SEED PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES IN SUGARCANE.

Seed Production in Sugarcane

By Sahil Sahu, M.Sc. (Ag) 1st Year, Department of Seed Science and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar

Introduction

Sugarcane is a widely grown crop that is used to produce sugar, ethanol, and other products. However, the availability of quality sugarcane seeds is often limited, which can hinder crop yields and productivity. This presentation discusses the importance of sugarcane seed production and outlines a three-tier nursery program that can be used to produce high-quality seeds.

Three-Tier Nursery Program

The three-tier nursery program consists of three stages: primary nursery, secondary nursery, and commercial nursery. The primary nursery is established using breeder seed from a research station. The crop is raised in a seed farm after heat treatment. Seed from the primary nursery is then distributed to farmers for raising secondary nurseries. Seed from the secondary nursery is distributed to farmers for raising commercial nurseries.

Land Requirements and Pollination

Sugarcane is a cross-pollinating species, so it is important to isolate different varieties to prevent contamination. Land for sugarcane seed production should be free of volunteer sugarcane plants and have a long-duration crop rotation. Additionally, areas with a high incidence of mealybugs and borers should be avoided.

Planting and Seed Treatment

Sugarcane can be planted in autumn, spring, or summer. The timing of planting should be adjusted so that the seed crop is harvested at 8-10 months. Seeds should be obtained from a reputable source and be free of insects and diseases. Pre-planting seed treatment can help to control diseases.

Raising Seedlings and Transplantation

Seedlings can be raised in a settling nursery before being transplanted to the field. The seedlings are then transplanted into rows with a spacing of 90cm between rows and 60cm between plants.

Irrigation, Fertilization, and Weed Control

Sugarcane requires consistent irrigation, especially after planting. The crop also needs to be fertilized with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Regular weeding is necessary to control weeds and prevent competition with the sugarcane plants.

Plant Protection and Roughing

Sugarcane is susceptible to a number of diseases and pests. It is important to monitor crops for signs of disease and infestation and take appropriate control measures. Roughing involves removing diseased or off-type plants from the field.

Harvesting and Field Standards

Sugarcane seed should be harvested at 8-10 months of age, when the moisture content of the cane is at least 65%. The cane should be cut close to the ground with a sharp knife. Seedcane must meet certain field standards in order to be sold.

1. DEPARTMENT OF SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES SIKSHA ‘O’ ANUSANDHAN (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY) BHUBANESWAR - 751003 SUBMITTED TO: Dr. SP Monalisa Asst. Professor Dept. of Seed Science and Technology PREPARED & PRESENTED BY: Sahil Sahu Regd. No.- 2161920003 M.Sc. (Ag) 1 st Year SEED PRODUCTION IN SUGARCANE SUBJECT – SEED PRODUCTION IN FIELD CROPS (SST-505)

2. SEED PRODUCTION IN SUGARCANE

3. Contents Introduction Three Tier Nursery Program Land Requirement Pollination and Isolation Requirement Cultural Practices Plant protection Roughing and Field Inspection Harvesting Field Standard References

4. Introduction Non-availability or limited availability of quality seeds of improved sugarcane variety to sugarcane growers is a huge drawback in improving the production and productivity levels of the country. Stem-cutting or setts are the seeds used in commercial sugarcane planting. Each set may contain about 1-2-3 buds . Annually about 10% of cane is utilised as seed material.

5. The quality and quantity of seed used determine the performance of the crop. Sugarcane breeding institute of Coimbatore developed excellent sugarcane varieties since 1 st hybrid cane CO-205 . Many of their popular sugarcane variety have lost their potential the gradual loss of yield potential has been termed “ Varietal deterioration ”. Poor seed qualities have been identified as a primary factor affecting varietal performance. So establishing seed nurseries adjacent to planting locations to provide seed material.

6. Three Tier Nursery Program The primary nursery is raised from breeder seed obtained from the research station. The crop is raised in the seed farm after heat treatment. Adopt 25% higher seed rate at primary nursery to compensate germination losses. Harvest the crop at 6-10 months and distribute the seed canes to selected farmers for raising secondary nurseries.

7. Seed from primary nursery are distributed to progressive farmers to raise secondary nursery . Harvesting of seed is done at 8-10 months and distributed to farmers for raising commercial seed nurseries. Commercial nurseries are raised from seed that was grown in secondary nursery and monitored like secondary nursery. Seed can be harvested after 6-8 months.

8. Land Requirement Free from volunteer plant. Long-duration crop rotation. Drainage Irrigation Areas with more than 20% incidence of mealybugs and borers are not selected.

9. Pollination behaviour & Isolation Requirement Cross-pollinating species. Selfing occurs at low levels. Sugarcane pollen is very small and wind-dispersed. 5m for all kinds of seed production. Only one variety is grown at a farm.

