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Editorial Board

Mr. Altaf M. Saleem Chairman

Dr. Shahid Afghan Editor-in-Chief

Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed Member

Dr. Muhammad Zubair Member

Dr. Javed Iqbal Member

Dr. Aamir Ali Member

Mr. Aamir Shahzad Editor

Ms. Tooba Rauf Malik Associate Editor

Ms. Asia Naheed Associate Editor

Subscription

Aamir Shahzad

Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute

Toba Road, JHANG

Ph: +92 47 763 1001-5 Ext. 603, 604

Email: aamir.shahzad@shakarganj.com.pk

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Recognized by

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan

Cited by

Asia Net Pakistan (Factiva International)

Commonwealth Agriculture & Biology International

(CABI-UK)

ISSN 1028-1193

Panel of Referees

Dr. P. Jackson: Principal Scientist, CSIRO, Australia

Dr. Raul O. Castillo: Director General, Research Station

EI Triunfo, Ecuador

Dr. Benjamin Legendre: Interim Director, Audubon

Sugar Institute, USA

Dr. Yong-Bao Pan: Research Plant Molecular

Geneticist, USDA-ARS, USA

Dr. Jack C. Comstock: Research Leader, ARS USDA,

Canal Point Florida, USA

Dr. Sizuo Matsuoka: Director, Canavialis SA, Brazil

Dr. Niranjan Baisakh: Assistant Professor, - SPESS, LSU USA

Dr. Abdul Rauf: Prof. & Chairman Plant Pathology PMAS

Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi

Dr. Asif Tanvir: Professor, Dept. of Agronomy, UAF

Dr. Muhammad Umer Chattha: Assistant Professor,

Dept. of Agronomy, UAF

CONTENTS 02

Obituary: Dr. Douglas Macdonald Hogarth AM

ISSCT Honorary Life Member

04 Boiler economizer calculations

Muhammad Yousuf Khan

07 Maximum Economic Return through Intercropping of

Different Crops in September Sown Sugarcane

(Saccharum officinarum L.)

Abdul Rehman, Aamir Ali, Zafar Iqbal, Rafi Qamar,

Shahid Afghan and Abdul Majid

16 Loss of resistance in HSF-240 against whip smut of

sugarcane over consecutive ratoons

M. Asad Farooq, Awais Rasool, M. Zubair, Sagheer

Ahmad and Shahid Afghan

19 Sugar leaf “Stevia”

Muhammad Asad, Syed Zia ul Hussnain, & Aamir

Shahzad

21 Sugar Industry Abstracts

26 International Events Calendar

27 Social Action Program of SML

Annual Prize & Certificate Distribution Ceremony –

Fashion Designing & Fine Arts Classes

29 Sugar and Addiction

World Sugar Research Organization (WSRO) Position

Statement

35 Story of Sweets

Donuts

Chinese Egg Custard Tarts

36 Guidelines for Authors

PAKISTAN SUGAR JOURNAL

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

Obituary

Dr. Douglas Macdonald Hogarth AM

ISSCT Honorary Life Member

Mac was born Queensland Australia on 12

September 1942. He married Tricia Ward in 1973

and they have three daughters (Susan, Julia and

Annabelle) and eight grandchildren – twins being

born shortly before his death.

Mac was educated at a one-teacher school

outside nearby Jandowae before joining the

Toowoomba Boys Prep School and then finally to

The Southport School as a boarder. He attended

the University of Queensland in 1960 and gained a

Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 1963. He was

granted a scholarship from the Bureau of Sugar

Experiment Stations to obtain a Master‟s degree at

the University of Sydney, where he specialized in

Biometrics and Quantitative Genetics.

His first posting was to BSES, Meringa, where he

commenced his career with the plant breeding

group. He was transferred to Brisbane in 1969 to be

the first bio-metrician in BSES and obtained his PhD

from the University of Queensland in 1973 for his

thesis Methods of Selection and Estimation of

Genetic Variances in Population of Sugar Cane. In

1985, he was transferred to BSES, Bundaberg, to

lead the plant breeding group in southern

Queensland during the industry‟s recovery from an

outbreak of Fiji leaf gall virus. In 1990, he returned to

Brisbane to lead the BSES plant breeding group

and was part of the Executive Team. He retired

from BSES in 2002.

His major research contributions were in

quantitative genetics, the establishment of

databases and statistical programs to improve the

efficiency of the plant breeding program, and the

establishment of the biometrics unit in BSES. He is

acknowledged as a world leader in these areas

and also developed and selected many important

Q cultivars. After retirement, Mac was appointed

as a Director of the Sugar Research and

Development Corporation for six years, where he

played an important role in guiding the direction if

investments of funds for the industry and

government RD&E. In 2010, he was invited to join a

Scientific Advisory Group set up by the European

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

Union to oversee projects funded by the EU in

developing countries that sell sugar to the EU.

The English language was always a thing of beauty

to Mac and something not to be misused. Some

might call him pedantic, but his skills shone in his

editing reports, manuscripts, and proceedings and

supervision of higher-degree students. His skills are

well reflected in his co-editorship of the 2000

edition of the Manual of Cane Growing published

for the 100th anniversary of BSES.

Mac was actively involved in Australian Society of

Sugar Cane Technologists over the span of his

career. He served terms as Secretary and

Chairman of the Agricultural Section in 1988 and

1989 and was President of the Society in 2002. He

was the Editor from 1998 to 2006, was awarded a

President‟s Medal and was made a Life Member in

2003. Likewise he was passionate about the

International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists,

serving as its Editor from 2001 to 2013, and editing

his fifth proceedings for the XXVIII Congress in São

Paulo. He was honored to be made a Life Member

of ISSCT in 2007. Mac was always willing to be

„unpopular‟ by saying the things that needed to be

said but at the same time still genuinely accepting

collective decisions for the greater good. It is

because of great people like Mac that we can

affectionately refer to the ISSCT „family‟.

Mac‟s significant contribution to the sugar industry

and to the Australian community was recognized

when he was made a Member of the Order of

Australia in 2006 for “service to the sugar industry

through research and development of sugar cane

breeding programs”- an award that was well

deserved. This was followed with recognition from

the wider agricultural community by being made a

Fellow of the Ag Institute Australia and being

presented with a 2012 Service Award to the Sugar

Industry.

To his family Mac was a devoted husband, father,

father-in-law and grandfather. To the people at

the ISSCT he was a friend, a colleague, a mentor.

He was always open and honest, but also positive

and constructive in his manner. He was generous

with his time and energy in providing experienced

and valuable advice to many scientists, breeders

and extension officers, with particular support and

encouragement to younger staff. He was deeply

respected, not just because of his technical

expertise, but also because he was a man of great

integrity and dependability.

Mac‟s death on 12 March 2014 represents a very

sad landmark for the international community of

sugar cane breeders and researchers. His presence

at many events and forums will be very sadly

missed and fondly remembered. He will continue

to be an inspiring role model, in many ways, for

those who had the great pleasure and honor of

knowing and working with him.

As a referee of international panel for the Pakistan

Sugar Journal, Dr. Mac Hogarth made significant

contributions from 2008 until his death (5 years). The

Chair and members of PSJ editorial board and

readers of the journal offer heartfelt condolence

with deep sorrow on the sad demise of Dr. Mac

Hogarth. May God keep his soul in eternal peace.

May God comfort Tricia and her family with Peace

and Strength now and in the days to come. May

the love of friends sustain them in these difficult

days.

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

BOILER ECONOMIZER CALCULATIONS

Muhammad Yousuf Khan

General Manager, Matiari Sugar Mills

Tube size selection & coil element placement

• Tube Layout

– Tubes of 63.5 mm diameter in reasonably good

condition were available as a result of tube

bank replacement. It was decided to use these

tubes.

Tube size selection & coil element placement

• Tube Placement

– Economizer elements, when placed such that

the inlet & outlet header are both on top, cause

some moisture to be left in the element when

the boiler is drained down. Moreover, in this

direction the element depth is limited to the

space available in the duct. (Refer to slide #4)

– Thus the number of bends has to be increased

to get a higher heating surface area. The

advantage of a complete counter flow is also

not achieved. Thus the design of placing the

inlet header on the bottom & the outlet header

on top was selected. (Refer to slide #5)

Tube size selection & coil element placement

Tube Layout

Tube size selection & coil element placement

Tube Placement

Cross-sectional area for gas passage

The criteria fixed for gas passage was:

• Cross-sectional area available for gas passage

should not be less than the cross sectional area

of the Air heater through which the same gasses

already pass. This is 3.16m2.

• Area of the air duct is 9.4m2. Exposed area of the

economizer coils is 4.3 m2.

• Area available for gas passage through the

economizer is 9.4 – 4.3 = 5.1 m2

Heating surface of economizer

• Coil Length (L)=76.77 m:

• No. of coils (N) =18:

• Total Tube Length= 1381.86 meter

• Diameter of tube (D)= 63.5 mm

• Heating surface of the economizer = π*D*L*N =

3.14*.063*76.74*18= 273m2

Available Data

• Rated Capacity of boiler (p) = 50 T.P.H.

• Working Pressure= 24 kg/cm2: @320oC

• Moisture in Bagasse (w) = 52.1%

• Sugar in Bagasse (s) = 2.1%

• Excess air ratio (m)-= 1.5

• Inlet Feed Water temperature (to) = 98 oC

• Economizer out let Feed water temperature (t)

= ?

• Temperature of gasses leaving the Dust

collector (To) = 325 oC

• Temperature of gasses leaving the economizer

(T) = ?

• Heating surface of economizer = 273m2

• Un-burnt Gas coefficient (α)- (from Hugot) =

0.95

• Heat transfer coefficient (K) = 30 kcal/oC/ m2/h

• Feed water temperature = 98 oC

• Specific heat of water (c) = 1 kcal/kg oC

• Specific heat of gasses (c) = 0.285 kcal/kg oC

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

Weight of bagasse to be burnt

• B=p/2.1

• B=50,000/2.1=23,809.5kg/hr

Weight of gas produced

• Pg=5.76(1-w)m+1

• Pg=5.76(1-0.521)1.5+1

• Pg=5.138kg/kg of bagasse

• Total weight of gasses

• P=Pg*B

• P=5.138*23809.5

• P=122,346kg/hr

Ratio Heat of gasses to heat of Water through

Economizer

• R = α*P*C/pc

• R=0.95*122346*0.285/50000*1

• R= 0.662 ----------------(A)

• R= (t-to)/(To-T)

• R= (t-98)/(325-T)

• 0.662=(t-98)/(325-T)-----from (A) above

Upon simplification we get the equation 313.31-

0.662T = t--------------equation 1

Heating Surface (S) for the economizer

• S = {[(α*P*C)]/[k(1-r)]} ln[(To-t)/(T-to)]

• S= 273 = {[(0.95* 122346* 0.285)}/[30(1-0.662)]}

ln[(325-t)/(T-98)]

• Upon simplification we get the equation

1.087T+t-431.4=0.-----------equation 2

Temperature of the gasses leaving the economizer

• From simultaneous solution of equation 1 & 2

• T=278 0C (Temperature of gasses leaving the

economizer)

Temperature of Feed Water leaving Economizer

• Substituting the Value of T into equation 1

• t=129 0C (Economizer out let Feed water

temperature)

Energy & Fuel Saving

• Energy saved due to rise in feed water

temperature = 31*100000 = 3,100,000 kcal/h

• Fuel saving = energy saving/NCV= 3,100,000/

1698 = 1835 kg/h = 44 TPD = 4400 tons/ 100days

Return on Investment

• Bagasse saved @ Rs 2,500/ton is equivalent to =

Rs. 11 Million.

