BJS vol. 35

Effects of Phyto Clarificant as Powder Form on Goor Manufacture 93

80.00 8

75.00 75.20

Sucrose % goor 71.29 7
6.67
RS % goor
70.00 69.05 6.17 6.11 6.32

65.50 64.84 6
5.65
65.00

60.00 T0 T1 T2 T3 T4 5 T1 T2 T3 T4
Treatments T0 Treatments

Figure 1. Sucrose% of goor under different Figure 2. Reducing Sugars% of goor
treatments under different treatments

80.0 6.50

Colour Transmittance 70.0 67.0 6.00 5.79
5.61
pH of goor
60.0 57.0 5.50 5.35 5.22
50.0 5.21
50.0
45.0 46.0 5.00
T4
40.0 T1 T2 T3 4.50 T1 T2 T3 T4
T0 Treatments T0 Treatments

Figure 3. Colour transmittance of goor Figure 4. pH of goor under different
under different treatments treatments

94 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 88-95 June, 2014

8.50 12.00

Moisture % goor 11.00
Recovery % goor
8.00 7.91 10.15 9.91
7.81 7.55
10.00 9.81 9.55 9.57
7.50
7.57 9.00
7.00 T4
T0 7.15

8.00

T1 T2 T3 T0 T1 T2 T3 T4
Treatments Treatments

different treatments Figure 6. Recovery of goor under different
treatments

Powder form phyto clarificant Goor under T0 treatment Goor under T1 treatment

Goor under T2 treatment Goor under T3 treatment Goor under T4 treatment

Figure 7. Photograph of powder form phyto clarificant and gur under different treatments

Effects of Phyto Clarificant as Powder Form on Goor Manufacture 95

REFERENCES
Anjal, S.T. and Tagare, A.G. 1972. Grading of kolhapur goor. Proc. 38th Annual

Convention, Sugar Technologists; Association, India, Kanpur. G105-G113. India
2006.
Arefin, M.S.; Alam, M.R.; Jabber, M.A. and Miah, M.A.S. 2010. Screening sugarcane
clones for goor manufacture. Pakistan J. Sugar., 25(4):17-23.
Arefin, M.S.; Jabber, M.A.; Alam, M.R.; Begum, M.K.; Islam, M.S. and Islam, M.S. 2011.
Goor quality of some sugarcane varieties cultivated under flood stress condition
at Chunarughat. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 32: 132-137.
Gaur, S.L.; Ranadive, S.L. and Jawalekar, D.V. 1979. Effect of sugarcane varieties on the
keeping quality of goor. Indian J. Sugarcane Crop, pp.18-20.
Gopal, A.K.V. and Chiranjivi, R.K. 1959. Studies on the relation of the chemical
composition of cane juice and the quality of jaggery with special reference to the
new Co. canes. Proc. ISSCT. 10: 825-828.
Jabber, M.A.; Ghafur, M.A.; Begum, M.K. and Arefin, M.S. 2005. Maturity status of new
promising sugarcane genotypes and evaluation for goor quality. Bangladesh J.
Sugarcane, 24-27: 41-46
Nath, A.; Dutta, D.; Pawan Kumar and Singh, J.P. 2015. Review on recent advances in
value addition of jiggery based products. J. Food Process Technol., 6:4
Panda, T.C.; Omre, P.K. and Kumbhar, B.K. 2008. Effect of different parameters on
clarification efficiency of mechanical clarifier. J. Techn. Sc., 11:1-10.
Patil, J.P.; Shinde, U.S.; Nevkar, G.S.; Jaswant Singh. 2005. Clarification efficiency of
synthetic and herbal clarificants in quality jaggery production. Sugar Tech., 7(2):
77-81.
Rao, P.J.M. 1984. Administration in the Indian Sugar Industry. Sugar Technol., 52(9): 19.
Roy, S.C. 1954. Monograph on the goor industry of India, pp. 55-64.
Sarker, M.A.A.; Jabber, M.A.; Alam, M.R. and Hoque, J. 1985. Sugarcane variety for goor
production. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 7: 76-78.
Singh, B.; Sareen, K. and Sharma, H.L. 1975. The study of physico-chemical factors for
grading goor of sugarcane varieties in Punjab. Indian Sugar, 24 : 947-949.
Vishal, K. 2003. Studies on centrifugal clarification sugarcane juice. M. Tech. Thesis,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttaranchal,
India.

Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 96-101 June, 2014

Amelioration of Light Textured Soil through Addition of
Ash and Press Mud for Increasing Sugarcane Production

S.S. Tabriz*, A.S.M. Amanullah, M.S. Hossen and M. A. Rahman
Agricultural Engineering Division
Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi-6620, Pabna, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT
The experiment was conducted at Regional Sugarcane Research
Station (RSRS), Thakurgaon during the cropping season 2012-13. Ash and
pressmud, produced from fifteen sugarmills of Bangladesh can be used in the
sugarcane field for increasing production of sugarcane by improving soil health
like physical properties of soil. Using of ash and pressmud may make the mill
environment clean and pollution free. Ash, pressmud and their mixture were
applied to improve water holding capacity and fertility of light textured soil. The
experiment consists of ten treatments-T0: Control (No application of Ash or
pressmud); T1-T3: Application of ash @ 5, 10 and 15 t/ha, respectively; T4-T6:
application of pressmud @ 5, 10 and 15 t/ha, respectively and T7-T9:
application of ash and pressmud mixture (1:1) @ 5, 10 and 15 t/ha,
respectively. Improvement of physical properties of soil in terms of water
holding capacity of light textured soil such as loamy sand through addition of
solid wastes of sugar mills like ash, press mud and their mixture were
determined. Ash and pressmud made the soil loose since bulk density
decreased from 0.90 to 1.28 g cm-3. It also increased porosity from 54.5% to
62.6% and moisture content at field capacity also increased from 45.6% to
57%. Sugarane yield and yield contributing parameters increased significantly
due to application of ash and pressmud. Yield varied from 42.92 t/ha to 63.19
t/ha due to different treatment. Lowest yield was found 43.00 t/ha from
treatment T0 where no ash/press mud was applied. The highest yield 63.33
t/ha was found at treatment T9 when 15 t/ha ash and pressmud mixture (1:1)
was applied. There was no significant difference in brix.
Key words: Ash, pressmud, amelioration, soil health

INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh is a rivarian country, contains near about 230 numbers of rivers and
having huge amount of char land. But the productivity of these lands is very low due to its
poor water holding capacity consequently low irrigation efficiency. Both vertical and
horizontal increase of food production needs to feed the growing population of the
country. By improving its water holding capacity it is possible to increase the irrigation
efficiency as well as productivity of char land. It can be done by mixing ash and pressmud
with sandy soil of char land and that ash and pressmud will be available from rice mill and
sugar mill. The sugar industry releases a number of by-products during the process of
sugar production including bagasse, molasses, boiler ash, mill effluent, and trash. Mill
* Corresponding author: S.S. Tabriz, Senior Scientific Officer
e-mail: [email protected]

Amelioration of Light Textured Soil through Addition of Ash ...... Production 97

mud or filter mud is the solid material left after filtering cane juice while ash is the residue
produced when bagasse is burned in boilers. Sugar mills generate between 0.02 to 0.06
tonnes of mud for each tonne of cane crushed (Chapman, 1996). Anecdotal evidence
suggests that 0.05 tonnes of mill mud and 0.01 tonnes of ash are produced per tonne of
cane crushed on average for Queensland (Barry et al., 1998). The re-use of these by-
products has been of mutual benefit to the farming and milling sectors as well as
supporting the industry’s endeavours to be viewed as clean, green, and responsible
(Barry et al., 2000). Kingston (1999) argued that mill by-products contribute towards
better yield, productivity, and profitability by affecting the physical condition of the soil,
such as reducing bulk density in the surface soil and by raising pH of the surface soil.
BSES (1994) reported on the application of mill mud and ash increased plant cane yield
and the heavy addition of mill mud and ash altered the texture of the soil, turning it from
hard setting to soil which was loose and friable. The moisture holding capacity also
increased substantially resulting in more available moisture for the cane plant. By
increasing the availability of water for the crop, the mill mud and ash mixtures reduced the
effects of salinity on crop growth. The reasons for the yield improvements were described
as complex and linked to the dramatic changes in soil physical characteristics due to the
mill mud and ash applications (BSES, 1994). Mill by-products have also been applied to
normal soils as a cheap source of nutrients. Kingston (1999) found that these mill by-
products reduced bulk density of the surface soil but did not influence pre-harvest soil
moisture content. Filter mud/ash treatments raised pH of the surface soil for the first
ratoon, and in the second ratoon for additional treatments. Cane growth improved with
lower bulk density. Indeed the estimated size of the nutrient resource in mill mud alone
produced by Queensland sugar mills is 7,300 tonnes of nitrogen and 4,500 tonnes of
phosphorus each year. For phosphorus, this represents 60% of the estimated 7,700
tonnes of phosphorus applied as fertilizer to Queensland cane lands in 1994, while a
significant amount of nitrogen is also available (Barry et al., 2000). The re-use of these
by-products have been of mutual benefit to the farming and milling sectors as well as
supporting the industry’s endeavours to be viewed as clean, green, and responsible
(Barry et al., 2000). In this aspect an experiment was designed for increasing water
holding capacity of light textured soil; fertility and productivity of the soil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Site characteristics

The experiment was conducted during the cropping season 2012-13 at RSRS
Thakurgaon under Old Himalayan Piedmont Plain Soils of Bangladesh (AEZ 1). The site is
situated at 26.020 N latitude and 88.470 E longitude. The climate of the location was sub-
tropical. The fractions of sand, silt and clay in the soils were determined by Hydrometer
Method. By plotting the percentage values of these fractions on the Marshall’s triangular
co-ordinate, the textural class of the soil was determined. The soil was loamy sand which
contains 87% sand, 12.68% silt and 0.25% clay.
Treatments and experimental design

The experiment consisted of single factor, application of solid waste of sugar mill
(Ash and Pressmud). Then solid wastes as ash, press mud and their mixture were added
to the soil following the treatments. The experiment was conducted at randomized
complete block (RCB) designed with three replications having ten treatments. The

98 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 96-101 June, 2014

treatments were, T0: Control (No application of Ash or pressmud); T1-T3: Application of
ash @ 5, 10 and 15 t/ha, respectively; T4-T6: application of pressmud @ 5, 10 and 15
t/ha, respectively and T7-T9: application of ash and pressmud mixture (1:1) @ 5, 10 and
15 t/ha, respectively. The plot size was 8m × 6m. Soil samples were collected from each
treatment plot which were dried in air and sieved through 2 mm square mesh sieve and
stored in polyethylene bags for analysis in the laboratory. Three replicated samples for
each treatment were prepared in core samplers of 5 cm diameter and 5 cm height. The
volume of water that drained from a saturated soil core by gravity in 48h was measured.
The gravitational water was calculated from the ratio of the volume of water drained to the
volume of soil and expressed as a percentage. The volume of the soil was calculated
from the diameter and height of the core sampler. The water retained by the soil was
determined by the difference in weight of the sample after the gravitational water was
drained out and that of the oven dry sample. The field capacity was then calculated from
the ratio of the volume of water retained to the volume of the soil and expressed as a
percentage. After measuring the gravitational water and field capacity, the porosity was
calculated by adding the gravitational water and field capacity with the assumption of full
saturation of the soil samples. The bulk density was calculated by the ratio of the mass of
soil to the total volume of the soil. Chemical analysis of ash and pressmud were done.
Sugarcane variety Isd 37 was planted in conventional method. Three budded set were
planted on 12.12.2012 and harvested on 02.02.14. The numbers of irrigation were four.
Fertilizer application and intercultural operation were done properly. Tiller count, millable
cane during harvest, yield and brix % were recorded and analyzed statistically by
statistix10 software.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Physical and hydraulic properties
The average bulk density of soil sample collected from control plot was 1.28

gm/cc. Due to application of ash, pressmud or ash-pressmud mixture @ 5 to 15 t/ha bulk
density was found between the ranged from 0.90 to 1.15 gm/cc, 1 to 1.10 gm/cc and 1.05
to 1.00 gm/cc respectively. So it can mention that bulk density decreased due to the
application of ash, pressmud or ash-pressmud mixture. On the other hand porosity or
saturated moisture content was increased due to the application of ash and pressmud.
Porosity or saturated moisture content of soil sample collected from control plot was
54.5%. Due to application of ash, pressmud or ash-pressmud mixture @ 5 to 15 t/ha
porosity or saturated moisture content was found between 55.5 to 60.0%, 57 to 62.6%
and 55.7 to 59.7% respectively. Moisture content at field capacity was also increased in
different treatments. That was 45.6% for the soil sample collected from control plot.
Moisture content at field capacity ranged 49.8 to 53.0%, 51.3 to 57.0% and 50.1 to 52.4%
due to application of ash, pressmud or ash-pressmud mixture @ 5 to 15 t/ha respectively.
The gravitational water which indicates the macro pore of the soil decreased due to the
application of ash and pressmud. Gravitational water of soil sample collected from control
plot was 8.9%. Due to application of ash, pressmud or ash-pressmud mixture @ 5 to 15
t/ha gravitational water ranged from 5.3% to 7%, 5.1% to 5.7% and 5.6% to 7.3%
respectively. Ash and pressmud increased the organic matter of soil and made the soil
loose since bulk density decreased besides it increased porosity and moisture content at
field capacity. Chapman, 1996 also found that applying ash improved the structure, water
holding capacity, and aeration of soil Table 1.

Amelioration of Light Textured Soil through Addition of Ash ...... Production 99

Table 1. Impact of ash and pressmud on physical properties of sandy soil of RSRS
farm, Thakurgaon

Treatment bulk density Porosity or MC at MC at field Gravitational
T0 (gm/cc) saturated condition% capacity % Water %
T1 1.28 8.9
T2 1.15 54.5 45.6 5.7
T3 0.90 55.5 49.8 7.0
T4 0.91 60.0 53.0 5.3
T5 1.10 58.3 53.0 5.1
T6 1.10 57.1 52.0 5.7
T7 1.00 57.0 51.3 5.6
T8 1.00 62.6 57.0 7.3
T9 1.04 59.7 52.4 5.6
1.05 56.8 51.2 5.6
55.7 50.1

Chemical Properties of the waste materials
Ash was alkaline and pressmud was acidic. As shown in Table 2, the pH of ash

was higher than pressmud. Lerner and Utzinger, 1986; Vance, 1996 also mentioned that
the most beneficial aspect of ash additions to soils is their high pH and therefore their
liming capacity. Ash contained substantial amounts of P, K, Ca, Mg and Si. The
pressmud had a relatively high N content and also contained significant quantities of P,
Ca and Si. The pressmud contains substantial amounts of CaCO3, and with the filtered
impurities, it constitutes a valuable fertilizer/liming material as well as an organic
amendment (Alexander, 1971; Roth, 1971; Moberly and Meyer, 1978).

