Cane Quality Research Articles

Effect of Irrigation on Sugarcane Morphophysiology in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Since sugarcane is semi-perennial, it has no escape from water stresses in the Brazilian Cerrado, and consequently, drought impacts plant growth and industrial quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphophysiology and quality of the first ratoon of two sugarcane varieties submitted to irrigated and stressed treatments under field conditions. For the biometric characteristics, in general, significant decreases were observed under the stressed treatment for all periods, and only minor differences were detected between the studied cultivars. Physiological parameters decreased under stressed conditions, but to a different extent between the varieties. RB855536 was able to maintain a greater rate of transpiration. Productivity was reduced by 103 t ha-1 for variety RB855536 and 121 t ha-1 for RB867515, compared to plants with full irrigation during the dry period, but cane quality was similar in both genotypes. Measurements of physiological and morphological parameters may prove useful in the rapid identification of genotypes with greater tolerance to abiotic stress.

Response of Soil, Cane Yield and Cane Quality Parameters to Zinc Fertiliser Under Alfisols Condition in Sri Lanka: A Preliminary Investigation

Response of Soil, Cane Yield and Cane Quality Parameters to Zinc Fertiliser Under Alfisols Condition in Sri Lanka: A Preliminary Investigation

IMPACT OF ADVERSE SUGARCANE PRODUCTION CONDITIONS ON MINERAL COMPOSITION AND MICROBIAL LOAD IN JAGGERY

Minerals are most important components of jaggery compared to centrifugal sugar which is nothing but sucrose. Jaggery rich in iron along with other minerals like calcium, phosphorus and zinc can be formidable source in the diet. However, the cane quality used for jaggery making makes it more tenable to embed the nutrients in it as a source of minerals. The poor-quality cane makes it deprived of the vital minerals in jaggery. An experiment conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, V.C.Farm, Mandya has revealed that higher total salts of 3.16 g 100g-1 was recorded in cane of saline soil and cane of sodic soil (3.08 g 100g-1) conditions compared to cane from normal soils. Higher calcium content was recorded in cane of moisture stress condition (83.77 mg 100g-1) followed by cane of normal soil on research station (82.80 mg 100g-1). lowest magnesium content was recorded in lodged cane conditions (58.00 mg 100g-1). The higher iron content was recorded in cane of shaded area (11.46 mg 100g-1) followed by cane of normal soil on research station (11.26 mg 100g-1). The higher sodium content was recorded in cane of sodic soil (97.47 mg 100g-1). The higher ash content was recorded in cane of shaded area (3.63 %) which is a negative factor. However, the phenolic content of jaggery was not influenced by production conditions. The higher bacterial count (7.47 CFU 10-5 g-1) and fungal count (7.36 CFU 10-4 g-1) was recorded in lodged cane compared to normal soils. Jaggery from cane of normal soil on farmer’s field (129 days) could be stored for longer period over lodged cane (34.67 days) and cane of saline soil (32.67 days) conditions.

Optimizing Sugarcane Growth, Yield, and Quality in Different Ecological Zones and Irrigation Sources Amidst Environmental Stressors.