• Cost of economizer with used tubes = Rs. 6

Million.

• Saving in first season = Rs. 5 Million.

• Saving in subsequent seasons = Rs.11Million

each season.

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

MAXIMUM ECONOMIC RETURN THROUGH

INTERCROPPING OF DIFFERENT CROPS IN SEPTEMBER

SOWN SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM L.)

*Abdul Rehman, **Aamir Ali, *Zafar Iqbal, *Rafi Qamar, ***Shahid Afghan and **Abdul Majid

*Deptt. of Agronomy, University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha

**Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha

***Shakarganj Sugarcane Research Institute, Toba Road Jhang

*Corresponding author’s email: drabdulrehman18@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Sugarcane has a great value as the major source of sugar to more than half of the global population.

World population is increasing day-by-day and cultivated land is decreasing rapidly due to urbanization,

road construction, and land deterioration. This crisis demands alternate research to increase productivity

and maximum economic returns per acre to feed the gigantic population. Intercropping in sugarcane has

received much attention due to long duration and late return from sugarcane crop and may become

popular among farmers, if it is properly managed. Intercropping has the potential to encourage the

farmers to get maximum economic return per acre per annum. For intercropping, wheat, gram, soybean,

and potato was used as intercrops in the September-sown sugarcane. Triple row strip planting geometry of

sugarcane with four intercropped (SC+ Wheat, SC+ Gram, SC+ Soybean, and SC+ Potato) and check with

sole SC was used. Sugarcane was planted during September 2011-12 at the research area of the University

College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan. Randomized complete block design with three

replications was used. Results showed that number of millable cane, cane diameter; unstripped and

stripped cane yield and crop growth rate was higher in sole sugarcane than different inter-crop

treatments. The results also showed that intercrops gave higher land equivalent ratio and net return/net

income over the sole sugarcane planted, while sole sugarcane gave maximum benefit cost ratio.

Keywords: world population stress, sugarcane, intercropping, economic return, and benefit cost ratio.

Abbreviations: SC = Sugarcane; CGR = Crop growth rate; LER = Land equivalent ratio; BCR = Benefit cost

ratio.

INTRODUCTION

Sugarcane (Saccharum

officinarum L.) is the biggest

source of revenue in Pakistan

after cotton and rice. It has

central position in the growth of

sugar industries and economic

development. It is a source of

providing raw material to many

allied industries and employment

(Akbar et al., 2011). Sugarcane

contributes 3.2 % to the value

added products in agriculture

and 0.7 % to gross domestic

production (Govt. of Pakistan,

2012-13). Currently, the area

under sugarcane is 1.12 million

hectares and total production is

62.4 million tons with an average

yield of 55.58 metric ton ha-1

(Govt. of Pakistan, 2012-13).

Despite a higher yield potential,

average stripped cane yield of

sugarcane in Pakistan is well

below than in most of the

sugarcane producing countries

of the world (Ali et al., 2009).

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

There are several factors

involved in yield stagnant at

farmer‟s field while conventional

planting method/ geometry is

the main factor (Ehsanullah et

al., 2011).

To encourage the stripped cane

yield, different planting

techniques have been

developed. Conventionally,

sugarcane is planted in 60 to 75

cm apart single rows strip which

may result enhanced millable

cane per unit area and striped

cane yield but hinders different

cultural practices necessary for

good crop stand and hence,

restricting the cane yield to a

substantial extent (Ehsanullah et

al., 2011).

Triple row planting may be

suitable and efficient planting

system in saving water and

decreasing lodging due to

easiness in intercultural practice

and earthing-up operations

(Malik et al., 1996). Triple row strip

planting plays significant role in

increasing plant population and

stripped cane yield (Sarwar et

al., 1996). Sugarcane yield and

yield attributes like tillers, plant

height, number of millable canes

and stripped cane yield

produced by 120 cm apart triple

row trench planting was higher

than 60 cm apart single row

trenches (Chattha et al., 2007).

A triple row spacing of 120 cm

produced more total dry matter

and stripped cane yield over

single row and double row

spacing 60 and 90 cm but cane

quality were alike with different

row spacing (Raskar and Bhoi,

2005). A triple row planting

sugarcane with recommended

seed rate gave maximum net

income/ economic returns than

conventional method of

planting (Bhullar et al., 2008).

Day-by day the population is

rapidly increasing which

decreasing the area under crop

production. The prerequisite is to

increase the production and

income per unit area by

developing such planting

techniques and practices, which

may help in maintaining proper

plant population and

intercropping (Hussain et al.,

2008). Intercropping has been

known as a tremendous

practice to increase stripped

cane yield, maximum net

returns, and better resources

utilization and fulfill the demand

of diversified farms. The gross

monetary returns have been

recognized as the highest

economic benefit earned from

intercropping cane with potato

and lowest from pure cane

(Misra et al., 1989). Intercropping

produced superior quality cane

juice (Jayabal et al., 1990a) and

gave higher net field benefits

than sole sugarcane (Rana et

al., 2006). The conventional

methods of planting cane do

not permit the intercrops to grow

well due to shading and

competition effect. The

popularity of intercropping

systems on small growers in the

developing countries and the

demand for more food has

required intensive research on

intercropping (Rana et al., 2006).

The contradictory yield results of

different intercrops were found

in different studies (Li et al., 2013;

Kannappan et al., 1990;

Razzaque et al., 1978).

Pakistan being a subtropical

country with best growing

conditions can easily exploit the

potentials of growing more than

two crops in a year through

intercropping, which is

considered as an appropriate

method for increasing

production per unit land area

with suitable farm management

practices. There are not much

reported studies available on

the different intercrops in

sugarcane growing areas in

Pakistan. The present study was

conducted with the following

objective: To explore the yield

feasibility of sugarcane yield

under different intercrops and its

economics

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental site

The study regarding

intercropping in spring planted

sugarcane was conducted for

one year during 2011-12 on a

loam soil at research area

University College of Agriculture,

University of Sargodha, (32o.04‟

N, 72o.67‟ E), Pakistan. The

climate of the region is

subtropical semi-arid with

annual average rainfall of 400+5

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

mm, and more than 70% of the

rainfall occurs during June-Sept.

(Source: Agro-Metrological Lab,

University of Sargodha). Mean

monthly minimum temperature

is 10˚C in January and maximum

temperature is 40˚C in July. The

soil is the Hafizabad series (Fine-

silty, mixed, hyperthermic typic

calciargids) and the soil texture

is loam and heavy loam (Khan,

1986). Selected chemical and

physical characteristics were

done before sowing: pH 7.8±0.1,

electrical conductivity 2.18±0.3

dSm-1, soil organic matter

content 0.70%, total N 0.05%,

available phosphorus 60 mg kg-1

and exchangeable potassium

80 mg kg-1.

Layout and the experimental

design

The experiment was laid out

according to triplicate

randomized complete block

design using three replications.

Net plot size was 4.2 m × 8.0 m

for 120 cm spaced strips. The

treatments comprised; sole

sugarcane, SC + Wheat, SC+

Gram, SC + Soybean and SC +

Potato (within 120 cm apart).

Trenches were made with the

help of tractor drawn ridger.

Crop husbandry

Sugarcane variety HSF-240 with

seed rate of 75,000 double

budded setts per hectare was

sown in September during 2011-

12. Fertilizer was applied at the

rate of 175, 115 and 115 kg NPK

ha-1.

Data recording

Number of millable canes was

counted from the two strips in

each plot at final harvest and

was converted to millable canes

per square meter. At the time of

harvest, diameter of ten

randomly selected stripped

canes from the base, middle

and top was measured (cm)

and averaged. Crop was

harvested at maturity by taking

an area of two strips x 8.0 m from

each plot and stripped cane

yield ha-1 was estimated. Crop

growth rate was worked out as

proposed by Hunt (1978).

CGR = (gm-2 d-1) = (W2-W1)

(T2- T1)

Where W1 and W2 are the total

dry weights harvested at times T1

and T2, respectively

Land equivalent ratio (LER) was

computed according to the

methods as suggested by

Crookston and Hill (1979) using

the following formula:

LER = Yield of a in mixture

Sole crop yield of a

+

Yield of b in mixture

Sole crop yield of b

Where a = Sugarcane

b = Intercrops

Net return was determined by

subtracting the total cost of

production from the gross

income of each treatment

(CIMMYT, 1988).

Net income = Gross income –

Cost of production

Benefit-cost ratio was

calculated by dividing the gross

income with the total cost of

production.

Gross income

BCR = --------------------

Total cost

Statistical analysis

Data were analyzed statistically

using SAS (SAS Institute 2008).

The effects of intercropping was

evaluated by the least

significant difference (LSD) test

at p<0.05 unless otherwise

mentioned. The computer

package MS-Excel was used to

prepare the graphs.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Different intercrops effect

sugarcane yield and land

equivalent ratio

Sole SC and different intercrops

in SC had a significant impact

on all yield parameters (Table 1).

Sole SC had (14.3 m-2) that was 8

% higher millable cane

compared than SC + Potato. In

case of intercrops, SC + Gram

gave significantly 3 %, 4 %, and 5

% higher millable cane SC +

Wheat, SC + Soybean and SC +

Potato. Sole SC produced

significantly 6 % higher cane

diameter than SC + Wheat.

Among intercrops treatments,

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

SC + Potato had significantly

higher cane diameter than SC +

Gram, SC + Soybean and SC +

Wheat. Significantly, higher

unstripped cane yield (121.8 t

ha-1) was noted in sole SC

compared than SC + Wheat

(113.57 t ha-1). Among intercrops

treatment, SC + Gram had 1 %, 2

% and 4 % higher than SC +

Potato, SC + Soybean and SC +

Wheat. Trend was same in case

of stripped cane yield and

significantly higher stripped cane

yield (102.43 t ha-1) was noted in

sole SC than in the intercropped

SC + Wheat (95.30 t ha-1). SC +

Gram produced significantly 2

%, 3 % and 4 % higher stripped

cane yield than SC + Potato, SC

+ Soybean and SC + Wheat. The

data relating to land equivalent

ratio (LER) of sole SC and

different intercrops in SC are

presented in Table 1. The LER of

different intercrops were in

range between 1.53 and 1.61. In

other words, the intercrops yield

advantages varied from 53 to 61

% respectively. It could be

inferred, that advantage due to

intercrops per hectare yields

were equal to sole SC yields

obtained from 1.53 to 1.61

hectares. The highest LER of 1.61

was recorded for SC + Wheat

intercrop geometry. The lowest

LER of 1.53 was observed in SC+

Potato intercrop treatment.

All yield parameters number of

millable cane, cane diameter,

unstripped and striped cane

yield were noted to be

significantly higher in sole SC

compared than different

intercrops in SC. Significantly

higher yield attributes in sole SC

was due to availability of

sufficient soil nutrients and no

crop competition (Malik et al.,

1993; Li et al., 2013). Among the

intercrops, higher number of

millable cane in gram was due

to restorative in nature and

lower number of millable cane

was noted in potato (Rana et

al., 2006). The difference in cane

diameter among different

intercrops was attributed to

nature of intercrops and

available size of spacing area

(Cheema et al., 2002). Raskar

and Bhoi, (2005) also observed

same trend due to variation in

cane diameter with different

intercrops. Significantly, higher

un-stripped and stripped cane

yield was recorded in SC+ Gram

rather than in other intercrops,

which was due to the uptake

and availability of residual

nutrients done by the plants

roots (Cabangon et al., 2002)

and row spacing (Bashir et al.,

2005). The LER of different

intercrops as compared to their

sole SC was found to be higher.

