Sugarcane production at Empangeni and Sugarcane production at Empangeni and

MelmothMelmoth

Compiled and Presented Compiled and Presented by by

T.B Ngema 10790T.B Ngema 10790

IntroductionIntroduction

Sugar cane is considered as a tropical plant but is a Sugar cane is considered as a tropical plant but is a relatively hardy tropical and sub-tropical crop which has relatively hardy tropical and sub-tropical crop which has been adapted to grow both in high rainfall areas and in been adapted to grow both in high rainfall areas and in desert conditions in which it is entirely dependent on desert conditions in which it is entirely dependent on irrigation. It is a long duration crop and thus it encounters irrigation. It is a long duration crop and thus it encounters all the seasons' viz., rainy, winter and summer during its all the seasons' viz., rainy, winter and summer during its life cycle. It is also grown in the world from altitude 36.7° life cycle. It is also grown in the world from altitude 36.7° N and 31.0° S and from sea level to 1000m of altitude or N and 31.0° S and from sea level to 1000m of altitude or little more. The plant thrives best in tropical hot sunny little more. The plant thrives best in tropical hot sunny areas production of sugarcane at Empangeni and areas production of sugarcane at Empangeni and Melmoth. It also includes the soil requirement, climate Melmoth. It also includes the soil requirement, climate data and access to the market, management, seasonal data and access to the market, management, seasonal plan and financial plan of the production of sugarcane in plan and financial plan of the production of sugarcane in these two places.these two places.

Skills needed when Skills needed when producing sugar caneproducing sugar cane

If someone intends to produce sugarcane If someone intends to produce sugarcane these are some of the skills required these are some of the skills required which are: which are:

• Cane management Cane management • Variety selection Variety selection • Pest, diseases and weed control Pest, diseases and weed control • Climate analysis Climate analysis • Irrigation system (depending on the Irrigation system (depending on the

production method) production method)

Production requirementsProduction requirements

Sugarcane production requirementSugarcane production requirement

• Soil Soil

• Climate Climate

• Weeds, pests and diseases Controls Weeds, pests and diseases Controls

• Pest and diseasesPest and diseases

• Labour Labour

• MarketingMarketing

Soil requirement of Soil requirement of SugarcaneSugarcane

Sugarcane can be grown in a wide rage of soil from Sugarcane can be grown in a wide rage of soil from sandy loam to clay loam. However, it thrives best sandy loam to clay loam. However, it thrives best on well drained soils. It can also be raised on well drained soils. It can also be raised successfully on lighter soils provided there is successfully on lighter soils provided there is adequate irrigation facilities while on heavy clays adequate irrigation facilities while on heavy clays with proper drainage and addition of organic with proper drainage and addition of organic matter. Saline, alkaline and acidic soils are not at matter. Saline, alkaline and acidic soils are not at all suitable for sugarcane. For cultivation of all suitable for sugarcane. For cultivation of sugarcane, both physical and chemical properties sugarcane, both physical and chemical properties of soil should be identified. Physical characteristics of soil should be identified. Physical characteristics of soil determines the water holding capacity; of soil determines the water holding capacity; draining capacity of soil, aeration, soil temperature, draining capacity of soil, aeration, soil temperature, root growth, availability of nutrients, microbial root growth, availability of nutrients, microbial growth etc. growth etc.

Soil requirement cont’dSoil requirement cont’d

In light textured soils, the problem is poor In light textured soils, the problem is poor water holding capacity and this can be water holding capacity and this can be improved by the addition of organic matter improved by the addition of organic matter as well as soil amendments like tank silt. as well as soil amendments like tank silt. Very frequent irrigations are required. Very frequent irrigations are required. Sugarcane is not a suitable crop for light Sugarcane is not a suitable crop for light soils unless otherwise irrigation sources are soils unless otherwise irrigation sources are available. Heavy soils’, though having very available. Heavy soils’, though having very high water holding capacity, the problem is high water holding capacity, the problem is ill-drained conditions. These soils can be ill-drained conditions. These soils can be beating utilized by providing proper beating utilized by providing proper drainage.)drainage.)

Climate requirementClimate requirement

Sugarcane is a tropical plant. It grows Sugarcane is a tropical plant. It grows more successfully in those regions where more successfully in those regions where the climate is more or less tropical but it the climate is more or less tropical but it can grow in sub tropics too as in north can grow in sub tropics too as in north India. India.

