Sustainable sugarcane initiative
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1. The document summarizes a seminar presentation on the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI), an agronomic approach inspired by SRI rice methods that aims to increase sugarcane productivity using fewer resources. 2. Major principles of SSI include raising nurseries with single-budded chips, transplanting young seedlings in zig-zag patterns with wider spacing, precision water management including drip irrigation, reduced chemical fertilizer and pesticide use, and intercropping. 3. Studies show SSI can increase yields to 100-130 tons/hectare, save 40% water usage, and increase profits by 30% compared to conventional methods through greater resource efficiency and healthier soil/
Sustainable sugarcane initiative
- 1. AGRN 780: MASTER’S SEMINAR CREDIT SEMINAR REPORT SEMINAR ON: SUSTAINABLE SUGARCANE INITIATIVE DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY SAM HIGGINBOTTOM INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE, TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCES- ALLAHABAD-211007, (U.P), INDIA. SUBMITTED BY: SUMAN KUMAR DEY ID.NO .19MSAGRO070 M.Sc. Ag. (Agronomy).
- 2. Introduction: • Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) is also called “More with less” technology (or) Bud chip technology which is inspired by SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method. • It is a novel method of increasing sugarcane productivity with a set of agronomic package of practices like bud chip settlings with application of improved production technology for nursery management, transplanting methods, plant spacing, weed control and nutrient management, irrigation schedule etc. • It uses less resources and less input cost so it is seed-water-space intensive. • Founded by ICRISAT (International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics) and WWF (World Wide Fund for nature) in 2009 at Andhra Pradesh. Needfor SSI: • Sugarcane production has been fluctuating between 289.6 million tons to 385 million tons in last 10 years & it increases demand for sugarcane and its by-products. • Depleting water tables and mono cropping in conventional method results in low productivity. • In SSI water productivity is 40% and profit is 30%. • SSI leads to healthier soil and plants supported by greater root growth and the nurturing of soil microbial abundance and diversity. In addition, it has been found in farmers’ experience that using drip irrigation leads to a great saving of water, by as much as 80 percent. As such, SSI is becoming a focus for the industry, governments, as well as financial institutions for its scaling up • Studies on SSI and conducted researches state that method results in higher yield of 100- 130 t/ha and net returns (Gujja et al., 2009).
- 3. Major principles that govern SSI are: 1. Raising nursery using single budded chips: Bud chips are normally removed from cane using a machine called Bud chipper. The single budded chips carefully removed from healthy canes are used for raising nursery. By raising nursery, high percentage of germination can be achieved within a week depending on the agro climatic conditions. To raise the seedlings, the selected buds are placed individually in the cones of plastic or biodegradable germination trays along with the coco-pith (coconut coir waste). Through this method, a high percentage of germination can be achieved within a week, based on the agro-climatic conditions. This method for seedling growing is found to be the best among all the methods in terms of seed saving and proper cane growth 2. Transplanting young seedlings: It is important to note here that this one month growth of seedlings achieved under SSI method cannot be achieved even after two months in conventional method. The ideal age for transplanting young seedlings from the nursery to the main field is 25 to 35 days, as they will establish and grow better, with minimum loss due to transplantation shock. After proper grading, stop giving water one day before transplanting. This will loosen the coco-pith in cavities and help in easy removal of the seedlings for transplantation. The zigzag method of planting can be followed to utilize more space and achieve maximum tillers. Plant-to-plant distance of 2 ft has to be maintained for easy sunlight penetration and profuse tillering. For better access to sunlight, follow a north–south direction of planting. However, the slope of the field should also be taken into consideration. It is better to put the seedlings in equally-distanced small holes (2 ft distance) made by pressing a hole with a wooden pole into the side of the furrow. Applying a recommended quantity of basal fertilizer mixed with organic manures (FYM/compost/well- decomposed press mud) adjacent to the holes before planting would help in boosting the growth of the seedlings. Seedlings are to be planted in the moistened soil in the furrows with a gentle thrust. Forced thrusting of the seedlings too deep may result in poor tillering. Do not place the seedlings in the middle of furrows, this will hinder the root growth. To moisten the soil, irrigate the field one or two days before transplanting. Similarly, irrigation is to be done immediately after planting. Water will fill any air gaps around the plant if soil compaction is not proper. 3. Transplanting at wider spacing: Wide spacing of 5X2 feet maintained in the main field leads to 45,000 to 55,000 millable canes per ha are achieved because of more tillering. So, wider spacing in SSI cultivation not only reduces the seed usage from 16,000 three budded setts to 4,000 to 5,000 single buds, but most importantly it also supports easy air and sunlight penetration in the crop canopy for better and healthy cane growth.
