HISTORY
The Coordinated Research Program on Sugar Crops was initiated in 1982 at National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) initially with 3 Provincial Units: i) Sugarcane Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad (Punjab), ii) Sugar Crops Research Institute, Mardan, (NWFP) and Agricultural Research Institute, Tandojam (Sindh). Later on, research activities of Sugar Crops Research Program were extended to Balochistan, and the 4th Provincial Sugar Crops Research Unit was established at Govt. Seed Farm, Usta Muhammad in 1996. However, no sugar mill was established during that period in Balochistan, and disposal of sugar crops became a serious problem that affected the research activities of the provincial unit on large scale. Therefore, the unit in Balochistan was closed and all research resources were shifted to Quaid-e-Awam Agricultural Research Institute (QAARI), Larkana (Sindh) in 2002. Then, the 5th Provincial Coordinating Unit of Sugar Crops was established at Sugarcane Breeding Station Dargai, (Malakand Agency) in 2002 to cover ecology of northern part of NWFP. Later on, the 6th Provincial Coordinating Unit was established in 2003 at Agricultural Research Institute, D. I. Khan (NWFP) to cover Southern Ecology of NWFP after opening of Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC).

MAIN OBJECTIVE:

The overall objective of National Coordinated Research Program is to coordinate research and development activities of sugar crops to improve the sugar crops sector in the country in collaboration with public and private research institutes of the provinces.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

Coordination:

• Germplasm acquisition, maintenance, evaluation & distribution to provincial cooperative units

• Conduct and organize national uniform yield trials

• Conduct annual traveling seminar

• Organize annual planning and review meeting

• Provide variety testing & releasing mechanism

• Establish linkages with national & international institutions

Research:
To develop sugarcane varieties with characteristics of:

• High yielding

• High sugar contents

• Drought tolerance

• Cold tolerance

• Salt tolerance

• Good ratoonability

• Resistant to insect pest and diseases

To improve crop-production technology:

• Planting time & methodology

• Plant population dynamics

• Weed management

• Insect pest and diseases management

• Balanced fertilizer use

• Water use efficiency

• Ratoon crop management

Major Ongoing Activities of Coordinated Sugar Crops Research Program

• National Uniform Yield Trial 2004-2006 (ratoon crop)

• National Uniform Yield Trial 2004-2006 (plant crop)

• National Uniform Yield Trial 2005-2007 1st year (plant crop)

• National Uniform Yield Trial 2005-2007 2nd year (plant crop)

• National Uniform Yield Trial 2006-2008 1st year (plant crop)

• Maintaining and valuation of exotic/local sugarcane germplasm lines

• Screening of sugarcane germplasm against insect pest and diseases

• Screening of sugarcane candidate varieties planted under NUYT program against diseases and insect pests

• Number of buds/seed setts effect on yield and quality of sugarcane

• Sugarcane intercropping with legume and non legume crops

• Application-timing effect of Furadon-3G on sugarcane borers

• Conduct and organize National Uniform Yield Trials (NUYT) across the country

• Organize sugar crops annual planning meeting

• Conduct Annual Traveling Seminar

• Monitoring and evaluation of sugarcane NUYTs at each Provincial Cooperative Unit across the country

ACHIEVEMENTS

TECHNOLOGY GENERATED / RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

• The best source and dose of potash has been identified (K2O @ 120-170 Kg ha-1) to maximize cane yield and improve quality. These findings have been demonstrated at the farmers' fields to train and motivate them.

• Use of Gesapax Combi (80-wp) @4.00 kg per hectare in 100 gallons of water proved to be the best herbicide for controlling the sugarcane weeds.

• A total of 3182 disease and insect-free varieties of sugarcane have been supplied to various government and private research institutes for development of new sugarcane varieties under different agro-ecological zones of the respective province (Table 1).

• Approximately 4000 grams cane fuzz were collected from the lower Sindh area and distributed to the provincial coordinated units to raise cane seedlings for the development of sugarcane varieties.

