Sugarcane

 Bagasse:
This is the fibrousBy products
residue : Raw
left after the sugar
sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract the
juice. It's commonly used as a fuel source in sugar mills to generate steam and
electricity, and it can also be used in the production of paper, pulp and building
materials.
 Molasses:
This thick, dark syrup is a byproduct of the sugar refining process. It's used in a variety
of applications,
including animal feed, fermentation for alcohol production (like rum) and as a
sweetener in baking.
 Filter mud (Press mud):
This is a solid waste material obtained during the clarification of sugarcane juice. It's
rich in
nutrients and can be used as a soil conditioner, fertilizer or in the production of wax,
shoe polish and carbon paper.

Bagasse Pressmud
•Raw sugar is obtained from the processing of the sugar cane
juice extracted from the sugar cane stalks.
•The juice is clarified with lime and subsequently concentrated
to produce massecuites which is a mixture of crystals and
surrounding dense, dark brown liquid called molasses.
•The crystals (raw sugar) are separated from the molasses by
centrifugation.
•Refined sugar is purified white sugar of approximately 99.50
pol, a moisture content of around 0.03% and an colour of less
than 45.

(a) juice, (b) syrup, (c) massecuite from first crystallisation cycle and (d) molasses from first centrifugation cycle. ...
1 tonne = 1000 kg,
100 tonnes = 100000 kg
Sugarcane Juice

•The sugarcane variety for juice should give high in juice extraction and have high
sugar content. Some of the varieties which are ideally suited for bottling of juice are
CoC 671, Co 62175, Co 7717, Co 86032 and Co94012.
•The canes should be cleaned free of roots at the nodes and adhering soil particles.
•It is preferable to remove the rind portion of the cane by suitable means as the
pigments present in the rind contribute to dark colour and unpleasant taste to the
juice.
•The canes should be crushed in clean power operated crusher (preferably with
stainless steel rollers)
•Then juice collected after filtration through muslin cloth into a clean sterilized
stainless steel vessel.
•One medium sized lemon and 2-3g of ginger can be added for every 3kg of cane
while the canes are crushed.
 Gur or Jaggery
The result of the milling process is pure whole unrefined non-centrifugal cane
sugar, called Panela. The earliest modern record of Panela is around 3000BC in
India, where Panela was known as Gur Jaggery, or more commonly today Gur, or
'poor people’s sugar'.
Procedure for Preparation of jaggery:
1. Fresh sugarcanes are cut from the fields, canes are cut in such a way that the
head and tail are chopped off. They are carefully brought in a plastic sack, to
the place where they are made juice.
2. To extract juice from the sugarcane, they use a small power run machine,
where at one side four or five canes are fed, and at the other end, extracted
sugar cane juice is directly feed to the vessel.
3. Next step involved is boiling the extracted juice, juice is feed to a large big
iron vessel, which is usually called as kadai.
Molasses
Molasses is a viscous byproduct of the processing of sugar cane. To make molasses,
the sugar cane juice is extracted from the canes, usually by crushing or mashing; it
can also be removed by cutting. The juice is boiled to concentrate it, which promotes
the crystallization of the sugar. The result of this first boiling and removal of the sugar
crystals is first molasses, which has the highest sugar content because comparatively
little sugar has been extracted from the source. Second molasses is created from a
second boiling and sugar extraction, and has a slight bitter tinge to its taste.
The third boiling of the sugar syrup makes blackstrap molasses. The majority of
sucrose from the original juice has been crystallized, but blackstrap molasses is still
mostly sugar by calories. However, unlike refined sugars, it contains significant
amounts of vitamins and minerals. Blackstrap molasses is a source of calcium,
magnesium, potassium, and iron; one tablespoon provides up to 20% of the daily
value of each of those nutrients. Blackstrap, often sold as a health supplement, is also
used in the manufacture of cattle feed and for other industrial uses.

Bagasse
The bagasse (or the crushed cane fibres), which results from the milling, is used
in the boilers for steam production which is used to power the process. The
surplus bagasse is used in industry, to produce power, make paper, building
materials, as a fuel and even as stock feeds.
Ethanol

Sugarcane can also be used to make ethanol, a liquid that can be used
as an automotive fuel or a gasoline additive. Sugarcane is an
excellent feedstock because the biomass of the sugarcane plant is
relatively rich in the sugar that can be readily turned into fuel. Brazil is
the world’s leading producer of sugarcane ethanol and it is estimated
that upward of 40% of Brazil’s transportation energy needs are met by
sugar cane ethanol.

Filter cake or mud press

Filter cake or mud press is a chocolate, sticky waste during juice

extraction of cane stalks containing 5-15 % protein, calcium and
phosphorus; 5-15 % sugar; 10-30% fiber; 10-20% ash and other
micronutrients. It is a by-product with high potential as important
component of organic fertilizer and animal feed and as source of
sugarcane wax and methane (gas for fuel) when process.
Rum

Rum is a distilled beverage made from sugarcane by products such as

molasses and sugarcane juice by a process of fermentation and
distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak and
other barrels
 2n = 82-
124

2n = 118
Poor yielder
Susceptible to red rot and mosaic
 •Irrigation – cum – drainage
channels along and across
the slope of the field at 10-
15m intervals.