The imbalanced use of fertilizers and irrigation water, particularly supplied from groundwater, has adversely affected crop yield and harvest quality in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). In this experiment, we evaluated the impact of potassium (K) and micronutrients [viz. Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), and Boron (B)] application and irrigation water from two sources, viz. canal, and tube well water on sugarcane growth, yield, and cane quality under field trails. Water samples from Mardan (canal water) and Rahim Yar Khan (tube well water) were analyzed for chemical and nutritional attributes. The results revealed that tube well water's electrical conductivity (EC) was three-fold that of canal water. Based on the EC and total dissolved salts (TDS), 83.33% of the samples were suitable for irrigation, while the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) indicated only a 4.76% fit and a 35.71% marginal fit compared with canal water. Furthermore, the application of K along with B, Fe, and Zn had led to a significant increase in cane height (12.8%, 9.8%, and 10.6%), cane girth (15.8%, 15.6%, and 11.6%), cane yield (13.7%, 12.3%, and 11.5%), brix contents (14%, 12.2%, and 13%), polarity (15.4%, 1.4%, and 14%), and sugar recovery (7.3%, 5.9%, and 6%) in the tube well irrigation system. For the canal water system, B, Fe, and Zn increased cane height by 15.3%, 13.42%, and 11.6%, cane girth by 13.9%, 9.9%, and 6.5%, cane yield by 42.9%, 43.5%, and 42%, brix content by 10.9%, 7.7%, and 8%, polarity by 33.4%, 28%, and 30%, and sugar recovery by 4.0%, 3.9%, and 2.0%, respectively, compared with sole NPK application. In conclusion, the utilization of tube well water in combination with canal water has shown better results in terms of yield and quality compared with the sole application of canal water. In addition, the combined application of K and B significantly improved sugarcane yields compared with Zn and Fe, even with marginally suitable irrigation water.

Advancing cane-quality management in the South African smallholder-farmer sector through participatory on-farm demonstration and knowledge exchange

Cane-quality management involving chemical ripening is an important component of profitable sugarcane production by large-scale commercial farmers in South Africa. For smallholder farmers (SHFs), however, sugarcane field size and adjacent alternative land-uses render conventional aerial crop-spraying methods unsuitable. The recent availability of spraying drones has created opportunities for chemical ripening to be introduced to the smallholder farmer sector. A network of demonstration trials based on strong partnerships of researchers, extension specialists and smallholder farmers, and participation by various industry stakeholders was established in 11 smallholder farmer regions. Knowledge exchange in each region involved an initial stakeholder engagement workshop, a series of practical field days during the execution of the trial, and post-trial information sharing events. The initial workshops were aimed at creating project awareness, defining the relative advantage that ripening with drones could deliver, identifying negative perceptions and potential barriers that might hinder adoption, and reaching consensus on trial methodology. Field days were focused on demonstrating the processes of maturity assessment to establish the need for chemical ripening and applying a ripener with a drone to parts of the fields. At the same time, control portions were left untreated, and assessing the efficacy of ripening benefits and harvest readiness. These demonstrations illustrated the judicious use of agrochemicals by only spraying fields suited to ripening. In-field estimates of cane yield and cane quality in the ripened and control treatments shortly before harvest, and in some cases, field production data from the sugar factories, revealed a range of improvements in recoverable crystal (ERC) due to ripening that was influenced by location and sugarcane cultivar. Although the SHFs expressed genuine interest in chemically ripening their crops with spraying drones, industry challenges will need to be addressed prior to wider adoption.

Complete genome analysis of sugarcane root associated endophytic diazotroph Pseudomonas aeruginosa DJ06 revealing versatile molecular mechanism involved in sugarcane development.

Sugarcane is an important sugar and bioenergy source and a significant component of the economy in various countries in arid and semiarid. It requires more synthetic fertilizers and fungicides during growth and development. However, the excess use of synthetic fertilizers and fungicides causes environmental pollution and affects cane quality and productivity. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) indirectly or directly promote plant growth in various ways. In this study, 22 PGPB strains were isolated from the roots of the sugarcane variety GT42. After screening of plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, it was found that the DJ06 strain had the most potent PGP activity, which was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeling technology confirmed that the DJ06 strain successfully colonized sugarcane tissues. The complete genome sequencing of the DJ06 strain was performed using Nanopore and Illumina sequencing platforms. The results showed that the DJ06 strain genome size was 64,90,034 bp with a G+C content of 66.34%, including 5,912 protein-coding genes (CDSs) and 12 rRNA genes. A series of genes related to plant growth promotion was observed, such as nitrogen fixation, ammonia assimilation, siderophore, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), deaminase, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, auxin biosynthesis, phosphate metabolism, hydrolase, biocontrol, and tolerance to abiotic stresses. In addition, the effect of the DJ06 strain was also evaluated by inoculation in two sugarcane varieties GT11 and B8. The length of the plant was increased significantly by 32.43 and 12.66% and fresh weight by 89.87 and 135.71% in sugarcane GT11 and B8 at 60 days after inoculation. The photosynthetic leaf gas exchange also increased significantly compared with the control plants. The content of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was enhanced and gibberellins (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) were reduced in response to inoculation of the DJ06 strain as compared with control in two sugarcane varieties. The enzymatic activities of oxidative, nitrogen metabolism, and hydrolases were also changed dramatically in both sugarcane varieties with inoculation of the DJ06 strain. These findings provide better insights into the interactive action mechanisms of the P. aeruginosa DJ06 strain and sugarcane plant development.

