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) 1st 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 1st 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
A. Heat treatment: (for BS /FS
1)
i. Hot water- 50°C for 2 hrs.
ii. With hot air- 54°C with
95% RH for 4hrs

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

15. Method of Planting
I. 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.
II. 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. III. Space transplanting technique- for
quick production of nuclear seed and
breeder seed.
a) Raising of settling nursery-
i. 50 m2 nursery for 1ha of land.
ii. 600-700 sets per m2.
iii. Covered and irrigated
frequently.
iv. 80-95% of buds sprout within 3-
4 weeks.
b) Transplantation of settlings and
preparation of settlings-
i. Settlings are removed after 4-5
weeks.
ii. 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.
• 2nd and 3rd 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
1ST 45-60 VOLUNTEER PLANTS, DISEASE, PEST
2ND 120-130 OFFTYPES, DISEASES, PESTS
3RD 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