The sugarcane fields are prepared by ploughing 2 to 4 times

at the depth of 50-60 cm with a tractor-drawn disc plough
or victory plough. The land is then harrowed at a shallow
depth of 12-15 cm and crush the clods by disc harrow or
rotavator. This is to pulverize and smoothen the compact
soil.
 North South
35000 three 25000 to
40000
buded setts/ha three buded
setts/ha
16,000 to 24,000 two-budded setts
or 10,000 to 16,000 three-budded
setts per acre.
Distance
60-120 cm
90-150 cm in tropical regions

top one-third of the stalk, especially

from a healthy, disease-free crop,
helps prevent the spread of diseases
and pests.

The top one-third portion of the sugarcane stalk is preferred for planting material (seed cane)
because it contains younger, well-protected buds with higher viability and is rich in
moisture, glucose, and growth-regulating substances. This immature portion also has
shorter internodes, meaning more buds per unit length.
The Rayungan method for sugarcane involves germinating buds on standing cane before planting them in the field. This technique is particularly
useful in areas prone to flooding during monsoon season, where direct planting might be problematic.
The Rayungan method ensures better and faster germination compared to traditional methods of planting setts directly into the soil.
1. Preparation:
A portion of the sugarcane field is designated for Rayungan production. At harvest, the top of the cane is cut off, leaving the lower portion with
buds intact.
2. Sprouting:
These remaining cane sections, with their buds, are kept in the field. The auxiliary buds begin to sprout due to the exposure to sunlight and
moisture.
3. Transplanting:
After about six weeks, when the threat of flooding has passed, the sprouted buds (known as Rayungans) are carefully removed and transplanted
into the main field.
4. Alternative Nursery:
In some cases, Rayungans are also grown in nurseries built in higher areas of the farm.
Benefits:
•Faster Germination:
The Rayungan method significantly improves germination rates compared to direct planting of cane setts.
•Overcoming Flooding:
It's particularly useful in areas where flooding during the monsoon season can hinder germination.
•Improved Planting Material:
The sprouted buds are more likely to develop into healthy plants.
•Faster Multiplication:
The method helps in the rapid multiplication of sugarcane planting material, allowing for quicker distribution to other areas.
Variations:
•Stratified Rayungan Method:
A study explored a stratified Rayungan method, where sprouted buds from different bud positions (9-14, 15-20,
and 9-20) were compared. The results showed that buds from the 9-14 and 15-20 positions produced more
shoots.
 Sugarcane Crop Development
 Sugarcane is a C4 plant with the potential to create enormous amounts of biomass due to
its high efficiency in absorbing solar energy and the most efficient converter of solar
energy. Although it can be challenging to distinguish between each phase’s different
duration, sugarcane has basically four growth phases. The stages of growth are:
 Germination Stage
 The germination stage lasts from planting to the point at which buds have fully
germinated. Germination begins in 7 to 10 days in field conditions and typically lasts for
30 to 35 days. In sugarcane, germination refers to the vegetative bud’s activation and
subsequent sprouting. Both internal and environmental factors can affect how a bud
develops. The soil’s temperature, aeration, and moisture content are considered external
variables. The bud health, sett moisture, sett decreasing sugar concentration, and sett
nutrient status are internal elements.
 Tillering Stage
 Tillering begins around 45 days into the crop’s lifespan and can extend up to 120 days.
Tillering ensures that the crop has the right amount of stalks for a decent harvest.
Numerous elements, including variety, light, temperature, irrigation (soil moisture), and
fertiliser methods, have an impact on it. The most significant external component
affecting tillering is light. During the tillering period, it is crucial that enough light reaches
the sugarcane plant’s base. A physiological process called tillering involves the primary
shoot’s compact nodal joints repeatedly branching underground. Typically, early-formed
tillers produce heavier, thicker stalks. Tillers that have recently formed either die or stay
young or short. The crop’s peak tiller population occurs between 90 and 120 days after
planting.
 Grand Growth Stage
 Only approximately 40 to 50% of the created tillers survive to develop into
canes that can be milled for 120 to 150 days. After that, under ideal
conditions, the stalks grow quickly, nearly at a pace of 4 to 5 internodes every
month. The availability of sufficient water, nutrients, and warm, sunny
weather all contribute to the cane’s ability to elongate. In a 12 months
variety, the grand growth phase can last up to 270 days. The actual cane
development and elongation, as well as the consequent increase in
production, occur during this crucial phase of the crop. In this stage, leaves
are produced often, and they expand quickly.
 Ripening Stage
 The stage of sucrose production and accumulation known as the maturation
and ripening period lasts for roughly three months. The maturing and ripening
stage may be seen as lasting between 270 and 360 days. During this phase,
sugar accumulates quickly and vegetative growth slows down. Simple sugars
(monosaccharides like fructose and glucose) are transformed into cane sugar
(sucrose, a disaccharide) as the fruit ripens. The bottom portion of the cane
contains more sugars than the top portions because cane ripening occurs
from bottom to top. Strong ripening conditions include lots of sunshine, clear
skies, cool nights and warm days (i.e., more diurnal temperature variation),
plus dry weather.
Nitrogen and potassic
fertlizers must be
splited