Table 2. Some chemical properties of the waste materials

Waste pH N Total element content (%)

P K Ca Mg Si OC*

Bagasse Ash 7.5 0.11 0.47 0.48 4.6 0.52 8.5 1.0
20
Pressmud 6.0 2.34 0.62 0.56 1.0 0.40 3.1

*OC=Organic carbon

Sugarcane yield and yield contributing parameter
Sugarcane yield and yield contributing parameters were varied significantly under

different treatment combination Table 3. Yield ranged from 43.00 t/ha to 63.33 t/ha due to
different treatment. Lowest yield was found 43.00 t/ha from treatment T0 where no
ash/press mud was applied. The number of tiller and millable cane was highest at
treatment T6 (T6=15 t/ha press mud) but the final yield was highest at treatment T9 (T9=15
t/ha Ash+PM(1:1)). There is evidence that cane yield increased following application of
mill mud (Chapman, 1996; Kingston, 1999). Kingston (1999) compared sugar mill ash
applications and a filter mud/ash mixture with various green cane trash management
strategies to ameliorate hard setting of the fine sandy loam surface of a gleyed podsolic
soil in the Isis District, Queensland. There was no significant different in brix. Hossain

100 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 96-101 June, 2014

et al. 2009 also found that ash and pressmud increase cane yield significantly but there is
no significant different in brix.

Table 3. Yield and yield contributing parameters under different treatments in
RSRS farm, Thakurgaon during 2012-2013

Treatment Tiller Millable cane Brix % Cane Yield
T0 (x103ha-1) (x103 ha- 1) (tha-1)
T1 21.27 43.00
T2 80.8 72.7 20.93 53.33
T3 122.8 82.3 21.40 53.00
T4 115.4 77.8 20.88 55.00
T5 118.8 84.4 21.13 54.00
T6 105.3 82.4 21.02 59.33
T7 123.1 81.4 20.35 55.33
T8 129.2 90.3 20.71 53.00
T9 110.1 82.0 20.53 57.67
112.92 81.1 20.60 63.33
LSD 5% 115.1 85.6 6.415
14.7 9.00 NS

Sugar mills’ solid waste, ash and pressmud make the soil friable and improve soil
health. Thus sugarcane yield and yield contributing parameters increased significantly by
applying ash or pressmud or mixture of them. Application of 10-15 tha-1 ash and
pressmud mixture to light texture soil is beneficial for optimum yield of sugarcane. But
there is no significant effect on brix percent of cane. With proper management of ash and
pressmud it is possible to make the industrial area clean and green.

Amelioration of Light Textured Soil through Addition of Ash ...... Production 101

REFERENCES
Alexander, K.E.F. 1971. Analyses of filter cake from South African sugar mills. Proc. S.

Afr. Sug. Technol. Assoc., 45: 149-151.
Barry, G.A.; Price, A.M. and Lynch, P.J. 1998. Some implications of the recycling of sugar

industry by-products. In: Proceedings of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane
Technologists Conference, Ballina, pp. 52-55.
Barry, G.A.; Rayment, G.E.; Bloesch, P.M. and Price, A. 2000. Recycling sugar industry
by-products and municipal bio-solids on cane lands, in Bruce, R.C, Johnstone, M.
and Rayment, G.E. (eds), Environmental short course for sustainable sugar
production: Course Manual. Working Paper, Cooperative Research Centre for
Sustainable Sugar Production, Townsville.
BSES. 1994. Salting effects reduced by mill mud, BSES Bulletin, No. 46, April, pp. 10-11.
Chapman, L.S. 1996. Australian Sugar Industry by-products recycle plant nutrients", in
Hunter, H.M.; Eyles, A.G. and Rayment, G.E. (eds), Downstream Effects of Land
Use, Department of Natural Resources, Brisbane.
Hossain, G.M.A.; Bokhtiar, S.M.; Alom, K.M.; Paul, G.C. and Kabir, M.L. 2009.
Contribution of rice mill ash and pressmud with inorganic fertilizers on the
productivity of sugarcane. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane , 31:18-24.
Kingston, G. 1999. A role for silicon, nitrogen and reduced bulk density in yield responses
to sugar mill ash and filter mud/ash mixtures, Proceedings of the Australian
Society of Sugar Cane Technologists Conference, Townsville, pp. 114-121.
Lerner, B.R and Utzinger, J.D. 1986. Wood ash as a soil liming material. Hort. Sci., 21: 76-
78.
Moberly, P.K. and Meyer, J.H. 1978. An evaluation of poultry manure as a sugarcane
fertiliser. Proc. S. Afr. Sug. Technol. Assoc., 45: 136-141.
Roth, G. 1971. The effects of filter cake on soil fertility and yield of sugarcane. Proc. S.
Afr. Sug. Technol. Assoc., 45: 142-148.
Vance, E.D. 1996. Land application of wood-fired and combination boiler ashes: an
overview. J. Environ. Qual., 25: 937-944.

Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 102-107 June, 2014

Paired Row System of Sugarcane Cultivation with Chilli as
Intercrop under Tista Meander Flood Plain Soils

S.M.R. Karim1*, M.A. Razzak2, M.N. Kashem1, S. Islam3 and M.H. Rahman4
1Training and Technology Transfer Division, 2Agronomy & Farming Systems Division
3Soils and Nutrition Division, 4On-farm Research Division
Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi-6620, Pabna, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted at farmers’ field of Joypurhat Sugar
Mills area during the cropping season 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 to find out
the suitability of chili as intercrop with paired row sugarcane for higher
economic return in Tista Meander Floodplain Soils. Chilli varieties BARI Marich
1 and a local variety named Bogra Marich were used as intercrop. Significantly
highest cane yield of 124.85 tha-1 and chilli yield of 3.7 tha-1 were produced in
the treatment T2 (PRC + 2 lines chilli BARI Marich) which resulted the highest
gross return 3,93,250 Tk.ha-1 with BCR of 3.14 in the cropping season 2012-
2013 and in the cropping season 2013-2014, significantly highest cane yield of
126.87 tha-1 and chilli yield second highest of 3.2 tha-1 were produced in the
treatment T3 (PRC + 2 lines chilli local variety Bogra Marich) which resulted the
second highest gross return 3,67,850 Tk.ha-1 with BCR of 2.94. No significant
variations were found in brix percent among the treatments in both the
cropping seasons. The highest total adjusted yield of 157.3 tha-1 and 149.4
tha-1, respectively was found in T2 (PRC + 2 lines BARI Marich) treatment in
both the cropping season 2012-13 and 2013-14 which was Tfo3ll(o1w4e7d.1tbhya-T1)4,
(150.5 tha-1) in cropping season 2012-13 and in 2013-14
respectively. The results of the experiment suggested that for higher economic
return intercropping two lines of chilli (BARI Marich 1) with paired row
sugarcane might be practiced at Joypurhat district under Tista Meander
Flood Plain Soils.

Key words: Sugarcane, paired row cane, millable cane, intercropping, chilli

INTRODUCTION
Intercropping is an economic and unique approach of getting additional farm
income and high agricultural production per unit area from same piece of land.
Sugarcane is a long duration crop which requires 12-14 months from planting to
harvesting. Bangladesh is an over populated country with low land man ration and high
population growth rate. The average farm size is Bangladesh is about 0.5 hectare per
house hold (BBS, 2009). Our poor farmers can’t effort to invest their land for such a long
period and they like to get an interior benefit. Due to many factors including growing of
short duration high value vegetables and other crops the sustainability of long duration
sugarcane is at threat. Short duration winter crops like potato, garlic, onion, tomato,
cabbage, chilli and mustard are grown in vacant space to get an additional crop with
minimum investment without affecting of main crop sugarcane (Ali et al., 1989, Kabir,
* Corresponding author: S.M.R. Karim, Scientific Officer
e-mail: [email protected]

Paired Row System of Sugarcane Cultivation with Chilli as ........ Soils 103
1988). This is more acute in high land where most of short duration crops grow well
including sugarcane. To meet the situation, strategies are to be evolved to increase
sugarcane yield, income and benefit in totality per unit area. Yadav and Verma (1984)
have reported that intercropping of other crops with sugarcane was found profitable,
particularly in the sub-tropical region of India. The growth of sugarcane is slow in earlier
stages and it takes about 3 to 5 months to establish the full canopy of the crop (Yadava,
1991). During the early stage of sugarcane growth, some short duration crops can be
grown as intercrop in the vacant spaces between two cane rows. In Bangladesh, only 15
to 20 percent areas are intercropped while in Mauritius, about 70 to 77 percent cane

areas are intercropped mainly with potato and tomato (Iman et al., 1990 and Anon.,
1986). Successful intercropping of various crops with sugarcane has been reported by
many researchers (Rathi et al., 1974; Behli and Narwal, 1977; Verma et al., 1981; Imam
et al., 1990).

Sustainable sugarcane cultivation and to meet national requirement for sugar and
goor, it is utmost necessary to find the possible ways of increasing economic benefit from
sugarcane cultivation. Intercropping of various economic important crops eg., winter
vegetables with sugarcane through utilization of our present limited resources as well as
improved modern technologies might solve this problem to a greater extent. Usually, one
line of winter crops is intercropped in between two single rows of sugarcane and this
system of conventional intercropping could not give satisfactory intercrop yield in most of
the cases. To overcome this problem, paired row system of sugarcane plantation has
been developed at BSRI to facilitate higher intercrop population and raising more
intercrops. Paired row facilitates growing more than one intercrop by providing adequate
space, light, air, water and nutrients for their proper growth. It does not adversely affect
the cane yield because of availability of equal number of cane clumps as in the case of
single row. Roach (1977) found that the most significant yield increase (15-29%) over
conventional spacing has been reported from planting two rows of cane at 40-50 cm
apart leaving 150 cm between two such paired rows for growing intercrops. Chilli is one
of the important spices crops of Bangladesh which is rich of vitamin C. Nationally we are
deficit in spices production. The soil and climate of Bangladesh are favorable for quality
chilli production.

More production of chilli is essential for fulfilling the country demand. In Joypurhat
under AEZ 3 (Tista Meander Floodplain Soils) area farmers cultivated local variety (Bogra
Marich) in winter season and sometimes cultivate year round. Bangladesh Sugarcrop
Research Institute has recommended several intercrop combination after intensive
studies at research station and at farmers’ field. But much less effort has been given to
implement the recommendations of BSRI or even to select the most suitable intercrop
combination to be practiced by the farmers in particular agro climatic and edaphic
conditions. However, an attempt has been made to study paired row system of
sugarcane cultivation with chilli as intercrop at Joypurhat region under AEZ 3 with
following objectives: (i) observing the suitability of chili as intercrop with sugarcane, (ii)
popularizing chili as intercrop with paired row sugarcane cultivation and (iii) finding the
BCR of chilli as intercrop.

104 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 102-107 June, 2014

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted at farmers’ field at Aima Rasulpur under
Joypurhat district during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 cropping seasons. The site
represents Tista Meander Flood Plain Soils under Agro-Ecological Zones 3. BARI Marich
1 and a local variety (Bogra Marich) were used as chilli varieties. The experiment was laid
out following Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with four replications. The unit
plot size was 6m × 6m. The treatments were as follows:
T1: Paired row cane only
T2: PRC + Chilli (BARI Marich 1) - 2 lines
T3: PRC + Chilli (Local variety as Bogra Marich) - 2 lines
T4: PRC + Chilli (BARI Marich 1) - 3 lines
T5: PRC + Chilli (Local variety as Bogra Marich) - 3 lines

Cane variety Isd 39 was planted at 45 cm inter-plant spaces on well prepared
trenches in paired row on 02 December, 2012-13 and 05 December, 2013-14
respectively. The trenches were made at 140 cm distance. Chilli seedlings were planted
in according to the treatment. For sugarcane and intercrops, fertilizers were applied
following the recommended rates (BARC, 2005). Pest management and necessary
intercultural operations were done according as and when needed. Data on number of
tiller, millable cane, yield, brix percent and intercrop yield were recorded for sugarcane.
Cane equivalent yield of intercrops and the adjusted cane yield were also calculated.
Total production cost, gross return, gross margin and benefit cost ratio were calculated
for economic analysis of chilli intercropping with paired row sugarcane.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Number of tillers (000’ ha-1)
In the cropping season 2012-13, the highest (201.60 × 103 ha-1) tiller population
was counted in T4 where 3 lines chilli (BARI Marich 1) were intercropped with paired row
sugarcane followed by T3 treatment 2 lines chilli (Local variety as Bogra Marich) with PRC
(194.50 × 103 ha-1) and the lowest (189.10 × 103 ha-1) in T5 treatment where 3 lines chilli
(Local variety as Bogra Marich) were intercropped with PRC. In the cropping season,
2013-14, there was no significant difference in number of tillers. However, the highest
number of tillers was found in treatment T2 (193.19 × 103 ha-1).

Number of millable cane (000’ ha-1)
In the cropping season 2012-13, the highest number of millable cane (89.62 ×
103 ha-1) was lroewceosrdt e(8d1f.r4o3m×T140w3hheare-1)3inlinTe3strcehaitlmli (eBnAt RwIhMeraeri2chlin1e)swcehrielliin(Lteorccarol vpapreiedtywaiths
PRC and the
Bogra Marich) were intercropped with PRC. In the cropping season 2013-14, there was
no significant difference in number of millable cane among the treatments.

Cane yield (tha-1)
In the cropping season 2012-13, cane yield varied significantly different
intercropping treatments Table 1 and the highest cane yield (124.85 tha-1) was found in
T2-2 lines chilli (BARI Marich 1) were intercropped with PRC followed by T4 where 3 lines
chilli (BARI Marich 1) were intercropped with PRC (119.09 tha-1). The lowest (106.10
tha-1) cane yield was recorded from the treatment T1 (paired row cane only). In the

Paired Row System of Sugarcane Cultivation with Chilli as ........ Soils 105

cropping season 2013-14, the highest cane yield (126.87 tha-1) was found in T3-2 lines
chilli (Local variety as Bogra Marich) were intercropped with P(1R2C3.f6o7llotwhead-1)b. yTTh2ewhloewrees2t
lines chilli (BARI Marich 1) were intercropped with PRC
(108.45 tha-1) cane yield was recorded from the treatment T1 (paired row cane only).

