September sowing of sugarcane was introduced in Punjab 40 years ago. Climatic conditions have changed and recommendations of sowing date needs review. We have suggested that it should mostly be planted in the month of October for better germination and for incorporation of an intercrop. New weeds, diseases and insects have also appeared as a result of change in the climatic conditions. We have also addressed these pests in this video. Scorching temperature of 47 centigrade during the months of May and June has lead us to cater more and more inputs especially of fertilizer and irrigational requirements.
Sugarcane is one the profitable crops of Pakistan. But its profit is decreasing with the passage of time due to higher prices of fertilizers applied to it. Because for its better health, growth and development, balanced fertilizer plan is required to be followed efficiently. For getting better yield of the crop, it is essential and crucial to complete the needs of all types of micro nutrients. Dap fertilizer has become much more costlier as compared to previous seasons. Urea has also become or made short due to lack of planning and management.
Being a cash crop, sugarcane has returned more cash this year and farmers will surely serve its ratoon crop more care this year. Almost 40-50 percent sugarcane is kept as ratoon crop in Punjab. With the passage of time, root system of ratoon crop becomes dormant and sluggish. Therefore 25-30% more use of fertilizer in 2-3 split doses is suggested for ratoon crop i.e, it needs more care than planted crop.
Sugarcane has very important role in the economy of Pakistan. Sugarcane Research Institute has been playing its important contribution in developing new varieties. HSF-240 has been adding billions of rupees since 2002 but now this Ratoon king has become old and its cultivation is advised to be limited. Cp-77-400 is ruling not only for sugar purpose but also for GUR (Jaggry) making all over the three sugar producing provinces of Punjab, Sindh and KPK. CPF-247 was very soft and sweet but now better varieties have been introduced from the seed (fuzz) of Canal Point (CP Florida USA). Out of these, CPF-249, CPF-250, CPF-251, CPF-252 and CPF-253 have been introduced during the recent years. Important features of these varieties like sugar recovery percentage, cane production, resistance against disease, insect and weather condition has been discussed individually. Moreover, lodging tendency, ratoon ability, earliness and maturity period has also been covered in this video.
Sugarcane Top/shoot borer is the most important insect of this crop. Due to the repeated use of the substandard pesticides, it has become very resistant to the most of the prevailing pesticides. New human friendly like Coragen and Virtako has been introduced during the recent years. Both of these work well but drenching of Coragen @ 150ml per acre provides better results.
In this video, solution of shoot borer has been given. Moreover, severe losses caused by shoot borer have also been highlighted in this video. Control of shoot borer plays a pivotal role in sugarcane production technology.

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