Single Eye Bud
Single eye-bud sugarcane refers to a planting material for sugarcane that is produced by planting a single bud (also known as an "eye") of a mature sugarcane plant. This is done by cutting the sugarcane stalk into sections, each containing a single bud, and then planting them in the field.
The use of single eye-bud planting material is a common practice in sugarcane cultivation because it allows for efficient propagation of high-yielding varieties and reduces the risk of disease transmission. Compared to traditional methods of planting sugarcane that involve planting whole stalks or pieces of stalks, using single eye-bud planting material can result in higher yields, more uniform plant growth, and lower costs.
To produce single eye-bud planting material, farmers typically select healthy sugarcane stalks (typically 9 months) from their own fields or from certified sources. The selected stalks are then cut into sections, each containing one or two buds, and planted in the field. Careful attention is paid to planting depth, soil moisture, and other factors to ensure that the buds have the best possible chance of growing into healthy, productive sugarcane plants.
Overall, the use of single eye-bud planting material is a common and effective method of propagating sugarcane, allowing farmers to produce high-yielding, healthy crops while minimizing the risk of disease transmission.
As the industry transits from weight-based to sucrose-based cane payment, AFA-Sugar Directorate and KALRO-SRI have partnered on a project for rapid multiplication of seed cane through the single eye bud chip technology. The Directorate is committed to promote and facilitate adoption of the single eye-bud chip technology.