Brix (%)
No significant variations were found in case of brix % among the treatment of the

experiment in both the cropping seasons 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Table 1. Yield and yield attributes of sugarcane as affected by chilli intercropping
practices at Aima Rasulpur, Joypurhat district during 2012-13 and 2013-14

Tiller Millable cane Cane yield Brix %
(×103 ha-1) (×103 ha-1) (t ha-1)
Treatments
2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14

T1 193.10 b 189.37 82.89 b 101.20 106.10 d 108.45c 20.16 18.33
T2 192.30 bc 193.19 83.93 b 103.00 124.85 a 123.67ab 20.45 18.57
T3 194.50 b 188.58 81.43 b 101.17 112.49 b 126.87a 20.17 18.43
T4 201.60 a 187.35 89.62 a 97.83 119.09 a 119.86 b 20.41 18.43
T5 189.10 c 190.97 83.38 b 98.43 110.41 c 120.97ab 19.77 18.33
LSD (0.05) 4.62
NS 5.32 NS 6.45 6.95 NS NS

In a column, figures with similar letters do not differ significantly at 5% level

Adjusted cane yield (tha-1)
In the cropping season 2012-13, the highest adjusted cane yield (157.3 tha-1)
bwloyawsTe4sretwc(ho1er0dr6ee.1d3tfrhlioname-1s)Tac2hd-2ijlulilsin(tBeedAsRccaIhniMlleia(yrBiiceAhldR1Iw)Mawaserrirceehcino1tr)edrwecderorfepropimnetdetrhwceritohtprePpaeRtdmCwe(ni1tth5T0P.15R(Cpthaafior-e1l)ldo. wTroehwde
cane only).
In the cropping season 2013-14, the highest adjusted cane yield (149.43 tha-1)
was recorded from T2-2 lines chilli (BARI Marich 1) were intercropped with PRC followed
b(1y47T.314whtheare-1)2. lines chilli (Local variety as Bogra Marich) were intercropped with PRC
The lowest (108.45 tha-1) adjusted cane yield was recorded from the
treatment T1 (paired row cane only). From the findings it might be concluded that raising
intercrop influenced cane yield and other yield contributing factors but found profitable
compared to sole sugarcane grown in farmer’s field in the experiment plots. In Joypurhat
area generally local variety (Bogra Marich) cultivate by the farmers but production is not
satisfactory. On the other hand, in case of BARI variety farmers got satisfactory result in
both the cropping seasons.

106 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 102-107 June, 2014

Table 2. Intercrop yield, cane equivalent yield of intercrop and adjusted cane yield
affected by chilli intercropping practices at Aima Rasulpur, Joypurhat
district during 2012-13 and 2013-14

Treatments Intercrop yield Cane equivalent yield of Adjusted cane yield
(tha-1) intercrop (tha-1) (tha-1)
T1: Paired row cane
T2: PRC + Chilli 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14
(BARI Marich 1) - 2 lines --
T3: PRC + Chilli - - 106.10 c 108.45 c
(Local variety) - 2 lines 3.70 3.40
T4: PRC + Chilli 51.20 40.90 157.30 a 149.43 a
(BARI Marich 1) - 3 lines
T5: PRC + Chilli 2.60 3.20 36.50 38.70 142.60 b 147.14 ab
(Local variety) - 3 lines
LSD (0.05) 3.20 2.70 44.40 32.90 150.50 a 141.30 b

2.60 2.70 36.30 33.00 142.40 b 141.45 b

- -- - 8.12 7.6334

In a column, figures with similar letters do not differ significantly at 5% level

Price: In cropping seasons 2012-13 and 2013-14, Chilli: 35 Tk kg-1 and 30 Tk
kg-1, respectively and Sugarcane: 2.50 Tk kg-1 in both the cropping seasons.

Economic analysis

In the cropping season, 2012-13 the highest gross return (3,93,250 Tk. ha-1),
gross margin (2,58,250 Tk. ha-1) and BCR (3.14) was recorded from T2 where 2 lines
chilli (BARI Marich 1) were intercropped with PRC followed by T4 where 3 lines chilli
(BARI Marich 1) were intercropped with PRC {Gross return (3,79,250 Tk. ha-1), gross
margin (2,36,250 Tk. ha-1) and BCR (2.91)}. The lowest BCR (2.52) economic return was
recorded from the treatment T1 (paired row cane only) (Table 3). The total production
costs were different due to variation of cost of production of sugarcane and intercrop, as
a result gross return, gross margin and BCR also different among the treatments.

In the cropping season, 2013-14 the highest gross return (3,93,575 Tk. ha-1),
gross margin (2,38,575 Tk. ha-1) and BCR (3.14) was recorded from T2 where 2 lines
chilli (BARI Marich 1) were intercropped with PRC followed by T3 where 2 lines chilli
(Local variety as Bogra Marich) were intercropped with PRC {Gross return (3,67,850 Tk.
ha-1), gross margin (2,32,850 Tk. ha-1) and BCR (2.94)}. The lowest economic return
(BCR 2.58) was recorded from the treatment T1 (paired row cane only).

Paired Row System of Sugarcane Cultivation with Chilli as ........ Soils 107

Table 3. Economic analysis of chilli intercropping with paired row Sugarcane at
Aima Rasulpur, Joypurhat district during 2012-13 and 2013-14

Treatments Total cost Gross return Gross margin Benefit cost ratio
T1: PRC only (Tk. ha-1) (Tk. ha-1) (Tk. ha-1) (BCR)
T2: PRC + Chilli 2012-13 2013-14
(BARI Marich 1) - 2 1,05,000 1,05,000 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14
lines 2,65,250 2,71,125 1,60,250 1,66,125 2.52 2.58
3.14 3.14
1,25,000 1,25,000 3,93,250 3,93,575 2,58,250 2,38,575

T3: PRC + Chilli 1,25,000 1,25,000 3,56,500 3,67,850 2,21,500 2,32,850 2.85 2.94
(Local variety) - 2 1,30,000 1,30,000 3,79,250 3,53,250 2,36,250 2,13,250 2.91 2.71
lines 1,30,000 1,30,000 3,56,000 3,53,625 2,16,000 2,13,625 2.73 2.71
T4: PRC + Chilli
(BARI Marich 1) - 3
lines
T5: PRC + Chilli
(Local variety) - 3
lines

Sugarcane and chilli was the favorite crop in Joypurhat area during winter and
summer season. But no substantial data on intercropping has been generated with these
crops in intercropping situation. Thus the results of the experiment suggested that for
higher economic return intercropping two lines of chilli (BARI Marich 1) with paired row
sugarcane might be practiced at Joypurhat district under Tista Meander Floodplain Soils.

REFERENCES

Ali, M.; Hossain, A.H.M.D.; Imam, S.A. and Shaheen, M. 1989. Row adjustment of
sugarcane on the yield of intercropping cane and potato. Bangladesh J.
Sugarcane, 11: 78-82.

Anonymous. 2009. Statistical Yearbook of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics,
Statistics Division, Ministry of Planning, Government of Peoples’ Republic of
Bangladesh, Dhaka.

Anonymous. 1986. Digest of Agricultural Statistics, Central Statistical Office, Ministry of
Economic Planning and Development, Port Louis Mauritius.

Behli, K.L. and Narwal, S.S. 1977. To study the feasibility of intercropping of rabi crops in
autumn planted sugarcane. Indian Sugar, 27: 23 26.

Imam, S.A.; Hossain, A.H.M.D.; Sikka, L.K. and Midmore, D.J. 1990. Agronomic
management of potato-sugarcane intercropping and its economic Implications.
Field Crops Research, 25: 111-122.

Kabir, M.H. 1988. Economics of intercropping with sugarcane in some selected areas of
North Bengal Sugar Mills zone. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 10: 81-86.

Rathi, K.S.; Tripathi, H.N. and Singh, D. 1974. Studies on intercropping rabi crop in
autumn planted sugarcane. Indian Sugar, 24: 201-205.

Roach, B.T. 1977. Evaluation effects of double row planting of sugarcane. In Proc. Soc.
Sugarcane Technol., 4 : 131-137.

Verma, R.S.; Motiwale, M.F.; Chauhan, R.S. and Tewari, R.K. 1981. Studies on
intercropping spices tobacco with autumn sugarcane. Indian Sugar, 31: 451-456.

Yadava, R.L. 1991. Sugarcane production technology -constraints and potentialities.
Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. 66 Janpath, New Delhi. 110001.

Yadav, R.L. and Verma, R.P.1984. Transfer of the intercropping techniques to sugarcane
growers. Indian Sugar Crops J., 10: 1-2.

Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 108-117 June, 2014

Loss Assessment of Sugarcane due to Attack of Stem
Borer

M.A. Rahman1*, M.Z. Alam2, M.R.U. Miah2, M.E. Reza1 and M.N.A. Siddiquee1
2 Professor, Entomology Department, BSMRAU, Gazipur
1 Entomology Division

Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi-6620, Pabna, Bangladesh
ABSTRACT

An experiment was undertaken to screen 10 recommended
sugarcane varieties namely Isd 31, Isd 32, Isd 33, Isd 34, Isd 35, Isd 36, Isd
37, Isd 38, Isd 39 and Isd 40 against stem borer, Chilo tumidicostalis Hampson
infestation under field conditions during 2009-2010 at Bangladesh Sugarcane
Research Institue farm, Ishurdi, Pabna. A negative linear relationship was
observed between stem borer infestation with rainfall 71% (R2=0.711) and
temperature 47% (R2=0.473). Positive correlation was found between stem
borer infestations with relative humidity 36% (R2=0.367) and bright sunshine
6% (R2=0.060). The highest recovery loss 2.64% was found in Isd 34 and
lowest recovery loss 0.10% in Isd 40 when 10 % infestation was considered.
The highest weight loss 10% was found in Isd 36 when 9.66% weight loss was
found in Isd 34 and lowest weight loss 0.21% in Isd 35 when 10 % infestation
was considered. The results revealed that loss in recovery and weight due to
stem borer infestation different for different varieties and should that losses
was increased with the increase in insect infestation.
Key words: Sugarcane, loss assessment, stem borer

INTRODUCTION
Sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum L. production in Bangladesh is affected by
different insect pests. Among them, stem borer is the major insect pest responsible for its
considerable damage (Rao and Rao, 1965). In Bangladesh, about 70 species of insect
pests have so far been identified and reported to feed on sugarcane (Anon., 1973-78;
1992). Alam (1967) reported that insect pests alone caused damage ranging from 20-
60% under the field conditions. Among various factors, insect pests inflict considerable
losses which are estimated to be around 20% in cane yield and 15% in sugar recovery
(Avasthy, 1983). These pests of sugarcane are grouped into borers, sap suckers, leaf
feeders and underground feeders according to their feeding or dwelling nature. Among
the pests the most damaging insect is stem borer, Chilo tumidicostalis Hampson. Due to
the primary infestation, top leaves completely dry up and infested plant is visible from a
distance. Copious red colour frasses ooze out from the bored holes. Aerial roots come
out profusely from the nodes adjacent to the damaged internodes. At late infestation
stage, the grown up larvae come out and migrate to the neighboring canes to cause
secondary infestation. The secondary infested canes show the entry holes with oozing
* Corresponding author: M.A. Rahman, Principal Scientific Officer
e-mail: [email protected]

Loss Assessment of Sugarcane due to Attack of Stem Borer 109

out excreta and saw dust like damaged tissue. Aerial roots are initiated after secondary
infestation. Due to their infestation, heavy losses in yield incurred every year which are
estimated to be 8.2-12.6% by SB (Khanna et al., 1957). Different pest management
tactics viz., cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods have been
recommended to control stem borer. Among these, farmers of Bangladesh are mostly
practiced chemical control (Alam et al., 2005). But recommended chemical pesticides are
not always available, expensive and sometimes do not give desirable results. Moreover,
these create environmental hazards. Continuous use of pesticides (sub lethal dose)
causes resistance to the target pest. Plant resistance is an important management
strategy in most sugarcane growing regions around the world against stem boring
pyralids (Mathes and Charpentier, 1969). In Louisiana, plant resistance is included as a
component of the sugarcane IPM programs against sugarcane borer for successful
management strategy of the pests (Bessin et al., 1990). In practical agriculture,
resistance represents the ability of a certain variety to produce a crop of good quality
than other varieties under the same level of insect infestation and comparable
environment. So, effective control of the pest demands some new approaches which do
not rely exclusively on chemicals, reduce the use of chemicals and safe guard the
environment. The resistant crop plant can provide the basic foundation on which
structures of IPM can be built (Panda and Khush, 1995). Use of resistant varieties seems
to be the most important method of pest management. As most of the major sugarcane
pests are monophagous, there is a good scope for their control by developing resistant
sugarcane varieties. Selection of insect resistant variety is the first step towards insect
management (Bessin et al., 1990 and Keeping, 2006). Clones having potential of high
sugar yield with considerable tolerance to major insect pests attack would be more
economic to cultivate by the sugarcane growers in Bangladesh. Therefore, the present
study was undertaken to find out the weight and recovery loss caused by stem borer
attack at different infestation levels as affected in ten latest released sugarcane varieties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experimental site and duration

The experiment was conducted in the experimental farm of Bangladesh
Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI), Ishurdi, Pabna during the cropping season of 2009-
2010 under a Ph. D. work. The location of the site was 24.80 North latitude and 89.40 East
longitudes with an elevation of 15.5 m from sea level (Anon., 2010-11). The experimental
site represents the high Ganges Flood Plain Soils under the AEZ 11. The climate of the
experimental site is subtropical characterized by heavy rainfall during May to October and
scanty during the rest of the year. The air temperature, humidity, rainfall and sunshine
during the study were collected from the meteorological station of BSRI, Ishurdi, Pabna.
Design and layout of the experiment

Design of the experiment was RCBD with three replications. The unit plot size
was 5 m x 5 m. Each of the unit plots was separated by 1m and block to block distance
was 2 m. Every unit plot had 5 rows with 35 setts placed in each row. The total numbers
of setts per plot were 175.

110 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 108-117 June, 2014

Fertilizer application

Recommended doses of manure (Cowdung @ 10 t ha-1) and fertilizers viz., urea,
triple 1s8u9pearnpdh1o0spkhgahtea,-1m, ruersiapteectoivf eployt(aBsAh,RgCy,p2s0u1m2)a.nTdheZnuSreOa4 were applied @ 326, 250,
180, was applied in three equal
splits, the first split at the settling establishment stage, the second at tiller completion
stage (90 DAP) and the third at grand growth phase (180 DAP). Full amount of TSP,
gypsum and one third of MP were applied in trenches and thoroughly mixed with soil prior
to sett placing. The rest amount of potash fertilizer and urea was applied as first and
second top dressing at 90 DAP and 180 DAP (days after planting), respectively.
Fertilizers as top dressing were applied at root zone in furrows prepared on both sides of
cane rows and then covered with soils. Intercultural operations such as irrigation,
weeding, mulching, thinning were done throughout the cropping season for proper growth
and development of the plants following hand book of Rahman and Pal (2003). Other
agronomic practices were done as per Matin et al. (1998).

