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SUGAR CANE CULTIVATION IN PAKISTAN

Botanical name: Saccharum officinarum
Family: Gramineae (Poaceae)

1. INTRODUCTION
Sugarcane is an important industrial and cash crop in Pakistan and in
many countries of the world. Average production of sugar cane in
Pakistan is 450 - 500 maunds per acre which is very much low compared
to the cane production by other countries. Agronomic factors like
preparatory tillage, bed preparation, planting techniques and time, water
availability for irrigation, application of fertilizers, management of ratoon
crop, harvesting time, type of cultivars and plant protection measures
significantly affect its production. These all factors also contribute to the
cost of production.
It is noteworthy that cultivation of sugar cane crop is carried out for crushing
purpose to obtain sugar, Panela (Jaggery, gur) and other products. By-products
like alcohol used in pharmaceutical industry, ethanol used as a fuel, bagasse used
for paper-making and chipboard manufacturing and press mud used as a rich
source of organic matter that adds to soil fertility are derived after cane is
crushed.
Pakistan occupies an important position in cane producing countries of the
world. It ranks at the fifth position in cane acreage and production and almost
15th position in sugar production.

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2. CROP GROWTH PHASES

i. Germination and Establishment Phase
 The germination phase is from planting to
the completion of germination of buds.
 Under field conditions germination starts
from 7 to 10 days and usually lasts for about 30-
35 days.
 The germination of bud is influenced by
the external as well as internal factors.
 The external factors are the soil moisture,
soil temperature and aeration.
 The internal factors are the bud health, sett moisture, sett reducing sugar
content and sett nutrient status.
 Optimum temperature for sprouting is around 28o-30oc .Base temperature for
germination is about 12o. Warm, moist soil ensures rapid germination.
ii. Tillering Phase
 Tillering starts from around 40 days after
planting and may last up to 120 days.
 Late tillering after 150 – 180 days after
sowing, 50% shoots can die.
 Tillering is a physiological process of
repeated underground branching from compact
nodal joints of the primary shoot.
 Tillering provides the crop with appropriate
number of stalks required for a good yield.
iii. Grand Growth Phase
 Grand growth phase starts from 120 days
after planting and lasts up to 270 days in a 12-
month crop. During the early period of this phase
tiller stabilization takes place. Out of the total
tillers produced only 40-50% survives by 150 days
to form milable cane.
 Most important phase of the crop where in
the actual cane formation and elongation and
thus yield build up takes place.
 Under favorable conditions stalks grow
rapidly almost 4-5 internodes per month.

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iv. Ripening and Maturation Phase

 Ripening and maturation phase in a
twelve-month crop lasts for about three months
starting from 270-360 days.
 Sugar synthesis and rapid accumulation of
sugar takes place during this phase and
vegetative growth is reduced.
 Cane ripening proceeds from bottom to
the top and hence bottom portion contains
more sugars than the top portions.

3. CLIMATE
i) It is grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world in a range of
climates from hot dry environment near sea level to cool and moist
environment at higher elevations.
ii) Sub-tropical, irrigated with moderate temperature frost free zone between
26° N latitude to 30°N latitude,
iii) Irrigated arid sub-tropical zone between 240° N latitude to 260° N latitude,
iv) Temperate zone of northern Punjab and K.P.K. between 32° N latitude to
34° N latitude.
4. SOIL
Sugar cane can be grown successfully on a great variety of soils.
Typical cane soils however are heavy rather than light texture, clay loams
and heavy alluvial soils are amongst the best, while the top soils possess
high moisture retaining capacity. The sub soil should be porous and well
drained. (Khoso)
5. LAND PREPARATION
Sugarcane is a deep-rooted crop and proper land preparation plays an
important role in the development of cane root system, and achieving
optimal growth of the crop. Land should be prepared by deep ploughing
at least after every two years. The soil should be disked. Six to eight
subsequent ploughings followed by planking are enough to achieve a
good pulverized seedbed free of clods and weeds.
So that no more clots are present in the soil. The soil should not be
more powdery too. If soil is clottier then seed may remain bare and that