•Sugarcane yields is mostly affected by the climate Sugarcane yields is mostly affected by the climate in the country. These includes:in the country. These includes:

TemperatureTemperature RainfallRainfall SunshineSunshine HumidityHumidity FrostFrost

Climate requirementClimate requirement

• TemperatureTemperature– Optimum cane temperatures is between 24 and Optimum cane temperatures is between 24 and

30 30 °°C. C. – A temperature less than 5 A temperature less than 5 °°C is harmful even to C is harmful even to

resistant varieties. resistant varieties. – Temperatures above 38 Temperatures above 38 °°C increase rate C increase rate

respiration. respiration. – During the active growth period, a minimum During the active growth period, a minimum

mean temperature of 20 mean temperature of 20 °°C is required. C is required. – Fluctuations in temperature have profound Fluctuations in temperature have profound

influence on sucrose accumulation. influence on sucrose accumulation. – A mean day temperature of 12 to 14 A mean day temperature of 12 to 14 °°C would be C would be

highly desirable for proper ripening. highly desirable for proper ripening.

RainfallRainfall

• The crop can survive normal variation around a The crop can survive normal variation around a mean of 1200 mm. for obtaining higher yields, a mean of 1200 mm. for obtaining higher yields, a rainfall of 2000 to 2500 mm per annum, evenly rainfall of 2000 to 2500 mm per annum, evenly distributed is considered ideal. distributed is considered ideal.

• During the active growth period rainfall encourages During the active growth period rainfall encourages rapid cane growth, cane elongation and internodes rapid cane growth, cane elongation and internodes formation. formation.

• But during ripening period, it is not desirable as it But during ripening period, it is not desirable as it leads to poor juice quality, encourage vegetative leads to poor juice quality, encourage vegetative growth, formation of water shoots and increase in growth, formation of water shoots and increase in the tissue moisture. the tissue moisture.

• It also hampers harvesting and transport operations. It also hampers harvesting and transport operations.

HumidityHumidity

• The relative humidity does not have The relative humidity does not have much influence, if water supply is not much influence, if water supply is not limiting. limiting.

• Moderate values of 45 to 65 percent Moderate values of 45 to 65 percent coupled with limited water supply are coupled with limited water supply are favorable during the ripening phase. favorable during the ripening phase.

• However, high humidity’s coupled with However, high humidity’s coupled with warm weather favor vegetative growth.warm weather favor vegetative growth.

SunshineSunshine

• Sugarcane is a sun loving plant. Sugarcane is a sun loving plant.

• Therefore, greater incident radiation Therefore, greater incident radiation (Sunshine) favours higher sugarcane (Sunshine) favours higher sugarcane and sugar yields. and sugar yields.

• About 7 to 9 hours of bright sunshine About 7 to 9 hours of bright sunshine is highly useful both for active is highly useful both for active growth and ripening. growth and ripening.

FrostFrost

• Severe cold weather inhibits bud Severe cold weather inhibits bud sprouting in ratoons and arrests cane sprouting in ratoons and arrests cane growth. growth.

• At temperature -10 to 20 C the cane At temperature -10 to 20 C the cane leaves and meristem tissues are leaves and meristem tissues are killed killed

Weeds, pests and diseases Weeds, pests and diseases ControlsControls

Weeds, pests and diseases they all need Weeds, pests and diseases they all need to be controlled for best sugarcane to be controlled for best sugarcane production but care is needed when production but care is needed when controlling these three in odder to do controlling these three in odder to do profit. Weed control involves a mixture of profit. Weed control involves a mixture of cultivation and herbicide application. In cultivation and herbicide application. In pest and diseases monitoring, timely pest and diseases monitoring, timely control of pests and diseases is essential control of pests and diseases is essential even with resistant cane varieties. This even with resistant cane varieties. This can be done by being hygiene, biological can be done by being hygiene, biological controls and use of chemicals controls and use of chemicals

Pest and diseasesPest and diseases

The most common pest and diseases for The most common pest and diseases for sugar cane in South Africa are: Brown, spot sugar cane in South Africa are: Brown, spot Eye spot, Eye spot, Mosaic, Eldana borer, Pokkah Mosaic, Eldana borer, Pokkah boeng, Ratoon stunting diseases boeng, Ratoon stunting diseases (RSD), Rust Leaf scald, Smut,(RSD), Rust Leaf scald, Smut, Gumming, Gumming, Mites, Red rot, Brown stripe streak, Chlorolic Mites, Red rot, Brown stripe streak, Chlorolic streak, Red stripe and Yellow leaf syndrome. streak, Red stripe and Yellow leaf syndrome. Some of these diseases can cause Some of these diseases can cause significant damage or yield losses, which significant damage or yield losses, which are South African major pests and diseases are South African major pests and diseases see the highlighted ones.see the highlighted ones.

