Adoption of MPKV released recommendations of sugarcane by farmers: Evidence from Kolhapur district, Maharashtra

Introduction

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) stands as a cornerstone of global agriculture, serving as the primary source of sucrose for food, biofuel, and industrial applications. Effective management practices are essential to optimize yield, sustainability, and resilience amid climate challenges and resource constraints. This introduction explores the significance, key components, and evolving strategies in sugarcane management. Sugarcane production reached approximately 1.9 billion tonnes worldwide in recent years, with Brazil and India leading as top producers at over 746 million and 376 million tonnes, respectively (Babu et al., 2022) [3] . Projections indicate growth to 2.1 billion tonnes by 2034, driven by yield improvements in India and area expansion in Brazil (OECD-FAO, 2025) [5] . In India, particularly Maharashtra, production faces instability due to land degradation and excessive water use, underscoring the need for enhanced practices (Abnave, 2023) [1] . Domesticated around 10,000 years ago in New Guinea from Saccharum robustum, sugarcane evolved through nobilization-interspecific hybridization with Saccharum spontaneum for disease resistance and vigor (Babu et al., 2022) [3] . Modern cultivars, polyploid hybrids with 80% S. officinarum and 10-15% S. spontaneum genomes, emerged from Dutch breeding in Java and Indian programs like ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (van Antwerpen et al., 2022) [6] . These developments boosted productivity from 31 t/ha in 1930 to 68 t/ha by 2014 in India (Babu et al., 2022) [3] . Optimal management begins with varietal selection for mechanization, stress tolerance, and sucrose content, as seen in Chinese hybrids like YZ 06-407 emphasizing ratooning and biomass (Zhang et al., 2024) [7] . Planting techniques, such as ridgefurrow for irrigation efficiency and soil aeration, prevail in irrigated regions like South India (Planting Techniques Review, 2023). Intercropping enhances soil health, reduces pests, and boosts productivity (Intercropping Review, 2024). Integrated nutrient management (INM) combines organic sources like press mud with minimal synthetics to sustain soil fertility and yields (Management of Sugarcane Review, 2025). Fertigation-drip delivery of urea during full irrigation cycles-improves nitrogen distribution, efficiency, and cane yields up to 151 t/ha versus 124 t/ha in conventional methods (Fertigation Study, 2014). Irrigation scheduling by growth phase (e.g., 550 mm tillering, 1000 mm grand growth) optimizes water use, especially drip saving 44% in Maharashtra's Ghod basin (TNAU Expert System, n.d.; Impact Assessment, 2021). Biotic threats like sugarcane yellow leaf virus and borers limit production across 26 million hectares; integrated pest management (IPM) with Bt transgenics (e.g., Cry1Ac) offers resistance (Aslam et al., 2020; Babu et al., 2022) [2, 3] . Cultural practices and chlorinated insecticides control termites effectively. Climate change exacerbates droughts and pests, demanding adaptive strategies like drought-tolerant varieties and reduced tillage (Msomba et al., 2024) [4] . In Maharashtra, productivity declined to 84.8 t/ha due to of water and fertilizers; sustainable shifts to high-yielding varieties and precision practices are vital (Abnave, 2023) [1] . Root health management through minimal disturbance promotes resilience (van Antwerpen et al., 2022) [6] . Molecular tools like markerassisted selection and CRISPR integrate with conventional breeding for stress-tolerant hybrids (Babu et al., 2022) [3] . Precision agriculture, including AI-driven fertigation and microbiome research, promises higher efficiency (Msomba et al., 2024) [4] . These advancements ensure sugarcane meets rising demands for sugar (projected 14% production rise) and biofuels while minimizing environmental impact (OECD-FAO, 2025) [5] .

The study aimed at to assess the level of adoption of sugarcane recommendations released by MPKV, Rahuri. Understanding the extent of adoption will help accelerate the advancement of agricultural technologies, ensuring that the information eventually reaches a broader group of farmers. The study's findings will be valuable for extension workers, researchers and policy makers enabling them to enhance the effectiveness of the technology transfer process.

