Minimum or No‐Tillage Improves Sugarcane Ratoon Yield on Florida Histosol

Abstract

Core Ideas Tillering was better in conventional than no‐tillage in plant cane but it was opposite in second ratoon. Minimum or no‐tillage produced higher sugarcane ratoon yields than conventional tillage in Florida Histosols. Overall, in a 3‐yr crop cycle, the yields were similar in all three tillage levels. Tillage effect on yield did not vary with the varieties. ABSTRACTMinimum or no‐tillage reduces soil carbon oxidation in Histosols, however tillage effect on sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) growth and yield are not well understood. To determine the effects of tillage on sugarcane growth and yield, a 3‐yr (plant cane, first ratoon, and second ratoon) field trial was conducted in 2013–2015 with three tillage levels and three varieties (CP 88–1762, CP 89–2143, and CP 00–1101). Tillage levels were conventional tillage, CT (three pre‐planting disc passes and two post‐planting inter‐row cultivations); minimum tillage, MT (two pre‐planting disc passes and one post‐planting inter‐row cultivation); and no‐tillage, NT (no cultivation). Data were collected on Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD), stomatal conductance, tillering, and yield parameters. Our results showed that tillage did not affect SPAD and stomatal conductance. Tillering was better in CT than NT in plant cane but it was opposite in second ratoon. Sugarcane yield (tons of cane per hectare, TCH) and sugar yield (tons of sugar per hectare, TSH) were not significantly different in plant cane, but NT had greater TCH than CT and MT in first ratoon, and both NT and MT had greater TCH and TSH than CT in second ratoon. Tillage effects on yield did not vary with the varieties. Our results showed that NT and MT improved yields in ratoon crops with no significant effect on overall sugarcane yields in a 3‐yr crop cycle in a Florida Histosol. Therefore, tillage may be minimized or eliminated in fallow planting to improve soil sustainability without any sugarcane yield penalty in a Florida Histosol.