Recording insect pest infestation

Infestation of sugarcane stem borer was recorded monthly during the period from
July to October. The total numbers of plants were counted and percent infestation by a
particular insect species of stem borer was calculated. The percent effectiveness was
calculated by the following formula:

% Infestation = B × 100
A

Where, A= Number of total cane, B = Number of borer infested cane
The percent efficacy was calculated by using the following formula:

% Effectiveness = Control Treated × 100
Control

Estimation of weight loss

The weight loss of the plants due to the attack of insect pests was recorded at
harvested. The data was collected from the 5 m × 5 m plot. Plants were separated into
two groups including the healthy and infested. Ten plants were selected randomly. The
weights of healthy and infested plants were measured separately. Healthy and infested
plants were weighed after cutting elongated plants into small pieces and were placed on
the balance. The weight loss was estimated by the following formula:

Weight loss (%) = AB × 100
A

Where, A = Weight of healthy cane, B = Weight of borer infested cane
No pest control measures were applied. At harvest, samples of 10 canes were collected
containing uniformly infested and healthy canes comprising 0-100% infested cane. The
investigation consisted of 11 infestation levels including one standard. The infestation
levels were calculated as the mean of three replications. Weight and sugar recovery of
cane were taken for statistical analysis for comparison.

Loss Assessment of Sugarcane due to Attack of Stem Borer 111

The levels of infestation for each of the study pest including stem borer were as follows:
L0: 0% infested cane (10 healthy canes)- (standard)
L 1: 10% infested cane (9 healthy canes + 1 infested cane)
L 2: 20% infested cane (8 healthy canes + 2 infested canes)
L3: 30% infested cane (7 healthy canes + 3 infested canes)
L4: 40% infested cane (6 healthy canes + 4 infested canes)
L5: 50% infested cane (5 healthy canes + 5 infested canes)
L6: 60% infested cane (4 healthy canes + 6 infested canes)
L7: 70% infested cane (3 healthy canes + 7 infested canes)
L8: 80% infested cane (2 healthy canes + 8 infested canes)
L9: 90% infested cane (1 healthy cane + 9 infested canes)
L10: 100% infested cane (10 infested canes)

Data collection and statistical analysis
Data on different parameters related to percent stem borer infestation, percent

recovery loss, percent weight loss and yield contributing attributes were recorded. Data
on the stem borer, Chilo tumidicostalis Hampson was taken by counting the total number
of sugarcane and the number of stem borer infested sugarcane per plot and percent
infestation was recorded during the period from July to October, 2010. At harvest yield
data by weight per plot were recorded. The infestation of the insect pest was expressed
in percent, based on total number of sugarcane and infested cane (number/number) and
yield (w/w) of sugarcane using the following formulae:

Percent infestation of stem borer = Number of borer infested sugarcane
× 100

Total number of sugarcane

The cumulative yield (kg per plot) of healthy as well as infested sugarcane was
computed. The final yield was expressed in t ha-1. All the data collected and computed
were analyzed statistically. The collected data were statistically analyzed using the
“Analysis of variance” (ANOVA) technique and the means were separated by using the
Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) with the help of computer MSTAT-C programme
(Gomez and Gomez, 1984). Data on borer infestation was recorded by counting total and
infested canes for individual plot and the borer percent infestation, recovery loss and
weight loss percent were computed for interpretation and discussion of the results.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Relationships of percent stem borer infestation with weather factors
A negative linear relationship was observed between sugarcane stem borer

infestation and rainfall (Figure 1A). This suggests that stem borer population is
dependent on the rainfall and more than 71% (R2=0.711) of variation in the stem borer
population can be explained by the variation of rainfall. So, it indicates that the stem
borer population decreased with decreased rainfall.
A negative linear relationship was observed between sugarcane stem borer infestation
and temperature (Figure1C). This suggests that stem borer population is dependent on

112 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 108-117 June, 2014

the temperature and more than 47% (R2=0.473) of variation in the stem borer population
can be explained by the variation of temperature. So, it indicates that the stem borer
population decreased with decreased temperature.
A positive linear relationship was observed between % sugarcane stem borer infestation
and percent relative humidity (Figure 1B). This suggests that stem borer population is
dependent on the relative humidity and more than 36% (R2=0.367) of variation in the
stem borer population can be explained by the variation of relative humidity. So, it
indicates that the stem borer population increased with the increase of relative humidity.

Figure 1. Relationship of sugarcane stem borer infestation with (A) average rainfall, (B)
average relative humidity, (C) average temperature (0C) and (D) bright
sunshine (hours) at BSRI farm, Ishurdi, Pabna during the cropping season
2009-2010

Loss Assessment of Sugarcane due to Attack of Stem Borer 113

A positive linear relationship was also observed between sugarcane stem borer
infestation and bright sunshine (Figure 1D). This suggests that stem borer population is
dependent on the relative humidity and only more than 6% (R2=0.060) of variation in the
stem borer population can be explained by the variation of bright sunshine. So, it
indicates that the stem borer population increased slowly with the increase of bright
sunshine.
Kalra (1967) also reported the strong relationship of rainfall, relative humidity and
temperature the incidence of higher stem borer infestation of sugarcane. Atwal and
Sidhu (1967) also observed positive performance of climatic factors on the population
buildup of sugarcane stem borers.
Percent recovery loss due to SB infestation

The percent loss of recovery ranged from 0.10 to 2.64%. Loss of recovery at 10%
infestation was the highest (2.64%) in Isd 34 which was close to Isd 36 (2.54%). The
lowest recovery loss (0.10%) was found in Isd 40. In case of 30% infestation, the highest
recovery loss (11.26%) was observed in Isd 34 followed by Isd 32 (11.09%). The lowest
recovery loss was found in Isd 38 and Isd 39 (1.29%). The loss of recovery varied from
1.29% to 11.26%. In case of 50% infestation level, the highest recovery loss (14.26%)
was obtained from Isd 34 followed by Isd 32 (14.04%). The lowest recovery loss was
found in Isd 39 (2.47%). The loss of recovery ranged from 2.47% to 14.26%. In case of
100% infestation level, the highest loss of recovery (41.32%) was observed in Isd 34
followed by Isd 40 (40.85%). The lowest (21.18%) recovery loss was found in Isd 39. The
percent loss of recovery varied from 21.18 to 41.32%. From the above discussion, 10%
infestation in Isd 31 the loss of recovery was (0.32%). In 50% infestation it was 8.95%
and at 100% it was 31.84% (Table 1). With the increasing of percent infestation the
percent loss of recovery increased. Same trend was evident in other tested sugarcane
varieties. Gupta and Singh (1951) reported that loss in sugar recovery ranged from 1.7 to
3.70 units at 29% infestation of internodes by stalk borer, Chilo auricilius Dudgeon in
India. Begum et al. (2006) reported that sucrose loss of 2.97 units was observed in Isd
16 due to stem borer, Chilo tumidicostalis Hampson infestation.
Weight loss due to SB infestation

Loss in weight at 10% infestation was the highest (10.00%) as obtained in Isd 36
followed by Isd 34 (9.66%). The lowest percent loss in weight (0.21%) was found in Isd
35. The loss in weight ranged from 0.21 to 10.00%. At 30% infestation level, the highest
percent loss in weight (26.08%) was observed in Isd 34 followed by Isd 38 (26.05%). The
lowest percent loss in weight (12.02%) was found in Isd 35. The percent loss in weight
ranged from 12.02 to 26.08%. At 50% infestation level, the highest (37.97%) percent loss
in weight was recorded in Isd 33 followed by Isd 36 (35.54%). The lowest percent
(21.62%) loss in weight was found in Isd 39. The percent loss in weight ranged from
21.62 to 37.97%. At 100% infestation level, the highest percent (72.52%) loss in weight
was observed in Isd 36 followed by Isd 35 (69.63%). The lowest percent (48.17%) loss in
weight was found in Isd 39. The percent loss in weight ranged from 48.17 to 72.52%. At
10% infestation in Isd 31 weight loss was 5.30%. In 50% infestation it was 23.60% and at
100% it was 62.63% (Table 2). So, when the percent infestation increased the percent
loss in weight was also increased. Abdullah and Sardar (1995) reported 18.4% weight

114 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 108-117 June, 2014

loss in Isd 16 due to borer infestation over healthy cane. These results are to some
extent comparable with the results of present study. Alam et al. (2006); Begum et al.
(2006), Abdullah and Sardar (1995), Rao and Krishnamoorthy (1973) and Gupta and
singh (1951) e valuated sugarcane varieties like Isd 34, Isd 31 and Isd 33 against major
insect pests of sugarcane also studied on different varieties. But none of them found
completely resistant against this minacious insect pest like SB. However, varieties
moderately tolerant against sugarcane stem borer was found studies continued and still
to get such varieties which may be used as a component of IPM. In the present study
may be categorized as varieties like Isd 38, Isd 39 and Isd 40 were obtained. Studies are
necessary to find out possible reason(s) responsible for this kind of tolerance and exploit
for stem borer control.

From the above study it revealed that among the latest ten released sugarcane
varieties Isd 40, Isd 39 and Isd 38 showed comparatively higher tolerance and Isd 34 and
Isd 31 expressed higher susceptibility to sugarcane stem borer. Recovery loss and weight
loss due to stem borer infestation were different at different levels of infestation of those
varieties and if decreased with the decreasing rate of insect infestation. Varieties Isd 38,
Isd 39 and Isd 40 may be recommended for safer commercial cultivation in Bangladesh
especially in stem borer prone areas.

Table 1. Percent loss in sugar recovery due to different levels of stem borer infestation in different latest
commercial released sugarcane varieties at BSRI farm, Ishurdi, Pabna, 2009-2010

Different levels Percent loss in recovery due to stem borer infestation
of infestation
Isd 31 Isd 32 Isd 33 Isd 34 Isd 35 Isd 36 Isd 37 Isd 38 Isd 39 Isd 40
0% infestation - - - -
10 % infestation - -- - --
20 % infestation 0.32 0.61 0.54 0.10
30 % infestation 2.02 2.34 0.97 2.64 0.45 2.54 0.11 0.17 1.18 3.02
40 % infestation 5.96 11.09 1.29 6.44
50 % infestation 8.31 12.92 5.16 3.25 1.07 5.50 2.84 0.94 1.94 6.94
60 % infestation 8.95 14.04 2.47 11.87
70 % infestation 9.48 14.95 6.32 11.26 5.82 7.28 7.53 1.29 3.44 25.45
80 % infestation
90 % infestation 17.15 22.78 7.75 12.12 6.36 11.42 7.86 1.37 4.52 28.97
100 % infestation 19.91 24.52 4.84 37.32
LSD (0.05) 22.15 29.70 8.90 14.26 7.16 12.44 11.68 3.52 14.62 38.23
CV (%) 31.84 34.38 21.18 40.85
1.762 1.730 9.62 15.88 9.13 14.30 11.90 5.23 NS 1.777
12.45 12.20 11.92 12.83
13.27 18.05 14.68 17.85 12.45 10.46 Loss Assessment of Sugarcane due to Attack of Stem Borer 115

14.87 19.58 14.95 18.19 14.41 10.55

15.49 21.30 25.51 20.39 15.94 19.30

27.60 41.32 26.86 25.89 23.03 21.53

1.729 1.765 1.800 1.772 1.644 1.768

10.05 11.23 10.54 10.04 11.69 9.55

Table 2. Percent loss in weight due to different levels of stem borer infestation in different latest released
commercial sugarcane varieties at BSRI farm, Ishurdi, Pabna, 2009-2010

Different levels Percent loss in weight due to stem borer infestation
of infestation
0% infestation Isd 31 Isd 32 Isd 33 Isd 34 Isd 35 Isd 36 Isd 37 Isd 38 Isd 39 Isd 40
10 % infestation - - - - -
20 % infestation - - - --
30 % infestation 5.30 2.00 6.81 6.88 9.23
8.55 5.72 18.21 9.66 0.21 10.00 6.18 9.16 8.50 18.66
40 % infestation 17.40 7.94 18.89 13.36 25.87
15.74 10.94 18.15 14.22 19.45
50 % infestation 17.70 15.59 36.70 16.35 31.34
60 % infestation 26.08 12.02 19.12 22.04 26.05
23.60 22.05 37.97 21.62 33.62
70 % infestation 28.22 24.05 44.21 26.23 32.40 34.66 23.08 27.16 23.64 40.70

80 % infestation 38.05 31.92 55.50 35.35 32.73 35.54 29.78 29.13 30.36 47.70

90 % infestation 48.57 38.16 59.10 35.84 44.21 44.95 36.93 35.56 30.93 47.87

100 % infestation 58.70 44.32 63.29 40.76 54.93 55.33 44.68 38.30 30.76 50.39

LSD (0.05) 62.63 53.97 65.92 43.15 63.19 65.33 44.38 42.25 48.17 64.80
CV (%)
1.411 1.567 1.509 43.68 63.84 65.05 50.11 44.04 1.526 1.644
11.32 8.80 13.69 9.18 11.51
66.60 69.63 72.52 60.53 62.55

1.555 1.538 1.243 1.378 1.442
11.39 14.89 11.52 8.63 10.42

116 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 108-117 June, 2014

REFERENCES
Abdullah, M. and Sardar, M.M. 1995. Abundance and damage estimation of borer pests

of sugarcane. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 17: 133-135.
Alam, M.A; Biswas, M.M; Begum, M; Rahman, M.A. and Abdullah, M. 2005.

