MULTAN, Pakistan: Sugarcane is one of the main cash crops of Pakistan and 84 percent of its production is utilized by sugar mills to produce it in Punjab.
Per acre average production of sugarcane was only 626 Maunds per acre that was far below the average per acre production of other countries, says a release issued by media liaison unit of Punjab Agriculture Department.
However, in some areas where weather conditions were conducive for sugarcane production, it gives per acre yield ranging from 800-1000 Maunds per acre in Pakistan.
Hot and humid weather conditions is favourable for sugarcane production which usually persists in riverine and coastal areas of the country which included Badin, Rahimyar Khan and others.
Agriculture experts said extreme hot and dry weather affected growth of sugarcane while frost reduces sugar content.
Experts said farmers should adopt modern production technology to get enhanced production that will increase production of sugar at mills.
For better growth, farmers should apply water while keeping in view temperature and rain factors. Crop should get water as per need at the growth stage. In accordance with weather intensity, crop should get water after 10-12 days gap in June, 12-15 days gap in July and August, and 25-30 days gap from November to February.
Experts said 1,000 Maunds per acre production could be achieved provided the crop gets from soil almost 80 kilogram of Nitrogen, 26 kilogram Phosphorous and 168 kilogram Potash.
Nitrogenous fertilizers should be applied in instalments to spring sown sugarcane crop in accordance with weather and soil condition. Third instalment of Nitrogenous fertilizers be applied to spring sown crop in June while putting soil around trunks of the plants while the last instalment be applied in August-September while keeping in view the growth pattern.
The last instalment of Nitrogenous fertilizers be applied to September sown crop in June while putting soil around the trunks.