Sugarcane productivity and sugar yield improvement: Selecting variety, nitrogen fertilizer rate, and bioregulator as a first-line treatment

The improvement of sugarcane productivity depends on the crop varieties, growth environments, and management practices. In particular, the selection of the most productive variety and the use of an optimal fertilizer rate and plant bioregulator are critical for increasing sugarcane productivity and sugar yield. This study aimed to determine the high-performing sugarcane variety, optimal nitrogen rate, and potential bioregulator for improved sugarcane production, juice quality, and sugar yield. Two sugarcane varieties (D42/58 and NCo-334), three nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates (0, 100, and 150 kg/ha), and two bioregulators (Agrostemin and Crops®) were used for the study. The study revealed that sugarcane variety had a significant effect on all growth, yield, and quality parameters. Plant height was significantly influenced by variety and bioregulators, while stalk population was significantly influenced by two- and three-way interactions of varieties, bioregulators, and N fertilizer rates. Cane weight was significantly affected by variety, N fertilizer rate, and bioregulators, whereas cane yield was significantly affected by variety, N fertilizer, and their interaction effects. Sugar yield was similarly influenced by variety, bioregulator, and their interaction. The three main factors, as well as their two- and three-way interactions, had a considerable influence on cane quality parameters. Sugarcane variety D42/58 significantly outperformed variety NCo-334 in terms of sprouting, number of tillers, plant height, number of millable canes, and sucrose percentage by 7.49%, 9.50%, 12.80%, 10.50%, and 9.10%, respectively. The use of the D42/58 variety with N fertilizer (at 100 kg/ha) and/or the Agrostemin bioregulator also led to higher performance in cane population (107126), cane yield (153.34 tons/ha), Pol % (15.81%), and sugar yield (10.25 tons/ha). Most sugarcane growth, yield, juice quality, and sugar yield parameters were positively correlated; hence, high-performing varieties, appropriate N rates, and plant bioregulators could boost sugarcane productivity and sugar yield. Overall, the selection and combination of sugarcane variety D42/58 with 100 kg N/ha and/or Agrostemin bioregulator could maximize sugarcane production, juice quality, and sugar yield. To confirm the current findings, however, more research needs to be conducted across different agroecologies and seasons.

Impact Studies on Delayed Crush on Post-Harvest Deterioration of Promising Sugarcane Clones

The present study was conducted with five promising early maturing sugarcane clones at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Rudrur [latitude of 18o-300' north and 77o-510' longitude to the east at an elevation of 404 m above mean sea level], Nizamabad district, T.S., India during Rabi 2014-15. The key objective of the present investigation was to study the impact of a delayed crush on postharvest deterioration of promising sugar cane clones. Different biochemical aspects like percent juice sucrose, commercial cane sugar percent, juice extraction percent and reducing sugars % were assayed from 0-72 h. The results of the study indicated that the clones such as Co 99004 and 2011 R 42 indicated the highest sucrose percent (22.29% & 20.87%) and CCS percent (15.84% & 14.87%) respectively, percent reduction in single cane weight of Co 99004 and 2010 R 305 (1.83 and 1.63) and juice extraction percent of clones 2010 R 305 & 2011 R1 were 55 & 53 percents respectively. Among the five clones tested 2010 R 305 maintained its cane quality up to 72 hours with minimum percent reduction of 4.05, 4.30, 2.80 and 4.25 for to sucrose content, CCS percent, juice extraction percent and percent reduction in single cane weight, respectively followed by 2011 R 1 and Co 99004. The Present study concluded that 2010 R 305 was found to possess tolerance to Post- harvest deterioration.

