Abstract
Ratooning is an important cultivation practice in sugarcane production around the world, with underground buds on the remaining stalk acting as the source for establishment of a subsequent ratoon crop. However, the optimal depth of cutting during harvest in terms of yield and root growth remains unknown. We carried out a two-year field study to determine the effects of three cutting depths (0, 5 and 10 cm below the surface) ratoon cane root and yield. Results showed that cutting to a depth of 5 cm increased the root fresh weight and root volume by 21–59% and 41–127%, respectively, compared to cutting depths of 0 and 10 cm. Remarkably, cutting to a depth of 5 cm also had a significant effect on the development of fine roots, which is closely linked to cane yield. The effect was particularly noticeable in terms of two root traits, root volume and the surface area of roots with a diameter of 1.0–2.0mm, and root length and the number of root tips in roots with a diameter of 0–0.5mm. As a result, a cutting depth of 5 cm below the surface increased cane yield by 43 and 28% compared to depths of 0 and 10 cm below the surface, respectively. Overall, these findings suggest that a cutting depth of 5 cm is optimal in terms of sugarcane yield, largely due to the enhanced effect on root traits, especially the development of fine roots. These findings will help optimize sugarcane ratoon management and improve the ratoon cycle.
Highlights
Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) is an economically important crop in tropical and subtropical regions, and is currently cultivated in 121 countries around the world [1]
Cutting depth had a significant effect on cane yield in both the first and second ratoon crops, with T2 performing significantly better than the other two cutting depths
The findings of this study suggest that a cutting depth of 5 cm below the soil surface promotes growth the root system, especially in terms of the root volume, root surface area and root length of roots with a diameter of 0–2.5mm, thereby significantly improving the shoot biomass and cane yield
Summary
Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) is an economically important crop in tropical and subtropical regions, and is currently cultivated in 121 countries around the world [1]. A large, perennial, tropical C4 grass, sugarcane stores sucrose in its stem, and has long been recognized as one of the most efficient crops at converting solar energy into chemical energy, harvestable as sucrose and biomass [2]. The remaining underground buds generate shoots, which go on to establish a subsequent ratoon crop [3]. The main advantages of ratooning are the cost savings related to planting labor, purchase of cane setts and soil tillage [4, 5].
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