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will result in poor germination. On the other hand powdery soil may
become compact and allow less seed germination.
It is very important that well-rotten farmyard manure (FYM) should be
applied a month prior to land preparation. Press mud from the sugar
industry is another excellent source of organic matter and nutrients.
.Green manuring may also serve the purpose.
6. PLANTING TIME
There are two planting seasons: Rabi or fall sowing in September –
November and spring sowing in February - March. Fall planting starts
from the first week of September and continuous to mid-October in the
Punjab and Sindh, while in the K.P.K. planting is done in October and
November. Spring planting starts from mid-February and lasts until the
end of March in the Punjab and Sindh. These planting times are strictly
observed because late planting can reduce the yield by as much as 30
percent.
September planted crop usually produces 25 to 35 % higher yield. In
Pakistan Planting time of sugarcane planting is usually carried out in
autumn and spring seasons. Autumn planting is of high yield and high
sugar recovery compared to spring planting. In fact, September planting
gives very luxuriant growth, which is mostly vulnerable to lodging. The
crop gives good appearance till June-July but is subject to lodging in July
or even earlier if there are wind storms or excessive rains.
7. SEED RATE
Appropriate seed rate and spacing are often ignored by farmers with
the result that the optimum plant population which is the key factor in
sugarcane production is not achieved in the field. The seed rate and
spacing between rows differ with variety. Thick-cane cultivars like BL – 4,
and PR – 1000 require a higher seed rate and more space between the
rows than thin and medium-cane varieties. 80 – 90 maunds of stripped
cane per acre for thick varieties and 60 – 70 maunds for medium to thin
varieties are sufficient to produce a desired plant population about 60000
canes per acre.
Sets should be selected only from new cultivated immature crop as an
over mature crop will have a large number of dry scale buds. In the case
of dry scale buds it should be treated with lime solution. All sets should

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be equal in length with 2-3 buds. Sets should be cut with a sharp tool
sickle or axe.
8. METHOD OF PLANTING
Spacing between the rows should be 3 feet of thick varieties and 2 –
2.5 feet for thin to medium varieties allows sufficient space for
operations like intercultural and earthing up. It is also observed that
planting sugarcane in furrows 4 feet apart in double row, spaced at 9
inches. It gives much better crop stand, and ultimately more yield than
traditional methods. This method of sowing is called “2 in 1” means two
sugarcane setts rows in a single trench with about 9 inches space
between them.
9. DEPTH OF PLANTING
Double-cut sets are placed end to end in furrows at a depth of 8 – 12
cm and covered with 5 – 6 cm soil. In the dry method immediate
irrigation is essential and subsequent irrigations at short intervals.
10. HOT WATER SEED TREATMENT
Seed may be treated with hot water at 52 °C for 30 minutes and with
fungicide. This will help in better germination and the control of many cane
diseases.
11. AMOUNT OF SOIL COVER OVER SEED CANE
Research on depth of soil cover over seed cane indicates that soil cover in
excess of 4 inches can cause yield losses even if the excess is removed in the
spring following planting. Heat-treated cane should be covered with 2 inches of
packed soil. After the cane is up to a good stand and before freezing weather
occurs, add an additional 2 inches of soil to protect from freeze damage. Do not
cover heat-treated cane with more than 2 inches of packed soil at planting.
12. VARIETIES
Use healthy seed of improved varieties of sugarcane. This can increase
cane yield from 20 to 25 per cent. Sugarcane varieties recommended for
various provinces are given below.
Recommended Varieties of Sugarcane
Punjab
CP 77-400, CP 72-2086, CP 43-33, CPF-237, HSF 240, SPF-213, SPSG-26,
SPF 243, SPF 237, CPF 237, COJ-84.

