RESEARCH

Main Sugarcane Research Station 
Junagadh Agricultural University
Kodinar, Dist. : Junagadh (Gujarat State)

1. To develop early, midlate and late maturing sugarcane varieties suitable for this region in respect of yield of quality parameters.
2. To determine appropriate cultural practices in respect of nutrient management, time of planting, spacing, intercropping etc. for the recommended varieties.
3. Testing centre for oilseeds crops like groundnut, sesamum and sunflower.
4. The locational trials of bajara and wheat are conducted.
5. Maintains and evaluation of germplasm of sugarcane.
6. Seed production programme of all released variety of sugarcane.

1. To evaluate the Coimbatore Canes under different agro-climatic conditions.
2. To work out appropriate sugarcane based cropping system under different farming situation.
3. To develop sugarcane varieties resistance to salinity, drought and water logging conditions
4. To develop production technology under limited water, poor quality of irrigation water and saline soils of coastal area.
5. To identify the pest and diseases its nature of damage and to work out its control measures.
6. To screening the most stable sugarcane variety for South Saurashtra Agro-climatic zone of Gujarat.
7. To find out the nutrient and water requirement of promising varieties of sugarcane.
8. To develop the economical agro-climatic package of practices for sugarcane crop.

1. Farmers of south Saurashtra region are advised to plant sugarcane variety co. 6304 during middle of November (MSRS Junagadh 1990).
    
2. Farmers of middle Gujarat agro-climatic zone should plant sugarcane from November end to middle of January. The crop should be harvested between 11 to 14 months of planting for getting higher cane yield and monetary returns (RSRS, Thasra and MSRS Junagadh 1994).
   
   (B) Seed Production :
    
3. Farmers of Gujarat state are advised to grow new varieties of sugarcane by adopting either 30 days old seedling at 90 cm x 50 cm spacing or by planting two eye budded sets at 90 cm x 50 cm spacing for getting higher seed multiplication ratio and better seed germination (MSRS, Junagadh and RSRS Navsari 1993).
    
4. Farmers of south Saurashtra agro-climatic zone growing sugarcane are advised to plant two budded sets at a distance of 90 cm. between two rows and 80 cm between tow sets within the row to get higher seed multiplication ratio of newly released varieties (MSRS Junagadh 1994).
   
   (C) Spacing and Planting Method :
    
5. The farmers of south Saurashtra heavy rainfall area are advised to plant sugarcane variety co. 6304 at 25 cm in pair and 100-125 cm between pairs with application of 300 kg N/ha. in four splits (15% at planting + 35 % 5 months after planting) along with phosphorus and potash each @ 125 kg/ha. as basal dose for obtaining higher cane and sugar yield as well as better remuneration (MSRS Juangadh and RSRS Navsari 1992).
    
6. The farmers of south Saurashtra agro-climatic zone growing sugarcane variety co. 671 are advised to adopt paired row planting (25 cm between rows and 75 cm between pairs) with the recommended doses of N.P. and K (MSRS Junagadh 1992).
   
   (D) Biofertilizers :
    
7. The sugarcane growing farmers of south Saurashtra are advised to use Azatobacter as a biofertilizer @ 2 kg./ha. before planting of sugarcane as a soil application along with the recommended dose fertilizer to maximize cane yield and higher monetary return. If farmers want to save 25% N, they may apply azotobater biofertilizer to the soil along with 75% N for sustaining sugarcane production (MSRS, Junagadh, 1994).
   
   (E) Weed Management :
    
8. It is recommended to the sugarcane growers of south Saurashtra agro-climatic region that effective weed control can be achieved by covering with sugarcane trash @ 5 t./ha. between the rows. In case of shortage of row material, the weeds can be effectively controlled by pre emergence application of atrazine @ 2 kg.ai/ha. +2.4-D sodium salt @ 1 kg.ai/ha. at 60-70 DAP or by keeping weed free condition up to tillerig phase through manual weeding. These resulted to a net profit of Rs. 9000 to 10000/ha (MSRS, Junagadh, 1990).
    
9. Sugarcane growers of south Gujarat zone are advised to adopt weed control practices by spraying Atrazine @ 2 kg.ai/ha. as pre emergence application followed by 2.4-D salt @ 1 kg.ai/ha. 8-10 weeks after planting or Altrazine alone @ 2 kg.ai/ha. as pre emergence treatment or 2-4-D sodium salt @ 1 kg.ai/ha. + parazuat (Gramozone)@ 0.5 kg.ai./ha. three weeks after planting to get the most economic and effective control of weeds (RSRS, Navsari and MSRS, Junagadh 1992).
   
   (F) Water Management :
    
10. The farmers of south Saurashtra agro-climatic zone are advised to irrigate their crop at an IW/CPE ratio of 1.25 involving 46 irrigations under limited availability of water, the crop may be applied with 39 irrigations (IW/CPE ratio 1.0) or irrigate the crop 34 times at 8-10 days interval using sugarcane trash as mulch (MSRS Junagadh 1991).
     
11. The farmers of south Saurashtra agro-climatic zone growing sugarcane are advised to use drip method of irrigation to obtain highest cane yield (99.64 t/ha) and gross return (77365 Rs/ha) (MSRS, Junagadh, 1994).
     
12. Sugarcane growing farmers of south Gujarat are advised to apply six irrigation to midlate variety co. 6304 at an interval of 20 days after cessation of monsoon. The crop may be supplied with 300 kg. N/ha equal four split at an interval of 75 days for obtaining good quality seed yield (RSRS, Navsari and MSRS, Junagadh, 1994).
    
    (G) Inter Cropping :
     
13. It is profitable to adopt green gram and groundnut in that order as inter crops when sugarcane planting coincides with sowing of these crops. It increases production form the unit area due to the additional of inter crops (RSRS, Kodinar and MSRS Juangadh, 1983).

1. Publication useful to the farmers : Nil
2. Publication useful to the others : Nil

The technology developed at this station is being discriminated to the various extension agencies, farmers in the following ways.

1. Organizing farmer's day at the station
2. Participation in the "Krishi Mela" farmer's days and Agril. Exhibition organized by universities or other agencies.
3. Educating students during Kendra nivas and to farmers during visit of this station.
4. Through TV, Radio broadcasting, literature, press note, personnel and later etc.

1. Yield enhancement and stability in production of different maturity groups.
2. To develop input responsive varieties of sugarcane
3. To use of tissue culture techniques in sugarcane improvement for fast multiplication and diseases pest resistance varieties.

Contact

Research Scientist,
Main Sugarcane Research Station,
Junagadh Agricultural University,
Kodinar, Dist. Junagadh