This document provides an overview of sugarcane, including its introduction, types, climate requirements, planting methods, soil requirements, processing, and storage. Sugarcane is a major crop worldwide and source of sugar production. It requires warm humid climates between 20-26°C and rainfall between 1,375-3,500 mm annually. There are different varieties used for chewing, syrup or crystal sugar. Processing sugarcane produces sugar, bagasse, molasses and filtercake. Fresh sugarcane can be stored in the fridge wrapped in plastic for up to two weeks or in the freezer for months.

1. Introduction sugarcane
Sugarcane is an oldest crop known to man, a major crop of tropical and sub-tropical regions
worldwide. Sugarcane is a glycophytic, sucrose storing member of tall growing perennial
monocotyledonous grass. Across the world 70% sugar is manufactured from sugarcane. India is
the second largest country in sugarcane production in the world (Fig.1). Sugarcane is a major
source of raw material for sugar industries and other allied group of byproduct industries. The
economic importance of the crop is much more that signified by its share in gross cropped area.
The world economy is currently dominated by technologies which rely on fossil energy and this
will remain the case for much of the 21st century. Recognition of sugarcane as an important
energy crop was recently heightened by the advent of large-scale sugarcane-based ethanol
production from molasses and directly from cellulose. Sugarcane is one the most efficient crops
in the world in converting solar energy into chemical energy. Sugar cane is the most efficient
biofuel feedstock in commercial use today and sugar cane ethanol will contribute to reduce
greenhouse gas up to 90% compared to conventional fuels. It is also being used as a feedstock
for the next generation of advanced bio-fuels, such as bio-butanol and diesel and many other
valuable byproducts through sugarcane biotechnology (Yadav and Solomon, 2006; Solomon,
2011a). Apart from production of sugar and alcohol (biofuel), sugar industry provides raw
material to more than 25 other industries. The important byproducts of this industry are acetic
acid, butanol, paper, plywood and industrial enzymes (Arencibia, 1998).
History of sugarcane
Sugarcane was originally domesticated around 8000 BC in New Guinea. From there
knowledge about this plant slowly moved toward east across Southeast Asia until it
reached India, where the first organized production of sugar began during middle of 1st
millennia BC. In the beginning sugar was extracted from sugarcanes by chewing and
extracting fluids via water, but in 5th century AD Indian chemist found a way to
crystalize extracted sucrose, making sugar much easier to transport. With this great
discovery, sugar became very expensive trading item of India, and sugarcanes
themselves started spreading across the Asia and Middle East. Arab nations adopted
sugarcanes, and spread them toward Mediterranean, especially after they managed to
conquer Egypt.
Types of sugarcane
Chewing canes. These are sugarcane varieties that have a soft, fibrous center which is good for
chewing. The fibers tend to stick together as you chew so that spitting it out once the sugar is
depleted is easier.
Syrup canes. Syrup canes have a variety of sugar types that don’t crystallize easily but are good
for making sugar syrup. They are used commercially but also in the home garden

2. Crystal canes. Crystal canes are largely commercial varieties with high concentrations of sucrose
used to make crystallized table sugar.
CLIMATE REQUIREMENT
1. Sugarcane is a tropical crop.
2. It requires warm and humid climate for growth while cool, sunny and dry
climate for ripening.
3. The temperature requirement is 20 0 C to 26 0 C.
4. Germination does not take place when temperature goes below 7 0 C.
5. Both the extremes of temperature is harmful.
6. Severe cold arrests the growth, while attack of stem borer increases in
hot weather.
7. It requires more than 1,375 mm annual rainfall when grown as rainfed
crop.
8. Rainfall deficiency produces a fibrous cane, whereas too heavy rainfall
reduces sugar content.
Sowing time
The best time of planting the sugarcane setts for spring crop is the period when the
atmospheric temperature records an average of 25°C. Therefore, the time of sowing
in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka is earlier (December -
January) than the time of sowing in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (February -
March). The crop can be sown round the year. Crop planted before winter season
gives less sprouting and tillers due to cold weather, during early sprouting stage
Water requirement
Water requirement of sugarcane varies from 1200 to 3500 mm depending on the yield
level, crop duration and the climatic conditions. The water requirement varies from
1200 – 1800 mm in the subtropical zone while it is 1600 – 2700 mm in tropical belt
except for Maharashtr
Land Preparation
For higher sugarcane yields, providing optimum soil environment is an essential pre-
requisite since the crop remains in the field for about 5 to 6 years due to the practice of
raising several ratoon crops.
Further intense mechanization involving traffic of heavy machinery from planting to
harvesting and transporting to the sugar mill or distillery, can cause the deterioration of
soil physical conditions. This translates into soil compaction with a cohort of harmful
side effects viz., reduction in storage & movement of air and water, mechanical difficulty