10. Preparation of Land 1 -2 deep ploughing Harrowing Fine tilth

11. Time of Planting Autumn (Oct-Nov) , Spring (Feb-Mar), Summer (Apr-May). Adjusted so that seed crop is harvested at 8-10 months. Raise nursery crop during   Main field planting June   December - January (early season) July February - March (Mid season) August April - May (Late season) Dec - Apr June - September (Special season)

12. Source of Seed Seeds obtained from nucleus/breeder/foundation seed 1 &2 nursery. Confirm to variety Free from insect Free from diseases Check 5% seeds for nodal infection with red rot if present reject seed lot. SMUT RUST RED ROT GRASSY SHOOT

13. Pre-planting Seed Treatment Heat treatment: (for BS /FS 1) Hot water- 50°C for 2 hrs. With hot air- 54°C with 95% RH for 4hrs

14. Prophylactic plant protection measures – Agallol 0.1% solution for 10 mins 10% BHC applied @ 1kg AI / Ha

15. Method of Planting Flat planting- 10cm deep furrows opened at a distance of 90cm. Then setts are placed with 5-7 cm soil and the field is levelled. Furrow planting- 10-15cm deep furrows opened at a distance of 90cm. Then setts are placed with 5-7 cm soil leaving the upper portion unfilled. Immediately after planting and covering water is let into the furrow.

16. Space transplanting technique- for quick production of nuclear seed and breeder seed. Raising of settling nursery- 50 m 2 nursery for 1ha of land. 600-700 sets per m 2 . Covered and irrigated frequently. 80-95% of buds sprout within 3-4 weeks. Transplantation of settlings and preparation of settlings- Settlings are removed after 4-5 weeks. Dipped in 0.1% carbendazim.

17. Transplantation Row to row – 90cm Plant to plant – 60cm In late planting the distance can be adjusted accordingly. Then row opened. Irrigation After 10 days gap filling.

18. Fertilization N:P:K = 60-75:100:75 @ planting 60-75 N @80-100 DAS 30-45 KG N 4-6 weeks before harvesting.

19. Irrigation and Drainage Maintenance of optimum soil moisture content. 1-2 irrigation after planting at shorter interval. After that irrigation at an interval of 10-12 days. Days of irrigation interval Stages      Sandy soil        Clay soil Tillering phase (36 to 100 days)   8 10 Grand growth phase (101 - 270 days)    8 10 Maturity phase (271 - harvest)     10 14

20. Interculture and aftercare First hoeing and weeding @ 3-4 weeks after sowing. 2 nd and 3 rd hoeing and weeding @ during first 3 months.

21. Earthing and Tying Earthing-up before monsoon rains. Tie-up canes so they don’t sway during winds.

22. Plant Protection Major diseases: Red rot, wilt, smut, GSD and leaf scald Major pests: termite, early shoot borer, stalk borer, internode borer, top borer, root borer, scale insect, Pyrilla and white fly Less emphasis on disease management on standing crops due to resistant varieties, sett treatment, use of healthy seeds etc. Shoot borer- Chlorpyriphos 2l/acre with 400l. water

23. SMUT RUST RED ROT GRASSY SHOOT TOP SHOOT BORER INTERNODE BORER EARLY SHOOT BORER

24. Roughing and Field Inspection Clumps affected by smut, grassy shoot disease, red rot, wilt. Remove plants infected by borers. Stalks differing from typical characteristics of the variety under seed production. FIELD INSPECTIONS NO. OF FI DAS CAUSE 1 ST 45-60 VOLUNTEER PLANTS, DISEASE, PEST 2 ND 120-130 OFFTYPES, DISEASES, PESTS 3 RD 15 DAYS BEFORE HARVESTING AGE CO FANE, DISEASES, PESTS

25. Physiological Maturity and Harvesting Metallic sound of cane. Swelling of eye buds. Harvesting should be done with a sharp cane-cutting knife and very close to the ground. 8-10 months stage. Moisture in seed cane should not be less than 65% on a wet weight basis.

26. FIELD STANDARD PARTICULARS MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LIMIT (%) FOUNDATION SEED CERTIFIED SEED Off-types None None Red rot None None Smut 0.02 0.10 Grassy shoot 0.05 0.05 Wilt 0.01 0.01 Top Borer 5.0 5.0 Internode borer 10.0 20.0 Stalk borer 20.0 20.0 Plassey borer 5.0 5.0

27. References BOOK- Seed Technology by R.L. Agrawal BOOK- Training Manual on Sugarcane seed production by Dr. R. Karuppaiyan and Dr. Bakshi Ram https://odishaseedsportal.nic.in/ https://youtu.be/alVQ_jacSNM https://sugarcane.icar.gov.in/ https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/agriculture/sugarcrops_sugarcane.html https://www.slideshare.net/GauRangSpgAmreli/sugarcane-seed-production