• Three sugarcane varieties NSG-6, NSG-555 and NSG-311, developed by the private sector (Shakkarganj Sugarcane Research Institute, Jhang) through coordinated program of the PARC have recently been presented to Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) for their approval to release as commercial sugarcane varieties in the country.

• Under germplasm acquisition, evaluation and distribution program, more than 200 sugarcane varieties/lines, collected from different sources across the country and abroad were planted, maintained and evaluated at NARC against insect pests and diseases and 30 clones were distributed to provincial cooperative units during 2005-06 to develop candidate sugarcane varieties. However, more than 40,000 clones so far have been distributed to public and private research institutions in the provinces since the inception of coordinated program of PARC.

• Approximately 26% sugarcane yield per acre has been increased in the country through the Coordinated Sugar Crops Research efforts of the PARC since 1982.

• Besides, using pesticides, insects can also be controlled through biological measures. Cotesia flavips, Epi-pyropes, Trichogramma chilonis and Chrysopa have been identified as important larval and egg parasitoids of sugarcane insect pests. Presently both Trichogramma and Chrysopa are being mass multiplied in the laboratories of some private sector sugarcane research institutes and supplied to the farmers.

• IPM laboratories have been established in the following sugar mills in collaboration with IPM program of NARC and the private sectors:

            o Shakkarganj Sugar Mills
            o Tandlianwal Sugar Mills
            o Shahtaj Sugar Mills
            o Layyah Sugar Mills
            o Chashma Sugar Mills
            o Pattoki Sugar Mills
            o Habib Sugar Mills

• Collaboration with private sector like Shakkarganj sugar research institute, Jhang, Punjab, Habib Sugar Mills, Ltd., Nawabshah, Sindh, Matiari Sugr Mills, Matiari, Sindh, Dewan Farooq Sugar Research Institute, Sindh have been started to develop sugarcane varieties in the country.

• An informal survey of sugarcane variety composition in the country has done recently. Approximately, more than 58% sugarcane varieties presently cultivated in the country are unapproved, out-dated, inferior quality, mediocre etc. The condition in Sindh is worst, where more than 80% unapproved and mediocre varieties are cultivated. The information regarding the sugarcane variety situation is circulated to Federal and Provincial cane commissioners for information and necessary action to improve the variety situation in the country.

• An informal survey of sugarcane freezing-frost damage during December-January 2005-06 in the country was done. The temperature during these months reached as low as 0 to -3.0° C in sugarcane growing areas. The sugarcane crop damage was recorded from 70 to 90 % of total stand crop in Punjab and NWFP while 40 % in upper Sindh. Weight loss in sugarcane due to frost was 10-25 % and decrease in sugar recovery was 1.23 to 2.0 units. The approved cane varieties CP-77-400, CP-72-2086, Mardan-92, Mardan-93, SPF-213, SPSG-394 and HSF-240 were less affected by the frost.

• The findings of sugarcane intercropping study, conducted at NARC showed that planting of sole crop produced significantly higher number of canes (118,000 ha-1) and cane yield (130.5 t ha-1). Similarly, findings of sugarcane seed-rate experiment, conducted at NARC, showed that seed rate of 75, 000 DBS ha-1 (double budded setts per hectare) produced significantly highest number of mill able canes and cane yield (170.1 t ha-1) than the seed rates of 50 and 25 thousands DBS ha-1.

• A comprehensive nutrient indexing survey of sugarcane fields of Sargodha and Jhang districts was carried out. It was found that 30% farmers used optimum N fertilizers, 32 % farmers used optimum P fertilizers and only 11 % farmers used K fertilizers. Fifty six percent farmers applied farmyard manure (FYM). All the fields of Jhang and Sargodha district were low in AB-DTPA extractable NO3-N, 97 % were low in P and 4 % in K. Most of the fields had pH (1:1) more than 8.0 and 41 % fields were low in soil OM. Sixty seven percent sugarcane plants of Sargodha district were deficient in N, all in P but none in K. In case of Jhang District, 43 % sugarcane plants were deficient in N, none in P but 25 % in K. Zinc and B were also found deficient in sugarcane cultivated soils and plant tissues.