Effectiveness of different cartap insecticides in controlling stem borer and their
effect on the yield of sugarcane. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 24-27: 11-15.
Alam, M.A.; Biswas, M.M.; Abdullah, M. and Jabber, M.A. 2006. Loss assessment due to
attack of borers in sugarcane. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 28: 19-23.
Anonymous. 1973-78. BSRI Annual Report, 1973-78. Sugarcane Research and Training
Institute, Ishurdi, Pabna. Annual Report, 1973-78. pp. 123-142.
Anonymous. 1992. BSRI Annual Report, 1992. Bangladesh Sugarcane Research
Institute, Ishurdi, Pabna. Annual Report, 1992. pp. 87 -96.
Anonymous. 2010-2011. Annual Weather Report, 2010-2011. BSRI. Meteorological
station. BSRI, Ishurdi, Pabna. pp. 138-145.
Atwal, A.S. and Sidhu, A.S. 1967. Influence of some of the climatic factors on the
population of sugarcane borers. Trop. Ecol, 7: 94-99.
Avasthy, P.N. 1983. Insect pest management for sugarcane in India. In: Sugarcane Pest
Management in India (Ed. M. Balasubramanian and A.R. Solayappan). Tamil
Nadu Co-operative Sugar Federation, Madras. pp. 71-77.
BARC. 2012. Fertilizer recommendation guide. Published by BARC, New Airport Road,
Farmgate, Dhaka-l215. pp. 79-185.
Begum, M.; Islam, K.S.; Abdullah, M. and Alam, M.A. 2006. Estimation of losses caused
by major insect pests in some sugarcane clones. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 24-
27: 70-77.
Bessin, R.T.; Moser, E.B. and Reagan, T.E. 1990. Integration of control tactics for
management of the sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Louisiana
sugarcane. J. Econ. entomol., 83: 1563-1569.
Gomez, K.A. and Gomez, A.A. 1984. Statistical Procedure for Agricultural Research, John
Willey and Sons. New York, Brisbane. Singapore. pp. 139-240.
Gupta, B.D. and Singh, K.G. 1951. Biology of sugarcane stem borer, Chilo auricilius
Dudgeon in uttar Pradesh. J. Agric. Agric. Husb., 2: 12-20.
Kalra, A.N. 1967. Studies on incidence and behavior of some major sugarcane pests in
relation to weather and climatic condition. Indian Sugar, 17: 175-180.
Keeping, M.G. 2006. Screening of south african sugarcane cultivars for resistance to the
stalk borer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). African
Entomology, 14: 277-288.
Khanna, K.L.; Nigam, L.N. and Puri, V.D. 1957. Stem borer, Chilo tumidicostalis
Hampson, a serious pest of sugarcane in Bihar. Proc. Indian. Acad. Sci. (B), 46:
75-95.
Matin, M.A.; Hossain, M.A.; Oyo, K.; Hossain, A.H.M.D.; Rahman, M.K. and
Moslemuddin, S.M. 1998. Critical period for weed management in sugarcane.
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Mathes, R. and Charpentier, L.J. 1969. Varietal resistance in sugarcane to stalk moth
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Mathes [eds.], Pests of Sugar Cane. Elsevier, New York.

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Panda, N. and Khush, G.S. 1995. Host plant resistance to insects. CAB international in

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Rahman, A.B.M. and Pal, S.K. 2003. Sugarcane production technologies in Bangladesh.

A Hand book. Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI), Ishurdi, Pabna.
pp. 554 - 566.
Rao, Mohan, K.R. and Rao, D.V.S. 1965. Insect pest of sugarcane in Andhra Pradesh.
Golden Jubilee Souvenir. State Res, Stn., Anakapalle. pp.95-105.
Rao, Seshagiri and Krishnamoorthy, B.H. 1973. Studies on loss in yield of sugarcane due
to stem borer, Chilo tumidicostalis. Indian Sugar, 22:867-868.

Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 118-123 June, 2014

Comparative Performance of Different Planting Materials of
Sugarcane at Farmers Field in High Ganges River
Flood Plain Soils

M. A. Razzak1*, M.A.T. Sohel1, A.K.M.R. Islam1, M. Kamruzzaman2, M.J. Alam1, H. P.
Roy1 and M.S. Rahman1
1 Agronomy and Farming Systems Division, 2 Agricultural Economics Division

Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi-6620, Pabna, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT
The experiment was conducted at farmer’s field of Muladuli, Ishurdi,
Pabna, Bangladesh to study the comparative performance of different planting
materials of sugarcane considering on growth, yield and sugar content during
2012-13 cropping season. There were five treatments of this experiment viz.,
conventional two and three budded setts, one budded soil bed settlings, two
budded soil bed settlings and polybag settlings. The one budded soil bed
settlings, two budded soil bed settlings and polybag setttlings were planted as
spaced transplanting (STP) system and two budded and three budded setts
were planted conventionally. The results revealed that highest number of tiller
(155 × 103 ha-1), number of millable cane (96 × 103 ha-1), cane yield (110 tha-1),
and brix % (21) were obtained from the treatment where polybag settling was
used as planting materials followed by two budded soil bed settlings. In
economic point of view, the highest gross margin (1,39,500 Tk.ha-1) and
benefit cost ratio (BCR) 2.37 was found in polybag settlings . The results
indicate that, polybag settlings planted in STP system might be used to
cultivate sugarcane for higher yield, quality and economic benefits.
Key words: Sugarcane, planting materials, millable cane, brix%

INTRODUCTION
Sugarcane is one of the most important cash crops in Bangladesh, but the
average cane yield (49.20 tha-1) is too low in context of world average (64.40 tha-1)
sugarcane yield (Anwar et al., 2004). The potentiality of cane yield can not be obtained in
Bangladesh due to low germination, gapped plant stand, inappropriate plant population
and uneven interplant competition in the currently practiced sugarcane planting systems.
Tiller production and degree of its survivability linked with planting techniques (Miah and
Sarkar, 1982; Rahman et al., 1987). Planting material is the most important input to
determine the yield and quality of any crops. In Bangladesh, sugarcane farmers generally
use three budded sett as planting material. It requires about 16% more cost of cultivation
due to higher amount (7-8 tha-1) of seed cane. Nearly 10-15% of the cane yield is utilized
as planting material in conventional system of cane plantation (Yadava, 1993).
Germination of cane in this method is very low, resulting in lower plant population and
*Corresponding author: M.A. Razzak, Scientific Officer
e-mail: [email protected]

Comparative Performance of Different Planting Materials ..... Soils 119

ultimately causes lower yield. On the other hand, three budded sett plantation require
more seed cane compare to Spaced Transplanting (STP). STP planting method saves
nearly 4 tones in seed per hectare and seed multiplication ratio is 1:40 in STP method
over 1:10 in conventional system of cane planting (Yadava, 1993). In order to minimize
the germination failure or gapped in sugarcane field STP will be the better option to
ensure optimum plant population for higher yield. The technique showed better
performance than traditional technique. In STP techniques different types of settlings viz.
single budded soil bed settling, two budded soil bed settling, polybag settling, are
transplanted in the field with conventional two and three budded setts. The present
experiment was conducted to select suitable planting materials of sugarcane at farmer
field.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experiment was conducted during 2012-13 cropping season at farmer’s field
of Muladuli, Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh under irrigated condition to study the
comparative performance of different planting materials of sugarcane. The site of this
experiment represents the High Ganges River Flood Plain Soil under agro- ecological zone
11 with medium high land of sandy loam soil having pH 7.6. The experiment comprised of
five treatments such as:

T1 : Conventional 3 budded setts
T2 : Conventional 2 budded setts
T3 : One budded soil bed settlings
T4 : Two budded soil bed settlings
T5 : Polybag settlings
The experiment was laid out following randomized complete block design (RCBD) with
four replications. The unit plot size was 8m × 6m. Sugarcane variety Isd 39 was used in
this experiment. Row to row distance was 1m and plant to plant distance varied upon the
treatments. In conventional system, setts were planted in end to end method and in STP
system settlings were planted at 30 cm distance. The experiment was set up on 25
November, 2012 and harvested on 10 December, 2013. Chemical fertilizers like Urea,
TSP, MP, Gypsum and ZnSo4 were applied @ 325, 250, 180, 190 and 10 kg ha-1,
respectively following the recommendation of Handbook on Sugarcane Technologies
(Basher et al., 2012). Pest management and other intercultural operations like irrigation,
gap filling, weeding, mulching, earthing-up and tying were done according to the
requirement. Data on germination (%), tiller population (at 150 days after planting),
millable cane, yield, sugar percentage were recorded. The collected data were analyzed
by using Computer Package Programme MSTAT-C and the significance of the mean
differences was adjudged by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test with 5% level of probability.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Germination/establishment percent

Germination (%) of sugarcane setts from conventional three budded setts (T1),
two budded setts (T2) and establishment (%) for the one budded soil bed settling (T3), two
budded soil bed settlings (T4) and polybag settling (T5) were significantly influenced by

120 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 118-123 June, 2014

the planting materials. Conventional three budded setts (T1) showed 44.5% and
conventional two budded setts (T2) showed 48.4 % germination while the T3, T4 and T5
demonstrated 88.5, 94.2 and 96.5% establishment, respectively (Figure 1).

Germination/establishment % 120 88.5 94.2 96.5
100

80 48.4
60 44.5
40

20

0
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5

Planting materials
T1 : Conventional 3 budded setts, T2 : Conventional 2 budded setts,
T3 : One eyed soil bed settlings, T4 : Two eyed soil bed settlings
T5 : Polybag settlings

Figure 1. Germination/establishment % of different planting materials of sugarcane

Number of tiller (000’ ha-1)
Number of tiller was significantly varied due to different planting materials (Table

1). The tiller dynamics of sugarcane under different planting/transplanting materials
showed that tiller population increased in spaced transplanted system of sugarcane
plantation. The highest tiller population of (155.7 × 103 ha-1) was recorded from the
treatment where settlings raised in polybag were transplanted following STP method
followed by two budded soil bed settlings (141.7 × 103 ha-1) were used as planting
materials of sugarcane. On the other hand, the lowest number of tiller (120.3 × 103 ha-1)
was found from T1 (conventional 3 budded setts) which is statistically similar with T2
(Conventional two budded sett). Rahman et al. (1994) studied that spaced transplanted
(STP) showed higher synergistic effect on tiller production. Inter-plant competition and
unevenly distribution of solar radiation in conventionally raised crop tend to reduce
tillering and also results in higher shoot mortality. In STP planting system, stalk
population exceed 1.2 lakh per hectare (Yadava, 1993).
Number of millable cane (000’ ha-1)

The number of millable cane stalks at harvest was also significantly influenced by
the planting materials (Table 1). The highest millable cane stalks (96.0 × 103 ha-1) was

Comparative Performance of Different Planting Materials ..... Soils 121

obtained from the polybag settling and the lowest was in T1 (74.0 × 103 ha-1) treatment
where three budded sett was used as planting material of sugarcane following
conventional plantation method. The number of millable cane was found comparatively
higher in spaced transplanted planting materials (polybag and soilbed settlings) might be
due to higher tiller produced earlier as compare to conventional method. The reasons for
lower number of millable cane production in conventional planting technique might be due
to poor germination of bud of sugarcane. The similar results were also found from Kabir
et al. (2003), Khan et al. (1998) and Imam et al. (1993).
Table 1. Tiller population, millable cane, cane yield and brix % of sugarcane using

different planting materials at farmers field, 2012-13

Treatments Tiller Millable Cane Brix
(×103 ha-1) cane yield (%)
(tha-1)
T1: Conventional three budded sett 120.3 d (×103 ha-1) 18.00 b
T2: Conventional two budded sett 123.0 d 78.00 d 19.00 ab
T3: One budded soil bed settlings 131.3 c 74.00 d 80.33 d 20.00 ab
T4: Two budded soil bed settlings 141.7 b 78.00 cd 90.00 c 19.33 ab
T5: Polybag settlings 155.7 a 82.67 c 95.67 b 21.00 a
LSD (0.05) 5.844 89.33 b 110.0 a
96.00 a 5.141 1.922

5.793

Cane yield
The yield of sugarcane depends on germination or establishment %, number of
tiller populations, number of millable cane. Cane yield varied due to different treatments
(Table 1). The highest cane yield (110 tha-1) was found in T5 (polybag settling) while the
lowest yield (78 tha-1) was in T1 where conventional three budded setts were used as
planting materials of sugarcane. About 40 % yield enhancement was investigated where
polybag settlings were used as planting material over conventional three budded sett.
Higher cane yield in spaced transplanted technique (polybag settling) was achieved due
to higher number of settlings establishment, uniform tiller production and conversion of
tiller to millable cane. The yield increase due to the use of polybag technique is in
agreement with the findings of Khan et al. (1998); Rahman et al. (1994) and Imam et al.
(1993). In STP method uniform crop stand, with higher unit stalk weight favor higher cane
yield per unit area and the cumulative yield benefit under STP could range from 20-25 %
in high yield areas and over 50 % in low yield regions (Yadava, 1991).

Brix percent
Sugar percent (Field brix %) more or less similar in the treatments where different

planting materials were used as planting materials of sugarcane. The highest brix % (21)
was found in T5 (polybag settling) which was statistically more or less similar (19 to 20)
with the soil bed settlings and two budded sett. The lowest brix % (18) was noted in T1
(conventional 3 budded setts). Minimum lodging and lower incidence of pest and
diseases in STP method helps to increase sugar percent in sugarcane (Yadava, 1993).

122 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 118-123 June, 2014

Cost and return
Economic performance of different planting materials is presented in table 2.
Results reveal that total cost was higher (97,000 Tk. ha-1) in T5 where Polybag settlings
was used as planting material followed by T4 (94,000 Tk. ha-1) where two budded soil bed
settlings was 2u,s0e5d,.69T0heTks. ahma-e1),tgreroastms emnatsrgi(nT5(1a,3n9d,5T040) also gave higher gross return
(2,36,500 and and 1,11,690 Tk. ha-1) and BCR
(2.37 and 2.14), respectively. The lowest economic return was recorded in T1 where
conventional three budded sett was used as planting material. Furthermore, both spaced
transplanted (Polybag and soil bed settligs) materials were found economically superior
compare to conventional planting materials for sugarcane cultivation. The similar
economic results were also supported by the work of Alam et al. (2011).

Table 2. Cost and return of sugarcane using different planting materials

Treatments Total cost Gross Gross Benefit
(Tk. ha-1) return margin cost
T1: Conventional three budded sett 92,000 (Tk. ha-1) (Tk. ha-1) ratio
T2: Conventional two budded sett 90,000 1,67,700 75,700 1.81
T3: One budded soil bed settlings 91,000 1,72,710 82,710 1.92
T4: Two budded soil bed settlings 94,000 1,93,500 1,02,500 2.06
T5: Polybag settlings 97,000 2,05,690 1,11,690 2.14
Price of sugarcane: 2150.00 Tk. t-1 2,36,500 1,39,500 2.37

From the above results it can be concluded that higher number of tiller, number of
millable cane, cane yield, and sugar percentage were recorded in spaced transplanting
technique (polybag and soil bed settling) compare to conventional planting materials. So,
Spaced Transplanting (STP) systems (polybag and soil bed settling) might be used to
cultivate sugarcane for higher yield, quality and earning more income.

REFERENCES

Alam, M.J.; Rahman, M.K.; Hossain, M.S.; Islam A.K.M.R. and Sohel, M.A.T. 2011. Study
on different planting materials of sugarcane. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 32: 1-6.

Anwar, M.S.; Walayat, H.; Khan, A. and Chattha, A.A. 2004. Integrated management of
sugarcane diseases and insect in Pakistan. In Proceedings of the international
symposium on sustainable sugarcane and sugar production technology, 2004.
Nanning, P. R. China. pp. 471-486.

