SUGARCANE NURSERY AND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
IN TARLAC MILL DISTRICT
Laverne C.
Olalia
Sugar Regulatory Administration, North Ave., Diliman Quezon
City 1101
tarlacmd@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The adverse effect
of changing weather patterns is inevitable in agriculture. This causes
alteration on the overall growth habit of sugarcane crop. Thus, farmer’s
productivity as well as profitability is at risk. Reduction of area planted to
sugarcane is beginning to be observed during the past cropping seasons in
Tarlac Mill District. Furthermore, as a general picture of the sugar industry,
our capability to maintain our sufficiency in sugarcane production will be at
stake especially with the full implementation of the Asean Free Trade Area
(AFTA) in 2015. In order to mitigate this risk and still have a chance to
increase the productivity, variety programming is the most economical approach
in improving sugarcane productivity.
Planting the most suited variety for a given season, specific location
and agronomic characteristics that will complement the timing of all the farm
activities for the whole growing period. Sugarcane varieties differ in their
age of maturity due to their varying photosynthetic efficiency in response to
climatic and cultural practices. The best time to plant and harvest a variety
is essential in maximizing yield potential. It must be planted in the season it
is most adaptable and harvested at the right age where the sucrose content and
tonnage are high. With nursery establishment that is carefully planned,
available planting materials at the optimum time and at the right location will
augment the needs of our farmers. Through the aid of GIS, identification of the
strategic locations for the nurseries can be established. Types of varieties to
be planted will be based on the topography, soil type and pattern of harvest.
Keywords:
sugarcane nursery, variety programming,
nursery location
INTRODUCTION
The
main growth phases of sugarcane can be classified into four stages;
germination, tillering, stalk elongation, and ripening. The first three stages
are considered as the production of simple sugars such as glucose and fructose
for growth. While sucrose accumulation and storage happens during the final
growth phase which is the ripening stage. This is the basic knowledge to
consider in attaining the proper timing of all farm activities especially in
harvesting. Cane maturity is defined as the period in sugarcane growth where it
has the most sugar production. It is characterized by optimum tonnage and sugar
production per ton of cane. In addition, maturity differs from one variety to
the other. During an early or late harvest (improper timing of harvest) a low
sugar recovery will be the outcome hence, the full potential of the variety is
not realized.
Variety
selection differs from the point of view of stake holders. In selecting an
appropriate variety includes cane yield, juice quality, age group, suitability
to the growing conditions viz., soil type, irrigation regime, ratooning
potential, resistance to pests & diseases and adverse growing conditions.
For farmers, timing of harvest is a basic parameter to consider. Time of
harvest may vary depending on farm accessibility, soil type, and climatic
condition. On the other hand some of the undesirable characteristics in selecting
a variety includes lodging tendency, flowering propensity, disease
susceptibility, cavity development, high fibre content, big and bulged buds
which may be damaged during transportation, heavy spines on leaf sheath,
presence of heavy pith, growth cracks or splits. These defects may appear as
minor and insignificant, at first, but they understandably draw the growers
attention when the varieties come into cultivation.
Varieties
are classified as a function of whether they ripen in the early, mid or late
stages; in other words, varieties are classed by when they reach the sucrose
content suitable for industrial uses (i.e., at the beginning, middle or end of
the season) without accounting for establishing the period of maximum sucrose
content., (Caputo, 2006).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In CY 2003-2004,
GIS data from Landsat image showed that Tarlac mill district has about 19,200
has. planted to sugarcane
(PHILSURIN Project). But during the CY 2010-2011
processed data from GIS verified by GPS units reveals that the area was reduced
to about 10,168.25 has. (decreased by 47%). Reduction of the areas planted were
caused
mainly by shifting to other crops, no road accessibility,
conversion of prime agricultural lands to residential, unavailability of
planting materials, incompatible or unsynchronized milling and planting
resumption, and extreme weather conditions or unfavorable
weather condition. Among the observations stated above the one of the major factor considered was the unavailability of planting materials. Traditionally planters get
their seed pieces by cutting the upper most stalk (about 2-3 feet in length) of
the canes to be harvested and use it as their planting material. This method only cost them
the labor in cutting the canes but not the seedpiece itself. This method of
cane toppings posts a greater risk in the sugarcane
crop cycle. If harvesting is delayed planting for other areas is also being affected(which includes area expansions) thus, timing of all activities is unsynchronized and the profitability opportunity diminishes. Another
threat also to this method of seedpieces sourcing is that, if the source of
cane points has been accidentally burnt then the planting will be delayed or
ceased. As a result, incompatible or unsynchronized milling and planting cycle
will occur.
