Top 5 Sugarcane Varieties for Autumn Planting, Achieve High Yields and Profitability

sugarcane farming

Krishi Dunia

• 19 Nov, 2024 11:30 AM IST ,
• Updated Tue, 19 Nov 2024 12:30 PM

Sugarcane is a crucial cash crop in India, predominantly grown in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Among these, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are the leading producers. Autumn sugarcane planting, ideally carried out from the last week of September to October, is crucial for maximizing yields. While planting may extend to November, delayed sowing often reduces productivity. However, certain advanced varieties can still ensure high yields even when planted late.

Top 5 Sugarcane Varieties for Autumn Planting:

Farmers can choose from these high-performing varieties for optimal results:

1. CoLk 16202:

• Planting Period: October to November.
• Developed By: Indian Sugarcane Research Institute in collaboration with Coimbatore and Lucknow breeding centers.
• Key Features:
  • Resistant to wilt and red rot diseases.
  • Potential Yield: 92.8 tons per hectare.
  • Sugar Content: 13.57%.
  • Recommended Regions: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and central & western Uttar Pradesh.

2. CoLk 14201:

• Characteristics:
  • Thick stalks with a light yellow color.
  • Sugar Content: 18.60%; Pol Percentage: 14.55%.
  • Resistant to borer pests.
  • Yield Potential: Up to 95 tons per hectare.

3. CoS 18231:

• Developed By: Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Research Council.
• Key Features:
  • High disease resistance.
  • Yield Potential: 90.16 tons per hectare.
  • Superior sugar and pol percentages, making it highly profitable.

4. Early CoS 13235:

• Characteristics:
  • Upright, thick stalks with a yellow-green color.
  • Yield Range: 81–92 tons per hectare.
  • Moderately resistant to red rot disease.
  • Minimal impact from pests and diseases.

5. Co. 15023:

• Key Features:
  • High sugar content, ideal for jaggery production.
  • Recovery Rate: 1% higher in sugar mills compared to other varieties.
  • Produces more jaggery, with one quintal of sugarcane yielding 1 kg extra jaggery on a crusher.

Best Practices for Sugarcane Planting:

• Soil Preparation: Ensure soil has adequate moisture before planting.
• Row Spacing: Maintain a row distance of approximately 60 cm to allow proper growth.
• Nutrient Management: Use essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, sulfur, and iron for better development.
• Disease Resistance: Opt for varieties resistant to red rot and other diseases to safeguard crops.
• Field Management: Focus on timely irrigation, hoeing, and tying for robust growth.

Conclusion: By adopting these advanced sugarcane varieties and following the recommended agricultural practices, farmers can achieve bumper yields, higher profitability, and better adaptability to changing climatic conditions. These varieties ensure a win-win for farmers, whether for jaggery production or direct sale to sugar mills.