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Sindh
BL – 4, BF – 129, HS – 2, Thatta – 10, PR–1000, CP 72–2086, L–113, L–116,
NIA 98, SPSG – 26, HS – 4, HS – 12, L–126, CP–43-33, NIA–2004, NIA-2010,
NIA-2011.
K.P.K
MCP – 421, CP 51 – 21, JN 88 –1, Mardan – 93, ABID – 96, SPSG – 344, CP
77-400, CP 44 – 101, L 62 – 96, SL – 98, Mardan – 92, Banu – 1.
13. FERTILIZER APPLICATION
Sugarcane is an exhaustive crop like wheat, rice, maize etc, that
uptake huge amount of nutrients. It requires macro as well as micro
nutrients.
Fertilizers are use in Pakistan is imbalanced, inadequate and improper.
Most of the cane growers in the country use only nitrogenous fertilizers
while others use an imbalanced combination of N and P. Use of K is
almost neglected in cane crop. It is very important to use proper doses of
balanced fertilizers to exploit the maximum yield potential of cane crop.
Table of Fertilizer recommendations for sugarcane in Pakistan
Province Nutrients (Kg acre-1 ) Fertilizer (bags acre-1 )

N P2O5 K2O Urea DAP SOP 50% - 50Kg

Punjab 70-100 46 50 – 60 2.25 - 3.50 2 2 – 2.4

Sindh 70-110 46 50 – 70 2.25 – 4 2 2 – 2.8

K.P.K 70-90 46 50 – 60 2.25-3 2 2 – 2.4

All phosphorus and potash should be applied at the time of planting. It

is preferable that P and K may be applied in furrows where seed sets are
to be placed. Rest of the nitrogenous fertilizer may be applied in 4 – 5
equal splits by fertigation system, during April, May and by mid June to
February-March planted crop. In September – October cultivated crop, it
will be beneficial if N is applied in 5 – 6 equal splits. In this case it may be
applied during December, February, March, April, May and June.
September planted crop may be given an additional dose of 20 to 40 kg N
(one to two bags of urea) per acre.

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14. FERTIGATION SYSTEM

Sugarcane being a giant crop producing huge quantity of biomass generally
demands higher amounts of nutrient elements. At the same time the cost of
chemical fertilizers has increased and there is a need to improve fertilizer use
efficiency for more benefits. The best way of fertilizer application is "Fertigation",
where both water and fertilizers are delivered to crop simultaneously through
center pivot irrigation system.

 Fertigation is a way of uniform application of fertilizers by combining

with irrigation water.
 Fertigation is achieved through fertilizer tank and Injector Pump.
 Ensures a regular flow of water as well as nutrients resulting in
increased growth rates for higher yields
 Offers greater versatility in the timing of the nutrient application to
meet specific crop demands
 Improves availability of nutrients and their uptake by the roots
 Safer application method which eliminates the danger of burning the
plant root system
 Improves fertilizer use efficiency
 Reduction of soil compaction and mechanical damage to the crops
 Convenient use of compound and ready-mix nutrient solutions
containing also small concentration of micronutrients

15. EARTHING UP AND LODGING

Earthing up is a practice followed to prevent lodging. Sugarcane
usually lodges in August – September. It may even lodge in July if the
cane crop is much healthier. Lodged cane caused losses e.g. reduction in
yield, damage of mice, buds start germination, reduction in sugar
recovery and hurdle in loading etc. lodged crop also become victim of
frost and cannot be used as seed for next crop. Crop lodging might be due
to many reason, i.e., cane variety, sowing time, sowing method, fertilizer
application time, irrigation, rain, and storm are common. Earthing up is
done at maximum tillering stage.

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Reasons of sugarcane lodging

i) If September sown crop have massive growth, it tend to lodge more
ii) If fertilizer application is delayed, the plants become soft and
tender.
iii) If crop is massive, it will lodge quickly
iv) If there is hardpan and land is not prepared deeply and well, the
root establishment is obstructed and it will lodge in storm
v) If trenches have less R x R distance, the cane will be long and slim
and will lodge. Cane sown in trenches 4ft apart will have less
chances of lodging due to healthy and strong cane plants. Earthing
up, if practiced properly, will prevent lodging and reduces water
wastage.

