SUGARCANE BUD CHIPSFOR

SEED MULTIPLICATION

2007

Sugarcane Breeding InstituteIndian Council of Agricultural Research

Coimbatore - 641 007

01C.A R

SUGARCANE BUD CHIPS FOR SEEDMULTIPLICATION

Production of sugarcane seed with high quality utilizing lowcost technologies is the need of the hour. Transplanting ofsettlings raised in polybags offers great advantages insugarcane seed production .

Nursery raised from sugarcane bud ~chips and planting them in main fieldwas found to be more economicalthan traditional methods for seedincrease .

At Sugarcane Breeding Institute, an improved manuallyoperated Bud Chipping Machine was fabricated . A hightension steel blade is used to scoop the bud as chips from ahorizontally fed cane .

Techniques for making bud chips,their storability, transport, raisingthe seedlings in polythene bag aswell as their survival andestablishment on a suitablemedium were standardized .

Bud chips could be taken usingBud Chipping Machine, treated with pesticide solution andtransported to the destination for seed production .

Advantages of using bud chips for seedmultiplication• Bulk of the cane material could be reduced, eliminating

about 80 to 90% cane, facilitating transport andhandling of seed material easy.

•

Selection of healthy buds, eliminating diseased andinfected seeds

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Sett transmitted diseases and pests could be kept atminimum .

This is relatively less expensive and is a labour savingtechnique .

• For multiplication of Breeder seed as well as promisingseed stock it is a reliable method .

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Bulk of seed cane is reduced to manageable budchips .

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The cane after taking bud chips can be well utilized forpreparing juice or sugar orjaggery .

Methodology for preparing bud chips for seedmultiplication

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Select a healthy cane, free from attack by insects a n ddiseases .

• Cane of 6-8 months age is preferable . I n case of age dcane, avoid taking bud chips from bottom I metreportion .

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Take bud chips manually using Bud Chipping Machine .

3 Dry the bud chips in shade or underfan for 2 4 hrs .

• Prepare a solution consisting of Malathion 50 EC 0 .1 %(2 ml 1 1 litre of water) andCarbendazim 0 .1 % (1 ml / 1litre of water) .

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Dip the bud chips in pesticidesolution far 10 min . Removeand dry them in shade or underfan for 2 hrs .

• If meant for transport, bud chips could be kept inperforated polybags before packing in corrugatedpaper boxes .

Methodology for raising a bud chip nursery

Prepare a homogenous mixture with equal quantity of soil,sand and compost 1 well rotten pressmud and fill inpolythene bags (15 x 10 cm) .

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Dip the bud chips in 0 .1 % Carbendazim solution for 10min .

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Plant the bud chips in upright position in polythenebag . Cover it with soil mixture lightly . Puncture a

small hole at the bottom of the bag to facilitatedrainage .

Ensure regular watering with arose can .

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Spray 1 % urea solution on 15thand 25 t '` day after planting .

• Take control measures againstincidence of insects, diseasesand deficiency symptoms .

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Light turning up of soil around the bud chip ensuresbettergermination and growth .

• After6 - 8 weeks, transferthe seedlings together withthe mass of soil to the field and transplant in small pitswith required spacing (90x45 cm) .

At SBI, field establishment of transplanted seedlingswas 100% .

Extension Publication No . 118 (2007)

Script by

Dr.N.Rajendra PrasadPrepared by Dr.Rajula Shanthy

Dr.R.ThiagarajanDr.D.Puthira Prathap

Published by Dr. N . Vijayan Nair, Director,Sugarcane Breeding InstituteCoimbatore 641 007

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