Sugarcane Chipped Bud Technology

One of the major factor in low sugarcane yields obtained by the sugarcane farmers around the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is the costly inputs required for the crop growth and development. Sugarcane seed constitutes a major portion of these inputs. Recommended seed rate for an acre of land is 80-100 maunds. However, the farmers seldom use the recommended seed rate to plant their crop mainly because of saving in the seed cost. In the same way, the autumn planted crop is also badly affected by the occurance of frost during winter. Beside that some times, land is not availble at optimum planting time.

Keeping in view the above, a new technology was introduced and standardized at Sugar Crops Research Institute, Mardan, Pakistan. It is called Chipped Bud Technology. The technique was originally developed by an engineer in India for sugarcane growers. The same was adopted at the institute at experimental level. In this method only buds are chipped from the whole cane and planted on the already prepared raised beds. After establishing the nursery, the setllings are transplanted to field instead of cane setts.

Priliminary experiments showed very promising results. The method not only reduces the cost of seed but also makes it possible to adjust the sowing time of the crop and can even escape the ill effects of the frost. All what is required is a small chipped bud machine and a small nursery area. At Sugar Crops Research Institute, Mr. Mohammad Tahir, PhD, made the replica of the sugarcane chipped bud machine and established a small nursery. Later, Dr Amjad Ali, SCRI, Mardan, extended experimentation of the technology both on-station and on farmers' fields. A brief account of the chipped bud technology is given for general information of the public. For more details or querries Dr Amjad Ali could be contacted any time during office hours.

Raising nursery using single bud chip

As opposed to sett planting method, single buds are chipped from healthy canes for raising the nursery. The collected buds are treated with appropriate fungicide and sown on raised nursery beds. The left over cane salks could be used for making gur or transported to sugar mill.

Settlings age for transplanting

The young setllings could be transplanted at the age of 25-35 days depending on the weather conditions. Similarly, the uprooting/transplanting the nursery could be delayed until after the frost time is over.

Bud chips required

Planting setllings at a spacing of 2 x 3 feet 18-20 thousands buds are required for a hectare of land.

Water management

Since the setllings are transplanted in the middle of the furrows, ultimately leads to water saving.

Intercropping

The technology also has ample room for intercropping it with other crops like wheat, potato, water melon, tomato etc.

Overall Benefits

Click on the photo gallery on the left menu to view the chipped bud technolgoy in action.