Methodology

This study employed an ex-post-facto research design to examine sugarcane management practices, as independent variables had already occurred and could not be manipulated. This approach ensured validity, objectivity, and efficiency in addressing research questions. Kolhapur district in Maharashtra was purposively selected due to its highest sugarcane area and production. Two tehsils, Karveer and Shirol, were chosen based on maximum sugarcane cultivation. The district lies between 15°-17° N latitude and 73°-74° E longitude, at 390-600 m above MSL, spanning submountain, mountain, and plain agroclimatic zones. It features rivers like Panchaganga and Krishna, with 2024 average rainfall of 1897.58 mm over 72 days, temperatures from 11°C to 37°C, and varied soils: red in hilly west, fertile alluvial in river basins, and medium in eastern tehsils like Shirol. Sampling involved multi-stage selection. From lists provided by taluka agriculture offices and sugar factories, five villages per tehsil with highest sugarcane area were picked purposively, totaling ten villages. From each village's alphabetical farmer list from sugar factories, 12 growers were selected using the 'N' method, yielding 120 respondents.

Data collection used personal interviews with a structured schedule developed in consultation with experts from Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, tailored to local conditions and study objectives.

Results and Discussion Adoption of respondents towards university released sugarcane recommendations

According to Rogers and Shoemaker (1971) adoption is a decision to continue full use of an innovation. In this study adoption level refers to the level of following MPKV recommended sugarcane cultivation practices by the respondents. The statement wise information of Adoption levels of respondents towards university released sugarcane recommendations were collected, tabulated and analysed. The results were presented in Table 1. Adoption levels of specific university recommendations varied across management practices, with partial adoption dominating most categories (Table 1). For sett treatment with oligochitosan @50 ppm for 30 minutes followed by foliar sprays at 30, 60, and 90 days after planting, only 7.50% of respondents achieved complete adoption, while 20.83% showed partial adoption. In planting techniques, 26.66% fully adopted preseasonal sugarcane (Phule 0265) planting at 150 cm row and 60 cm intrarow spacing using 30-35-day-old poly tray settlings, with 35.84% partial; for suru sugarcane seedlings at 45 cm spacing in 5-foot furrows under subsurface drip with 80% ETc and RDF fertigation, complete adoption was 9.18% and partial 31.66%. Nursery management saw low uptake: 11.67% completely adopted cocopeat-vermicompost (1:1) media for single-eye bud seedlings in HDPE polytrays, and just 4.17% used Phule supercane technology with 50% soil and 50% FYM/vermicompost/bagasse. Pest control for white grubs via fipronil 40% + imidacloprid 40% WG @437.5 g/ha in June recorded 24.16% complete and 31.67% partial adoption. Disease management for rust with azoxystrobin 18.2% + difenoconazole 11.4% SC @0.1% (three sprays at 15-day intervals) achieved 25.83% complete and 38.34% partial adoption. Nutrient management results showed 20.83% complete adoption of 60% RDF (240:102:102 N:P2O5:K2O kg ha⁻¹) + 25 t ha⁻¹ FYM with micronutrient fertigation in four splits, and 35.83% partial. For suru sugarcane with 25% N + 75% P + 100% K + 20 t ha⁻¹ FYM + PSB sett treatment and endophytic bacteria foliar spray, partial adoption was 45.00%; complete adoption of 50% NPK fertigation for plant cane and ratoons with biofertilizers (acetobacter, azotobacter, azospirillum, PSB) and trash management stood at 13.33% partial only. Water management practices had 31.67% partial adoption of drip irrigation with inverted modular micro sprinklers and ratoon trash shredding; drip benefits (33% sugarcane yield increase, 41% water savings, 16% electricity reduction, lower emissions) saw 25.83% complete adoption. No adoption occurred for 75% ETc drip at 3-day intervals for MS 10001 variety or 60% ETc alternate-day irrigation under subsurface drip. Partial adoption reached 29.17% for subsurface drainage (40 m spacing, 1.25 m depth) and 34.17%/28.33% for staged irrigation deficits (100% tillering, 30% grand growth, 60% maturity) in heavy black soils. Overall, 60.83% of respondents exhibited medium adoption levels, followed by 28.34% low and 10.83% high (Table 2). Findings are inline with findings by Lonkar et al. (2021) [8] . Planting of seedlings of suru sugarcane at distance of 45 cm in 5 feet furrows under sub surface drip irrigation scheduled at 80% ETc every alternate day with 80% RDF (200:92:92, N:P2O5:K2O kg ha -1 ) through water soluble fertilizers in 30 weekly splits is recommended for medium deep black soil of Western Maharashtra for higher monetary returns. Application of 60% recommended dose of fertilizer (240:102:102 N:P2O5:K2O kg ha -1 ) + 25 t ha -1 FYM along with water soluble solid micronutrient Grade I (Fe 2%, Zn 5%, Mn 1%, Cu 0.5%, B 0.1%) @ 25 kg ha -1 in four equal splits at planting, 60, 120 and 180 days after planting through fertigation is recommended for obtaining higher yield and monetary returns of preseasonal sugarcane in medium deep black soils of Western Maharashtra. Application of 25% of recommended dose of nitrogen (62.5 kg ha -1 N) + 75% phosphorus (86.25 kg ha -1 P2O5) + 100% potassium (115 kg ha -1 K2O) and 20 t ha -1 FYM with sett treatment of PSB @ 1.25 kg ha -1 at the time of planting to suru sugarcane then, after 60 days of planting foliar spray of consortium of endophytic nitrogen fixing bacteria @ 3 l. ha -1 in 500 lit of water to sugarcane in the morning hours is recommended for obtaining equivalent use of recommended dose of fertilizer for cane, sugar yield and quality in medium deep black soils of western Maharashtra. 0 (00.00) 54 (45.00) 66 (55.00)

