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NEW IMPLEMENTSIN

SUGARCANE CUL TIVA TION

¥'WI'3I'!.'1'ICAR

Sugarcane Breeding InstituteCoimbatore 641 007

2001

SETT CUTTING MACHINE

When this implement is hitched to atractor or a power tiller and operated, the twosaw toothed wheels will rotate and two personscan insert and cut the canes into two or threebudded setts.

Advantages:

* With two litres of diesel, two persons cancut 4000settsin onehour.

* Cutendsaresharpwithoutshredding.* Buds are not damaged, resulting in good

germination perceQ-tage.

The cost of the sett cutter is approximatelyRs. 7800/-.

HEAVY TYPE RIDGER(SUGARCANE SPECIAL)

This implement containing three heavyridger bodies fitted to a strong trame, ifoperated with :the wheel-adjusted tractor, canmake three deep furrows on a single run. Theadvantages over the existing system of ridgesand furrows making are;

Advantages:

* Ridges and furrows can be formed in about2 ha in a day.

* The furrows are deep and straight. If thesetts are planted deep, the crop will notlodge at later stages.

* Irrigation flow will be good, as the furrowsare uniformlydeep without undulations.

* Early and good germinationdue to loose soilcoverage on setts and shoots are healthy andVIgOroUS.

The approximate cost of the implement isRs. 14000 I-.

SUGARCANE PLANTER

It comprises of three heavy ridger bodiesfor opening three deep furrows, a setts-hopperto keep the fungicide treated setts, three settsdropping units to guide the dropped'setts, threeseats for men to sit and drop the setts, threepairs of tynes to cover the setts with the soil,three metal rollers for compacting the soil overthe setts and a marker on either side to mark thenext third feet row.

Advantages:

* Planting can be done in three rows in asingle run, thus covering 50% more areathan the existing two row planters coveringabout 1.25 ha 1day.

* Deep planting of setts will prevent lodgingof canes.

* Uniform row spacing of three feet could bemaintained which will facilitate inter-cultivation and earthingup by implements.

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

The approximate cost of the planter isRs. 19,800/-.

INTERCUL TIV ATOR

(WEED ER)

This new intercultivator, having two setsof tynes with three tynes in each set, if hitchedand worked with the wheel adjusted tractor on40th day will completely rem;ve the weeds inbetween the crop rows.

Advantages:

* Weeding can be done in about 2.5 to 3 acresin a day.

* Owing to the shovel shaped tynes, theunderground tubers of monocot weeds areuprooted which is not possible while doingmanuallywith spades or hoes.

* The ridges are broken and soil loosened,thus ensuring better aeration for roots ofyoung seedlings.

* Very cheap when compared to the cost ofmanualweeding.

The approximate cost of the intercultivator isRs. 12,500 I-.

EARTHING UP IMPLEMENT

This implement consists of two heavyduty ridgers fitted to a strong frame It is fittedto a wheel-adjusted tractor and worked inbetween the rows after applying therecommended fertilizers on 40-45 days. Thisoperation will partially earth up the plants andthe applied fertilizers will be covered with soil.Thus the ridges become furrows and vice versa.

When the crop is nearing 80-90 days ofage, second top dressing of urea and potash canbe done in between crop rows and the sameimplement can be used again for full earthing upof the plants.

Advantages:

* Complete elimination of use of manuallabour for partial and full earthing up, thushighly labour saving.

* About 3.0 to 4.0 acres can be earthed up in aday.

* The ridges formed are about one foot highproviding good anchorage and preventinglodging to a great extent. .

* The furrows are uniformly deep makingirrigation water to flow uniformly, which isdifficult to achieve by earthing up withspade.

* Smallweeds are smothered.

The cost of the implement is approximatelyRs. 10,3001-.

OFF-BARRER

There are three sets of tynes with twotynes in each set and if worked in the field with awheel adjusted tractor, will run close to the croprows on either side, cut the ridges, loosen thesoil 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 approximatelyRs. 9,400 I-.

Extension publication No: 57 (2001)

Prepared by :

Published by .

Shri. S. RajamohanDr N. Balasundaram

Director

Sugarcane Breeding InstituteCoimbatore 641 007.

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