Sugarcane hybrids of biomass

Abstract

Agricultural products have the potential for providing a renewable source of both energy and raw materials if they can be grown and harvested at high yield and processed efficiently. This paper presents the results of studies into the agricultural aspects of high yielding sugarcane hybrids. In 1975 several selections were made from among hybrid progenies of a cross between CP 52–68 a standard variety of sugarcane and Tianan 96 a wild clone of Saccharum spontaneum L., collected in Argentina. Yields of over 220 Mg ha −1 year −1 have been recorded for 8 years. One selection, L 79-1002, has been the most productive. These clones are high in fiber and low in juice content, and are not suited for conventional sugar production. No significant insect or disease problem has occurred. Yields of 240 Mg ha −1 have been recorded at St Gabriel, Louisiana (30·4° lat.) in conventional 180 cm rows and 265 Mg ha −1 at Shreveport, Louisiana (32·1° lat.) in 120 cm rows. In small-scale commercial production no difficilties have been encountered in harvesting or handling. Milling the excess fiber has resulted in the slowing down of the milling process by about one-third with double the excess bagasse.