• Out reach trials, conducted in Jhang and Sargodha districts concluded that application of press mud at 10 t ha-1 along with Zn + B and 50 % of recommended rate of NP & K fertilizers produced better cane yield, brix and number of canes per hectare and also maximum net benefit. The increase in yield was 22.8 % over that of farmers practice (FP). An increase of 26.4 % in sugarcane yield was observed with Zn + B application along with recommended rate of NP and K fertilizers over that of FP.

Application of recommended NPK (210+125+135 kg ha-1) along with 5 t PM ha-1 gave maximum cane yield (72.8 t ha-1) followed by half rate of NPK fertilizers and 10 t PM ha-1 (67.9 t ha-1). Increase in yield was 49.8 and 39.9 %, respectively over that of Farmers' Practice.

In nutrient management experiments (Zinc and Boron application trials), application of half NPK + Zn+B (7.5+1.5 kg ha-1) +10 t PM ha-1 gave maximum cane yield (84.9 t ha-1) followed by recommended rate of NPK+Zn+B (83.8 t ha-1). Increase in yield was 22.8 and 21.2 %, respectively over that of Farmers' Practice.

SUGAR CROPS TRAVELLING SEMINAR 2006

The Coordinated Sugar Crops Research Programme of the PARC organizes its annual travelling seminar regularly to review the sugar crops situation across the country. This year, seminar was organized during November 20-26, 2006 for the sugarcane growing areas of Punjab and NWFP provinces.

The main objectives of the seminar are as under: -

• To record the general condition of the sugarcane crop in the country.

• To evaluate the performance of NUYT sugarcane candidate varieties planted under different agro-ecological zones across the country.

• To monitor the insect pest and disease situation of the sugarcane crop.

• To identify important issues relating to sugarcane production.

• To promote inter-institutional and interdisciplinary coordination/linkages.

• To meet with progressive and small sugar crops growers of the area at their door steps and acquaint with their problems and suggest solutions to their problems.

• To develop strategies for improvement of sugar crop sector in the country.

Table 1: Sugarcane Germplasm Lines Distributed to Various Organizations

Table 2: Commercial Sugarcane Varieties Developed and Released through Coordinated Sugar Crops Research 
            Program of the PARC

Table 3: Pipeline sugarcane varieties developed through Coordinated Sugar Crops Research Program of PARC

Table 4: Candidate Sugarcane Varieties Under Testing In Nuyt Program Across The Country

[For more details on above tables click here....]

SUGARCANE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
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.

It is very important that at least 8 to 10 cart loads of 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.

Soil in the prepared field should be friable and well worked so that full germination takes place and later on plants grow without any inhibiting barriers (compact sub-soil layer).

Planting time, method and seed rate
Sugarcane must be planted either in September or in Feb.-March. September planted crop usually produces 25 to 35 % higher yield. Sugarcane should be planted at a row spacing of 100 cm. Three-budded double setts should be placed end to end in the furrows covered with 2 to 3 cm soil layer. About 80 to 100 mounds of thin cane varieties and 100 to 120 mounds of thick varieties is sufficient to plant one acre.

Seed Selection
Use healthy seed of approved varieties of sugarcane. This can increase cane yield from 20 to 25 per cent. Sugarcane varieties recommended for various provinces are given in Table 5.

Table 5: Recommended Varieties of Sugarcane

Seed Treatment
Seed may be treated with hot water at 520 C for 30 minutes and with fungicide. This will help in better germination and the control of many cane diseases.

Fertilizer application
As mentioned earlier fertilizer 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 Potash 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. Fertilizer recommendations for sugarcane for various ecological zones are given in Table 6.

Table 6: Recommended doses of Fertilizers for Sugarcane

All phosphorus and potash and one fourth N should be applied at the time of planting. It is preferable that P and K may be applied in furrows where seed setts are to be placed. Rest of the nitrogenous fertilizer may be applied in three equal splits i.e. during April, May and by mid June to February-March planted crop.

It will be beneficial if N is applied in four equal splits to September planted crop besides one fifth applied at planting. In this case it may be applied during 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.