Labour requirementLabour requirement

Sugarcane farm permanent labours Sugarcane farm permanent labours will depending on the size of the will depending on the size of the farm. Other labour can be highered farm. Other labour can be highered temporally e.g. during the harvesting temporally e.g. during the harvesting time and for spraying of herbicides or time and for spraying of herbicides or pesticidespesticides

MarketingMarketing

Sugarcane is usually not marketed; Sugarcane is usually not marketed; when it is ready usually it’s taken to when it is ready usually it’s taken to the mills the mills

Empangeni and MelmothEmpangeni and Melmoth

• Humidity or Moisture contentHumidity or Moisture content

• Soil type and topographySoil type and topography

• Access to the marketAccess to the market

• climate dataclimate data

Empangeni and Melmoth Empangeni and Melmoth

Humidity or Moisture contentHumidity or Moisture contentThe two types of moisture are:The two types of moisture are:• Air humidity or moisture this varies with Air humidity or moisture this varies with

temperature. For instance when the temperature. For instance when the temperature is too high the humidity will be temperature is too high the humidity will be low and when it’s too low the humidity will low and when it’s too low the humidity will be high. be high.

• Soil moisture this will depend on the soil Soil moisture this will depend on the soil water holding capacity, (WHC), soil type, air water holding capacity, (WHC), soil type, air field pore space (AFP), and etc. Empangeni field pore space (AFP), and etc. Empangeni have moderate soil moisture content have moderate soil moisture content because it has well drained soils.because it has well drained soils.

Empangeni Empangeni Soil type and topographySoil type and topography

Empangeni has rolling terrain, it has Empangeni has rolling terrain, it has the altitude range (m) of 32 to 198 m the altitude range (m) of 32 to 198 m , the slope is steep to moderate, the , the slope is steep to moderate, the extent of cultivation is widespread extent of cultivation is widespread and potential soil erosion hazard and potential soil erosion hazard rating is high risk (4.6). It has good rating is high risk (4.6). It has good soils of duplex and moderate to poor soils of duplex and moderate to poor drainage.drainage.

Access to the marketAccess to the market

The cane will be transported by the The cane will be transported by the tractor(s) to the nearest mill. The nearest tractor(s) to the nearest mill. The nearest mill is Mfolozi and Pongola (but this one is a mill is Mfolozi and Pongola (but this one is a bit far). The cost will be detected by the bit far). The cost will be detected by the track owner or dealer. E.g. the longer the track owner or dealer. E.g. the longer the distance the higher costs. Mpangeni is next distance the higher costs. Mpangeni is next to the most mills therefore it is easily to the most mills therefore it is easily accessible to the market. The cost will be accessible to the market. The cost will be not that high. not that high.

Table 2: Empangeni climate data

Temperature – Precipitation

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year

Highest recorded temperature (°C)

41 39 39 37 35 35 31 37 40 42 43 42 43

Average daily maximum temperature (°C)

29 29 29 27 25 23 23 24 25 25 27 27 26

Average daily minimum temperature (°C)

21 21 20 18 15 12 12 14 16 17 19 20 17

Lowest recorded temperature (°C)

11 13 14 8 7 6 4 5 6 10 11 13 4

Average monthly precipitation (mm)

172 167 107 109 109 57 60 65 77 105 114 86 1027

Average number of rain days (>= 1 mm)

12 12 10 8 7 6 6 7 9 12 13 11 113

(Camp 1995)Annual RainfallMinimum annual rainfall is 1007mmAverage annual rainfall is 1027mmMaximum annual rainfall is 1453mm Where CV= 18.3%

Melmoth Melmoth Soil type and topographySoil type and topography

Melmoth have the rolling terrain, the Melmoth have the rolling terrain, the altitude ranges from 535 to 1118 m, altitude ranges from 535 to 1118 m, the slope is steep to moderate, the the slope is steep to moderate, the extent of cultivation is moderate and extent of cultivation is moderate and the potential soil erosion hazard the potential soil erosion hazard rating is very high risk. It has shallow rating is very high risk. It has shallow soils and poor drainage which soils and poor drainage which increase an erosion hazard.increase an erosion hazard.