Recent Advances in Sugarcane Genomics, Physiology, and Phenomics for Superior Agronomic Traits.

Advances in sugarcane breeding have contributed significantly to improvements in agronomic traits and crop yield. However, the growing global demand for sugar and biofuel in the context of climate change requires further improvements in cane and sugar yields. Attempts to achieve the desired rates of genetic gain in sugarcane by conventional breeding means are difficult as many agronomic traits are genetically complex and polygenic, with each gene exerting small effects. Unlike those of many other crops, the sugarcane genome is highly heterozygous due to its autopolyploid nature, which further hinders the development of a comprehensive genetic map. Despite these limitations, many superior agronomic traits/genes for higher cane yield, sugar production, and disease/pest resistance have been identified through the mapping of quantitative trait loci, genome-wide association studies, and transcriptome approaches. Improvements in traits controlled by one or two loci are relatively easy to achieve; however, this is not the case for traits governed by many genes. Many desirable phenotypic traits are controlled by quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) with small and variable effects. Assembling these desired QTNs by conventional breeding methods is time consuming and inefficient due to genetic drift. However, recent developments in genomics selection (GS) have allowed sugarcane researchers to select and accumulate desirable alleles imparting superior traits as GS is based on genomic estimated breeding values, which substantially increases the selection efficiency and genetic gain in sugarcane breeding programs. Next-generation sequencing techniques coupled with genome-editing technologies have provided new vistas in harnessing the sugarcane genome to look for desirable agronomic traits such as erect canopy, leaf angle, prolonged greening, high biomass, deep root system, and the non-flowering nature of the crop. Many desirable cane-yielding traits, such as single cane weight, numbers of tillers, numbers of millable canes, as well as cane quality traits, such as sucrose and sugar yield, have been explored using these recent biotechnological tools. This review will focus on the recent advances in sugarcane genomics related to genetic gain and the identification of favorable alleles for superior agronomic traits for further utilization in sugarcane breeding programs.

Morphological, agronomical, physiological and molecular characterization of a high sugar mutant of sugarcane in comparison to mother variety.

Sugarcane is a significant crop plant with the capability of accumulating higher amount of sucrose. In the present study, a high sucrose content sugarcane mutant clone, GXB9, has been studied in comparison to the low sucrose mother clone B9 on morphological, agronomical and physiological level in order to scrutinize the variation because of mutation in GXB9 in field under normal environmental condition. The results showed that GXB9 has less germination, tillering rate, stalk height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, number of internodes, internode length and internode diameter than B9. Qualitative traits of leaf and stalk displayed significant variation between GXB9 and B9. Endogenous hormones quantity was also showed variation between the two clones. The relative SPAD reading and chlorophyll a, b concentrations also showed variation between GXB9 and B9. The photosynthetic parameter analysis indicated that the GXB9 has significantly higher net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) than B9. The qRT-PCR analysis of genes encoding enzymes like SPS, SuSy, CWIN, and CeS showed upregulation in GXB9 and downregulation in B9. However, these genes were significantly differentially expressed between the immature and maturing internodes of GXB9. The cane quality trait analysis showed that GXB9 had higher juice rate, juice gravity purity, brix, juice sucrose content and cane sucrose content than B9. The yield and component investigation results indicated that GXB9 had lower single stalk weight, however higher number of millable stalks per hectare than B9, and GXB9 had lower theoretical cane yield than B9. SSR marker analysis showed genetic variation between GXB9 and B9. This study has shown significant variation in the traits of GXB9 in comparison to B9 which advocates that GXB9 is a high sugar mutant clone of B9 and an elite source for future breeding.

Effect of Harvesting Ages on Yield and Yield Components of Sugar Cane Varieties Cultivated at Finchaa Sugar Factory, Oromia, Ethiopia.