- 4. 4. Water management: In SSI, water management is another crucial issue. It is emphasized that plants be provided with sufficient moisture, rather than inundating the field with water. Flooded condition during the crop formation stage will actually hinder the growth of the plant. By giving only the required quantity of water, about 40 percent of water can be saved with more rather than less yield. Give irrigation once in 10 days during tillering stage (36-100 days), once in 7 days during Grand Growth period (101-270 days) and once in 15 days during Maturity period (from 271 days till harvest). Drip irrigation can be practiced more effectively in SSI due to wider spacing and the planting of single seedlings. 5. Fertilizer application: The SSI method discourages high application of chemical fertilizers and use of pesticides and weedicides. Farmers should incorporate more organic manures and bio-fertilizers and follow bio-control measures as much as possible for best results. 6. Intercrop practicing: SSI supports intercropping within sugarcane stands with crops like wheat, potato, cow pea, french beans, chick pea, water melon, brinjal, etc., as there is wide spacing between the rows. In addition to more effective utilization of land, this practice will reduce the weed growth up to certain level and give extra income to farmers. Depending on location-specific factors, different intercrops may be tried. It is advisable to select nitrogen-fixing legume crops as intercrops, as they fix atmospheric N and improve the nutrient status of the soil upon incorporation after harvest. Intercrops also act as live mulch and preserve moisture and reduce the pest attack by being alternate hosts in some cases. Green manures raised as intercrop improve the soil fertility on incorporation. Irrigation Water saving Furrow & alternate furrow 50 % Drip system 40 - 70 % Fertilizer or manure Quantity N: P: K 112: 25: 48 kg/acre FYM 8 – 10 tons/acre Biofertilizers (Pseudomonas & Trichoderma) 2 kg/acre (on 30 th & 60 th day)
- 5. According to Thiyagarajan and his co–workers (2011), this tabular data shows yield obtained by irrigation and fertigation in SSI method, among the different treatments subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI) with 100 percent pan evaporation (PE) + 100 percent recommended dose (RD) of N&K through fertigation (T1) and surface drip irrigation (SDI) with 100 percent PE + 100 percent RD of N & K (T7) reported significantly higher (156.31 t/ha in main crop, 141.6 t/ha I ratoon crop, 144.78 t/ha in II ratoon crop) and comparable yield (151.07 t/ha in main crop, 136.36 t/ha in I ratoon crop, 139.93 t/ha in II ratoon crop). Moderate and comparable yield was recorded in SSDI with 100 percent PE + 75 percent RD of N&K (T2) &SSDI with 80 percent PE + 100 percent RD of N&K (T3). Cane yield was distinctly lower in SSDI with 60 percent PE + 75 percent RD of N&K (T6) and was at par with SSDI with 60 percent PE + 75 percent RD of N&K (T5) and SSDI with 100 percent PE + 75 percent RD of N&K (T8). The reason for getting higher yield in subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI) with 100 percent PE + 100 percent recommended dose might be due to minimum crop growth competition, less water stress, high water spread across the bed and optimum nutrient uptake. Higher water and fertilizer use efficiency with effect from water and fertilizer applied directly to the root zone of crop based on their crop needs at various growth stages might have contributed for higher cane yield under subsurface drip fertigation. Sugarcane yield (t/ha) Treatment Main crop (2014-2015) I Ratoon crop (2015-2016) II Ratoon crop (2016-2017) Pooled data T1 (SSDI+100%PE+100 % RD of N&K) 156.31 141.6 144.78 147.77 T2 (SSDI+100%PE+75%RD of N&K) 140.58 132.09 133.41 135.89 T3 (SSDI+80%PE+100%RD of N&K) 140.36 130.31 128.56 134.08 T4 (SDI+80%PE+75%RD of N&K) 130.71 121.47 123.39 125.07 T5 (SSDI+60%PE+75%RD of N&K) 120.98 112.93 110.85 115.25 T6 (SSDI+60%PE+75%RD of N&K) 116 106.04 109.92 112.85 T7 (SDI+100%PE+100% RD of N&K) 151.07 136.36 139.93 142.88 T8 (SSDI+100%PE+75% RD of N&K) 125.51 112.22 116.26 118 SE d 4.23 3.36 3.75 3.41 CD (p=0.05) 9.07 7.2 8.04 7.32 Table 1: Yield obtained by Irrigation and Fertigation in SSI method.
