Agronomic research in sugar crops: An overview

Sugar crops led by sugarcane provide raw material for sugar, bio-fuel and various other valuable chemicals. Agronomic research on sugarcane during last six decades comprised work on standardization of planting materials and methods, efficient management of water and nutrients, weed management, technology for ratooning, options for diversification of sugarcane plant-ratoon system and various land, water, energy and seed cane saving techniques helpful to ensure profitable raising of the crop. Efforts are on to level the difference in cane yield under tropical and sub-tropical regions of the country and sustaining soil health vis-a-vis productivity. Development of agronomic packages for sugarcane production under stressed environment also received attention. Crop production packages for sugarbeet and sweet sorghum are being revisited to effectively tap their potential as a supplement to sugarcane for sweetener and bio-fuel (ethanol) production. An account of relevant achievements along with flagging of future research thrusts is attempted in the paper.