Question

Which of the following statements are true about field preparation and planting of sugarcane crops ?
(A) Deep ploughing with a soil-turning plough once in three years
(B) Seed material is setts which are small cut sections of sugarcane stalk
(C) Mature cane is best suited for seed material
(D) Mostly two budded setts are used for planting.

• A. (A), (B) and (C) only.
• B. (A), (B) and (D) only.
• C. (A), (B), (C) and (D).
• D. (B), (C) and (D) only.

Hint:

Selecting seed material from the top portion of the sugarcane cane is a standard practice, as these buds have higher viability and germinate much faster than the older buds at the bottom.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Sugarcane (*Saccharum officinarum*) is a long-duration, high-biomass cash crop.
Proper land preparation and selection of healthy, viable planting material are essential to ensure a high germination rate and strong crop establishment.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the statements individually:
- Statement (A): Sugarcane develops a deep, extensive root system. Deep ploughing with a soil-turning plough once in three years is recommended to break up subsoil hardpans, improve aeration, and facilitate deep root penetration. (True)
- Statement (B): Sugarcane is propagated vegetatively using stem cuttings called "setts", which contain one or more viable buds. (True)
- Statement (D): While three-budded setts are common, two-budded setts are widely used in commercial planting. They provide high planting density and reduce seed cost while maintaining high germination rates. (True)
- Statement (C): Fully mature or over-mature cane is actually not suited for planting. This is because the buds on mature cane are less active, and the stalk has a lower moisture content and high sucrose (rather than glucose/nitrogen), resulting in poor germination.
Instead, young, immature canes (10-12 months old) or the upper one-third portion of the cane are preferred for seed material due to their active buds and high nitrogen content.
Therefore, statements (A), (B), and (D) are correct.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (A), (B), and (D) only, corresponding to option (B).