This showed that different

intercrops geometries were

biologically more efficient as

compared to their sole SC. It

revealed that to produce the

combined mixture yield by

growing sole stands would need

53-61 % more land. Our results

supported the findings of

Sherma et al., (1993), Li et al.,

(2011).

Different intercrops effects on

sugarcane growth

Crop growth rate (CGR) shows

the rate of dry matter

accumulation per unit area per

day. Sole SC and different

intercrops had significant effect

on CGR during the study (Fig. 1).

Early in the growing season, crop

growth rate was low because of

less expansion of leaves. Crop

growth rate (Fig. 1) increased

and attained maximum level at

210 DAS. After 210 days, it

gradually decreased to 240 DAS

then sharply declined to 270

DAS. After 270 days, CGR

decreased but comparatively at

lower rate. Maximum crop

growth rate was obtained at 5th-

harvest while minimum crop

growth rate was recorded at

final harvest in all the treatments

(Fig.1). Sole SC had significantly

maximum crop growth rate (22.9

g m-2 d-1) than intercrops. While

in case of intercrops, significantly

maximum CGR (22.0 g m-2 d-1)

was noted in SC + Gram and

minimum CGR (19.8 g m-2 d-1)

was recorded in SC+ Wheat.

Significantly higher crop growth

rate in sole SC was due to no

crop competition, nutrients,

space availability, which

resulted well-developed root

system. Deep root system

enhanced the availability of

sufficient moisture and nutrients

for plant growth and

11 | P a g e

April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

development (Zang et al., 2008).

Pammenter and Allison, (2002)

and Nazir et al., (1988) reported

higher crop growth rate of sole

SC planted at triple row spacing

than intercrops.

Different intercrops effects on

sugarcane economics

The economic benefits got from

different intercrops SC planting

was compared with the sole SC

(Table. 2). The data presented in

Table. 2 revealed that all the

intercrop treatments increased

the net return from sole SC. The

highest net return (Rs. 450244 ha-

1) was obtained from SC +

Potato. The next highest net

return (Rs. 433763 ha-1) and (Rs.

431924 ha-1) were given by the

intercrops of SC + Wheat and SC

+ Gram, respectively. The lowest

net return (Rs. 365121 ha-1) was

noted at sole SC. During study,

maximum benefit cost ratio

(5.40) was noted at sole SC while

minimum benefit cost ratio in SC

+ Soybean (5.17) was observed.

The sole SC produced 2-4 %

greater BCR than different

intercrops.

The net return from different

treatments was calculated by

subtracting the total cost of

production for each treatment

from its gross income. Higher

values of net returns/net income

was obtained from different

intercrops than sole SC. Benefit

cost ratio is another important

economic parameter in which

farmers are interested to see the

gain in net returns with a given

increase in total costs. Our

findings supported the results of

Rana et al., (2006) who reported

that all the intercrops gave

higher net return and lower

benefit cost ratio compared

than sole SC.

CONCLUSION

Sugarcane is an important cash

crop of Pakistan. It has pivotal

role in the growth of sugar

industry, uplifting the socio-

economic conditions of farmers,

and contributing in the

economic development.

Intercropping has been

recognized an excellent and

alternative way to future crop

production under threat of land,

population and high monetary

returns. The present study

revealed that the sole SC gave

more than 6 % and 13 % higher

stripped cane yield and CGR

than all intercrop treatments.

Higher values of LER was noted

in SC + Wheat than other

treatments. Maximum net return

was obtained in SC + Potato as

compared with other intercrops

and sole SC, while maximum

BCR was noted in sole SC. Based

on economics, it is

recommended that resource

poor farmers grow only sole

sugarcane while resource rich

farmers prefer to grow SC +

Potato due to high returns.

REFERENCE

Akbar, N., K. Ehsanullah, Jabran

and M. A. Ali. 2011. Weed

management improves yield

and quality of direct seeded

rice. Aust. J. Crop Sci. 5: 688-694.

Ali, M. A., S. Niaz, A. Abbas, W.

Sabir and K. Jabran. 2009.

Genetic diversity and

assessment of drought tolerant

sorghum landraces based on

morph-physiological traits at

different growth stages. Plant

Omics 2: 214-227.

Bashir, S., A. Ali and M. Yasin.

2005. Sugarcane varieties and

row spacing effect on

sugarcane traits. Pak. Sug. J. 20:

18-20.

Bhullar, M.S., K.S. Thind, S.K.

Uppal and K. Singh. 2008.

Productivity, profitability and

quality of sugarcane

(Saccharumspp.) plant-ratoon

system in relation to planting

methods and seeding rate. Ind.

J. Agron. 53: 195-199.

Cabangon, R.J., T.P. Tuong and

N.B. Abdullah. 2002. Comparing

water input and water

productivity of transplanted and

direct-seeded rice production

systems. Agric. Water Mgt. 57:11-

31.

Chattha, M. U., A. Ali and M.

Bilal. 2007. Influence of planting

techniques on growth and yield

12 | P a g e

April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

of spring planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Pak. J. Agric. Sci. 44: 452-456.

Cheema, I. A., M. Ayub and A. Jabbar. 2002. Bio economic efficiency of spring planted sugarcane as

influenced by spatial arrangement and nutrient management. Pak. Sug. J. 17: 62-68.

CIMMYT. 1988. From Agronomic Data to Farmers Recommendations: An Economics Training Manual.

Completely revised edition. Mexico. D. F.

Crookston, R.R. and D. S. Hill. 1979. Grain yield and land equivalent ratios from intercropping corn and

soybean in Minnesota. Agron. J. 71: 41-44.

Ehsanullah, K. Jabran, M. Jamil and A. Ghaffar. 2011. Optimizing the sugarcane row spacing and seeding

density to improve its yield and quality. Crop Environ. 2: 1-5.

Govt. of Pakistan. 2012-13. Economic Survey of Pakistan. Finance Division Economic Advisor‟s Wing,

Islamabad.

Hunt, R. 1978. Plant Growth Analysis. Edward Arnold, U.K: 26-38.

Hussain, M., M. Farooq, K. Jabran and H. Rehman. 2008. Exogenous glycine betaine application improves

yield under water limited conditions in hybrid sunflower. Arch. Agron. Soil Sci. 54: 557-567.

Jayabal, V., N. Sankaran and S. Chockalingam. 1990a. Effect of intercrops and nitrogen levels on the

quality of sugarcane. Ind. Sugar. 40: 113-115.

Kannappan, K., J. Karamathullah, P. Manickasundaram and K. Kumaraswamy. 1990. Studies on the effect

of intercropping on yield and quality of sugarcane. Cooperative Sugar. 21: 489-490.

Khan, G. S. 1986. Need for international crosschecking and correlation in soil analysis for international

classification systems. In Proceedings of the Twelfth International Forum on Soil Taxonomy and Agro-

Technology Transfer: Soil Survey of Pakistan, vol. 1, 276–293. Lahore, Pakistan: Director General, Soil Survey

of Pakistan.

Li, Z.X., J.W. Wang, W.T. Yang, Y.H. Shu, Q. Du, L.L. Liu and L. Shu. 2011. Effects of reduced nitrogen

application on the yield, quality, and economic benefit of sugarcane intercropped with soybean. Ying

Yong Sheng Tai XueBao. 22: 713-719.

Li, X., Y. Mu, Y. Cheng, X. Liu and H. Nian. 2013. Effects of intercropping sugarcane and soybean on growth,

rhizosphere soil microbes, nitrogen and phosphorus availability. Acta Physio. Planta. 35: 1113-1119.

Malik, K.B., F.G. Ali and A. Khaliq. 1996. Effect of plant population and row spacing on cane yield of spring-

planted cane. J. Agric. Res. 34: 389-395.

Malik, M.A., S. Afghan, I. Ahmad and R.A. Mahmood. 1993. Response of sugarcane cultivars to different

doses of NPK fertilizers in Somalia. Pak. Sugar. J. 7: 7-9.

Misra, S.R., R.S. Ram, S. Kishan and K. Singh. 1989. Effect of intercrops on dispersal of smut (Ustilago

scitaminea) spores in sugarcane field. Ind. J. Agric. Sci. 59: 144-117.

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

Nazir, M.S., B. Bijlani, G. Ali and R. Ahmad. 1988. Sugarcane response to NPK application and geometry of

planting on a sandy loam soil. Pak. J. Agric. Sci 24: 183-189.

Pammenter, N. W. and J. C. S. Allison. 2002. Effects of treatments potentially influencing the supply of

assimilate on its partitioning in sugarcane. Exp. Bot. 53: 123-129.

Rana, N.S., K. Sanjay, S. K. Saini and G.S. Panwar. 2006. Production potential and profitability of autumn

sugarcane-based intercropping systems as influenced by intercrops and row spacing. Ind. J. Agron. 51: 31-

33.

Raskar, B.S. and P.G. Bhoi. 2005. Dry matter accumulation and yield performance of pre-seasonal

sugarcane Co 86032 with intra-row spacing, fertilizer levels and planting materials. J. Maharashtra Agric.

Univ. 30: 150-153.

Razzaque, M. A., M. A. Mannan, S. A. Azam and A. Ali. 1978. Mixed cropping. Ind. J. agric. Sci. 48: 324-327.

Sarwar, M., M. A. Gill and K. B. Malik. 1996. Comparison of pit and trench planting of sugarcane at different

fertilizer levels. Pak. Sug. J. 10: 11-13.

SAS Institute: 2008. SAS online doc 9.13. SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC.

Sharma, R.K., K.S. Bangar, S.R. Sharma, H.B. Gwal and H.D. Verma. 1993. Studies on intercropping of pules in

spring planted sugarcane. Ind. J. Pulses Res. 6: 161-164.

Zhang, S., L. Lovdahl, H. Grip, Y. Tong, X. Yang and Q. Wang. 2008. Effects of mulching and catch cropping

on soil temperature, soil moisture and wheat yield on the Loess Plateau of China. Soil and Till. Res. 102: 78-

96.

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Figure-1: Periodic changes in crop growth rate of sugarcane in response of different intercropping

Table-1: Effect of different intercrops on growth and yield of triple row strip sugarcane

Intercropping

Number of

millable canes

(m-2)

Cane stem

diameter

(cm)

Un-stripped

cane yield

(t ha-1)

Stripped

cane

yield (t ha-1)

Land

equivalent

ratio

Sole SC 14.3 a 2.08 a 121.8 a 102.4 a 1.0

SC + Wheat 13.4 c 1.96 e 113.6 e 96.3 e 1.61

SC + Gram 13.9 b 1.99 c 118.5 b 99.7 b 1.56

SC + Soybean 13.3 d 1.97 d 116.1 d 96.5 d 1.55

SC + Potato 13.2 e 2.01 b 116.9 c 98.1 c 1.53

LSD p≤0.05 0.014 0.001 0.021 0.027

SC = Sugarcane. SC + Wheat = Sugarcane-wheat intercropping. SC + Gram = Sugarcane-gram

intercropping. SC + Soybean = Sugarcane-soybean intercropping. SC + Potato = Sugarcane-potato

intercropping.

