Bud chip technology for seed saving and rapid seed multiplication in sugarcane

The plant material used in bud chip technology are scooped bud chips/single bud setts with a viable bud and root primordial and raised in the nursery under field conditions after soaking in fungicide (Carbendazim, 0.1% for 20 min) and growth promoting chemical (Ethrel, 100 ppm). Within 25 days, settlings are ready for transplanting for raising sugarcane crop. The seed requirement varies for different methods of planting using various types of planting materials. The seed cane requirement is comparatively very low, approximately 1.0 t ha⁻¹ with high rate of bud sprouting (80% - 90%) than three bud setts (6 to 8 t ha⁻¹) and exhibits nearly 30% bud sprouting. In bud chip technology, seed multiplication rate is very high (1:60) as compared to the conventional method (1:10). The technique also helps in saving the cane seed material, optimizes the initial shoot population, secures higher NMC (number of millable canes) and average cane weight. The left-over cane can be utilized for crushing. Adoption of improved bud chip technology by sugarcane farmers may certainly increase their income