Weed control
Good land preparation is a key factor in controlling weeds. For proper weed control, Gesapax Combi (80 WP) may be applied @ 1.4 kg per acre in medium textured soils and @ 1.8 kg per acre in heavy soils in 100 to 120 liters of water. The weedicide should be used with the advice of the technical experts.

Integrated Pest Management For Sugarcane

Insect pests play an important role in reducing the sugarcane yield. The most serious insect pests are sugarcane borers, Pyrilla, and whitefly. In some areas mealy bug, black bug and armyworm are also causing damage.

In Pakistan exact estimates of yield losses due to insect attack are lacking but it has been reported that top borer, stem borer, Gurdaspur borer and Pyrilla cause a reduction in yield from 15-20, 10-20 and 30-35 percent, respectively. In some cases as high as 80-85 percent reduction in crop yield due to insect attack has been reported.

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.

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. These control measures are safe for environment, and hazard free. 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.

Control of diseases

For controlling sugarcane diseases, use healthy and disease-free seed of resistant varieties. Treat the seed with hot water or fungicide/s before planting. Seed may be treated with hot water at 520 C for 30 minutes. The diseased plants from the field should be removed and either buried or burnt. Farmers should avoid keeping ratoon of a certain crop, which have got severe disease attack during first crop season.

Irrigation
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. Keep in mind that each field should get at least 16 to 20 irrigations during the crop year adjusting the irrigation schedule according to rainfall in summer.

Irrigation Schedule

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 plant 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 plant 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.

Harvesting

Stop irrigation 25 to 30 days before the harvest of crop and do not leave the harvested crop for long 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.

FUTURE STRATEGY

Future Plans

• Establishment of strong sugarcane breeding programs in the country to minimize reliance on imported cane fuzz and cane setts.

• Development of sugarcane varieties for:

           - High cane yield
           - High sugar content
           - Drought tolerance
           - Salt tolerance
           - Cold tolerance

• Improvement in sugarcane production technology

• Balanced fertilizer use, including micronutrients

• Development of new planting technique for efficient water use

• Supply of good quality seed of high yielding approved sugarcane varieties to farmers' especially small farmers in collaboration 

with private sectors.

• Introduction of sugarcane mechanization in the country

• Establishment of IPM laboratories at all sugar mills in the country in collaboration with Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA)

• Introduction and adaptation of commercial cultivation of sugar beet in all the provinces

• Training of technical manpower both in public and private sector in collaboration with PSMA & PSST.

Targets for 2010

• At least 25% per acre sugarcane yield will be increased by cultivation of approved high yielding sugarcane varieties with better crop management practices.

• At least 30 crosses of sugarcane varieties will be purchased from USA, Brazil and India to develop sugarcane varieties.

• At least 10 high yielding varieties with high sucrose contents and other desired traits would be developed and introduced for commercial cultivation in the country.

• Strong sugarcane breeding programs shall be initiated in the country.

• IPM laboratories will be established at least in 50% sugar mills in coordination with the private sector in the three sugarcane-growing provinces.

• At least six scientists shall be sent abroad for short and long-term trainings.

• Techniques like alternate furrow irrigation system, fertigation and integrated nutrient management shall be introduced/ demonstrated to farmers at large scale.

• Feasibility study on introduction of sprinkler irrigation system for sugarcane cultivation in collaboration with private sector will be conducted.

• Demonstration of mechanized sugarcane harvesting to the farmers in collaboration with private sector will be done.

• Proper feasibility study for commercial cultivation of sugar beet across the country shall be carried out.

• Decrease in area under sugarcane by 10% and bring the same under sugar beet cultivation in the country.

• Ensure supply of good quality seed of approved sugarcane varieties to at least 30% sugarcane growers in collaboration with private and public sector.

• At least one international sugarcane conference will be organized in Pakistan.

• At least two sugarcane manuals including development, production and processing operations (one in English and one in Urdu) will be published.

SCIENTIFIC STAFF 

PUBLICATIONS

Resource Person:

Dr. Muhammad Zubair

PSO/National Coordinator (Sugar Crops)

[Last updated: May 08, 2007]

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