Table-2: Economics of various intercrop combination in September sown sugarcane

Intercropping Gross income

(Rs. ha-1)

Total Cost

(Rs. ha-1)

Net Returns

(Rs. ha-1)

Benefit cost

ratio

Sole SC 448175 83054 365121 5.40

SC + Wheat 537335 103572 433763 5.18

SC + Gram 532823 100899 431924 5.28

SC + Soyabean 508199 98120 410079 5.17

SC + Potato 556021 105777 450244 5.25

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

LOSS OF RESISTANCE IN HSF-240 AGAINST WHIP SMUT

OF SUGARCANE OVER CONSECUTIVE RATOONS

*M. Asad Farooq, *Awais Rasool, *M. Zubair, **Ali Bahadar, *Sagheer Ahmad and ***Shahid Afghan

*Sugar Crops Res. Program, Crop Sciences Instt., National Agric. Res. Centre, Islamabad

**Department of Agronomy, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi

***Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute, Shakarganj Sugar Mills Ltd., Toba Road, Jhang

ABSTRACT

HSF-240, one of the elite sugarcane varieties, was

observed for its reaction with sugarcane smut over

three consecutive years under natural conditions.

The study includes plant crop, first year ratoon and

second year ratoon crops. The data revealed that

in plant crop only 4.25 % stools were infected with

smut and crop proved to be resistant during that

year. In first year ratoon 18.39 % stools were

infected with the disease and crop stood tolerant

against the disease. However in second year

ratoon the disease infected up to 38.19 % of stools

rendering the crop severely susceptible to this

disease. This suggests a swift replacement of HSF-

240 with new and promising varieties, dejection of

this variety in future as a plant crop as well as a

ban on keeping ratoon of this variety.

Keywords: Sugarcane, ratoon, HSF-240, disease

reaction, whip smut

INTRODUCTION

Sugarcane smut caused by the fungus Ustilago

scitanninea Sydow is becoming a more important

problem in many cane growing areas of the world.

The disease is referred to as “culmicolous” smut of

sugarcane because it affects the stalk of the cane.

Smut may remain unnoticed for years, then quickly

devastate large areas of susceptible varieties.

Hence, the disease has been called the dread

disease of sugarcane by some and a trivial disease

with exaggerated yield losses by others. The smut

pathogen usually infects the cane plant through

the buds and the infection of the buds of seed

cane at or shortly after planting is likely to be an

important factor in the development of epidemics

Infection ranges from 30-40% in plant crops and

even up to 70% in ratoons. Sucrose content of

infected cane is reduced to 3-7% (Bock, 1964).

Yield losses may be 39-56% in planted crop and 52-

73 % in ratoon crop (Mohan and Praksam, 1956).

High temperature 25-30oC favors the development

of the disease (Agnihotri, 1990). The affected

canes produce long, black whip-like and coiled or

curved shoots, which are covered with a thin silvery

membrane, containing masses of chlamydospores

of the fungus. Later on that membrane ruptures

and releases a multitude of spores, which

contaminate soil and the standing crop. Whips

begin emerging from infected cane by 2-4 months

of age with peak whip growth occurring at the 6th

or 7th month. The diseased plants are unfit for use.

Primary spread of the disease is through infected

setts and the secondary spread is through wind

borne teliospores. The smut is prevalent in all

sugarcane growing countries of the world. Similarly

in Pakistan all the cane growing regions are

affected by the disease. The susceptible varieties

show considerable losses due to secondary

infection, intensive cultivation and poor

management practices. Smut disease of

sugarcane was successfully controlled in the plant

crop when seed cane was treated with the

solution of Triademefon. The lowest smut infection

(4.4%) and the highest yield of 153 t/ha was

recorded in the sett treatment and foliar spray of

Triadimefon 0.1% at 30, 45 and 60 DAP. The highest

smut infection of 20.0% and the lowest yield of 113

t/ha was observed in the control (Meena and

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

Ramyabharathi, 2012). The most satisfactory and

economical method to control the disease is the

use of resistant varieties. The resistant germplasm of

sugarcane plays a leading role for evaluation of

resistant varieties through breeding program

(Begum et al., 2007). Resistance of a variety lasts

only for a few years. A variety resistant previously

pertaining race may become susceptible to the

new physiological race (Khan et al., 2009).

Sugarcane variety HSF-240 was developed and

released in 2002 locally by the collaboration of

Sugarcane Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad

and Habib Sugar Mills, District Shaheed

Benazirabad for whole Punjab. Average yield of

this variety is 95.0 tha-1 while its yield potential was

claimed up to 150.0 tha-1. Its quality trait like sugar

recovery up to 11.70%, resistant to major biotic and

abiotic stresses and excellent rationing ability

ranked this variety among one of the elite, and

perhaps the best, sugarcane varieties of the

country over the past decade. Unfortunately, such

a promising variety is losing its grounds against whip

smut; one of the most devastating diseases of

sugarcane, for last few years. So this study was

planned to determine incidence and severity of

whip smut in HSF-240 under natural conditions for

three consecutive years to establish the resistance

potential of this variety against whip smut

particularly in ratoon crop.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research studies were conducted during the

months of May-June, 2013 at research field of

Sugar Crops Research Program, National

Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Sugarcane variety HSF-240 planted in September,

2009 and kept in field for three years i.e. plant crop

(2009-10), first year ratoon (2010-11) and second

year ratoon (2011-12). The crop was planted

maintaining 120cm row to rows distance, with a

seed rate of 40,000 three budded setts ha-1 on an

area of one acre. Fertilizer was applied @ 168 kg N,

112 kg P2O5, and 112 kg K2O per hectare in the

form of urea, single super phosphate, and sulphate

of potash, respectively. The whole P, K, and 1/3rd

of N was applied as a basal dose while remaining

N was applied in two splits, 1/3rd at completion of

germination and 1/3rd at the completion of tillering

by side dressing. Observations were made on

number of stools per hectare, stalks per stool and

smut disease incidence. The percentage of smut

infection was recorded following the Hawaiian

smut rating scheme (Holder, 1981) described as

follows:

The Hawaiian Smut Rating Scheme

Stools Infected (%) Smut Grade Reaction

Plant Ratoon

0-3 0-6 1 Resistant

4-6 7-12 2

7-9 13-16 3 Tolerant

10-12 17-20 4

13-25 21-23 5 Intermediate

26-35 31-40 6

Susceptible 36-50 41-60 7

51-75 61-80 8

70-10 81-100 9

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of three years observations are

presented in Table 1. Results showed an increasing

loss of resistance against smut every year from 4.25

% in plant crop to 18.39 % in first year ratoon and

38.19% in second year ratoon. Increasing loss of

resistance against whip smut resulting in increasing

infection percentage in ratoon crops of sugarcane

has also been reported by Mohan & Praksam

(1956) and Bock (1964). The loss in resistance may

possibly be due advent of new physiological races

of the pathogen (Khan et al., 2009). Being an

extraordinary variety in all other respects HSF-240

may and should be subject to genetic

transformation for resistance against new races of

whip smut, so that the rest of the potential traits of

this variety may be fully exploited.

REFERENCES

Agnihotri, V.P. 1990. Diseases of Sugarcane, revised

edition. Pages: 73-76.

Begum, F., M. I. Talukdar, and M. Iqbal. 2007.

Performance of various promising lines for

resistance to sugarcane smut (Ustilago scitaminea

Sydow). Pak. Sugar J. 22(6): 16-18.

Bock, K.R. 1964. Studies on sugarcane smut

(Ustilago scitaminea) in Kenya. Trans. Br. Mycol.

Soc., 47: 403-417.

Holder, D.G. 1981. Screening for sugarcane smut

resistance in Florida - third report. Proceedings

American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists

meeting held in 1979. 9: 37-39.

Khan, H. M. W. A., A. A. Chattha, M. Munir and A.

Zia. 2009. Evaluation of resistance in sugarcane

promising lines against whip smut. Pak. J.

Phytopathol. 21(1): 92-93.

Meena, B. and S.A. Ramyabharathi. 2012. Effect of

fungicides and biocontrol agents in the

management of sugarcane smut disease. J.

Today‟s Biol. Sci. 1(1): 6-103.

Mohan, R.N.V., and P. Praksam. 1956. Studies on

sugarcane smut. Proc. Intern. Soc. Sugarcane

Technol, 9th Congress, 1048-1057.

Table-1: Three Years of Whip Smut Infection in HSF-240

Crop Season Stools/ha Infected Stools/ha % Stools infected Smut Grade Reaction

Plant 21612 918.51 4.25 2 R

1st Ratoon 14709 2704.98 18.39 4 T

2nd Ratoon 10224 3904.55 38.19 6 S

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

SUGAR LEAF “STEVIA”

Muhammad Asad*, Syed Zia-ul-Hussnain, & Aamir Shahzad

Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute Jhang

*Corresponding author e-mail: asadagronomist@gmail.com

Botanical Description: Sugar leaf, botanically

known as “Stevia Rebaudiana,” belongs to the

sunflower family asteraceae. Sugar leaf is basically

a day neutral, morphologically branched bushy

shrub and medicinal sweet plant.

Importance: Stevia rebaudiana is commonly

known as sweet leaf, sugar leaf, honey leaf or

simply stevia. Sugar leaf is a naturally sweet herb; its

leaves are 20 times sweeter while stevioside and

rebaudioside A are 200-300 times sweeter than

table sugar. However, its calorific value is

negligible, hence has more attraction for diabetic

patients. Sugar leaf is a medically valuable plant,

having notable calcium quantity that is quite

helpful in bone formation in women and children

and in teeth disease. It also has the ability to

control Rota virus, blood pressure as well as

cholesterol level. The leaf has good antiseptic

ability, helps in lowering stomach acidity and is

useful in digestion as well as in preventing stomach

ulcer.

Climate & Soil: Sugar leaf is basically an exotic

plant and native to Paraguay. It is a semi-humid,

tropical and subtropical plant. It can grow in

temperature range between 4-48 0C; frost free

conditions and daily temperature between 20-24 oC was observed the best for its growth. Stevia

plants do best in a rich, sandy loam to loam soil

Photo (a) – Healthy Sugar Leaf Plant

Photo (b) – Sugar Leaf at Flowering

Photo (c) – Stevia Fully Developed Leaves (Above 10 cm Length)

(a)

(b)

(c)

20 | P a g e

April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

having pH below 7.8. Saline and water logged soil

should be avoided for Stevia cultivation.

Nursery preparation: The plantation of stevia crop

by vegetative multiplied cuttings is excellent. For

nursery propagation, stem cuttings of 15 cm length

from tender shoot of fresh planted crop were used

and gave better growth and early root

development. The cutting will be ready for

transplantation in 25-30 days at 15-20 oC under a

polythene sheet in air tight and controlled

temperature conditions.

Nursery transplantation: Stevia crop gives two

harvests annually. Nursery can be transplanted in

the field after 15 January and in August in frost free

conditions. In case of flat sowing, plants should be

transplanted 22.5 cm apart and rows 30 cm apart.

In bed sowing, plants should be transplanted 30

cm apart and bed width should be 45 cm apart.

Agronomic practices: Sugar leaf is sensitive to

moisture and under irrigation will restrict plant

growth; while over irrigation results in stem and root

rotting. In case of high temperature frequent

irrigation should be applied. Drip irrigation to sugar

leaf crop is a more appropriate method for its

better cultivation.

