deep and well aerated soils to give optimal yield.
Moisture and heat favor sugarcane growth, while dry sunny periods and low night temperatures are favorable for maturation and sugar accumulation.
The crop cycle, growth and maturation are largely influenced by climatic conditions. The Sugarcane is sensitive to frost and hurricanes or typhoons.
It can grow well where the temperature ranges from 20 to 35 °C. The optimum temperature for germination of sugarcane stem cuttings ranges from 32 to 38 °C.
Sugarcane responds to a long period of sunlight of about 12 to 14 hours. High humidity (80–85 %) favours rapid cane elongation during the main growth period.
2. Rainfall
Rainfall favouring growth of sugarcane ranges from 1100 to 1500 mm and is adequate provided the distribution is right, abundant in the months of vegetative growth and followed by a dry period for ripening of sugarcane.
In case of little rainfall access to irrigation supplies is required. During the sugarcane growing the soil should be kept loose and thoroughly moistened during planting and watered afterwards till the plants have attained to their full height.
3. Soil requirements
Humid soils from 100 to 150 cm deep with good drainage are most suitable. Sugarcane grows on almost all classes of soil, but it needs fertile, well-drained soil.
It grows well in deep, well-drained soils of medium fertility of sandy loam soil textures with optimal soil pH range from 6.0 to 7.7. Waterlogged soils, which have no drainage, are not suitable. Sugarcane growing as it is regarded as a relatively salt sensitive plant.
Salinity in sugarcane induces water stress, which is evident in cane by premature wilting, scorching of the leaves, and restricted growth and, in severe cases, death of the plant.
Cultivation Practices
Soil preparation
The soil should be left fallow for a period before new sugarcane is planted. The land is cleared and ploughed to ensures that the soil is broken into fine even particles which help the roots of the new plants reach food and moisture and also to incorporate previous crop’s crop residues and organic manures.
Destruction of the old crop where you want to grow sugarcane should be done by either mechanical or chemical means. Land shaping should be done to provide the required gradient for draining excess water during rainy season.
In the finely prepared field, ridges and furrows are formed using a tractor and some small farmers open furrow manually.
Field layout and design
This involves leveling of the field, establishment of drainage systems, contour planning and the construction of roads which ensures ease of access to the field.
Sugarcane setts are directly planted by adopting two systems, i.e. the ridges and furrows system and flat system.
Propagation
Cultivars of sugarcane are mainly propagated in a vegetative way by stem cuttings of immature canes known as “setts”, with 2-3 lateral buds (or dormant eyes).
Sugarcane cuttings are usually taken from the upper third of the stalk in plant canes 8-12 months old or from ratoons of 6-8 months. Sugarcane setts are usually 30-45 cm in length, and are planted in long furrows 15-30 cm deep, or in trenches at an angle of 45°. After planting, the buds develop into primary and secondary stalks, and gradually form a dense, homogeneous tuft, known as a stool.
The average sugarcane planting density is 15,000 to 24,000 cuttings per hectare, with an intended stalk density of 90,000-150,000/ha.
Planting recommendations and suggestions
Some people grow sugarcane from seeds. Farmers should plant seed cane that is disease-free as possible.
Healthy seed cane will provide the best possible stands if adverse environmental conditions such as drought, water logging or freezing temperatures occur during sugarcane growing season.
Mechanical planters should be operating so as to minimize stalk damage.
Planting
There are two methods of sugarcane planting, namely manual and mechanical. The cane setts are manually placed end to end (or overlapping) together with fertilizer in the furrow and then covered with soil at an angle of 45°.
With mechanical planting, the three operations of opening the furrow, planting the setts and applying fertilizer are conducted simultaneously.
Timing of the planting operation
The ideal time for planting sugarcane is in autumn under irrigation condition, when adequate moisture is present for a quick canopy and optimum use of summer conditions during cane growing.
Under rain-fed conditions sugarcane planting should be done in spring once the rain has soaked the soil.
Autumn planting is possible, but conditions must be favourable for germination before winter.
Row spacing
Closer spacing tends to result in higher yields, provided there is adequate moisture in the soil. Row and plant spacing for manual sugarcane planting is 1.0 to 1.3 m x 0.5 m.
For normal mechanical operations, the best row spacing is between 1.4 and 1.6 m.
Depth of planting
Furrows for planting sugarcane should be approximately 100 mm deep. Sets should be cut into five bud lengths.
Fertilisation
Fertiliser is applied in sugarcane to promote development of the plant. Fertiliser can be spread by hand by applying a standard container of fertiliser over a predetermined length of cane row.
Mechanical distributors can also be used to apply fertilizer in your cane field. Sugarcane requires N, P and K.
Nitrogen requirement of sugarcane is greatest during the tillering (formative) phase. This is required for adequate tiller production and canopy development.
Tillering in field grown sugarcane commences around 30 to 45 days after planting. Sugarcane requires 80 kg urea and 100 kg Single Super Phosphate per hectare for better yield.
Always fertilizers should be well mixed with soil and applied 4 – 5 cm deep in the soil. Make sure you apply fertilizers when soil is moist.
Irrigation
The frequency of irrigation in cane field depends on the stage of development of the cane. Light, frequent irrigations are preferred when the seed is germinating and the young seedlings are getting established.
As sugarcane root system extends into deeper and deeper soils, the irrigation intervals should be extended, and the amount of water applied in your cane field with each irrigation increased.
As the cane approaches maturity, extended irrigation intervals should be scheduled to reduce the rate of vegetative growth, dehydrate the cane, and force the conversation of reducing sugars to recoverable sucrose.
Weed control
It is necessary to spray herbicide (weed killer) in order to prevent weed competition in your cane field and losses in sugarcane production.
Weed control methods employed will be either hand weeding or by application of herbicides.
Pests and diseases control
Sugarcane can become infested by a variety of diseases and pests. You should control them by chemical, biological and cultural methods.
Harvesting methods
Sugarcane is harvested mostly done manually by hand using knife and sometimes mechanically.
When harvested by hand, the field is first set on fire. With knives, harvesters cut the standing sugarcane just above the ground, while with mechanical harvesting, sugarcane combine or chopper harvester is used.