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NEW IMPLEMENTS IN
SUGARCANE CUL TIVA TION

'WI'3I'!.'1' ICAR

Sugarcane Breeding Institute Coimbatore 641 007 2001

SETT CUTTING MACHINE When this implement is hitched to a tractor or a power tiller and operated, the two saw toothed wheels will rotate and two persons can insert and cut the canes into two or three budded setts.
Advantages:

* With two litres of diesel, two persons can cut 4000settsin one hour. * Cut endsare sharpwithoutshredding. * Buds are not damaged, resulting in good
germination perceQ-tage.

The cost of the sett cutter is approximately Rs. 7800/-. HEAVY TYPE RIDGER (SUGARCANE SPECIAL) This implement containing three heavy ridger bodies fitted to a strong trame, if operated with :the wheel-adjusted tractor, can make three deep furrows on a single run. The advantages over the existing system of ridges and furrows making are;
Advantages:

* Ridges and furrows can be formed in about

2 ha in a day.

* The furrows are deep and straight. If the setts are planted deep, the crop will not lodge at later stages. * Irrigation flow will be good, as the furrows are uniformly deep without undulations. * Early and good germinationdue to loose soil coverage on setts and shoots are healthy and
VIgOroUS.

The approximate cost of the implement is Rs. 14000 I-. SUGARCANE PLANTER It comprises of three heavy ridger bodies for opening three deep furrows, a setts-hopper to keep the fungicide treated setts, three setts dropping units to guide the dropped'setts, three seats for men to sit and drop the setts, three pairs of tynes to cover the setts with the soil, three metal rollers for compacting the soil over the setts and a marker on either side to mark the next third feet row.
Advantages:

* Planting can be done in three rows in a single run, thus covering 50% more area than the existing two row planters covering about 1.25 ha 1day. * Deep planting of setts will prevent lodging of canes. * Uniform row spacing of three feet could be maintained which will facilitate intercultivation and earthing up by implements.

* *

Suitable for heavy and light soils. Highly labour saving and efficient.

The approximate cost Rs. 19,800/-.

of the planter is

INTERCUL TIV A TOR (WEED ER) This new intercultivator, having two sets of tynes with three tynes in each set, if hitched and worked with the wheel adjusted tractor on 40th day will completely rem;ve the weeds in between the crop rows. Advantages:

* Weeding can be done in about 2.5 to 3 acres in a day. * Owing to the shovel shaped tynes, the underground tubers of monocot weeds are uprooted which is not possible while doing manuallywith spades or hoes. * The ridges are broken and soil loosened, thus ensuring better aeration for roots of young seedlings. * Very cheap when compared to the cost of manualweeding. The approximate cost of the intercultivator is Rs. 12,500 I-.

EARTHING UP IMPLEMENT This implement consists of two heavy duty ridgers fitted to a strong frame It is fitted to a wheel-adjusted tractor and worked in between the rows after applying the recommended fertilizers on 40-45 days. This operation will partially earth up the plants and the applied fertilizers will be covered with soil. Thus the ridges become furrows and vice versa. When the crop is nearing 80-90 days of age, second top dressing of urea and potash can be done in between crop rows and the same implement can be used again for full earthing up of the plants.
Advantages:

* *

Complete elimination of use of manual labour for partial and full earthing up, thus highly labour saving. About 3.0 to 4.0 acres can be earthed up in a day. The ridges formed are about one foot high providing good anchorage and preventing lodging to a great extent. . The furrows are uniformly deep making irrigation water to flow uniformly, which is difficult to achieve by earthing up with spade. Smallweeds are smothered.

The cost of the implement is approximately Rs. 10,3001-.

OFF-BARRER
There are three sets of tynes with two tynes in each set and if worked in the field with a wheel adjusted tractor, will run close to the crop rows on either side, cut the ridges, loosen the soil and also cover the applied fertilizer. Advantages: * Oif - barring in about 5.0 acres in a day. * Cheap and no manuallabour required. * Timely operation is possible which is very important in ratoon.

The cost of the implement :is approximately Rs. 9,400 I-.

Extension publication No: 57 (2001) Prepared by : Published by . Shri. S. Rajamohan Dr N. Balasundaram Director Sugarcane Breeding Institute Coimbatore 641 007.

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