Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, September 8, 2026:- Dr. Amrik Singh, Cane Commissioner, has appealed to sugarcane growers to avoid applying urea to the sugarcane crop after the recommended time and in excess of the required quantity, as this can adversely affect crop yield and sugar recovery.
He said that many farmers continue to apply urea to the sugarcane crop even after August with the aim of increasing yield, but doing so does not prove beneficial. He clarified that during the growth of sugarcane, the plant itself supplies the required nutrients to new leaves and new parts from the older leaves and mature parts. Therefore, there is no need to apply additional urea after the recommended period.
Warning against excessive late application of urea, he said that it causes sugarcane to grow rapidly, making its inner parts soft and watery. Although the crop may appear lush and green from the outside, this does not mean that the sugar content in the sugarcane is also increasing. He stated that excessive application of urea can reduce the sugar content in sugarcane. Sugar recovery at the sugar mill may decrease. The sugarcane may become soft and weak. The risk of pest attacks may increase. Due to higher water content and lower sugar content in sugarcane, the mill may get less sugar.
He advised farmers not to apply urea repeatedly in an attempt to keep the sugarcane green, but to use urea only according to the recommended time, quantity and method. He clarified that more urea does not mean more sugar; rather, excessive urea applied late can make sugarcane soft and reduce sugar recovery. He said that to achieve good yield along with better sugar recovery, farmers should avoid unnecessary and late application of urea.