PJB-2023-139
Rescheduling of conventional crop harvest program based on the performance of national elite and exotic sugarcane cultivars in Pakistan
Muhammad Munir, Farzana Ahmad, Musa K. Baloch, Ahmad K. Baloch, Shahid Afghan, Malik M. Hashim and Salma Shaheen
DOI:10.30848/PJB2025-3(8)
Abstract
Despite occurring at suitable latitude for sugarcane cultivation a significant improvement in sucrose recovery and sugar yield has yet to be achieved in Pakistan. Owing to shortages of sugar and the high cost of production, the country is currently facing a severe sugar crisis. In this study sugarcane genotype and the conventional milling schedule appear largely responsible. Elite as well as exotic cultivars available in the country were cultivated in September 2016 and February 2017 under CRB Design at Chashma Right Bank Canal command area of Dera Ismail Khan KPK, Pakistan. Initially September and February plant crops were evaluated for varietal performance. Juice quality indices that are commonly appraised were measured every two weeks between October to March. Parameters with commercial implications such as varietal productivity, efficient production period (EPP) and cane/sugar yield were also determined. Based on their superior performance, fourteen cultivars were further studied during two subsequent ratoons in 2018-2020. The trend in sucrose recovery was examined from October to March encompassing the period of conventional harvest schedule. The average sucrose recovery was ≥ 9.5% for plant to ratooned crops of all the cultivars covering the period from mid October to mid February. Cultivars HSF-240, CSSG-676, MCP-421, CP-87-1628, CP-77-400, HoSG-2875, CP-72-2086, HoSG-1257 and CP-85-1491 exhibited high EPPs (3.79 to 4.84 months), productivity (11.57-16*10-1) and sugar yields (11.30-13.71 tons/ha) at commendable ranges. Cultivars like CP-80-1827, CPF-243, CP-65-357, Mardan-92 and CPF-246 were less productive and were screened out. The delay in milling is responsible for huge financial loss to farmers, industry and the country at large. Under the conventional harvest schedule (late December to March), only 50% of the crush duration was utilized economically even with outstanding cultivars. The sugar production could double by rescheduling the milling session much earlier. This magnitude could also be enhanced many folds by cultivating superior sugarcane varieties and harvesting them during the most productive period from October to February ending. The study also applies to sugar producing countries, particularly of those locating at subtropical regions worldwide
To Cite this article:
Munir, M., F. Ahmad, M.K. Baloch, A.K. Baloch, S. Afghan, M.M. Hashim and S. Shaheen. 2025. Rescheduling of conventional crop harvest program based on the performance of national elite and exotic sugarcane cultivars in Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot., 57(3): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2025-3(8)
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