Bashar, M.K.; Talukder, M.I.; Rahman, M.K. and Pal, S.K. 2012. Handbook on sugarcane
technologies. Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute, Ishurdi, Pabna,
Bangladesh. pp. 92-93.

Imam, S.A.; Hossain, A.H.M.D.; Ali, M.; Matin, M.A.; Rahman, M.K. and Shaheen, M.
1993. Comparative performance of different STP techniques under irrigated
condition. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 12-15: 108-111.

Comparative Performance of Different Planting Materials ..... Soils 123
Kabir, M.L.; Saddiqui, S.A.; Hossain, M.S.; Alam, M.J. and Rahman, M.K. 2003.

Comparative performance of different planting techniques of sugarcane.
Progress. Agric, 14 (1&2): 7-9.
Khan, N.U.; Pal, S.K. and Hossain, A.H.M.D. 1998. Comparative performance of different
planting and transplanting techniques of sugarcane under irrigated and rainfed
conditions. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 18-20: 61-64.
Miah, M.A.S. and Sarkar, M.A.A. 1982. Effect of artificial defoliation and stalk binding on
the cane quality. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 4: 51-53.
Rahman, A.B.M.M.; Matin, M.A. and Ali, M.Y. 1987. Tillering and productivity of autumn
and summer transplanted sugarcane. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 9: 1-8.
Rahman, M.K.; Hossain, A.H.M.D. and Alam, M.J. 1994. Impact of spaced transplanted
sugarcane in the FSR site Ishurdi. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 16: 100-104.
Yadava, R.L. 1991. Sugarcane production technology (constrains and potentialities).
Oxford & Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., 66 Janpath, New Delhi, India. p. 99.
Yadava, R.L. 1993. Agronomy of sugarcane (principles and practices). International Book
Distribution Co., Lucknow, India. pp. 42-45.

Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 124-130 June, 2014

On-farm Evaluation of Promising Sugarcane Clones in
Different Agro-Ecological Zones

M.L. Kabir1, M.A. Rahman1, M.H. Rahman1, *H.M. Al-Amin1, H.P. Roy2, M.I. Hossain3,
and M.R. Islam1
1 On-farm research Division, 2 Agronomy and Farming Systems Division
3 Pathology Division

Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi-6620, Pabna, Bangladesh.
ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted in farmers’ field at Chunarughat,
Joypurhat, Kushtia and Chuadanga under irrigated condition during 2012-2013
cropping season to evaluate the performance of promising sugarcane clones in
different Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ). Five sugarcane clones namely I 39-04,
I 223-06, I 310-06, I 347-06, Isd 18 (T2) along with variety Isd 39 as check
were included as factor one and four different locations were considered as
factor two. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design
(RCBD) with three replications. The results revealed that both clones/variety
and different locations had significant effect on all parameters like tiller
population, millable cane population, yield and brix %. Among the clones and
variety, the highest number of tiller and millable cane population was observed
from clone I 223-06, I 347-06, Isd 18 (T2) and variety Isd 39. The highest cane
yield and brix(%) was attained from variety Isd 39 followed by clone I 223-06
and I 39-04. Among the four different locations, the highest number of tiller and
millable cane was observed at Chuadanga and Kushtia but the highest cane
yield was recorded at Joypurhat and the highest brix (%) was recorded at
Chunarughat. Although the variety Isd 39 performed better in respect of yield
and brix (%), clone I 223-06, I 347-06, Isd 18 (T2) also performed well in few
locations. So, these three clones can be trialed again to develop as varieties.
Key words: Sugarcane clone, tiller, millable cane, brix (%), yield

INTRODUCTION
The varieties of sugarcane developed by Bangladesh Sugarcane Research
Institute do not perform equally in all agro-ecological zones (Miah et al., 1994). The
sugarcane yield of a particular variety depends upon the heredity potential of the
genotype and the environment where it is exposed during the course of its life cycle.
Variety of a crop plays an important role as regards to the yield and quality, sugarcane is
no exception (Anon.,1978). Sugar industries in Bangladesh continuously need high
yielding and high sugar varieties. After a considerable period of cultivation sugarcane
varieties show a tendency to decline in yield and vigor (Barnes, 1954 and Humbert, 1959).
It is an obscure and puzzling problem to scientists, growers and processors. To maintain
high yielding character, it is necessary to replace varieties every few years with new
clones (Poehlman and Barthakur, 1959). Yield trial of newly developed promising clones

* Corresponding author: H.M. Al-Amin, Scientific officer
e-mail: [email protected]

On-farm Evaluation of Promising Sugarcane Clones in ..... Zones 125

in the different agro-ecological zones especially in the farmer’s field is deemed imperative
before releasing as varieties for commercial cultivation. So it is necessary to ensure the
performance of a promising clone in particular locations before recommendation.
Performance of promising clones under farmers’ condition is required to submit at the
National Seed Board (NSB) for approval as commercial varieties. Therefore, the present
study was undertaken to ascertain the performance of promising clones for the process of
variety release.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted at four locations namely Chunarughat (Hobiganj,
AEZ 30), Chuadanga (AEZ 11), Kushtia, (AEZ 11) and Joypurhat (AEZ 3) during the
cropping season 2012-13. It was a factorial experiment. Five sugarcane clones namely I
39-04, I 223-06, I 310-06, I 347-06 and Isd 18 (T2) along with variety Isd 39 as standard
(check) were included as factor one and four different locations were considered as factor
two. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with
three replications. Each location was divided into 18 unit plots where the treatment
combinations were allocated at random. There were altogether 72 plots in the experiment.
The area of each unit plot was 8m x 6m where row to row and plant to plant distance
maintained 1m and 45cm respectively. The experiment was established from first week to
fourth week of November 2012 in all the locations following bag settlings. Urea, Triple
super phosphate (TSP), Muriate of potash (MOP) and Gypsum were used as the source
of N, P, K and S respectively. All fertilizers were applied as per BARC fertilizer
recommendation guide, 2005. Full amount of TSP, Gypsum and one third of MOP were
applied in trenches and thoroughly mixed with soil prior to settlings plantation. One third
of Urea was applied as side dressing at 21 days after transplanting. The rest of MOP and
Urea were applied in two equal splits at early tillering stage and late tillering stage of
sugarcane. Intercultural operations were done when required. Data on different
parameters were taken in the month of February, March, May, September, December
and January. The cane at different locations was harvested last week of December 2013
to second week of January 2014. Statistical analyses were done and mean values were
compared using least Significant difference (LSD) at 5% level of probability (Gomez and
Gomez, 1984).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Tiller Significant difference in tiller population was observed among the clones and

variety. From table 1 it is observed that the highest tiller population was obtained from
clone I 223-06 (182.04 x103 ha-1) which was statistically similar with clone I 347-06
(176.04 x103 ha-1) and variety Isd 39 (171.62 x 103 ha-1) while the lowest tiller population
was observed from clone Is1d0318h(aT-12)) (153.52 x 103 ha-1) which was statistically similar with
clone I 310-06 (156.39 x and I 39-04 (159.61 x 103 ha-1). Variation in tiller
production among the different clones/varieties was also reported by Miah et al. (1994)
and Rashid et al. (2001).

126 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 124-130 June, 2014

Table 1. Effect of clones/varieties on tiller, millable cane, yield and brix % of
sugarcane

Clones/Variety Tiller Millable cane Yield Brix %
(x103 ha-1) (x103 ha-1) (t ha-1)
I 39-04 159.61bc 96.79c 81.06bc 20.59b
I 223-06 182.04a 106.40a 82.49b 20.36bc
I 310-06 98.76bc 78.47cd 19.28d
I 347-06 156.39c 105.44a 77.99d 20.17bc
Isd 18(T2) 176.04a 106.83a 77.39d 19.73cd
Isd 39 153.52c 103.74ab 95.29a 21.68a
LSD (0.05) 171.62ab 6.48 3.02
CV (%) 7.65 4.48 0.69
12.13 4.13
8.86

* Figures in a column having the same letter do not differed significantly as per DMRT

A significant difference in tiller population was found in different locations (Table
2). The highest tiller was observed at Chuadanga (216.16 x 103 ha-1) which was
statistically similar with location Kustia (207.69 x 103 ha-1) while the lowest tiller
population was observed at Chunarughat (153.52 x 103 ha-1).

Table 2. Effect of different locations on tiller, millable cane, yield and brix % of
sugarcane

Locations Tiller Millable cane Yield Brix %
(x103 ha-1) (x103 ha-1) (t ha-1)
Chunarughat 83.06c 73.55d 21.01a
Joypurhat 102.67c 89.63b 93.16a 20.82ab
Kustia 139.62b 118.72a 89.61c 19.03c
Chuadanga 207.69a 120.57a 82.13b 20.33b
LSD (0.05) 216.16a 5.29 2.47
CV (%) 7.65 4.48 0.56
9.90 4.13
8.86

* Figures in the column having the same letter do not differed significantly as per DMRT

Tiller population was significantly influenced by the interaction effect of
clones/variety and different locations. The highest tiller population was obtained from
clone I 347-06 (236.44 x103 ha-1) at Chuadanga which was statistically similar with clone I
39-04 (224.64 x103 ha-1), variety Isd 39 (221.05 x 103 ha-1), clone I 223-06 (216.29 x103
ha-1) at Chuadanga and I 347-06 (224.01 x 103 ha-1) and I 223-06 (212.47 x103 ha-1) at
Kustia. The lowest tiller population was observed from clone I 310-06 (83.48 x 103 ha-1)
which was statistically similar with clone I 39-04 (90.41 x 103 ha-1) at Chunarughat (Table
3). So, the result indicated that clone I 223-06, I 347-06 and variety Isd 39 had high tiller
producing capacity and Chuadanga and Kustia were high tiller producing area.

On-farm Evaluation of Promising Sugarcane Clones in ..... Zones 127

Table 3. Combined effect of clones/varieties and locations on tiller, millable cane,
yield and brix %

Location Clones/Variety Tiller Millable Yield Brix %
Chunarughat (x103 ha-1) cane (t ha-1)
I 39-04 21b-e
Joypurhat I 223-06 90.41ij (x103 ha-1) 82.11f-h 20.33c-f
I 310-06 113.24f-i 77.00 l 69.53ij 29.33f-i
Kustia I 347-06 83.48j 77.17kl 69.17ij 19.73e-h
Isd 18(T2) 110.57g-i 68.75ij 21.50bc
Chuadanga Isd 39 110g-i 75.00 l 67.92ij 24.22a
I 39-04 108.33hi 77.17kl 83.85e-h 22.09b
LSD (0.05) I 223-06 119.10e-h 102.00f-i 82.37f-h 20.33c-f
CV (%) I 310-06 185.77d 90.00i-j 102.07ab 20.36c-f
I 347-06 138.80e 77.20kl 94.37cd 20.34bc
Isd 18(T2) 133.13e-g 100.63g-i 86.87ef 18.87g-i
Isd 39 125.73e-h 81.07j-k 88.00ef 21.94b
I 39-04 135.20ef 96.40g-i 105.27a 18.07i
I 223-06 204.30b-d 90.37ij 89.45h 19.00f-i
I 310-06 212.47a-c 92.13h-j 71.28i 18.53hi
I 347-06 201.39b-d 119.34a-d 79.30h 19.27f-i
Isd 18(T2) 224.01ab 119.18a-d 86.24e-g 19.93d-g
Isd 39 182.10d 115.65b-e 64.58j 19.40f-i
I 39-04 221.88ab 121.26a-c 96.82bc 21.22b-d
I 223-06 224.64ab 107.74d-g 80.31gh 21.78b
I 310-06 216.69a-c 129.19a 87.08ef 18.89g-i
I 347-06 201.86b-d 113.61c-f 71.04i 20.33c-f
Isd 18(T2) 236.44a 128.61a 70.10ij 18.61g-i
Isd 39 196.26cd 123.33a-c 89.06de 21.17b-d
- 221.05ab 126.94ab 95.21c 1.38
- 24.25 127.22ab 6.04 4.13
8.86 103.67e-h 4.48
12.96
7.65

* Figures in the column having the same letter do not differed significantly as per DMRT

Millable cane

Significant difference in millable cane population was observed among the clones
and variety (Table 1). The highest number of millable cane was recorded from the clone
Ixs1d0318ha(-T1)2,) (106.83 x103 ha-1) which was statistically similar with clone I 223-06 (106.40
I 347-06 (105.44 x103 ha-1) and variety Isd 39 (103.74 x103 ha-1). The lowest
millable cane population was observed from clone I 39-04 (96.79 x103 ha-1) which was
statistically at par with clone I 310-06 (98.96 x103 ha-1). The result is in agreement with
the findings of Miah et al. (1986) who found variation in number of millable cane
production while studied the performance of some promising clones/varieties.

128 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 124-130 June, 2014

A significant difference in millable cane population was found in different
locations (Table 2). The highest millable cane population was found in Chuadanga
(120.57 x103 ha-1) which was statistically similar with location Kustia (118.72 x103 ha-1)
while the lowest millable cane population was observed at Chunarughat (83.06 x103 ha-1).
Significant variation was observed in millable cane population with the interaction
effect of clones/variety and different locations. The highest millable cane was obtained
from variety Isd 39 (129.19 x103 ha-1) at Kustia which was statistically similar with clone
I 223-06 (128.61 x103 ha-1), Isd 18 (T2) (127.22 x 103 ha-1), I 347-06 (126.94 x103 ha-1),
310-06 (123.33 x103 ha-1) at Chuadanga and I 347-06 (121.26 x103 ha-1), I 39-04 (119.34
x103 ha-1), 223-06 (119.18 x103 ha-1) at Kustia. The lowest millable cane population was
obtained from clone 310-06 (75.00 x 103 ha-1) which was statistically similar with clone I
39-04 (77.00 x 103 ha-1), 223-06 (77.17 x103 ha-1), I 347-06 (77.17 x103 ha-1) at
Chunarughat and I 39-04 (77.20 x103 ha-1) at Joypurhat (Table 3). So, the result
suggested that clone Isd 18 (T2), I 347-06, I 223-06 and variety Isd 39 had high millable
cane producing capacity and Chuadanga and Kustia were high millable cane producing
area.

