Lahore: The Punjab Agriculture department has issued recommendations for the September cultivation of sugarcane, advising farmers to plant the crop between September 1 and 30.
According to a department spokesman here on Thursday, loamy and heavy-loamy soils with good drainage and adequate organic matter are ideal for sugarcane cultivation. However, the crop can also be grown on light and relatively infertile soils with proper management. He said waterlogged and saline soils are unsuitable for sugarcane.
The department stressed that the soil should be prepared to a depth of at least one foot, as sugarcane roots penetrate deep into the ground.
Spokesman said that well-decomposed farmyard manure should also be applied before land preparation.
He further recommended using a rotavator and running a chisel plough twice in opposite directions, followed by preparation with a conventional plough.
For September planting, medium-and late-maturing sugarcane varieties are considered more suitable. The approved varieties for riverine and adjoining areas include CP 400-77, CPF 237, SPF 213 and HSF 240.
For other areas, farmers can also cultivate CPF 246, CPF 247, CPF 248 and CPF 249, in addition to the aforementioned varieties.
SPF 234 has been identified as the most suitable variety for southern Punjab, particularly in Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts, excluding riverine areas.