Access to the marketAccess to the market

The cane will be transported by the The cane will be transported by the tractor(s) to the nearest mill. The nearest tractor(s) to the nearest mill. The nearest mill is Matigulu and Ntumeni (but this one is mill is Matigulu and Ntumeni (but this one is closed). The cost will be detected by the closed). The cost will be detected by the truck owner or dealer. E.g. the longer the truck owner or dealer. E.g. the longer the distance the higher costs. Melmoth is not distance the higher costs. Melmoth is not next to the mills therefore it is not easily next to the mills therefore it is not easily accessible to the market cost will be higher accessible to the market cost will be higher at Melmoth when transporting the cane to at Melmoth when transporting the cane to the mill. the mill.

Table 3: Melmoth climate data (Camp 1995)

Temperature – Precipitation °C | °F

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Average high in °C 27 27 26 26 23 22 22 23 24 26 26 27

Average low in °C 17 17 16 14 12 9 9 11 12 13 14 16

Av. precipitation - mm

113 115 95 46 35 18 12 27 48 93 103 112

Annual RainfallMinimum annual rainfall is 634mmAverage annual rainfall is 817mmMaximum annual rainfall is 1000mm Where CV=22%

Management plan Management plan Production requirement Production requirement

• Farm lay out Farm lay out

• Weed, pest and diseases Weed, pest and diseases

• Farm operationFarm operation

• Transporting and marketingTransporting and marketing

Lay outLay out

The proposed farm land is about 35 ha, and The proposed farm land is about 35 ha, and the farmer have R20 million as the startup the farmer have R20 million as the startup capital. In these 35 hatters 30 hatters is for capital. In these 35 hatters 30 hatters is for the plantation of sugarcane and 5 hatters is the plantation of sugarcane and 5 hatters is for the farm operations. The farm operation for the farm operations. The farm operation is will be divided as follows 0.5 hatters is for is will be divided as follows 0.5 hatters is for farm homestead, 2.5 hectors is for labour farm homestead, 2.5 hectors is for labour homestead, 0.5 hectors is for the storage of homestead, 0.5 hectors is for the storage of chemicals like herbicides and pesticides and chemicals like herbicides and pesticides and 1.5 hectors is for farm workshop. 1.5 hectors is for farm workshop.

Lay out cont’dLay out cont’d

The farm operations must be located at the The farm operations must be located at the canter of the farm, it must be easily accessible to canter of the farm, it must be easily accessible to the following, road, water, power electricity and the following, road, water, power electricity and other things (schools shops etc). The farm must other things (schools shops etc). The farm must have at least 10 permanent labours so that every have at least 10 permanent labours so that every thing in the farm will go well depending on the thing in the farm will go well depending on the size of the farm. This farm will have 12 labours size of the farm. This farm will have 12 labours they will be divided as follows two tractor drivers, they will be divided as follows two tractor drivers, three people on weed control, three in pest and three people on weed control, three in pest and diseases and four people in marketing and diseases and four people in marketing and harvesting. This farm will be under dry land.harvesting. This farm will be under dry land.

Farm operationFarm operation

The farm will have the following things so that it The farm will have the following things so that it can operate well, this include the good labour can operate well, this include the good labour system (labours should be well skilled and hard system (labours should be well skilled and hard workers), up-to-date equipment (if all the workers), up-to-date equipment (if all the equipment are up-to-date every thing will be equipment are up-to-date every thing will be done on time) and time table (this will help the done on time) and time table (this will help the farm to do and prepare things on time). Note farm to do and prepare things on time). Note that the farm operations will not be the same that the farm operations will not be the same for these two places due to their soil form, for these two places due to their soil form, terrains, altitude and climatic conditions which terrains, altitude and climatic conditions which are not similar. are not similar.

Weeds, pests and diseases Weeds, pests and diseases ControlsControls

There are several basic types of herbicides, There are several basic types of herbicides, each targeting certain plant pests (weeds, each targeting certain plant pests (weeds, grasses.)  Pre-emergent herbicides are used to grasses.)  Pre-emergent herbicides are used to stop the germination of plant seeds.  Post stop the germination of plant seeds.  Post emergent herbicides can be selective or non-emergent herbicides can be selective or non-selective.  Products such as Roundup can be selective.  Products such as Roundup can be considered total vegetation, non selective and considered total vegetation, non selective and post emergent.  Total vegetation products post emergent.  Total vegetation products Examples of different herbicide types which are Examples of different herbicide types which are Surflan A.S, Atrazine 4 L, Trimec Lawn Weed Surflan A.S, Atrazine 4 L, Trimec Lawn Weed Killer, Roundup Pro Dry and GlyphosateKiller, Roundup Pro Dry and Glyphosate. . Weed Weed is the major problem at Melmoth than at is the major problem at Melmoth than at Empangeni because Melmoth has both broad Empangeni because Melmoth has both broad leaf and grass weed and the control is much leaf and grass weed and the control is much differs in Melmoth due to the slope and wind. differs in Melmoth due to the slope and wind. See the table bellowSee the table bellow