Yield
Clones and variety had significant influence on yield (Table 1). The highest cane
yield was obtained from the variety Isd 39 (95.29 t ha-1) followed by clone I 223-06 (82.49
t ha-1) and I 39-04 (81.06 t ha-1), respectively. The lowest cane yield was observed in
clone 1I 831(T02-)06(77(7.389.4t7hta-h1a) -w1)h. icThhewacasnsetaytiisetlidcavllayrisaimtioilnarawmiothngI 347-06 (77.99 t ha-1) and
clone the clones and varieties
might be due to the cumulative effect of yield contributing attributes. The findings of the
present experiment is in agreement with Singh et al. (1999) and Arvind et al. (1997)
where they found variation in cane yield among different varieties. Number of tiller ha-1
and stalk weight have some positive effect in increasing cane yield among the test
clones/varieties in the experiment.
A significant difference in yield of cane was found in different locations (Table 2).
The highest cane yield was recorded at Joypurhat (93.16 t ha-1) followed by Kustia (89.61
t ha-1) and Chuadanga (82.13 t ha-1) respectively while the lowest cane yield was
observed at Chunarughat (73.55 t ha-1). All promising clones and variety showed better
performance at Joypurhat and Kustia as compared to other locations. From the above
findings it can be concluded that varietal yield potentiality depends on the agro-climatic
condition of the specific location.
Significant variation was observed in yield of cane with the interaction effect of
clones/variety and different locations. The highest cane yield was obtained from variety
Isd 39 (105.27 t ha-1) at Joypurhat which was statistically similar with clone I 223-06
(102.07 t ha-1) at same location. The lowest cane yield was observed from clone 1t8h(aT-12))
(64.58 t ha-1) at Kustia which was statistically similar with clone 18 (T 2) (67.92
I 347-06 (68.75 t ha-1), I 310-06 (69.17 t ha-1) and 223-06 (69.53 t ha-1) at Chunarughat
and I 347-06 (70.10 t ha-1) at Chuadanga (Table 3).

Brix(%)
Higher brix(%) of any variety/clone is an indication to produce higher sugar.

Significant difference in brix(%) was observed among the clones and variety (Table 1).
The highest brix(%) was recorded from Isd 39 (21.68%) while the lowest brix(%) was

On-farm Evaluation of Promising Sugarcane Clones in ..... Zones 129

observed from the clone I 310-06 (19.28%) which was statistically similar with clone Isd
18 (T2) (19.73%).

A significant difference in brix(%) was found in different locations (Table 2). The
highest brix(%) was observed at Chunarughat (21.01%) which was statistically similar
with location Joypurhat (20.82%) while the lowest brix(%) was observed at Kustia
(19.03%).

Interaction effect of clones/variety and different locations exhibited significant
variation on brix(%). The highest brix(%) was obtained from variety Isd 39 (24.22%) at
Chunarughat. The lowest brix(%) was observed from clone I 39-04 (18.07%) at Kustia
which was statistically similar with clone I 310-06 (18.53%) at same location, Isd 18 (T2)
(18.61%), I 310-06 (18.89%) at Chuadanga and Isd 18 (T2) (18.87%) at Joypurhat (Table 3).

The experimental results revealed that both clones/variety and different locations
had a significant effect on all parameters like tiller population, millable cane population,
yield and brix %. Among the clones and variety, highest number of tiller and millable cane
population was observed from clone I 223-06, I 347-06, Isd 18 (T2) and variety Isd 39.
The highest cane yield and brix(%) was observed from variety Isd 39 followed clone I
223-06, I 347-06. Among the four different locations, the highest number of tiller and
millable cane was observed at Chuadanga and Kushtia but the highest cane yield was
noted at Joypurhat and the highest brix(%) was noted at Chunarughat. Although variety
Isd 39 performs better in respect of yield and brix (%), clone I 223-06, I 347-06, Isd 18 (T2)
also performed well in few locations. So, these three clones can be further investigated to
develop variety.

130 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 124-130 June, 2014

REFERENCES
Anonymous, 1978. The sugar commission report of 1977-78, Dacca. M.I.S. Department,

Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation. pp. 67-68.
Arvind, M.; Naidu, K.M. and Misra, A. 1997. Performance of promising mid late and late

maturing sugarcane varieties under sub tropical conditions. Agricultural Science
– Digest – Karnal, 17(2): 79-82.
Barnes, 1954 and Humbert, 1959. Agriculture of Sugarcane. Leonard Hill Ltd. 9 Eden
Street, London. pp. 98-102.
Gomez, K.A.; and Gomez, A. A. 1984. Statistical procedures for agricultural research (2nd
Ed.) A Wiley Interscience Publication, NY, USA, p. 680.
Humbert, R.P. 1959. The growing of sugarcane. Amasterdam : Elsevier Publishing
Company. pp. 2-6.
Matin, M.A.; Rahman, A.B.M. and Ali, M.Y. 1989. Performance of three sugarcane
varieties as transplant and ratoon cane under rainfed condition. Bangladesh J.
Sugarcane, 11: 32-36.
Miah, M.A.; Awal, A.; Karim, M.A. and Azad, A.K.M. 1986. Performance of some
varieties/promising clones in the sandy soil of Setabganj Sugar Mills. Bangladesh
J. Sugarcane, 8: 61-63.
Miah, M.A.; Awal, A.; Nahar, S.M.N.; Mannan, Sk.A. and Ali, M.Y. 1994. Performance of
some promising clones and varieties of sugarcane in Himalayan Piedmont Plain
Soils. Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 16: 116-119.
Poehlman, J.M. and Barthakur, D. 1959. Breeding asian field crops. Mohan Primlan,
Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. 66 Japath, New Delhi, 110001. pp. 238-255.
Rashid, M.H.; Quddus, M.A.; Rashid, M.A. and Elahi, N.E. 2001. Performance of modern
sugarcane varieties for gur production in Modhupur Tract Soils. Bangladesh J.
Sugarcane, 23: 57-60.
Singh, J.P.R.; Singh, U.P. and Kumar, S. 1999. Performance of mid late sugarcane
varieties of north central zone in calcareous soils of Bihar, Indian Sugar, 49(6):
411-413.

Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 131-137 June, 2014

An Empirical Study on Technical Efficiency of Sugarcane
Production in Rajshahi District of Bangladesh

S. Khatun1*, M. Kamruzzaman1, M.S. Islam1 and M.H. Rahman2
2Professor, Agricultural Economics Division, Stamford University Bangladesh
1Agricultural Economics Division

Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi-6620, Pabna, Bangladesh
ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to find out the technical efficiency
and factors affecting on inefficiency of sugarcane production in Rajshahi
district. The study employed farm level cross sectional data from three
sugarcane growing areas of Bangladesh during the period of 2013-2014.
Stochastic frontier model was employed in this study. In the study, human
labour, organic manure (OM), Muriate of Potash (MP), Urea and irrigation cost
has found positive and significant effect on sugarcane production. The average
technical efficiency of sugarcane farmers was found 80 percent. This indicates
a good potential result for increasing sugarcane output by 20 percent with the
existing technology by rearranging their resources. Experience, farm size and
extension contacts were found negative and significant effect technical
inefficiency of sugarcane farmers. That means, the experience, farm size and
extension contacts had the significant effect on technical efficiency. Therefore,
experience, farm size and extension contact are the important factors for
obtaining maximum achievable yield.
Key Words: Technical efficiency, sugarcane growers, experience, extension

contact

INTRODUCTION
The farm level performance can be attained in two alternative ways: by
maximizing output with the given set of inputs under existing production technology or by
minimizing production cost to produce a prescribed level of output. The measurement of
farming efficiency is an important issue in agriculture, both in developed and developing
countries. Estimation of technical efficiency may help to decide whether to improve
efficiency or to develop new technologies to raise sugarcane productivity in Bangladesh.
Technical efficiency refers to the ability of a firm to obtain maximum output of a given set
of inputs under certain production technology. There is potentiality of increasing
sugarcane production from existing cultivating areas using available resources if the
farmers can operate at maximum obtainable yield level. Generally, adoption of modern
technology and production practices vary across the farms. Some of farmers may
produce maximum obtainable sugarcane yield and some farmers may not produce due to
some inefficiency factors. Therefore, it is essential to determine the maximum level of
sugarcane production per unit of land using the existing level of resources and factors

* Corresponding author: S.Khatun, Principal Scientific Officer
e-mail: [email protected]

132 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 131-137 June, 2014

affecting inefficiency of not obtaining the maximum yield level by using stochastic frontier
production function. A technically efficient farm operates on its frontier production
function. Given the relationship of inputs in a particular production function, the farm is
technically efficient if it produces on its outer bound production function to obtain the
maximum possible output, which is feasible under the current technology. The
measurement of farm-size-specific technical efficiency get momentum to meet the
increasing demands of sugarcane in Bangladesh. The measurement of the productive
efficiency of a farm related to other farms or to the “best practice” in an industry has long
been of interest to agricultural economists. Efficiency measurement has received
considerable attention by both theoretical and applied economists. From a theoretical
point of view, there has been a spirited exchange about the relative importance of various
components of farm efficiency (Leibenstein,1966; Leibenstein,1977; Comanor and
Leibenstein,1969; Stigler, 1976). Several studies have been attempted to estimate
technical efficiency of farmers on other agricultural crops in Bangladesh, which is very
important for policy makers (Kamruzzaman, et. al., 2008; Hossain, et.al., 2008; Bakh,
et.al., 2005).

Sugarcane is one of the agro-based industrial crops of Bangladesh and sustains in
large number of rural people of our economy, is the main source of sugar and goor . About
70% of total world’s sugar is produced from sugarcane and 30% from sugarbeet (Jamil
and Gopang, 2004). Except diabetic patients, more than 99 percent of the people take
sugar/gur and sugar products everyday. Sugar is an essential food item with great
importance to our dietary table. The present production of sugarcane can meet neither
the total sugar nor nutrient requirements of the country. In Bangladesh, per hectare yield
of sugarcane is 46 t ha-1 (Anonymous, 2014) which is less than other sugar producing
countries. Average cane yield in Pakistan, India, Thailand, China and Brazil was 53.20 t
ha-1, 66.93 t ha-1, 63.71 t ha-1, 80.82 t ha-1 and 74.42 t ha-1 respectively (FAO, 2007).
There is a great scope to increase sugarcane productivity, by increasing area it is not
possible, since total cultivable area is decreasing day by day due to the increased use of
land for non-agricultural purposes. Therefore, it is needed to increase productivity through
improving efficiency. If the farmers are found to be technically inefficient, production can
be increased to a large extent with the existing level of inputs and available technology by
rearranging input combinations. On the other hand, if the farmers are found to be
technically efficient, then the government can increase investment on information and
education and can try to promote new technologies in order to increase production.
Efficiency measurement is the first step in a process that might lead to substantial
resource savings. These resource savings have important implications for both policy
formulation and farm management.

Currently, on an average, sugarcane is grown in 0.18 million hectare of land of
which almost 50% is located in the mill zones, where sugarcane is mostly utilized for
sugar production and remaining 50% is situated in the non-mill zone, which is used for
goor and juice production (Alam, 2005). Most of the sugar mills of Bangladesh are
located in the North Western zones of the country where concentration of sugarcane
cultivation is higher. Rajshahi district is a potential sugarcane producing area and is
situated in the north Western part of Bangladesh and a total of 12.54 percent sugarcane
area is covered by Rajshahi district.

The objectives of this study are: (i) to estimate the technical efficiency of
sugarcane farmers of Rajshahi district (ii) to identify the factors affecting variations in

An Empirical Study on Technical Efficiency of ...... Bangladesh 133

technical inefficiencies which effects (or technical efficiencies) among the sample
farmers; (iii) to suggest certain development policy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Primary data were collected from total 100 sample farmers from the four upazilla
namely, Charghat, Poba, Putia and Godagari, taking 25 farmers randomly from each
upazilla during the cropping season of 2013-14 through interview schedule. A pre-tested
interview schedule was applied to collect data.
Selecting the Functional form of the Production Function
Cobb-Douglas is a special form of the translog production function where
coefficients of the squired and interaction terms of input variables are assumed to be
zero. In order best specification for the production (Cobb-Douglas or translog) for the
stochastic frontier model using the generalized likelihood-ratio statistic “LR” defined by
LR = -2 ln[ L(H0) / L(H1)] ..................................(i)
where, L(H0) is value of the likelihood function of the Cobb-Douglas stochastic production
frontier model, in which the parameter restrictions specified by the null hypothesis, H0 =
ji=0, (i.e. the coefficient on the squared and interaction terms of input variable are not
zero). If the null hypothesis is true, then “LR” has approximately a chi-square distribution
with degrees of freedom equal to the difference between the number of parameters
estimated under H1 and H0, respectively. We use the Cobb- Douglas and translog
production function and on the basis of the test statistic we discover that the CD is the
best fit to our data set. On the basis of this test statistic we selected the Cobb-Douglas
production function. Besides this, its coefficients directly represent the elasticity of
production. The Cobb-Douglas form was used in many empirical studies, particularly
those relating to developing country in agriculture. In this study, it is assumed that the
Cobb- Douglas is the appropriate form of the frontier production function.
Stochastic frontier production model
A stochastic frontier production model was used to determine the technical efficiency of
sugarcane farmers. The modeling and estimation of stochastic frontier production
function originally proposed by Aigner et. al. (1977) and Meeusen and Van Den Broeck
(1977) which has been an important area of economic study in the last two decades. The
stochastic production frontier model is specified with error terms, the models is as follows:
Y= f(Xi, ) + (vi -ui) .............................. (1)
Where, Yi was output for observation i (i.e., yield/ha), Xi denotes the actual input
vector (i.e., input use/ha), β was the vector of production function parameters, v was
distributed randomly and symmetrical two-sided error term that can not be influenced by
producers, it was identically and independently distributed as N (0, σ2v) and may be
considered as the ‘normal’ error term. The u was a non-negative one-sided error term
and distributed half-normal as N(0, σ2u) which captures deviations from the frontier due to
inequality.

134 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 131-137 June, 2014

Empirical model
The Cobb-Douglas form was used in many empirical studies, particularly those relating to
developing countries in agriculture. In this study, it is assumed that the Cobb- Dauglas is
the appropriate form of the frontier production function. The stochastic production which
is used for the sugarcane producers was specified as:

Ln Yi = β0 + β1LnX1i + β2LnX2i + β3LnX3i + β4LnX4i + β5LnX5i + β6LnX6i + β7LnX7i + β8LnX8i +
β9LnX9i + vi – ui..........................................(2)

Where, XLlMan4bPi=o=u(Okr(grNmgahaatannu-i-1rcda),aml yXalso8nigh=uaarr-e1iFt)h,(ukmXrga2,dih=aYani-A1(n)ki,=mgXah5Yliail=ea-1lb)dU,oruXeor9afi(p(=skaugIigrr-rahdigraaca-ya1t)sino, ehnXa6c-(i1to=),shtXTa3(S-Ti1=)Pk, SXe1ei d=(kHg uhma-a1)n,

error term (kg ha-1), X7i =
ha-1), vi – ui =

The empirical model of farm specific technical inefficiency model is:
ui = δ0 + δ1z1i + δ2z2i + δ3z3i + δ4z4i + δ5z5i + δ6z6i + δ7z7i + Wi................ (3)

Where, z1i = Experience in sugarcane farming (years), z2i = Age of the operator
(years), z3i = Education level of the operator (year of schooling), z4i = Visited by the
field worker, z5i = Farm size of the operator (ha), z6i = Dummy for sugarcane
training of the operator (1 = yes, 0 = otherwise), Wi are unobservable random
variable, which are assumed to be independently distributed, obtained by
truncation of the normal distribution with mean zero and unknown variance σ2,
such that u, is non-negative.