3. for root growth and difficulty in absorption of nutrients from the soil itself and from the
fertilizer
Method planting
Sugarcane crop is sown by various methods, depending upon the field problems.
Common methods of planting are described here.
1. Flat planting: Flat planting method is mostly common in intensive sugarcane growing
areas where soil-moisture is available in plenty. Sets are kept in shallow (8-10 cm) deep
furrows at 75 cm apart. On an average, one viable bud per ten centimeter length in
each furrow is planted (i.e. one sett/feet). The field is heavily planked. This method
of sowing is popular in North India.
2. Furrow planting: Furrow planting method is mostly common under low soil moisture
condition. After sowing irrigation is given immediately. Sets are kept deep (10-15 cm)
furrows, at 90 cm apart. On an average, a 3 budded sett/feet length is planted. Furrows
are covered with 5-6 cm soil and irrigation in furrows is applied.
3. Trench method: Trench method of sowing sugarcane is mostly used in areas where
strong winds and rainy season cause lodging of the cane i.e. in coastal areas where crop
grows tall. Furrows are not made, but in place of these only trench 25 cm deep at 90
cm distance in line are made by manual labor. Fertilizers, and insecticides are mixed.
Soil Requirement
Soil is a medium for plant growth. It provides nutrients, water and anchorage to the
growing plants. Maintenance of proper physical, chemical and biological conditions of
the soil is necessary for realizing higher growth, yield and quality of sugarcane.
Sugarcane does not require any specific type of soil as it can be successfully raised on
diverse soil types ranging from sandy soils to clay loams & heavy clays.
well drained, deep, loamy soil with a bulk density of 1.1 to 1.2 g/cm3 (1.3-1.4 g/cm3 in
sandy soils) and total porosity, with an adequate balance between pores of various
sizes, is higher than 50%; ground water table below 1.5 to 2.0 m from soil surface and
an available water holding capacity of 15% or more (15 cm per meter depth of soil is
considered ideal for sugarcane cultivation).
The optimum soil pH is about 6.5 but sugarcane can tolerate considerable degree of soil
acidity and alkalinity. Hence, it is found growing in soils with pH in the range of 5 to 8.5.
Liming is required if pH is less than 5.0, or gypsum application if pH is more than 9.5.
Nematode infestations are likely to occur in very sandy soils
Seed Selection
 Healthy seed material, free from pests and diseases like red rot, wilt, smut, ratoon
stunting etc. and should be selected for seed purpose.

4.  The top one-third to half portion of a cane being comparatively immature has buds of
high viability and is best for sowing.
 Bottom portion of cane is rich in sugar and takes a long time in germination; this should
be used in jaggery making.
 If only upper half of the cane is utilized for planting, comparatively higher germination
is secured.
 Seed cane should be taken from well mannered, erect and healthy crop of not more
than 10-12 months age.
 Ratoon crop is not suitable for seed purpose as these canes may carry the disease of
the previous crop.
 For best results separate crop nurseries should be raised specially for producing seed-
canes under good crop management.
 Special precautions should be taken against disease and pest control.
Seed Preparation and Treatment
 Before planting, the dry leaves of the cane stalks are removed by hand in order to avoid
any possible damage to buds.
 Thereafter cane is cut into three budded setts usually 30 to 40 cm lone
Nitrogen
 Influences sugarcane yield and quality.
 Required for vegetative growth (tillering, foliage formation, stalk
formation and growth) and root growth.
 Vegetative growth in sugarcane is directly related to yield.
 Excess Nitrogen leads to:
i. harmful to crop
ii. prolongs vegetative growth
iii. delays maturity and ripening
iv. increases reducing sugar content in juice
v. lowering juice quality
vi. increases soluble N in juice affecting clarification
Basal Application of Fertilizer