Table 1: Types of weed at Empangeni and Melmoth

Empangeni Melmoth

Broad leaf weed 45% 39%

Grass weed 55% 41%

Control effectiveness 89% 36%

Pest and diseasesPest and diseases

Pest and diseases that are expected Pest and diseases that are expected for sugar cane in South Africa are:for sugar cane in South Africa are:

Some of these diseases can cause Some of these diseases can cause significant damage or yield losses, significant damage or yield losses, which are South African major pests which are South African major pests and diseases see the highlighted and diseases see the highlighted ones. See table below ones. See table below

Pest and diseases Table2: Pest and diseases

PestsDiseases

Eldona borer Brown spot

Gumming Eye spot

Mites Mosaic

streak Red rot

Pokkah boeng Rust

Brown stripe Ratoon stunting diseases (RSD)

Red stripe Smut

Chlorolic streak Leaf scald

Yellow leaf syndrome

Transporting and Transporting and marketingmarketing

The cane will be transported by the The cane will be transported by the tractor(s) the cost will be higher at tractor(s) the cost will be higher at Melmoth than at Empangeni because Melmoth than at Empangeni because the mills are not near than the the mills are not near than the Melmoth as comparing to Melmoth as comparing to Empangeni. In terms of marketing Empangeni. In terms of marketing cane is in higher demand the will be cane is in higher demand the will be no any problems. no any problems.

RecommendationRecommendation

Empangeni will be the best place to produce Empangeni will be the best place to produce sugarcane then Melmoth, because of the following sugarcane then Melmoth, because of the following leason: it has most suitable climate for producing leason: it has most suitable climate for producing sugarcane because it has the mostly similar sugarcane because it has the mostly similar climate with that required by the sugar cane plant. climate with that required by the sugar cane plant. Empangeni is also the best area for this production Empangeni is also the best area for this production because it have good soils of duplex and moderate because it have good soils of duplex and moderate to poor drainage it climate is favourable for wide to poor drainage it climate is favourable for wide range of crops for good yield throughout the year it range of crops for good yield throughout the year it is frost free, and Melmoth is not because it have is frost free, and Melmoth is not because it have shallow soils and poor drainage which increase an shallow soils and poor drainage which increase an erosion hazard and it has low temperatures and erosion hazard and it has low temperatures and frost.frost.

Recommendation cont,dRecommendation cont,d

The cane will be transported by the The cane will be transported by the tractor's the cost will be higher at tractor's the cost will be higher at Melmoth than at Empangeni Melmoth than at Empangeni because the mills are not near because the mills are not near than the Melmoth as comparing to than the Melmoth as comparing to Empangeni. In terms of marketing Empangeni. In terms of marketing cane is in higher demand the will cane is in higher demand the will be no any problemsbe no any problems

ConclusionConclusionThe productivity levels are much less in sub-tropics. The productivity levels are much less in sub-tropics. Sugarcane can be grown in wide range of soils from Sugarcane can be grown in wide range of soils from sandy loam to clay loam. However, it thrives best on sandy loam to clay loam. However, it thrives best on well drained soils. It can also can be raised successfully well drained soils. It can also can be raised successfully on lighter soils provided there is adequate irrigation on lighter soils provided there is adequate irrigation facilities. It grows more successfully in those regions facilities. It grows more successfully in those regions where the climate is more or less tropical but it can where the climate is more or less tropical but it can grow in sub tropics too as in north India. Empangeni is grow in sub tropics too as in north India. Empangeni is the best area for this production because it have good the best area for this production because it have good soils of moderate to poor drainage it climate is soils of moderate to poor drainage it climate is favourable for wide range of crops for good yield favourable for wide range of crops for good yield throughout the year it is frost free, and Melmoth will not throughout the year it is frost free, and Melmoth will not be suitable because it have shallow soils and poor be suitable because it have shallow soils and poor drainage which increase an erosion hazard and it has drainage which increase an erosion hazard and it has low temperatures and frost.low temperatures and frost.

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