Fertilizer should be applied @ 1 bag urea, 1 bag

DAP and 0.5 bag SOP per acre. Farm yard manure

or compost application to crop results in better

crop growth and yield instead of depending upon

totally inorganic source.

Manual weeding should be done at an early stage

when crop has grown to 15-20 cm height; in case

of late hoeing chances of crop damage increase.

Crop protection: Insect pest pressures other than

cutworms and sucking insect are minimal. The

reported insects or pests are: fruit fly, aphid, jassid,

leaf minor, thrips and cutworms. Insecticide should

only be applied at economic injury level using

Imidachlopride @ 125g per acre.

Disease pressure is also negligible, only stem and

root rotting is reported on stevia crop and this can

be controlled by using Nativo @ 15g per acre.

Harvesting: Crop should be harvested before

flowering when leaf gained maximum size (up to

10cm). January planted crop should be harvested

in April while August planted crop in December

before frost starting. The harvested leaves should

be dried under shade and stored under hygienic

moisture free conditions.

Ratoon: Sugar leaf is a perennial crop and

successfully gives 3-4 year ratoon. In-case of ratoon

crop leaves about 4 inches of stem at the base

during harvesting.

Acknowledgment: I would like to acknowledge

and appreciate contributions of the Punjab

Agriculture Research Board, Lahore, in terms of its

financial support for the introduction and

development of sugar leaf production technology

in the agro ecological conditions of Punjab.

Nursery Plantation in Cups Plants (hardened & well rooted)

Stevia plant (Above 3 ft. height) Drip Irrigation in Stevia Crop

21 | P a g e

April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

SUGAR INDUSTRY ABSTRACTS

Monitoring Nitrogen Fertilisation Recommendations for Sugarcane Plantations in Cuba

P. Pablos, A. Menendez, I. Cabrera, N. Lora, M. De Leon, E. Pineda, J González and R. Barbosa

Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013

Sugarcane fertilisation recommendations in Cuba are provided by the Service of Fertilizer Recommendations and

Amendments (SERFE). This service established control plots (CP) in order to study the effectiveness of fertilizer

recommendations. Each CP involved two treatments (the recommended rates by SERFE and a twofold rate) plus a

control without fertilizer, distributed in six rows each in one of the Cuban commercial areas. This work summarises the

results of 305 harvests of CPs located throughout Cuba, primarily in ratoon crops (95%) and Calcic Haplustept soils

(43.8%). The analysis of harvest data showed: a) efficiency (economic responses) and effectiveness (sites with adequate

SERFE rates) of SERFE recommendations which were 74 and 38% respectively; b) nitrogen rates for high yield fields were

underestimated, and for low yield fields the rates were overestimated and; c) the yield criterion to estimate nitrogen

rates was carried out without technical bases which made the estimates unreliable.

Analytical functions were obtained to estimate yield response to fertilizer and optimum nitrogen rates when nitrogen

fertilizer was applied. A model for Net Present Value (NPV) calculation was obtained for different soil-cultivation

conditions. The calculated NPV was higher for the estimated optimum nitrogen rate. This study indicated that SERFE

fertilizer recommendations were not high enough to reach optimum sugarcane yields or maximize NPV. Adjustments to

SERFE recommendations are required to achieve higher efficiencies in the Cuban sugar industry.

Remote Estimation of Canopy Chlorophyll Content in Sugarcane Using Hyper-Spectral Data

P.J. Murillo, F. Muñoz and J.A. Carbonell

Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013

The adequate estimation of biophysical parameters in sugarcane is important to detect anomalies and monitoring of

crop performance. Remote sensing is a way to indirectly estimate several biophysical parameters but it is necessary to

identify the best wavelengths specifically for sugarcane in the field. In this study spectral measurements were obtained in

the sugarcane canopy using an APOGEE PAR-NIR spectro-radiometer, in order to estimate the canopy chlorophyll

content (CCC). The results show differences in the sugarcane canopy between the sources and rates of nitrogen

applied and the control without nitrogen application. Spectral differences were found for CCC among sources of urea

and ammonium nitrate applied at rates of 100 and 200 kg N/ha. The detection of spectral bands to estimate CCC was

performed using the NRI index and PLS regression techniques.

The results suggest similarities between both methods, highlighting the regions 710–850, 550–560 and 419–450 nm by their

greater weight and value of R2 to build PLSR models. The red-edge between 693 and 710 nm was the most important for

spectral discrimination and the index CI-SC (Chlorophyll Index Sugarcane) had the best relationship to estimate the

canopy chlorophyll content with R2= 0.67, RMSE = 0.19 g/m2 and RE% = 19%. The wavelengths and vegetation index can

be calculated using multispectral aerial cameras to estimate and validate the spatial distribution of CCC at a

commercial scale.

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

New Applications through Drip Systems Enable Environmentally-Friendly Sugarcane Growing Techniques

Y. Krontal

Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013

Subsurface drip irrigation has been in use in sugarcane for more than twenty years. The first generation was for irrigation

only, the second generation started soon after with the application of fertilizers through the drip system. This work

presents the third generation of subsurface drip used for delivering a wide range of materials directly to the root system's

environment. The aim of this work was to evaluate new environmentally safe application methods for various agricultural

practices utilising the drip irrigation system. Among the new applications is the use of drip as a delivery system for pest

control; a trial conducted in Alagoas State, Brazil, evaluated the efficiency of controlling the population of the Giant

Borer, Telchinlicus, with the application of bio insecticides, Beauveriabassiana. The bio insecticide control efficiency,

based on B. bassiana, resulted in up to 81.8% reduction of the Giant Borer population and, as a result, increased

sugarcane yield.

Another potential application through drip irrigation is the dissemination of inoculation units of a symbiotic fungus,

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM). AM fungi form a beneficial association with a variety of crops, including sugarcane. Trials

conducted to find the most uniform method for dispersal of AM inoculation units through the drip irrigation system define

the diatomic carrier as an efficient distribution method. An additional use for drip is the application of the sugar mill

effluent from ethanol production called vinasse. A trial conducted in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, evaluated the constant

application of vinasse at a rate of 5%, replacing the application of chemical fertilizer.

Effects of Exogenous Abscisic Acid on Cell Membrane and Endogenous Hormone Contents In Leaves of

Sugarcane Seedlings under Cold Stress

Xing Huang, Ming-Hui Chen, Li-Tao Yang and Yang-Rui Li

Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013

This experiment investigated the interrelationship between low temperature induced abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis

and endogenous hormone balance using the sugarcane variety GT 28, which exhibits strong cold resistance and

sugarcane variety YL 6, which exhibits weak cold resistance. Plants were sprayed with ABA 12 h before cold treatment as

opposed to the control group, where no additional substances were added. When the plants in the control group were

exposed to cold stress, plant cell membranes were injured, and the GA3 (Gibberelin 3) decreased, while the relative

electrical conductance (REC), MDA (Malon-di-aldehyde), ABA, the ratio of ABA/GA3, ratio of ABA/IAA (Indole acetic

acid), and the ratio of ABA/ZR (Seating Ribosome) all increased under the cold stress.

In the ABA treatment, the cell membrane injuries were effectively alleviated and the contents of MDA and GA3

decreased, but the contents of proline, ABA, and the ratio of ABA/GA3 increased. The decreasing contents of MDA and

GA3, in contrast with the increasing contents of proline, ABA, and ratio of ABA/GA3 in sugarcane leaves from the ABA

treatment groups, were important factors that can effectively increase cold stress tolerance in sugarcane plants.

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

The effect of vinasse application on the soil was an increase in soil K levels, with no effect on drip system performance

or on yield. The results of the trials show that the success in the use of drip as a delivery system depends on meeting

such factors as timing of application (e.g. applying B. bassiana when the adults lay their eggs in the soil) and the

properties of the product to be delivered. It may be necessary to develop special carriers (as in the case of mycorrhiza)

or to take special measures to ensure environmental safety (such as dilution of vinasse over an extended period to

reduce leaching and salinisation risks).

Sugarcane Yield Response to Elemental Sulfur on High pH Organic Soils

J.M. Mccray and R.W. Rice

Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013

Micronutrient deficiencies are often important factors limiting plant growth in alkaline soils. With subsidence of organic

soils in the Everglades Agricultural Area, these soils are becoming shallower, with generally increased pH as more Ca

carbonate from the underlying limestone is incorporated into the root zone. Elemental S has been recommended as a

banded pre-plant application in the furrow at 560 kg S/ha at pH>6.6 to reduce soil pH, but this recommendation has not

been considered cost-effective. The objective of this study was to determine sugarcane yield response to banded

elemental S application on high pH organic soils. These experiments are part of a larger study designed to update

University of Florida recommendations for elemental S application. Two strip-plot studies were established on organic soils

using randomized complete block designs with four replications at each location. Elemental S materials included 90% S

and three formulations of STM5 (80% S + 5% Mn). STM5 rates of 560 kg/ha were compared to no S at one location and

280 and 560 kg/ha rates of 90% S and STM5 were compared with no S at the second location. Elemental S reduced pH in

the banded zone at each location.

There were strong sugarcane yield responses to elemental S at each location, but there were no differences in yield

responses among granular S materials tested. There was a strong relationship b materials tested. There was a strong

relationship between sucrose yield and soil pH, with yield being reduced at pH>7.1. Substantial yield reductions were

determined at pH>7.5, with reduced sugarcane yields associated with leaf Mn deficiency occurring at high pH.

How to Manage Sugarcane in the Field and Factory Following Damaging Freezes

B. Legendre, G. Eggleston, H. Birkett1, M. Mrini, M. Zehuaf, S. Chabaa, M. Assarrar and H. Mounir

Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013

Exposure of sugarcane to damaging frosts occurs in approximately 25% of the sugarcane producing countries world-

wide. A series of damaging freezes, –2.6, –3.3 and –2.1 °C, occurred in Morocco on 4, 5 and 13 February 2012,

respectively, only 2 weeks after the commencement of the harvest season. Furthermore, the sugarcane had not

reached maturity with factory sugar recovery yields under 8.0%. The use of pH (litmus) paper in the field is considered a

good indicator of possible deterioration of the juice when the pH is 5.0 or less, and can be used to define the level of

topping to remove the deteriorated portion of the stalk prior to milling. In all, thirty fields of the three leading varieties, CP

70-321, CP 66-346, and L 62-96, were inspected. Only 13% of the fields had a juice pH of 5.0 or less which was generally

limited to the uppermost internodes. The worst damage occurred in fields with cane yields of < 40 t/ha, regardless of

variety, and which had received no irrigation water and were harvested after June 2011, the previous year.

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

Evaluation of APSIM-Sugar and DSSAT-Canegro for a Widely Grown Brazilian Sugarcane Cultivar

F.R. Marin, P.J. Thorburn, D.S.P. Nassif, L.G. Costa, R.S. Rezende and A.S. Andrade Junior

Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 28, 2013

Crop modeling has provided useful insights into managing many aspects of agricultural production, including

sugarcane. Crop models make it possible to generalise experimental results to new conditions, compare strategies, and

also predict plant growth and production. However, they have an important drawback: the models are only

approximations of reality and so there is uncertainty in their predictions. Crop model comparisons have been used to

address this uncertainty. Comprehensive datasets that would allow model comparisons are scarce and, in most cases

have already been utilised in model development and/or refinement. Independent field datasets would be useful to

compare model performance in simulating plant processes (e.g. phenology, biomass partitioning, water use and stress).

