Sugar cane- Planting activities

The planting material of sugar cane is called setts.  Around 16000-18000 setts will be needed for an acre.

The normal planting season is October-December. Delay in planting reduces cane yield.

The canes are cut into 3-bud setts each usually 30 to 50 cm long. Setts are prepared by taking the top one third portion of a cane having buds.

Before planting, the leaves of the cane stalks are stripped off by hand. In red rot affected area, dipping in copper based fungicide (2.5 gram/litre of water) is followed.

The land is prepared well by 2-3 ploughing. Lime or dolomite @ 1-3 kg/cent has to be applied depending on soil acidity. Organic manure @ 40 kg/cent has to be applied.

Furrows 25 cm deep are taken 75-90 cm apart. Place the setts along the centre of the furrows, accommodating 12 buds/meter length.

Keep the buds in the lateral position and press gently beneath the soil in the furrow. Avoid exposure of setts to sunlight.

In the pit system, 2-3 setts are planted in each pit. Plant more setts near the channel or double row planting at every 10th row for gap filling, at later stage.

Apply recommended basal dose of fertilizers at the time of planting. A time lag of ten days should be given between application of lime and fertilizers.