When is the planting time for sugarcane?
Sugarcane is mainly distributed between 33°N and 30°S, with the area more concentrated between 25°N and 25°S. It is suitable for planting in places with fertile soil, abundant sunshine, and a large temperature difference between winter and summer. It is widely grown in southern tropical regions such as Taiwan, China, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan. Let us take a look at the planting time of sugarcane below!
Sugarcane planting time
In China's main producing areas, the spring planting time for sugarcane is from the end of January to mid-March, earlier in the south and later in the north, but no later than mid-April, with harvest from May to mid-July. For autumn planting, late August to the end of September is suitable, with harvest in mid-December.
Sugarcane planting conditions
Sugarcane is a temperature-loving and light-loving crop. It requires an annual accumulated temperature of 5500℃-8500℃, a frost-free period of more than 330d, an average annual air humidity of 60%, annual rainfall of 800-1200mm, and sunshine hours of more than 1195 hours. Based on the relationship between sugarcane growth, yield formation, sugar content and climate, the active accumulated temperature with a daily average temperature ≥20℃ and the annual extreme minimum temperature (Tm), the main limiting factor determining whether sugarcane can overwinter and grow year after year, are proposed as sugarcane climate regionalization indicators. Sugarcane planting is divided into the following four climate zones:
1. An accumulated temperature above 5000℃ and Tm≥-2℃ is the most suitable planting climate zone.
2. An accumulated temperature of 4000-5000℃ and -5℃≤Tm≤-2℃ is a suitable climate zone.
3. An accumulated temperature of 3000-5000℃ and -5℃≤Tm≤-2℃ is a marginally suitable climate zone.
4. An accumulated temperature ≥3000-4000℃ and -8℃≤Tm≤-2℃ is a plantable climate zone.
These four sugarcane planting climate zones are all concentrated in the central subtropical, southern subtropical and tropical monsoon climate zones. Among them, the most suitable planting climate zones are basically all located south of 24°N.
Sugarcane planting techniques
1. Deep ploughing: Mechanical ploughing of the planting land requires two ploughings and two harrowings, with a depth of 50 cm. The soil must be loose, and the depth of the sugarcane planting furrow must reach 30 cm.
2. Shallow planting: The depth of covering the seed cane with soil after planting is generally about 5 cm.
3. Wide rows: The row spacing for sugarcane planting is required to be 90-100 cm, which is conducive to ventilation and field management after planting.
4. Close planting: Sow 5-6 sugarcane setts per 100 cm in the planting furrow, and sow 3000-3500 double-budded sett seedlings per mu.
5. Apply sufficient base fertilizer: Use 1000-2000 kg of farmyard manure per mu. Mix with 100 kg of superphosphate, 25 kg of urea, and 15 kg of potassium chloride, compost for 7-15 days, then apply into the sugarcane planting furrow.
6. Seed soaking: Select plump double-budded seedlings free of pests, diseases and damage, and soak them in clean water or 2% lime water for 1-2 days. This can improve the drought resistance of the seed cane and also achieve the effect of eliminating pests and diseases.
7. Planting method: The seed cane should be placed flat in the planting furrow with the buds facing to the sides. When covering with soil, first gently press the seedlings into the soil, then cover with soil to facilitate root development.
8. Control underground pests: To prevent damage from underground white grubs and sugarcane borers, apply 2-3 kg of Miral per mu when planting.
9. Chemical weeding before sprouting: After planting and before the sugarcane seedlings emerge, use 25 ml of 40% atrazine plus 200 ml of ametryn per mu, diluted with 50-60 kg of water, and spray the soil surface to control weed growth.