My Experiences on Physiological Research on Sugarcane in India

Abstract

In tropical India where crop subjected to moisture stress at formative and elongation phases unlike sub-tropic records significantly low sugar recovery, especially during early stages of maturity, being more obvious in late maturing varieties. The optimum level of sett moisture for rapid and high germination was assessed to be in the range of 72–74 %. Sprouting of bud and early growth were influenced more by sett moisture than soil moisture. Physiological basis for varietal improvement under stress environment has been described and need for breeding the physiological traits conferring to environmental stress has been suggested. The major factors which contribute to sugar losses in standing crops and post harvest period have been briefly described and also measures to minimize inversion losses in milled juice have been indicated. Investigations on basic aspects of control of flowering made it possible to inhibit flowering under field conditions through defoliation, chemical spray and withholding irrigation, resulting in an increase in cane and sugar yield. The leaf area ratio showed negative and significant correlation with cane yield but positive with sucrose content. The use of leaf area index for selection of genetic yield potential has been suggested. Studies on gibberellic acid relationship of growth hormone and inhibitor with bud and root sprouting of stubble in ratoon under low temperature condition have been suggested. Farmers in sub-tropic unlike tropic are not able to timely provide essential production inputs and as a result harvest poor yield. Similarly, in sugar mills, adoption of varieties, especially low yielding, early rich sugar varieties get top priority compared to crop management particularly in sub-tropic. These are the reasons for a big gap between actual and potential yield in sub-tropic, indicating a great scope for improving yield in sub-tropic through effective measures.