Planting Material of Sugarcane 

The commercial sugarcane is propagated vegetatively. The potential healthy buds grow into normal plants.The cane is cut into pieces or sections which called setts. The setts are to be made of immature cane. The planting material is known as seed pieces or setts. The true seed of sugarcane is unsuitable for producing commercial crop.

The cane used for planting should preferably be well grown immature plants of about 10-12 months old. It is an excellent practice to establish a special cane nursery for quality seed production. Plant material should be healthy, rich in nutrient status and free from pest and disease incidence. Following things should be kept in mind-

1. The top portion should be selected for seed purpose because of younger and well protected buds.
2. The ratoon crop is not suitable for seed purpose as these canes may carry the diseases of previous crop.
3. About 35000-40000 setts are needed to plant one hectare (1 ha) which can be obtained from about 75-80 quintals of cane.
4. The planting material must not have undergone drought, frost or flood as otherwise the buds would be abnormal with poor germinability.
5. The seed material must have been well nourished.
6. The buds on the sett must be green, projected and free from scaly leaves.
7. The canes should be healthy and free from diseases and insect-pests.