5. 1. Test the soil and apply P fertilizer based on soil test values. Otherwise
apply super phosphate (375 kg/ha) along the furrows and incorporate
with hand hoe.
2. Apply 37.5 kg Zinc sulphate/ha and 100 kg Ferrous sulphate/ha to zinc
and iron deficient soils.
1. Apply phosphorus in the furrow bottom and mix slightly with soil
before planting.
2. Nitrogen and potassium fertilizer are given in split doses, applied in
bands on either side of the cane row.
processing
Sugarcane processing produces cane sugar (sucrose) from sugarcane. Other products
of the processing include bagasse, molasses, and filtercake.
Bagasse, the residual dry fiber of the cane after cane juice has been extracted, is used
for several purposes.
 fuel for the boilers and kilns,
 production of paper, paperboard products, and reconstituted panelboard,
 agricultural mulch, and more,
 as a raw material for production of chemicals.
How to Store Sugar Cane the Right Way?
Fresh raw sugar cane stalks are hard to find in grocery stores in America. When I'm able
to get fresh sugar cane from family or friends that went to Jamaica, or a Caribbean grocery store
that has some in stock, the first thing I noticed is that it's not wrapped. When the sugar cane is
not wrapped it starts to dry out, and the ends will start to look dark. The stalk should be a light
green or pale yellow in color with brownish-red marks.
By using plastic wrap and placing it in the fridge, you can store your sugar cane for up to two
weeks. By freezing the sugar cane in a sealable freezer bag it can last a few months.

6. Time of Harvesting:
Depending upon the variety and sowing time it takes about 12 to 18 months to mature. In
general January to march is the period of planting and December to March is
the period of harvesting. In some states sugarcane is grown round the year. After harvest,
generally a ratoon crop is cultivated from the regrowth
Weed Control of Sugarcane
Sugarcane is a perennial crop and remains 3-4 years in the same field. Therefore, all
types of weeds, seasonal, annual and perennial grow in the field. These compete for
nutrients, space, light and create a favourable environment for disease and insect
development. Weeds which emerge only during rainy season are Echinochloa
colonum andE. crusgalli (grasses), Dacryloctanum aegyptium (makra), Amaranthus
viridis (cholai) and Celosia argentia (safed murg). Their rate of growth is very high.
Weeds which emerge before the start of monsoon are Cyperus
rotundus (motha), Cynodon dacrylon (doob) and Sorghum halepense (banchari) and
some annual weeds like Chenopodium album (bathua), Lathyrus sativa (matri), Vicia
spp. (ankrni), Angallis arvensis (krishna Neel) and Fumaria parviflora (gajri).
Weed control in sugarcane is done by adopting mechanical method or chemical
method
1. Mechanical method: Fields are given a hoeing with help of kurpi or spade, after a
month of sowing and the process is repeated frequently. 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.
2. Chemical method: Weeds of the sugarcane can be classified into two groups i.e. one
with broad leaves or dicotyledonous and second as narrow leaved grassy or
monocotyledonous. Spraying with 2-40 @ I kg in 800 litres of water after a month of
sowing destroys all broad leaved weeds like 'bathua', matri, krishna neel, gajri, motha,
cirola; etc. The second group of grassy weeds, are really a most problematic, since
sugarcane crop belongs to the grassy group of monocotyledonous. Hand hoeing is the
best method to control these weeds. Sometimes, pai1icularly when the field is sown
afi'esh, spraying with 2 kg of Dilapon or Paraquat in 500 litres of water is done before
the sprouting of the sugarcane crop appears. This kills all grasses that stand in the field
at that stage. Sometimes spraying is done with 2 kg Atrazine or Simazine in 500 litre
water after the sprouting of the sugarcane crop to check the weed's growth and spread.
This is done with utmost care that a minimum dose, of weedicide (sub-lethal), falls on
the sugarcane crop and optimum dose (lethal doze) falls on the weeds