3.

Application of 50 per cent recommended dose of NPK fertilizers to pre-seasonal sugarcane (170:85:85 N:P2O5: K2O kg ha -1 ) and its 3 successive ratoons (125:58:58 N:P2O5: K2O kg ha -1 ) through fertigation in 44 splits at weekly interval along with FYM 25 t ha -1 and set treatment of acetobacter and PSB to plant cane and trash management practice along with application of composite culture of biofertilizers (Acetobacter, azotobacter, azospirillium and PSB each @ 1.25 kg ha -1 ) to ratoon is recommended for higher cane and CCS yield and to maintain soil fertility.

References

1. Abnave V. Sustainability concerns on sugarcane production in Maharashtra, India: a decomposition and instability analysis. Bengaluru: Institute for Social and Economic Change; 2023. Working Paper No. 441.
2. Aslam M, et al. A major constraint to the global sugarcane production. Plants (Basel). 2020;9(12):Article 1790.
3. Babu KSD, et al. A short review on sugarcane: its domestication, molecular manipulations and future perspectives. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2022;69(8):26232643.
4. Msomba BH, et al. Sugarcane sustainability in a changing climate. Front Agron. 2024;6:1423233.
5. OECD-FAO. OECD-FAO agricultural outlook 2025-2034: sugar. Paris: OECD Publishing; 2025.
6. Van Antwerpen R, et al. A review of field management practices impacting root health in sugarcane. Adv Agron. 2022;176:1-46.
7. Zhang M, et al. Developing new sugarcane varieties suitable for mechanized production in China. Front Plant Sci. 2024;14:1337144.
8. Lonkar LS, Gurav KV, Kolgane BT. A study on management practices followed by the sugarcane growers for preventing flood losses. Biol Forum Int J. 2021;13(4):462-467.