16. WEED CONTROL

Sugarcane is a perennial crop and remains 3-4 years in the same field.
Therefore, all types of weeds, seasonal, annual and perennial or broad
leaves or narrow leaves grow in the field. These compete with crop for
nutrients, space and light. Weed creates a favorable environment for
disease and insect development.
Common Weeds of Sugarcane
Euphorbia granulata (Hazardani), Rumex obtusifolius (Jangli palik), Tribulus
terrestris (Bakhra), Scirpus maritimus (Deela), Cynodon dactylon (Chabbar),
Dactyloctenium aegyptium (Madhana), Cyperus rotundus (Morak - Kabah),
Trianthema portulacastrum (Itsit), Digitaria sanguinalis (Moti khabal),
Chenopodium album, Convolvulus arvensis L (Lehli/naro), Melilotus (Sinjhi) and
Portulaca oleracea (Qulfa, Loonak).
Mechanical Weed Control
Fields are given a hoeing with help of khurpi (hand tool) or spade, after a
month of sowing and the process is repeated frequently. Use the cultivator or
local plough to destroy the weeds when the germination has been completed.
After germination and tillering, (About 90 days after sowing) destroy the trenches
by using cultivator or local plough. This method not only removes the weeds but
also increases the sprouting and tillers and destroys insects and enhances
aeration in the soil. Some growers make best use of this laborious operation by
cultivation of second crop in between the sugarcane crop as a mixed crop.

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Chemical Weed Control

Weeds Recommende Dose/ Time of application Name of the
d herbicide acre company/distributor
Broad leaves, Krismat 400 gm After first irrigation Syngenta
grasses & 75WG when soil is moist.
sedges
1000 Within 24 hours Syngenta
Waho, Bhurt, Dual Gold ml after sowing (in
Lulur, 960EC ridges).
Mandhano, Bayer Crop Science
Sawri, Lunak & 100 gm After 2nd irrigation
Kal/Kabah Sunstar when soil is moist
15WG and follow up
irrigation 7 days
after application
17. IRRIGATION
Center Pivot irrigation system is most common in all over the world but in
Pakistan it is introduced from few years. Center pivot irrigation systems are now
introduced on large farms of country.
Sugar cane is a perennial crop and water requirements on an average varies
from 47 – 63 inches for the spring crop and 80 – 98 inches for the autumn crop
depending upon season, the fertility of soil, and the variety of cane. Autumn
planting requires a higher quantity of water than spring planting. During the dry
period, sufficient water should be applied at relatively short intervals to avoid
moisture stress. When crop shows wilting it means big loss has been occurred for
this to avoid from water stress.
Irrigation Schedule
The goal of an efficient irrigation scheduling program is to "provide knowledge
on correct time and optimum quantity of water application to optimize crop
yields with maximum water use efficiency and at the same time ensure minimum
damage to the soil". Thus,
 Irrigation scheduling is the decision of when and how much water to apply to a
cropped field.
 Its purpose is to maximize irrigation efficiencies by applying the exact amount
of water needed to replenish the soil moisture to the desired level.
 Make efficient use of water and energy.

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Typical Irrigation Scheduling for Sugarcane crop Hyderabad Sindh Pakistan

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
ETo 2.8 3.7 5.1 6.9 8.6 7.9 6.2 5.6 6.1 4.9 3.3 2.8
Kc 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.40 1.25 1.25
ET mm/days 3.5 4.6 6.3 8.6 10.7 9.8 4.6 4.2 4.5 1.9 4.1 3.5
Days 31 28 31 30 31 30 31 31 30 31 30 31
ET for the Period108 129 195 258 331 294 143 130 135 59 123 108
Precipitation for
the Period 1.6 1.9 3.1 3.1 1.4 8.3 51.8 45.4 10.4 2.9 1.5 2.7
Net CWR mm 106 127 192 255 330 286 91 85 125 56 121 105

Sugar cane crop should not be over irrigated because it leads to

wastage of water, loss of Nitrogen by deep percolation serious
deterioration of soil from water logging and salinity.
It is very important to take care of the irrigation requirements of
sugarcane, particularly in summer months. Farmers must plan their
acreage to be planted under cane crop according to the available water at
their farm. The aim of sugar cane grower should be to get high yields year
after without imparting soil productivity.

18. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT FOR SUGARCANE

Insect pests play an important role in reducing the sugarcane yield.
The most serious insect pests are sugarcane top borer, stem borer,
Gurdaspur borer, army worm, white ant (feeding inside the cane and
causes less germination). Pyrilla (Pyrilla is the most destructive foliage-
sucking pest); whitefly, mealy bug and black bugs are also causing
damage. These all can cause of yield reduction from 10 – 35% according
the pest attack. In some cases maximum 80 – 85 percent reduction in
crop yield can be due to high attack of insects.
These losses in sugarcane can only be minimized by proper protection
of the cane crop from insect pests with scientifically designed IPM
Program throughout the year. Pesticides are applied as and when needed
in combination with cultural practices, resistant varieties and introduction
and conservation of natural enemies. Pesticides will continue to play an
important role in the IPM Program. The primary difference, however, is
that these products will be used selectively and judiciously.

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Farmyard manure should always be used when it is fully rotten. This

will reduce termite attack. Trash in the field should not be kept for longer
time and it may be burnt. Dry shoots attacked by the bores must be
pulled out and burnt. Always cut the crop as close to the ground as
possible. Use of light traps will help controlling the spread of borers killing
their adults. Earthing up during May-June will help in controlling
Gurdaspur borer as the adults will not be able to come out of the ridges
of the soil. In case of severe attack of any insect, do not keep the crop as
ratoon.
Besides using pesticides/insecticides, insects could also be controlled
by biological measures. Cotesia flavips is an important larval parasitoid of
sugarcane bores. Its female lays eggs inside the borer larva and after
hatching; its larvae feed inside the borer larva. Adult parasitoid attack
more borer larvae in the field. Trichogramma chilonis destroys the eggs of
sugarcane borers. Its female lays eggs inside the eggs of borers. Parasitoid
larvae feed in the host eggs, destroying them. Epi-pyropes destroy
sugarcane Pyrilla. These parasitoids are mass multiplied in the laboratory
and then released in the cane fields.

Mealy bug Army worm Pyrilla

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Insecticide application to control insects of sugar cane

S. No Insect Pests Recommended Dose/Acre Name of the
Insecticides Company/Distributor
i) Pyrilla, Black Actara 25WG 24 gm Syngenta
bug Whitefly Confidor 200SL 100 ml Bayer Crop Science
and Thrips Mospilan 20SP 125 gm Arysta
Jozer 202SL 125 ml Pak Agro Chemicals/
Agri Farm Services
ii) Mealy bug Asophate 75SP 750 gm Welcon Co.
Lorsban 40EC 1000 ml Dow Agro Sciences
Curacron 500EC 800 ml Syngenta
Kurifost 40EC 1000 ml Pak Agro Chemicals/
Agri Farm Services
Sugarcane Regent 5% SP 480 ml Bayer Crop Science
iii) top, stem & Furadon 3G 8 - 12 kg F.M.C.
root borers) Basudin 60EC 500 - 600 ml Syngenta
iv) Mites Nissuran 72WP 250 gm Arysta
Ethion 46EC 500 ml F.M.C.

19. DISEASES OF SUGAR CANE

a. Whip Smut
Whip smut, caused by Ustilago scitaminea is a most common disease of sugar
cane. The affected canes produce long, black whip-like and coiled or curved
shoots, which are covered with a thin silvery membrane, containing masses of
chlamydospores of the fungus. Infected plants should be removed from the field
and brunt. Avoid ratooning of disease affected crop. (A.W Khoso)
For controlling sugarcane diseases, use healthy seed which is disease-
free and preferably plant disease-resistant varieties. Treat the seed with
fungicide/s before planting. The diseased plants from the field should be
removed and either buried or burnt. Disease-free, good-quality seed
increases yield by 10-15%.

b. Red Rot (Colletotrichum falcatum) Went

The disease first appears as red bright lesions on the mid rib of leaves
and shows itself as drooping and changing of color of upper leaves.