Right time of establishment is essential in a place where
there is a distinct delineation of the wet and the dry season, the month of establishment has a great
influence on the expected yield chiefly
because of the soil moisture factor and secondarily because of light factor. Too early establishment when there is still danger of
strong rain following planting results in a lot of cane point rotting in the
furrow, thus reducing the stand of cane.
Analyzing this scenario of untimely
planting-harvesting activity, a great decrease on area is very significant in
the areas of CAPAS, BAMBAN and Parts of CONCEPCION. About 3,000 ha. decrease in
area due to several cases. But the most prominent issue is the timing of
establishment, because most of these areas are in mountainous and some sandy
(lahar laiden) areas where moisture is very limiting. To solve the need, early
establishment must be done to ensure growth at sufficient moisture. To solve
this problem Nursery Establishment is encouraged.
Establish Location Of Nurseries Thru Mapping
With the advent of The Global
Positioning System (GPS) and the Geographical Information Sytem (GIS) land
assessment and monitoring is just a few clicks away. Spatial analysis will be
the basis for the strategic locations of the nurseries and also the suited
variety based from the geographical features of the area. Thematic maps will be
produced and evaluated to facilitate easy access of the planting materials for
each area of interest. In addition, possible expansion areas can also be
considered as one of the location in preparation for planting season. The
following are the data needed in locating nurseries and the recommended
varieties to be planted.
(1)
GPS generated
sugarcane maps.
This will give an overall view of the proximity of the plantations and will be
used to locate the best area to put up nurseries.
(2)
Establishing
pattern of harvest.
Three (3) year historical milling data of each barangay to establish a trend on
the time of harvest per area.
(3)
Clustering of
areas.
Combining the results of steps (1) and (2).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The agronomic
characteristics of the varieties to consider in variety programming such as
growth and flowering habits and tonnage and sugar yields varies in each variety
of sugarcane. The following are the recommended criteria of the Sugar
Regulatory Administration in the varietal testing. (Cerbo et.al., 2011). High
sucrose with average to high tonnage canes should be planted during wet months
and should not be harvested less than 12 months. A high tonnage with average to
high sucrose canes should be planted during dry months and should be harvested
not to exceed 12 months. Flowering canes
with high sucrose should be planted during early milling season (Sept-Dec) and
should be harvested not less than 12 months. Furthermore, flowering canes with
high sucrose could be planted during late milling season (Mar- Aug) provided
they are fast grower and should be harvested form 10-12 months after planting.
Resistant to Drought- Canes that are drought tolerant, good germinator, fast
growing and less preferred by rodents should be planted during dry months
(Mar-May) and should be harvested 10-12 after planting.
Harvest or milling season is very crucial
in sugarcane farming. This period is oftentimes exposed with risks for farmers,
like accidental burning, immature canes at harvest, inaccessible roads, etc. If
this condition will repeatedly struck our planters, optimum harvest will not be
realized furthermore, a chain reaction for next ratoon crop will be expected. Among the
direct benefits of having strategically located sugarcane nurseries are as
follows:
Homogeneity of variety
Sugarcane varietal characteristic depends
on the parent material used. It is important to know the qualities possessed by
each cultivar. Having a nursery, the source of quality planting materials and
uniformity of variety being planted is
ensured. This will equate to a more even maturity feature and a guarantee on
optimum sugar recovery.
Proper timing in establishment
In the sugarcane crop cycle, planting
season (establishment) has a direct influence for the longevity of the ratoon.
As we anticipate the World Trade Liberalization (2015), farmers must be both
productive and cost effective. The longer the ratoon life, the better is the
return for the farmers. Timely establishment is a key factor in having
prolonged ratoons (up to 5th ratoons or longer). Also, like any
other crop, timing of farming activities is based on weather. With the
availability of planting materials, proper timing can be achieved.
As a field
experience in Tarlac Mill District, canes established in November to December, when
the field moisture is nearly ideal for good land preparation and the danger of
soil compaction by pounding rain is minimal, better cane yield is expected.
As the
planting operation progresses
toward January until March, yield progressively decreases due to
moisture deficiency which critically affects germination and tillering. April, May, June
plantings, although favored by moisture, unfavorable growing condition
like excess water which could cause rotting of seed pieces. Furthermore,
serious weed competition becomes a problem since cultivation cannot be
performed efficiently. The table below shows the effect of month of
establishment on cane yield at Hda. Luisita.