In addition, differences in stalk fresh mass (SFM) predictions between models could be used as an indication of simulation

uncertainty.

This study evaluated the performance of DSSAT-Canegro (DC) and APSIM-Sugarcane (AS) models as SFM predictors

using data from six field experiments using the cultivar RB86-7515 in Coruripe-AL, União-PI, Aparecida do Taboado-MS,

Colina-SP and Olimpia-SP, Brazil. This cultivar was selected as it accounts for nearly 30% (or 3 Mha) of Brazil‟s sugarcane

area. Cultivar parameters were determined by qualitative fitting to minimise the root mean square error (RMSE) for SFM

and leaf area index (LAI). Both models had phenology, canopy structure, and partitioning parameters modified from

their respective standard cultivars (NCo376 for DC and Q117 for AS). The radiation use efficiency parameter was only

adjusted for DC. Predictions from DC compared well with observed data, having R2=0.96 and 0.35; and RMSE=17.8 t/ha

and 1.0 respectively for SFM and LAI. The AS model also performed well, with R2=0.94 and 0.63, and RMSE=16.7 t/ha and

0.9 for SFM and LAI, respectively. Prediction errors for both models were consistent between sites despite climate and soil

differences. The average of simulations from both models gave the best predictions of SFM and LAI. Despite differences

in model predictions for some plant processes, both DC and AS models can be used for SFM predictions in Brazil.

Confidence in these predictions is greatest when the simulations from both models are similar.

Concentrations of mannitol and/or dextran in the juice are much more reliable indicators of sugarcane Leuconostoc

deterioration. Because of high levels of brown leaves (>10%) in delivered cane, there were high levels of polysaccharide

found in the juice that contributed to the measurement of high haze dextran levels; however, the absence of mannitol

confirmed little or no deterioration had occurred from the growth of Leuconostoc. The key to success in reducing

significant losses through deterioration when freezes occur are good management and close cooperation between

growers and processors. Final recommendations on how to manage a freeze in both the field and factory are described.

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS CALENDAR – 2014

June 2-3 & 16-17 McGinnis Institute of Beet Sugar Technology (MIBST), Beet Process School (beet end), Denver, Colorado State,

USA aimee@bsdf-assbt.org

June 18-20 Joint Florida & Louisiana Division ASSCT (The American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists), Bonita Springs,

Florida, USA www.assct.org

July 1-3 74th 11RB (Robert Benjamin) Congress, Dresden, Germany aimee@bsdassbt.org

June 23 – July 13 Raw Cane Sugar Manufactures' Institute, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA USA mccurry@nicholls.edu

May 18-21 Sugar Industry Technologists Meeting, Toronto, Canada www.sucrose.com

July 21-August 01 Cane Sugar Refiners' Institute, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA USA

August 1-6 74th 11RB (Robert Benjamin) Congress, Dresden, Germany www.sugaralliance.org/symposium

August 20-22 87th SASTA Congress, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

August 26-29 FENASUCRO (International Fair of Sugar cane Industry), Sertãozinho, S.P (Sao Paulo), Brazil

www.fenasucro.com.br

August 31-September 03 Sugar Processing Research Institute Conference, Sertãozinho, S.P (Sao Paulo), Brazil www.spriinc.org

September 3-5 ICUMSA (International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis) Conference, Sertãozinho, S.P (Sao

Paulo), Brazil

www.icumsa.org

October 19-24 Latin American Sugar Technologist Meeting (ATALAC), Olinda, Pernambucco, Brazil

September 4-5 Latin American Cane Show, Playa Blanca, Panama

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

SML SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAM: ANNUAL PRIZE &

CERTIFICATE DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY Fashion Designing and Fine Arts Classes (2012-2013)

The School of Calligraphy and Art (Jhang Art Gallery) was established for skill development and poverty

alleviation program. Two courses, namely Fine Arts, Dress and Fashion Designing were initiated for

female students who have done their matriculation. The objective of the program was to empower

women by giving them a chance to earn their livelihood in parallel to looking after their families at

home.

Gallery Visit

The guests visited the gallery where the students‟

handmade work was exhibited, and were quite impressed

with the display of hand embroidery, gift packs, baby

cloths, mirror work, dresses and gift pieces, all the work of

students from the Dress and Fashion Designing class.

Students of Fine Arts also had various pictures, portraits and

sketch books displayed at the gallery.

Certificate Distribution Ceremony

An annual prize and certificate distribution ceremony is scheduled at the end of the course for each

batch to recognize hardworking students and to encourage others to perform well. Last year, the

ceremony was held on January 26, 2013, where Mrs. Nasreen Abdullah, Deputy District Education Officer

Jhang was invited as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries at the ceremony were Mr. Muhammad Pervez

Akhtar, Senior Executive Vice President of Shakarganj Mills Limited and Mrs. Naheed, Assistant Education

Officer, Jhang.

The ceremony started off with a recitation from the Holy

Quran and Naat-e-Rasool Maqbool (PBUH), subsequent to

which the welcoming note was delivered by Ms. Samra

Ashraf, Manager Social Action Program. She gave a brief

overview of the activities under the Social Action Program

and introduced Ms. Sadia, a brilliant student of the Gallery

who was awarded the first prize, on a provincial level, in the

Punjab Youth Festival‟s Dress Making Competition. She

congratulated all the successful students on completion of

the course.

Mr. Muhammad Pervez Akhtar Senior Executive Vice President Shakaragnj Mills Limited urges that

Shakarganj will always help and support the promising youth talent; he was of the view that students

should always keep their spirits up and play their role in the society.

Speaking at the occasion, the chief guest, Mrs. Nasreen Abdullah highlighted the influence of fashion in

our lives. She urged the students to use art as a forum for safe expression, communication, imagination,

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

and to understand our country‟s cultural history. In the end,

she thanked the Shakarganj Foundation for enabling

students to pursue this field and also for conducting such

fruitful programs for the community. Moreover, she promised

to facilitate the Foundation by all available means through

the District Education Office.

Names of students were announced and certificates and

prizes were distributed among them by the chief guest. The

ceremony was concluded with prayers for prosperity of the

country and Shakarganj Mills Limited.

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

SUGAR AND ADDICTION World Sugar Research Organization (WSRO) Position

Statements

Sugar and Cardiovascular

Disease

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is

an overarching term for a

number of diseases affecting the

circulatory system, including:

atherosclerotic disease,

coronary heart disease (CHD),

cerebrovascular disease (stroke),

hypertension, peripheral artery

disease, rheumatic heart

disease, congenital heart

disease and heart failure. The

main influence of diet is on

atherosclerotic disease which in

turn, leads to CHD, and to

hypertension and stroke. An

„unhealthy diet‟ is thus cited as

one of the major modifiable

causes of CVD, the others being

tobacco use and physical

inactivity (WHO, 2011).

However, the relative influence

of diet is uncertain. Reducing

CVD mortality is an important

public health priority as CVD is

the largest single cause of death

worldwide (WHO, 2004).

Although, mortality rates due to

CVD are falling in industrialized

countries (Roger et al., 2011), the

disease increasingly affects

those in middle and low-income

countries (WHO, 2011). An

„unhealthy diet‟ may affect risk

of CVD as a consequence of

alterations in blood lipids, raised

blood pressure, and obesity, or

via other diseases, especially

diabetes and metabolic

syndrome.

Current Dietary

Recommendations

The main aim of dietary

intervention is to treat dyslipid

aemia by reducing elevated

LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides

(TG). Current advice to reduce

risk of CVD is to eat a healthy

balanced diet, low in fat,

particularly saturated fat and

high in carbohydrate, and

undertake the recommended

amount of daily physical activity

for health (WHO/FAO, 2003). Ad-

libitum or calorie-reduced, low-

fat diets, particularly when

accompanied by exercise, have

been shown to consistently lower

total cholesterol (TC), LDL

cholesterol, TG and the TC: HDL

cholesterol ratio (Yu-Poth et al.,

1999). It is noteworthy that the

diet recommended under the US

National Cholesterol Education

Programme that has proved

successful in delivering improved

cardiovascular blood lipid

profiles (Yu Poth et al., 1999) is

low in saturated fat and total fat

and high in carbohydrates.

Sugar and Cardiovascular

Disease

A number of International

Agencies have reviewed the

evidence on sugar and CVD.

The FAO/WHO expert

consultation on Carbohydrates

in Human Nutrition (1997), and

the WHO/FAO Report 916 (2003)

found no evidence for a causal

role of sucrose in the etiology of

CVD. Similarly, the Institute of

Medicine (IOM, 2002) and

European Food Safety Authority

(EFSA, 2010) have not

recommended limits on sugar

intake in relation to CVD.

There is also no persuasive

evidence for any link between

the overall consumption of sugar

and risk of diabetes and/or

obesity, both conditions

associated with an 2 increased

risk of CVD (see for example,

WHO, 2003). (These topics have

their own position statements:

see „Sugar and Diabetes‟ and

„Sugar and Obesity‟).

Although no universally

accepted definition of

metabolic syndrome exists, it is

typically considered to consist of

obesity (particularly abdominal

obesity), dyslipid aemia

(particularly raised TG and low

HDL cholesterol), hypertension

and insulin resistance. Ruxton et

al., (2010) did not find adverse

effects of sugar, particularly in

longer duration studies, on

metabolic syndrome

components. This was despite a

high intake of sugar (40 – 50%

energy) in some studies. These

reviews have shown that in

controlled iso-caloric feeding

studies, LF-HC diets have been

associated with marginally

reduced HDL (although often

improved TC:HDL ratio), and

slightly increased TG. Although,

one large long term study found

no adverse effect on blood lipid

levels from a diet that included

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

as much as 30% energy from

sucrose (Saris et al., 2000).

Conclusion

A low-fat (particularly low

saturated fat) high-

carbohydrate diet, with

adequate physical activity/

cardiorespiratory fitness, and

abstinence from tobacco use

are current recommendations to

reduce risk from CVD. Although

changing to a high

carbohydrate diet may increase

blood TG, the CVD risk

implications of this in isolation are

unknown, and the outcome is

moderated by many factors

which require further study.

There is currently inadequate

evidence to conclude that

sugar directly or indirectly

increase the risk of CVD. 3

STATEMENT

WSRO, in agreement with many

reviews undertaken by

international bodies, does not

consider that there is convincing

evidence of any relationship

between sugar intake and direct

or indirect risk of CVD. The CVD

risk implications of raised blood

TG which might be induced by a

high sugar intake, particularly

when accompanied by

concomitant reductions in other

risk factors, is currently unknown.

References

Blair, S. N., Y. Cheng, and Holder,

J. S. 2001. Is physical activity or

physical fitness more important in defining health benefits? Med

Sci. Sports Exerc. 33, S379- 99;

discussion S419-20.

Dolan, L. C., S. M. Potter and G.

A. Burdock. 2010a Evidence-

based review on the effect of

normal dietary consumption of

fructose on blood lipids and

body weight of overweight and

obese individuals. Crit. Rev. Food

Sci. Nutr. 50: 889- 918.

Dolan, L. C., S. M. Potter, and G.

A. Burdock. 2010b Evidence-

based review on the effect of

normal dietary consumption of

fructose on development of

hyperlipidemia and obesity in

healthy, normal weight

individuals. Crit. Rev. Food Sci.

Nutr. 50: 53-84.

EFSA 2010 Scientific Opinion on

Dietary Reference Values for

carbohydrates and dietary fibre.