First – 30-45 DAS

Second – 60-75 DAS
Third – 90-105 DAS
Fourth – 120-135 DAS
Brix value
 Different types of sugarcane can differ greatly in their sucrose levels;
sucrose content can vary from 15% Brix to 23% Brix.
 Sugarcane with a Brix percentage closer to 23% Brix is considered to
produce the highest quality of cane sugar.
 One degree Brix is defined as 1 g of sucrose in 100 g of solution.
 Normally, the content of sugar found in raw cane juice is between 8 and
16 °Bx.
Harvesting of sugarcane at a proper time i.e. peak maturity, by adopting
right technique is necessary to realize maximum weight of the millable
canes (thus sugar) produced with least possible field losses under the
given growing environment. Harvesting either under-aged or over-aged
cane with improper method of harvesting leads to loss in cane yield,
sugar recovery, poor juice quality and problems in milling due to
extraneous matter.
Therefore, proper harvesting should ensure:
•To harvest the cane at peak maturity (i.e., avoiding cutting of either over-
matured or under-matured cane)
•Cutting cane to ground level so that the bottom sugar rich internodes are
harvested which add to yield and sugar
•De-topping at appropriate height so that the top immature internodes are
eliminated
•Proper cleaning of the cane i.e., removing the extraneous matter such as
leaves, trash, roots etc.
•Quick disposal of the harvested cane to factory

Harvesting: Sugarcane matures in 10-12 month in North India and 18-20

month in South India. Brix value is 16-18 in Dec and Jan at or below 200 C.
Different Indicators of harvesting are leaves become yellow, plants stops
growing and arrows come out, cane produces metallic sounds, buds swell out
and eyes start sprouting.
In India harvesting of sugarcane is carried out at
Manual Harvesting
10 to 18 months stage, depending upon the
planting time and crop maturity. Hand knives, cutting blade or hand axes are
In sub-tropics, autumn crop is harvested at
used for manual harvesting. It requires skilled
15 month stage, whereas spring and summer (late-
planted) crops at 10-12 months. Early varieties are labourers as improper harvest of cane leads to
harvested at 10 months stage, mid-late 10-12
loss of cane and sugar yield, poor juice quality
months and late after 12 month stage. In tropical
zone adsali crop is harvested after 16-18 months and problems in milling due to extraneous
stage.
matter.
Covering the harvested cane with trash and
Mechanical harvesting
sprinkling with water both under sun and shade
Sugarcane is harvested by mechanical
harvester which move along the rows of cane reduced the moisture loss and prevented quality
removing the leafy tops of the cane and cutting deterioration. Among the varieties studied,
the stalk into short pieces or "billets". Billets are maximum loss of moisture (5.9%) was recorded by
loaded into bins which are towed alongside the the variety Co 86249 while the varieties Co 94008
harvester. When full, the bins are taken by road or
and Co 85019 have registered minimum loss of
tramway to the sugar mill.The field capacity of
moisture (4.7%).
mechanical cane harvesters varies with the size (2.5 to 4
ha per day of 8 hours.
•. Yield : The average yield of 11 to 12 months old plant crop in northern India ranges
from 400 to 500 quintals of cane.
•A good crop under good management may yield about 800 to 1000 quintals per
hectare.
•The 18 month (adsali) crop in southern India especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
usually give a 1000 to 1200 quintals of cane per hectare.
For ratooning
•Ratoon crop ordinarily give a somewhat lower yield than the plant crop.
1.Collect the trash without burning
2.Stubble shaving for obtaining
uniform sprouting
3.Shoulder breaking for loosening the
soil compaction and cut the old roots
4.Apply additionally 70 kg N/ha as
basal to boost initial growth
5.Ferrous sulphate can be sprayed (5
kg/ha) for correcting the Iron
Chlorosis
Q. Why productivity of sugarcane is higher in south India than rest part of
India?

South India's tropical climate, fertile black soil, and longer crushing season
contribute to higher sugarcane productivity compared to North India. In
2022, Tamil Nadu had the highest sugarcane productivity in India at 100
metric tons per hectare, while Madhya Pradesh had the lowest at 58 metric
tons per hectare.
•Climate: South India's tropical climate is more favorable for sugarcane
growth. Winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal increase the sugar
content in the sugarcane.
•Soil: The black soil of South India is more fertile than the alluvial soil of
North India.
•Crushing season: The crushing season is longer in South India than in North
India.