Season of planting and age at harvest are two controllable factors that can be manipulated in sugarcane growing.
These are important guides to provide farmers establish
their own variety programming to obtain
optimum yields and returns.
Variety Programming Potential
Figure 1 shows the
normal pattern of the sugar content (Lkg/TC) of the canes during milling
exhibits a bell-shaped curve, i.e.,
sugar content is lower at early and late milling periods and at peak in the
middle of the milling season (Figure 1).
The possibility of prolonging the peak period of high Lkg/TC during the
milling season may be attained through variety programming and proper
post-harvest management.
Figure
1. The bell-shaped curve of LKg/TC during the
milling season (Medina, 1981)
Varietal Recommendation
Table
1 shows the result from a research study made from November 2003 – December 2005 by Benjamin Manlapaz and
Marcelino Guevarra at the Luzon Agricultural Research and Extension Center
in Paguiruan, Floridablanca,
Pampanga. This will be also used as a
basis for the recommended varieties of the nursery establishment.
Table
1. Sugar yield in LKG/Ha of
HYVs as influenced by season of
planting.
|
Varieties
|
Season of Planting
Early (Nov) Middle (Jan) Late (Mar)
|
||
|
Phil
90-1237
|
154.78
|
114.87
|
159.60
|
|
Phil
91-1091
|
115.94
|
100.03
|
129.87
|
|
Phil 92-0051
|
143.20
|
101.94
|
148.43
|
|
Phil
92-0577
|
183.43
|
189.14
|
170.65
|
|
Phil
92-0751
|
73.65
|
123.96
|
89.44
|
|
Phil
93-3849
|
152.05
|
131.74
|
65.34
|
|
Phil 93-3727
|
173.72
|
195.53
|
160.43
|
|
Phil
93-3155
|
170.60
|
150.82
|
132.68
|
|
Phil
93-1601
|
144.36
|
144.94
|
136.20
|
|
Phil
93-2349
|
178.94
|
193.56
|
111.98
|
|
Phil
94-0913
|
211.0
|
140.96
|
145.94
|
|
VMC
84-524
|
151.84
|
139.30
|
92.24
|
|
VMC
86-550
|
175.68
|
138.60
|
90.85
|
|
VMC
87-599
|
211.08
|
199.97
|
97.87
|
Yield performance of HYVs
with season of planting and age
at harvest
CONCLUSION
One of the most economical approaches towards increasing
the yield per unit area is the utilization of high
yielding potential
and disease resistant varieties. In as much as varieties
differ in characteristics, specifically yields in TC/Ha and Lkg/Ha (50kg bag of
sugar per hectare) and reactions to major
diseases, it is highly profitable to identify varieties that are early, medium and late
maturing which
is suitable to the harvest opportunity of the farm area. Presently, the planters are given a
wide choice of new varieties for commercial planting and various
sources to get their desired cultivar. But to narrow it down, establishment
and development of
nursery within the suitable areas where their farm is located, will facilitate
adoption and assure a better yield performance and make profitable sugarcane
farming. Establishment of clustered areas that will be benefited by the nursery
and grouped the possible variety selections suited on the
time of harvest
will define efficiency and secure optimum returns.
With this simple analysis thru the aid of mapping component, farming technology
can be easily understood and transformation of our existing farming system can
be improved.
REFERENCES
[1] Silva, M.A.; Gava, G.J.C; Caputo, M.M.;
Pincelli, R.P.; Jerônimo, E.M.; Cruz, J.C.S. (2007).
8705 Use of Growth Regulators as Boosters of
Tillering and Yield in Ratoon Cane. Bragantia, Vol.66, No.4, (October 2007),
pp.545-552, ISSN 0006- 8705
[2] Ripening and the use of ripeners for better sugarcane
management http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/28429/InTech-.pdf
[3] Vorster, D.J.; Botha, F.C. (1999).
Sugarcane Internodal Invertases and Tissue Maturity. Journal
of Plant Physiology, Vol.155, No.4/5, (April 1999),
pp.470-476, ISSN 0176-1617
[4] Caputo, M.M. (2006)Induction of Maturation
by Chemicals and Its Consequence on the Technological
Quality of Different Genotypes of Cane Sugar. Dissertation (Master in Science
in Crop Production). Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”,
Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba.
[5] Cerbo, et.al. (2009) OPSI Handbook for
Sugarcane Production. La Granja Agricultural and Research Center, Negros
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