EFSA Journal, 8: 1462.

FAO/WHO, 1997 Carbohydrates

in human nutrition (FAO Food

and Nutrition Paper - 66)

Fogelholm, M. 2010 Physical

activity, fitness and fatness:

relations to mortality, morbidity

and disease risk factors. A

systematic review. Obes Rev, 11,

202- 21.

Fried, S. K. and S. P. Rao, 2003

Sugars, hypertriglyceridemia,

and cardiovascular disease. Am

J. Clin. Nutr. 78: 873S-880S.

Gill, J. M. and D. Malkova, 2006

Physical activity, fitness and

cardiovascular disease risk in

adults: interactions with insulin

resistance and obesity. Clin. Sci.

(Lond.), 110, 409-25.

Hellerstein, M. K. 2002

Carbohydrate-induced

hypertriglyceridemia: modifying

factors and implications for

cardiovascular risk. Curr. Opin.

Lipidol. 13: 33-40.

IOM, 2002. Dietary reference

intakes for energy,

carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty

acids, cholesterol, proteins and

amino acids.

Parks, E. J. and M. K. Hellerstein.

2000. Carbohydrate-induced

hyper triacyl glycerolemia:

historical perspective and review

of biological mechanisms. Am. J.

Clin. Nutr. 71: 412-33.

Pedersen, B. K. 2007. Body mass

index-independent effect of

fitness and physical activity for

all-cause mortality. Scand J.

Med. Sci. Sports, 17, 196-204.

Roger, V. L., A. S. Go., D. M.

Lloyd-Jones. 2011. Heart disease

and stroke statistics--2011

update: a report from the

American Heart Association.

Circulation, 123: 18-209.

Ruxton, C. H., E. J. Gardner, and

H. M. McNulty, 2010. Is sugar

consumption detrimental to

health? A review of the

evidence 1995-2006. Crit Rev

Food Sci. Nutr. 50: 1-19. 4

Saris, W. H., A. Astrup, A. M.

Prentice, 2000. Randomized

controlled trial of changes in

dietary carbohydrate/fat ratio

and simple vs complex

carbohydrates on body weight

and blood lipids: the CARMEN

study. The Carbohydrate Ratio

Management in European

National diets. Int. J. Obes. Relat.

Metab. Disord. 24: 1310-8.

Surwit, R. S., M. N. Feinglos, C. C.

McCaskill, 1997. Metabolic and

behavioral effects of a high-

sucrose diet during weight loss.

Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 65: 908-15.

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

WHO (2004) Global strategy on

diet, physical activity and

health. WHO, 2011.

Cardiovascular Diseases. Fact

Sheet No. 317.

<http://www.who.int/mediacent

re/factsheets/fs317/en/index.ht

ml Accessed May 2011.

Accessed May 2011

WHO/FAO, 2003. Diet, nutrition

and the prevention of chronic

diseases.

Yu-Poth, S., G. Zhao., T. Etherton,

1999. Effects of the National

Cholesterol Education Program's

Step I and Step II dietary

intervention programs on

cardiovascular disease risk

factors: a meta-analysis. Am. J.

Clin. Nutr., 69, 632- 46.

Sugar and Cancer

Background

Associations between diet and

cancer risk have been studied

intensively since the 1975 paper

of Armstrong and Doll, who

estimated the proportion of

cancers attributable to diet

ranged between 35% and 75%

of the total. More recent reviews

by expert committees have

made lower estimates of the

proportion of cancers

attributable to diet at ca. 20% in

developing countries and ca.

30% in industrialized countries

(WHO/FAO, 2003) Reviews of the

evidence It would be unethical

for randomized controlled trials

(RCTs) to investigate putative

positive links between diet and

cancer risk. Therefore, most RCTs

have focused on the possible

protective effects of dietary

constituents against cancer.

Positive associations between

diet and cancer risk have

therefore had to rely on

methodologies such as case-

control and prospective studies,

or ecological comparisons. All

study types have their

shortcomings (see „Sugar and

Health: Judging the Evidence‟).

In particular, the non-RCT

designs all produce, at best,

evidence of an association

between a dietary component

and the risk of cancer.

Associations, however consistent

between different studies, are

inadequate evidence of

causality.

A number of expert committees

have reviewed the evidence on

diet in general, and on specific

dietary components, including

sugar, and both risk and

prevention of cancer. Relevant

panels have been convened by

the World Health Organization

(WHO, 1990, 2003) and the Food

and Agriculture Organization

(FAO/WHO, 1997), the Institute of

Medicine (IOM, 2002), the

Committee on Medical Aspects

of Food Policy (COMA, 1989,

1998), the National Health and

Medical Research Council

(NHMRC, 2003), and the World

Cancer Research Fund (WCRF,

1997, 2007).

Sugar and Obesity

Since obesity has been reported

to be associated with risk of a

number of cancers (WCRF/AICR,

2007) it has been speculated

that sugar might be associated

with cancer risk indirectly, as a

result of an influence on the risk

of obesity. However, while some

have attempted to argue that

sugar contributes to the risk of

obesity, numerous reviews of the

evidence have failed to support

this suggestion, including FAO

(1997), IOM (2002), WHO (2003)

and COMA (COMA, 1989) (see

Position Statement on „Sugar

and Obesity‟ for more details).

A recent editorial (Cairns et al.,

2011) compared the cancer risks

arising from obesity with other

risk factors such as smoking,

and/or the burden of other

diseases including diabetes and

cardiovascular diseases. Sugar in

drinks* A number of studies have

claimed a specific role for sugars

in drinks in causing obesity. This

has led some (WCRF/AICR, 2007)

to suggest that drinks containing

sugars might have an indirect

link with cancer, in light of the

association between obesity

and some cancers. However,

the evidence that these drinks

have any specific role in causing

obesity is limited and

contentious (see Position

Statement on „Sugar and

Obesity‟ for more details).

Conclusion

The evidence available at the

present time does not

demonstrate that sugar has any

direct influence, either in

increasing or decreasing the risk

of cancer at any site. In addition

the putative role of sugar or

sugar-containing drinks in

encouraging obesity, and thus

influencing cancer risk indirectly,

lacks clear evidential support.

STATEMENT

WSRO, in agreement with many

reviews undertaken by

international bodies, does not

consider the evidence to

support a convincing direct or

indirect relationship between

sugar and cancer risk at any site.

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

In North America the majority of

caloric sweetened beverages

contain high-fructose corn syrup

(HFCS) and not sugar.

Furthermore, „sports‟ or „energy‟

drinks, which are often included

in studies on „sugar sweetened

beverages‟, contain a variety of

carbohydrates as a source of

energy and/or sweetness. Much

of the literature regarding

caloric beverage consumption

emanates from North America,

and, as yet, it is not possible to

disentangle the results of drinks

sweetened with sugar from

those containing HFCS or other

carbohydrates.

References

Burley, V. J. 1997. Sugar

consumption and cancers of the

digestive tract. Eur. J. Cancer

Prev. 6, 422-34.

Burley, V. J. 1998. Sugar

consumption and human

cancer in sites other than the

digestive tract. Eur. J. Cancer

Prev. 7: 253-77.

Cairns, B. J., T. Y. Yang., and V.

Beral, 2011. That rising obesity

levels will greatly add to the

burden of cancer:

misconceptions I. Br J Cancer,

104, 4-5. 3

COMA, 1989. Dietary Sugars and

Human Disease. Report on

Health and Social Subjects No

37. IN HEALTH, D. O. (Ed.).

London, HMSO.

COMA, 1998. Nutritional Aspects

of the Development of Cancer.

Report on Health and Social

Subjects No. 48. IN HEALTH, D. O.

(Ed.). London, the Stationery

Office.

FAO/WHO, 1997. Carbohydrates

in human nutrition (FAO Food

and Nutrition Paper - 66). FAO,

Rome

Hill, M. J. and C. P. Caygill, 1999.

Sugar intake and the risk of

colorectal cancer. Eur J Cancer

Prev, 8, 465-8.

IOM, 2002. Dietary reference

intakes for energy,

carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty

acids, cholesterol, proteins, and

amino acids The National

Academies Press. Washington,

D. C.

H. G. Mulholland., L. J. Murray.,

C. R. Cardwell, 2009. Glycemic

index, glycemic load, and risk of

digestive tract neoplasms: a

systematic review and meta-

analysis. Am J. Clin. Nutr. 89: 568-

76.

NHMRC, 2003. Dietary Guidelines

for Australian Adults NHMRC

(2005) Guidelines for the

Prevention, Early Detection and

Management of Colorectal

Cancer. Australian Cancer

Network Colorectal Cancer

Guidelines Revision Committee.

Sydney

WCRF, 1997. Food, Nutrition and

the Prevention of Cancer: a

global perspective AICR,

Washington WCRF/AICR (2007)

Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity,

and the Prevention of Cancer: a

Global Perspective. Washington

D. C., AICR.

WCRF/AICR, 2011. Continuous

Update Project Interim Report

Summary, Food, Nutrition,

Physical Activity, and the

Prevention of Colorectal Cancer

WHO, 1990. Diet, nutrition, and

the prevention of chronic

disease. Report of a WHO Study

Group. Technical Report Series

916. ORGANIZATION, W. H.,

Geneva

WHO/FAO, 2003. Diet, nutrition

and the prevention of chronic

diseases: Report of a Joint

WHO/FAO Expert Consultation.

WHO Technical Report Series

916. World Health Organization.

Geneva.

Sugar, Diabetes and Insulin

Resistance

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM), more

commonly referred to as

diabetes, is a metabolic disorder

characterized by raised blood

glucose levels. Diabetes occurs

when the pancreas fails to

produce enough of the

hormone insulin, or the body fails

to respond adequately to the

amount of insulin released.

Insulin is a hormone produced

by the β-cells of the pancreas

mainly in response to raised

blood glucose from ingestion

and absorption of dietary

carbohydrates, but also to

ingestion and absorption of

other nutrients such as amino

acids from dietary protein.

Insulin increases glucose uptake

into skeletal muscle and adipose

tissue, increases glycogen

formation, fat storage and

amino acid uptake into cells,

and decreases glucose release

from the liver. Diabetes often

follows a period of insulin

resistance, in which the body

fails to respond adequately to

normal levels of insulin, resulting

in excessively high insulin release

for a given increase in blood

glucose, and ultimately failure in

blood glucose control. Insulin

resistance is one of the

characteristics of the metabolic

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April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

syndrome which, together with

diabetes, carries increased risk of

cardiovascular disease (CVD).

There are 2 main types of

diabetes, Types 1 and 2. Type 1

DM typically occurs in young

people, and in this case the

insulin producing cells of the

pancreas have been destroyed

by the body‟s own immune

system. It is treated with regular

injections of insulin and an

appropriate diet. No nutrition

recommendations can be made

for preventing Type 1 DM (Bantle

et al., 2008) but careful control

of the diet is essential to the

management of the condition.

Type 2 DM typically occurs in

older adults (occasionally in

younger people) and is

characteristically observed in

sedentary and overweight

people. However, it should be

noted that not people with Type

2 diabetes are overweight

(unexplained rapid weight loss is

a symptom of untreated Type 2

diabetes). This type of DM is

treated by diet, a combination

of diet and blood glucose

lowering medication or insulin

injections, together with

increased physical activity

levels.