The β, η and δ coefficients are unknown parameters to be estimated, together with the
variance parameters which are expressed in term of
σγ 2==σσ2u2u/σ+2 σ2v ................................(4)
......................................(5)
The maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) methods of the parameters of the stochastic
production frontier were obtained by using the programme, computer software,
FRONTIER 4.1 (Coelli, 1996).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Estimates of stochastic frontier production

The maximum likelihood Estimates (MLE) of the coefficients of stochastic Cobb-
Douglas production frontier and inefficiency model showing the maximum production
performances are presented in Table1.

In this study to estimate farm specific technical efficiency for sugarcane
production, the stochastic frontier production function with yield as dependent variable
was estimated in which all variables were standardized on the basis of per hectare of
land area. The empirical results indicated that the coefficients of human labour, organic
manure, MP, Furadan and irrigation cost were positive and significant at 1 percent level
and urea was significant at 5 percent level, while that of animal labour, seed, TSP were
positive but not significant. It indicated that human labour, organic manure, MP, Urea,
Furadan and irrigation cost had positive and significant impacts on sugarcane production.
At 1% level of significance human labour had the largest positive coefficient compared to

An Empirical Study on Technical Efficiency of ...... Bangladesh 135

other inputs. In other words, the elasticity of human labour (0.415) was the biggest
amount followed by urea (0.167), MP(0.102), Furadan(0.022), organic manure (0.012)
and irrigation cost (0.011). Holding other things remain constant, the yield of sugarcane
would increase by 0.415, 0.102,0.022,0.012 and 0.011 percent if farmers apply 1 percent
additional human labour, MP, Furadan, organic manure and irrigation cost respectively
(Table 1).

Table 1. Maximum likelyhood estimates of the stochastic Cobb-Douglas frontier
production function and technical inefficiency model for sugarcane

Independent variables Parameters Coefficients Standard t- ratio
Error
Constant β0 6.845 0.762 8.982
Ln Human labour β1 0.415* 0.040 10.375
Ln Animal labour β2 0.002 0.069 0.029
Ln Seed β3 0.035 0.095 0.368
Ln Organic manure β4 0.012* 0.002 6.000
Ln Urea β5 0.167** 0.082 2.036
Ln TSP β6 0.072 0.042 1.714
Ln MP β7 0.102* 0.023 4.434
Ln Furadan β8 0.022* 0.007 3.142
Ln Irrgation β9 0.011* 0.002 5.500
Technical inefficiency model:
Constant 0 0.512 0.301 1.701
Experience 1 -0.017** 0.007 -2.429
Age 2 -0.013 0.011 -1.182
Education (year) 3 -0.020 0.019 -1.053
Frequency of the extension 4 -0.049* 0.015 -3.267
contact
Farm size -0.035* 0.016 -2.188
Dummy for sugarcane training 5 -0.037 0.013 -2.846
(1=Yes, 0= otherwise) Dt 6
0.003 3
Variance parameters : σ2 0.009* 0.274 1.3358
Sigma- squared
Gamma γ 0.366

Log likelihood function 114.199
* and ** indicate significant at 1% and 5% level of probability.

Inefficiency factors of sugarcane production
In order to quantify the determinants of efficiency or inefficiency of sugarcane

production, some socio- economic variables were included in the stochastic frontier
production function. The coefficients of the explanatory variable in the model of the
technical inefficiency effects, defined by equation (3), was of particular interest to this
study. The negative and significant coefficient of experience indicated that farmers’
experience decreases the inefficiency level i. e. increases efficiency level. This result
supports the findings of Khan and Makki (1979) and Coelli (1996).

136 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 131-137 June, 2014

The coefficient of frequency of the extension contact is negative and significant, which
indicated that the farmers were technically more efficient that who make frequent contact
with the extension personnel than the farmers who do not contact frequently. Similarly,
the negative and significant coefficient of farm size is indicated that larger farmers are
more efficient than small farmers and this is similar to Hoassain (2008). The coefficient of
education variable is negative, but not significant so we can not say that the educated
farmers are more efficient than the illiterate farmers. The coefficient of age variable is
negative, but not significant too, therefore, we can not say that the older farmers were not
less inefficient than the younger farmers. This result is in line with those of Hossain
(1999) and Coelli (1996). The estimated variance (б2) is large and significantly different
from zero which indicated a good fit and correctness of specified assumption.
Technical Efficiency and Its Distribution

It is observed that the mean value of technical efficiency was 0.80 with a ranged
from 0.63 to 0.88 (Table 2). This implied that, on average, the sugarcane production in
the study areas was about 80 percent of the potential (stochastic) frontier production
level, given the levels of their inputs and the technology currently being used at Rajshahi.
This also indicated that there existed an average level of technical inefficiency was 20
percent. The technical efficiency of large, medium and small farmers was 88, 78 and 74
percent respectively. The variation in technical efficiency was observed higher with
medium and small farmers (ranged 66-82) and (ranged 63-88) and large farmers
variation is lower ranged (88-82) (Table 2). It is found that on an average 79 percent
technical efficiency level achieved by more than 70 percent farmers (all). On the contrary,
21% number of all farmers achieved technical efficiency level of less than 70 percent,
which indicates that technical efficiency level for a few farmers had comparatively low
(Table 3).

Table 2. Farm specific technical efficiency of sugarcane production in the study
area

Farm No. of farms Technical efficiency
category
Large 10 Mean Maximum Minimum Standard deviation
51 0.88 0.02
Medium 39 0.88 0.82
Small 100 0.78 0.02
All 0.74 0.82 0.66 0.01
0.80 0.02
0.79 0.63

0.88 0.63

Table 3. Frequency distribution of technical efficiency of sugarcane production

Farm category Number of farmer under different efficiency level (%)

Large 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 All
Medium - - 10(100) - 10(100)
Small
All 1(2) 40(78) 10(20) - 51(100)

20(51) 19(49) - - 39(100)

21(21) 59(59) 20(20) - 100(100)

An Empirical Study on Technical Efficiency of ...... Bangladesh 137

In conclusion, the overall efficiency level is satisfactory. There were some socio
economic factors, which were causes about inefficiency. The research findings indicate
that there is a scope to increase efficiency of sugarcane farmers of Rajshahi district by
reducing the factor of inefficiencies. The farm specific technical efficiency revealed scope
for minimizing inefficiency in sugarcane production.

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Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 138-141 June, 2014

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Screening of Some Sugarcane Genotypes Against Smut
Caused by Ustilago scitaminea Sydow

M.J. Uddin1, M.S. Rahman1, M.I. Hossain1 and M.O. Khaiyam2
1Pathology Division, 2BSRI Sub-Station, Chuadanga
Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi-6620, Pabna, Bangladesh

Key words: Screening, smut, Ustilago scitaminea, artificial inoculation, spore suspension

Sugarcane smut is caused by Ustilago scitaminea Sydow., a basidiomycetous
fungus (Rott, 2000) that exists in several physiologic races (Agnihotri, 1983). In
Bangladesh, it is common and economically important disease of sugarcane (Ahmed,
1974). It causes serious losses in yield and in sucrose content (Hoy, 1986; Padmanaban
et al., 1988). This is a result of systemic nature of the disease which leads to a grassy
growth habit in susceptible varieties and complete crop loss (Comstock, 2000). The
fungus has the potential to infect all types of cane. It was first reported in Natal in South
Africa in 1877 and has since been reported in all other countries that lie between 20o N
and 20o S of equator (Martin et al., 1961). Smut reduces the yield and quality of
sugarcane. Reduction in yield and quality of sugarcane varies widely in different
sugarcane growing areas of the world and is dependent mainly on the races of the
pathogen present, the sugarcane varieties and the prevailing environmental conditions
(Lee-Lovick, 1978). Data on quality parameters indicate that in smut infected canes, brix
and purity of sugar are adversely affected (Martin et al., 1961). The loss may go upto
100% when naturally infected setts are planted and the loss may range from 42.47 to
59.20% when artificially inoculated setts are planted (Bachchhav et al., 1979; Goyal et al.,
1982). Whittle (1982) reported maximum potential loss of 12.4% to 25.6% in comparisons
of yields of artificially inoculated and healthy varieties. In Bangladesh, Rahman et al.
(1998) reported yield loss of 83.92% in the clone of I 291-87 and 59.45% in I 31-88 due to
the infection of smut disease. A high incidence of smut was observed in the promising
clone I 291-87 at BSRI farm, as a result it had to be dropped from breeding programme
(Anon., 1995).

Chemical control and agronomic practices are not very effective to reduce the
infection of smut. Substitution of susceptible varieties by resistant ones is one of the most
successful and reliable method to combat the disease. Resistant genotypes of sugarcane
could play an important role in reducing the loss caused by the disease. Therefore,
screening of sugarcane genotypes against smut disease is a pre-requisite in the varietal
development programme before releasing varieties and finally recommended for
commercial cultivation. Aiming to this, the present study was conducted to determine the
level of resistance/susceptibility of sugarcane genotypes against smut pathogen.

Twenty six sugarcane genotypes namely, Isd 39, I 6-04, I 112-01, Isd 18T2, I 25-
04, I 39-04, I 91-05, I 94-05, I 150-05, I 85-06, I 94-06, I 139-06, I 223-06, I 310-06, I 347-

*Corresponding author: M.J. Uddin, Scientific Officer
e-mail: [email protected]

Screening of Some Sugarcane Genotypes Against Smut ........ Sydow 139

06, I 61-07, I 76-07, I 124-07, I 133-07, I 153-07, I 157-07, I 164-07, I 167-07, I 178-07, I
200-07 & I 215-07 were planted at BSRI farm, Ishurdi during the crop seasons 2010-11
and 2011-12 where variety Isd 39 as resiatant standard and clone I 6-04 as susceptible
standard.The genotypes were tested through artificial inoculation with the causal fungus
Ustilago scitaminea following spore suspension method (Durairaj et al., 1972; Satyavir
and Beniwal, 1978). Two budded setts of each genotype were inoculated by dipping in
spore suspension for 30 minutes and then planted in 16 m long rows with three
replications. Data on disease incidence were recorded starting from 60 days after
planting and at an interval of one month up to 12 months. Cumulative smut infection
percentage from the whole season for each genotype was determined by dividing the
number of smutted stool/clump by total stool in a genotype and converting to percentage.
The smut incidence (%) of different genotypes were evaluated on the basis of R-resistant
(0.0-3.0), MR-moderately resistant (3.1-5.0), MS-moderately susceptible (5.1-10.0), S-
susceptible (10.1-25.0) and HS-highly susceptible (>25.0) reaction (Begum et al., 2007).

Data collected on cumulative percentage of infection during the year 2011 and
2012 were summarized in Table 1. The genotype tested by dipping method in spore
suspension varied to their reaction to smut. Out of 26 genotypes evaluated against smut
disease, 10 genotypes viz. Isd 39, I 112-01, I 39-04, I 91-05, I 94-05, I 150-05, I 61-07, I
153-07, I 157-07 and I 200-07 were found resistant (R); 5 genotypes viz. I 25-04, I 310-
06, I 76-07, I 133-07 and I 164-07 found moderately resistant (MR); 4 genotypes viz. Isd
18 T2, I 85-06, I 223-06 and I 124-07 found moderately suaceptible (MS); 5 genotypes
viz. I 6-04, I 347-06, I 167-07, I 178-07 and I 215-07 found suaceptible (S); and finally 2
genotypes (I 94-06 & I 139-06) showed as highly suaceptible (HS) reaction. The
promising variety Isd 39 and the clone I 6-04 used for cultivation during the crop seasons
were showed as resistant and susceptible reaction against smut, respectively. The
incidence of smut in I 139-06 was recorded to a tune of 80.32% in 2011 which reveals
that the conditions for the development of disease were congenial. The plausible reasons
were the presence of the smut pathogen in an endemic area and also due to the
degeneration of varieties over long time cultivation in the field (Agnihotri, 1983).

From this study, it can be concluded that preference should be given in selecting
those genotypes which were resistant (R) or moderately resistant (MR) to smut disease.
But the genotypes showing moderately susceptible (MS) to susceptible (S) reaction to
smut should be dropped for commercial release and cultivation.

140 Bangladesh J. Sugarcane, 35 : 138-141 June, 2014

Table 1. Reaction of different sugarcane genotypes against Ustilago scitaminea
Sydow causing smut disease at BSRI farm, Ishurdi during the cropping
season 2010-11 and 2011-12

Sl. No. Sugarcane 2011 Smut infection (%) Average Disease reaction
genotypes 0.00 2012 0.00
1. 46.26 0.00 38.05 R
2. Isd 39 (RS*) 0.00 29.85 2.94 S
3. I 6-04 (SS**) 8.77 5.88 5.25 R
4. I 112-01 6.25 1.72 3.13 MS
5. Isd 18T2 0.00 0.00 0.00 MR
6. I 25-04 0.00 0.00 0.00 R
7. I 39-04 3.84 0.00 2.59 R
8. I 91-05 0.00 1.33 1.43 R
9. I 94-05 10.16 2.85 6.67 R
10. I 150-05 55.17 3.17 28.65 MS
11. I 85-06 80.32 2.12 44.64 HS
12. I 94-06 12.69 8.95 7.22 HS
13. I 139-06 4.47 1.75 4.97 MS
14. I 223-06 19.23 5.47 13.62 MR
15. I 310-06 0.00 8.00 0.00 S
16. I 347-06 3.57 0.00 3.91 R
17. I 61-07 18.92 4.25 9.46 MR
18. I 76-07 4.41 0.00 4.25 MS
19. I 124-07 0.00 4.08 0.00 MR
20. I 133-07 0.00 0.00 1.37 R
21. I 153-07 2.40 2.73 R
22. I 157-07 5.47 3.94 MR
I 164-07 18.75
23. 10.71 14.73 S
I 167-07 12.06 10.47
24. 0.00 8.88 0.00 S
25. I 178-07 22.38 0.00 11.19 R
26. I 200-07 0.00 S
I 215-07

*RS = Resistant Standard, **SS = Susceptible Standard

Screening of Some Sugarcane Genotypes Against Smut ........ Sydow 141

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