Characteristics of ideal seed materials:

• Use seed cane obtained from a seed crop of 8-12 months.
• Should be resulted from well manured, erect, healthy and preferably from non-arrowed cane.
• Cane should be fresh and each node should bear at least one sound bud.
• Buds with higher moisture content, adequate nutrients, higher amount of reducing sugars and viability should be used.
• Should be free from aerial roots and splits.
• When tested for germination, the seed material should have a potential to give 80% germinating buds.
• Should be free from disease and pest infestation like red rot, wilt, smut, ratoon stunting disease, etc.