The risk of insulin resistance and

Type 2 DM is associated with

obesity, particularly central

obesity (where fat is deposited

at subcutaneous and intra-

abdominal sites), and physical

inactivity. Since DM is

associated with obesity, and

people with diabetes need to

control blood sugar (glucose)

levels, it is often assumed that

dietary sugar intake is important

in either the prevention or

management of the condition.

Sugar and risk of Type 2 Diabetes

The notion that sugar directly

causes diabetes was dismissed in

the 1980‟s in the Report of the

Food and Drug Administration‟s

Sugars Task Force (Glinsmann et

al., 1986) and by the UK

Government‟s COMA

Committee (1989). In addition,

there is no evidence that sugar

uniquely contributes to obesity

(see Position Statement on

„Sugar and Obesity‟) and thus

indirectly causes diabetes. The

most current national evidence-

based recommendations for

prevention of Type 2 DM in high-

risk groups from Diabetes UK and

the American Diabetes

Association comprise lifestyle

interventions of energy

restriction, a low fat diet and

increased physical activity

(Bantle et al., 2008, Dyson et al.,

2011). Studies in animals have

suggested that very high doses

of sugar, often within a

hypercaloric diet, predispose to

insulin resistance (Storlien et al.,

2000). However, intervention

studies in humans employing

more palatable doses of sugar

for relatively short durations (up

to 6 weeks) within isocaloric diets

have shown more variable

results. These studies have either

reported no effect upon (Black

et al., 2006, Dunnigan et al.,

1970) or improved indices of

insulin resistance (Anderson et

al., 1973, Brynes et al., 2003,

Mann and Truswell, 1972, Raben

et al., 2001). Only one study has

reported results, requiring

independent corroboration,

suggesting reduced insulin

sensitivity in subjects who were

hyper triglyceridaemic or

potentially carbohydrate

sensitive at the start of the study

(Reiser et al., 1979).

Sugar and management of Type

1 Diabetes There is no particular

evidence that people with Type

1 DM should avoid sugar in their

diet. The focus of blood glucose

management in this condition is

balancing carbohydrate intake

with insulin treatment (Dyson et

al., 2011).

Sugar and management of Type

2 Diabetes

The main purpose of

management of Type 2 DM is to

improve glycaemic control, and

reduce risk of diabetic

complications and risk factors for

CVD. For overweight or obese

persons with Type 2 DM, the

main nutrition strategy is weight

management, with the focus on

total energy intake, together

with regular physical activity. In

addition, a low glycaemic diet

(GI) may be beneficial (Bantle et

al., 2008, Dyson et al., 2011). It

should be noted that contrary to

popular belief sucrose is only of

moderate GI. Although older

recommendations advised

moderate intake of free sugars

for people with diabetes (where

free sugars were defined as all

added mono- and

disaccharides, plus sugars

naturally present in honey, syrups

and fruit juices) (EFSA, 2004),

more recent recommendations

suggest there is no evidence

that sucrose or sucrose-

containing foods should be

avoided by people with Type II

DM (Bantle et al., 2008).

Sugar in Drinks

Increased consumption of sugar-

sweetened beverages (SSBs) has

been suggested to contribute to

the increased risk of DM. A

number of prospective cohort

studies employing food

34 | P a g e

April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

frequency questionnaires have

examined the association

between SSB consumption and

risk of subsequent DM, which

were reviewed in a recent meta-

analysis by Malik et al., (2010).

The review reported a 26%

greater risk (4 of the 8 studies

were significant) of developing

Type 2 DM in the highest

compared to lowest quartile of

SSB intake. However, only 3

studies corrected for weight or

adiposity measures, 1 did not

adjust for physical activity, and

only 3 adjusted for energy intake

– all of which could be major

determinants of DM risk. The

review failed to acknowledge

that risk of DM has also been

shown to be higher for

consumption of diet sodas

(Nettleton et al., 2009) (although

this may reflect intention to lose

weight) and has even been

shown for water (de Koning et

al., 2011).

CONCLUSIONS

Over-consumption of food

energy, whatever its

macronutrient composition and

inadequate physical activity

may lead to body weight gain

and increase risk of Type 2 DM.

There is no convincing evidence

that sugar is responsible for

increasing risk of diabetes

directly or indirectly via obesity.

STATEMENT

WSRO concurs with recent

national evidence-based

position statements which have

not made specific

recommendations for sugar

intake and either risk or

management of diabetes.

Excessive energy intake, of any

form, or inadequate physical

activity may encourage weight

gain and increase risk of Type 2

DM.

REFERENCES

Anderson, J. W., R. H. Herman,

and D. Zakim, 1973. Effect of

high glucose and high sucrose

diets on glucose tolerance of

normal men. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 26:

600-7.

Bantle, J. P., J. Wylie-Rosett., A. L.

Albright, 2008. Nutrition

recommendations and

interventions for diabetes: a

position statement of the

American Diabetes Association.

Diabetes Care, 31 Suppl 1, S61-

78.

Black, R. N., M., Spence, R. O.,

McMahon. 2006. Effect of

eucaloric high- and low-sucrose

diets with identical

macronutrient profile on insulin

resistance and vascular risk: a

randomized controlled trial.

Diabetes. 55: 3566-72.

Brynes, A. E., C. Mark Edwards.,

M. A. Ghatei, 2003. A

randomised four intervention

crossover study investigating the

effect of carbohydrates on

daytime profiles of insulin,

glucose, non-esterified fatty

acids and triacylglycerols in

middle-aged men. Br. J. Nutr. 89:

207-18.

COMA, 1989. Dietary Sugars and

Human Disease. Report on

Health and Social Subjects No

37. IN HEALTH, D. O. (Ed.).

London, HMSO. de L. Koning., V.

S. Malik., E. B. Rimm, 2011. Sugar-

sweetened and artificially

sweetened beverage

consumption and risk of type 2

diabetes in men. Am. J. Clin.

Nutr. 93:.1321-7.

Dunnigan, M. G., T. Fyfe., M. T.

McKiddie, 1970. The effects of

isocaloric exchange of dietary

starch and sucrose on glucose

tolerance, plasma insulin and

serum lipids in man. ClinSci, 38, 1-

9.

Dyson, P. A., T. Kelly., T. Deakin,

2011. Diabetes UK evidence-

based nutrition guidelines for the

prevention and management of

diabetes. Diabet. Med. 28, 1282-

1288.

Glinsmann, W. H., H. Irausquin,

and Y. K. Park. 1986. Evaluation

of health aspects of sugars

contained in carbohydrate

sweeteners. Report of Sugars

Task Force, 1986. J. Nutr. 116: S1-

216.

Malik, V. S., B. M. Popkin., G. A.

Bray., 2010. Sugar-sweetened

beverages and risk of metabolic

syndrome and type 2 diabetes:

a meta-analysis. Diabetes Care,

33, 2477-83.

Mann, J. I. and A. S. Truswell,

1972. Effects of isocaloric

exchange of dietary sucrose

and starch on fasting serum

lipids, postprandial insulin

secretion and alimentary

lipaemia in human subjects. Br J

Nutr, 27, 395- 405.

Nettleton, J. A., P. L. Lutsey., Y.

Wang., 2009. Diet soda intake

and risk of incident metabolic

syndrome and type 2 diabetes in

the Multi-Ethnic Study of

Atherosclerosis (MESA). Diabetes

Care, 32: 688-94.

Storlien, L. H., J. A. Higgins., T. C.

Thomas. 2000. Diet composition

and insulin action in animal

models. Br. J. Nutr. Suppl., 83: 1,

S85-90.

35 | P a g e

April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

STORY OF SWEETS DOUGHNUTS

Cooking Directions Ingredients

1. Add yeast, plain flour,

sugar, egg, butter and milk

together in a bowl.

2. Combine all the

ingredients together into a

smooth dough.

3. Cover the bowl and leave

it aside for half an hour.

4. Roll out the dough (about ½ inch thick) on a floured board and cut it into

shape with a doughnut cutter.

5. Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the doughnuts in it until they turn golden

brown.

6. Drain them on paper towels.

7. Put the chocolate into a bowl.

8. Boil in double boiler by placing the bowl into

half water filled saucepan.

9. Stir until the chocolate has melted.

10. Dip each doughnut into the melted chocolate.

11. Dust with icing sugar and sprinkle with the

colored beans

CHINESE EGG CUSTARD TARTS

Cooking Directions Ingredients

1. Shift the flour into a large bowl.

2. Work the butter into the flour with your

fingertips, until the mixture has the

appearance of coarse breadcrumbs.

3. Add hot water in badges into the

mixture and continue kneading.

4. Roll the dough into a large ball, cover

with wax paper and refrigerate.

5. In the meanwhile, prepare the filling: lightly beat the eggs, taking care not to

produce any air bubbles.

6. Stir in the milk and sugar.

7. Add the yellow food color (optional).

8. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough

until it is thin.

9. Use a pastry cutter to cut out circles.

10. Fit the circles into the tart shells.

11. Pour the filling into the shells.

12. Bake until the custard is cooked and a knife

inserted in the middle comes out clean, about

35 minutes.

13. Let it cool before serving.

2 C Flour

1/3 C Butter

½ C Sugar (ground)

4 tsp. Hot Water

2Eggs

1 ½ C Milk

1 C Chocolate

4 oz. Caster Sugar

Yellow Food Color

1 ½ C Plain flour

2 Tsp. Yeast

½ C Sugar (ground)

1 Egg

½ C Butter

1 ½ C Lukewarm Milk

1 C Chocolate

Icing Sugar & Colored

Beans (for decoration)

Oil (for frying)

36 | P a g e

April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS

Dear Fellow Author(s),

Pakistan Sugar Journal (PSJ) offers research, analysis, and reviews to keep its local and

international readership up to date with latest developments in the sugar industry. PSJ takes

into account the application of research and focuses on areas in agriculture related to

sugar, milling and processing.

In order to have your articles published in the PSJ, you are requested to adhere to the

below instructions and prerequisites to enable timely review of your submissions by the

editorial board:

i. Write the title of your article in CAPITAL LETTERS in the center of the page.

ii. Write the complete name of all authors with their addresses – it is compulsory in the text.

References should be cited by author and years as, for one, two or more authors

(Hammer, 1994, Hammer and Rouf, 1995; Hammer et al., 1993), respectively.

iii. Write HEADINGS in bold letters and in the center of the page.

iv. Type your article only in TIMES NEW ROMAN format.

v. Send TABLES and FIGURES on separate page with bold title and mark its numbers

correctly.

vi. Observe the following rule for REFERENCE, for one author: Hussain, K. 1991 for two authors;

Khan, M. and A. Habib 1995, for more than two; Ali, K., A. Hussain and S. Nasir, 1990.

vii. Always send two soft copies and one hard copy of CD. Please do not use FLOPPY DISK

for this purpose.

viii. Send copies on an A-4 size page, preferable LASER PRINT in word document

ix. Papers published in the PSJ are free of charges (for authors).

x. Send your papers to following address by mail or email:

Dr. Shahid Afghan

Editor-in-Chief, Pakistan Sugar Journal

Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute, Jhang (Pakistan)

Phone: +92 47 763 1001-5 | Ext. 602, 603

Mobile: +92 347 654 2858

Email: shahid.afghan@shakarganj.com.pk

Asia Naheed

Associate Editor, Pakistan Sugar Journal

Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute, Jhang (Pakistan)

Phone: +92 47 763 1001-5 | Ext. 603, 606

E-mail: asia.naheed@shakarganj.com.pk

April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02

April – June 2014 Vol. XXIX, No.02