- 6. (Main plot : S1 – Double budded setts ; S2 – Single bud setts ; S3 – Chip budded seedlings; Sub plot : N1 – 100 % recommended NPK; N2 – 75 % recommended NPK + Azophos + insitu incorporation of sunnhemp; N3 – 75 % recommended NPK + Azophos + foliar spraying of sugarcane booster; N4 – 75 % recommended NPK + Azophos + insitu incorporation of sunnhemp + foliar spraying of sugarcane booster). According to Sugeerthi and his co–workers (2018), this tabular data shows effect of planting material and integrated nutrient management on establishment percentage (45 DAP) and growth attributes of sugarcane at harvest, in which the treatment number N4 (75 % recommended NPK + Azophos + insitu incorporation of sunnhemp + foliar spraying of sugarcane booster) is showing the highest significant value of 246.35 cms plant height, 123.25 ‘000/ha tiller population, 92.21 t/ha dry matter production. The treatment number N1 (100 % recommended NPK) with 229.68 cms plant height, 112.35 ‘000/ha tiller population, 88.92 t/ha dry matter production, is statistically at par to the highest significant value. Moderate yield was recorded in N3 treatment (75 % recommended NPK + Azophos + foliar spraying of sugarcane booster) with 189.65 cms plant height, 109.56 ‘000/ha tiller population, 82.12 t/ha dry matter production while distinctly lower in N2 treatment (75 % recommended NPK + Azophos + insitu incorporation of sunnhemp) with 218.56 cms plant height, 106.89 ‘000/ha tiller production, 80.21 t/ha dry matter production. It is reported that under chip budded seedlings establishment method the well established root system, effective absorption of nutrients and moisture in plants helps to increase the plant height, number of tillers and dry matter production. TREATMENTS ESTABLISHMENT (%) PLANT HEIGHT(cm) S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3 N1 72.77 70.24 87.65 191.36 187.52 229.68 N2 73.25 71.21 86.25 182.35 174.25 218.56 N3 71.37 69.35 85.25 189.65 181.25 223.26 N4 75.47 71.25 87.89 207.56 197.26 246.35 SE d 2.41 1.6 2.95 5.38 4.21 9.35 CD (p=0.05) 5.68 NS NS 12.69 9.81 17.21 TREATMENTS TILLER POPULATION (‘000 / ha) DRY MATTER PRODUCTION (t/ha) S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3 N1 98.33 82.56 112.35 82.36 72.35 88.92 N2 91.25 68.57 106.89 77.21 69.56 80.21 N3 94.89 71.56 109.56 80.21 70.12 82.12 N4 102.12 90.98 123.25 86.54 81.56 92.21 SE d 2.65 1.78 4.54 2.01 1.67 3.74 CD(p=0.05) 6.25 4..16 8.36 4.75 3.89 6.88 Table 2 : Effect of planting material and integrated nutrient management on establishment percentage (45 DAP) and growth attributes of sugarcane at harvest.