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Withering of the leaves proceeds to downwards. Usually third or the

fourth leaf from the top is affected and shows drying at the tip. The pith
becomes red and later on brown. In severe cases, complete destruction
of the stools is brought about. When the infected canes are spilt open,
they gave out an alcoholic smell due to fermentation and show reddened
areas.

Red Rot disease Whip smut disease

SUGARCANE DISEASE CONTROL

S. No Disease Recommended Dose/100 liter of Time of Name of
Fungicide water Application Company /
Distributor
i) Whip Topsin M70WP 200 gm/100 Liter of At sowing Arysta
smut water time
(setts dipping for 5
minutes)

Dorosal 500SC 200cc / 100 liter of At sowing Bayer Crop

water (setts dipping) time science
for 5 minutes)

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20. RATOON CROP MANAGEMENT

If the ratoon crop is properly managed, it could give higher returns
than the plant crop because of savings in certain field operations and
inputs. It is important to remember that ratoon crop requires 30 to 40 per
cent higher fertilizers than the newly planted crop. The end of January to
beginning of March is the best time to keep the crop for ratooning. Cane
from the fields to be kept for ratoon should be cut at ground level.
The sugar recovery in ratoon crop is also better and it matures earlier
than the newly planted crop. However, remember that it has to be
managed with extra efforts and care. Apply all the phosphorus and
potash fertilizer plus one third of N during March. Plough the land in
between the furrows to mix the fertilizer well in the soil and then irrigate
the crop. Fill the gaps; control the weeds, insect pests and diseases
properly. Rest of the nitrogenous fertilizer should be applied in two equal
splits during April and May.

21. HARVESTING
Stop irrigation 25 to 30 days before the harvest of crop and do not leave the
harvested crop for long time in the field. In case it has to be kept for a prolonged
period, it should be covered with trash. Different varieties planted may be
harvested according to their maturity. Harvesting of early maturing varieties may
be started during November, mid-season varieties during December and the late
maturing varieties during January. The crop harvested during February – March
gives good ratoon crop.
Harvesting is done when the crop has fully matured and ripened. Early
varieties and ratoon crops are the first to be harvested. When the stem is close to
the surface, great vigilance is required in order to cut the maximum portion of the
stem, which is valuable both for its weight and sugar content. The harvested cane
should be immediately hauled to the mill otherwise weight and sucrose losses
may occur.

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References
 Nadeem A R. Overview All about sugar cane. http://www.pakissan.com
 Bilal H. Agri overview, increasing sugar cane yield. http://www.pakissan.com
 Bilal H. Model farming, improving sugar recovery. http://www.pakissan.com
 A.W Khoso. Crops of Sindh. Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam. Fifth
revised edition November 1992.
 FAO corporate document repository. Fertilizer use by crops in Pakistan.
Chapter 4. Fertilizer Recommendations.
 Irrigation Management Sugarcane. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore. TNAU AGRITECH PORTAL. 2008.
 Hafiz, A. M.M Jiskani. Ahmed, I. & Bhatti, I. M. Government of Sindh
Agriculture Department. Diseases of sugar cane and their control. December
2004
 Government of Sindh, Agriculture Department. Pesticides Recommendation
for Field Crops. http://www.sindhagri.gov.pk
 Sugarcane - Booklet No. 130 - Sugar & Starch Crops: SSCS - 1.
www.inseda.org/Additional material/CD - Agriculture and Environment
Education/71-Sugar& Starch Crops (SSCS)/Sugarcane-130.doc.
 A Dad. Important weeds of crops in Pakistan, Sugarcane Weed Compendium.
PPD CMPII NWFP CMPII Component Peshawar.
 http://giongmia.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/sugarcane-crop-ebook.pdf

AUTHOR

GHULAM NABI ARAIN

CROP MANAGER – AGRONOMY

CENTER PIVOT IRRIGATION SYSTEM

VALLEY IRRIGATION PAKISTAN (PRIVATE), LIMITED

AGRONOMY