- 7. According to Rajula Shanthy and Ramanjaneyulu 2014, the tabular data shows socio economic performance of cane cultivation under SSI method. This table shows a comparative difference between conventional method and SSI method in sugarcane planting and provides their cost of cultivation. Under SSI planting, there is a definite scope for reduction in cost of cultivation and additional income due to increase in cane yield. Added to this, farmers also get a considerable income from intercrops. The reduction in cost of cultivation was Rs. 13890 under SSI method compared to conventional method. This was mainly due to the savings in planting material (Rs 4250.00), intercultural operations (Rs 4000.00), weed management (2940.00) and irrigation (Rs 2700.00). With an average cane yield of 118.14 t/ha and 64.74 t/ha under SSI planting and normal planting respectively, farmers could get an incremental income of Rs. 119330.00. Cost of cultivation per ha Planting (Rs/ha) Conventional method SSI method 1. Land preparation. 5387.00 5387.00 2. Setts / seedlings and planting. 22125.00 17875.00(4250.00) 3. Manures and manuring. 11250.00 11250.00 4. Plant protection. 3375.00 3375.00 5. Fertilizer application. 8775.00 8775.00 6. Intercultural operation. 9750.00 5750.00(4000.00) 7. Weed management. 4949.00 2000.00(2940.00) 8. Irrigation. 13500.00 10800.00(2700.00) 9. Harvesting charge. 19422.00 35442.00 10. Transport charge. 12948.00 23628.00 11. Total cost. 111472.00 124282.00 12. Saving. - 13890.00 13. Gross income (Yield: Normal - 64.74 t/ha, SSI – 118.14 t/ha@ Rs 2100/t). 135954.00 248094.00 14. Average income from intercrop. - 20000.00 15. Total. 135954.00 268094.00 16. Net income per ha. 24482.00 143824.00 17. Increment income under SSI (per ha). - 119330.00 Table 3: Socio economic performance of cane cultivation under SSI method.
- 8. Conclusion : The study has concluded that in India sugarcane industry is facing the problem of sugarcane supply due to existing farmer’s practice of conventional method and can effectively be replaced by bud chip technology in sugarcane. The SSI is also called “more with less” technology which helps to increase more profits and results in higher productivity. Therefore effort should be made to increase the educational level and knowledge status of farmers about this latest technology. The use of chip bud seedlings raised in nursery saves 60-70% of seed cost apart from better growth and yield. The improved practices will enhance cane yield 18-20% and income Rs. 50,000 to 80,000 per ha, saving water up to 20-40%. This can be done only through innovative technologies, of which Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative method is a promising one. Hence it is very much possible to sugarcane farmers to reap greater economical benefits by maintaining ecological sustainability.
- 9. References Dr. Biksham Gujja, Dr. Loganandhan, N., Dr. Vinod Goud, V., Ms. Manisha Agarwal and Mr. Sraban Dalai, (2019) March, A Training manual on Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative, an initiative of ICRISAT and WWF Project, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh. Rajula Shanthy, T. and Ramanjaneyulu, S. (2014) September, Socio-Economic Performance Analysis of Sugarcane Cultivation Under Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative Method Indian Research Journal of Extension Education., 14 (3); 93-98. Sugeerthi, S., Jayachandran, M., and Chinnusamy, C. (2018), June, Effect of Planting Materials and Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield of Sugarcane Seed Crop Madras Agriculture Journal., 105 (4-6): 141-146. Thiyagarajan, G.,Manikandan, M.,Thenmozhi, S.,Natarajan, S.K.,Bhuvanes-wari J and Prabhakaran, N.K., (2019) Optimization of Irrigation and Fertigation Scheduling for Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) through Subsurface Drip Irrigation in Western Zone of Tamil Nadu Current Agriculture Research Journal ISSN: 2347-4688, Vol. 7, No.(1): 117-121.