This study was initiated with the objective of determining the effect of different harvesting ages (12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 months) on yield and yield components of selected the two sugar cane varieties (B52/298 and NCo 334) grown in Finchaa sugar factory, Oromia, Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted at Finchaa sugarcane plantation using a randomized complete block design of a factorial arrangement of 2 × 5 with three replications. The data were performed using SAS version 9.3, and a significant difference was considered at p ≤ 0.05. The results showed that B52/298 variety had a higher estimated recoverable sucrose than NCo 334 variety. The results also indicated that as harvesting ages increase yield, yield components of sugar cane quality are increased. The maximum sugar yield of 1.89-ton ha-1 month-1 was obtained at the harvesting age of 15 months. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between harvesting age and sugarcane varieties on cane yield, sugar yield, brix percent juice, pol percent, and recoverable sugar. Generally, the findings imply that as harvesting ages in month increase, brix percent juice, estimated recoverable sucrose, and sucrose percentage in both varieties were simultaneously increased. The findings suggested that B52/298 sugar cane variety with harvesting age between 14 and 16 is highly recommended to obtain optimum sugar cane yield and yield components at the tropical areas of Finchaa sugar factory.

Potassium application for sugarcane in a sandy loam Oxisol of the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate rates and methods of potassium application for plant cane (Saccharum spp.) grown in a dystrophic Typic Haplustox with a sandy loam texture in the Brazilian Cerrado. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Aporé, in the state of Goiás, using the RB92579 sugarcane variety. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks, with three replicates, in a 5x3 factorial arrangement, with five potassium rates (0, 60, 110, 160, and 200 kg ha-1 K2O as potassium chloride) and three application methods (100% at the bottom of the planting furrow and covered with soil, 100% side-dressed on the sugarcane rows 60 days after planting, and 50% in the planting furrow and 50% side-dressed). The amount of potassium in the stalks in the control treatment was greater than that of the potassium stock extractable by Mehlich-1 in the 0-60 cm soil layer. Stalk and sugar yields increase linearly with potassium rates, approximately 20% with 200 kg ha-1 K2O compared with the control treatment (without potassium). Potassium content in stalks also increases with potassium rates. There is no significant effect of the potassium application methods on stalk and sugar yields and on cane quality variables.

Physico-chemical properties of goor and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) as influenced by integrated nutrient management in Bangladesh

Sugarcane is the only sugar yielding and economically important crop in Bangladesh. Although, it is a good source of sucrose, alcohol and organic matter waste, soil fertility is declining in sugarcane growing areas. Considering the facts, a field study was carried out during 2014-2015 cropping season to evaluate the impacts of integrated use of different organic and chemical nutrients on the quality of sugarcane. Seven treatments were comprised in this experiment (T1 = Control, T2 = 165:55:120:30:10:2.5:4 kg NPKSMgZnB ha-1, T3 = Poultry Litter (PL) @ 5 t ha-1 + 95:51:87:9:10:2.5:4 kg NPKSMgZnB ha-1, T4 = Cow Dung (CD) @ 15 t ha-1 + 36:52:60:17:10:2.5:4 kg NPKSMgZnB ha-1, T5 = Press Mud (PM) @ 15 t ha-1 + 10:50:43:0:10:2.5:4 kg NPKSMgZnB ha-1, T6 = Mustard Oil Cake (MOC) @ 0.5 t ha-1 + 140:54:115:25:10:2.5:4 kg NPKSMgZnB ha-1 and T7 = GM (Green Manure) @ 5 t ha-1 + 140:53:100:28:10:2.5:4 kg NPKSMgZnB ha-1). The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results of cane quality parameters, the treatment T3 (PL @ 5 t ha-1 + 95:51:87:9:10:2.5:4 kg NPKSMgZnB ha-1) recorded the highest brix (20.9 %), pol in cane (14. 9%) and sugar yield (15 t ha-1). The goor quality parameters likes sucrose (80.1 %), colour transmittance (57.80%) and goor recovery (11.21%) were noticed highest in T3 treatment, which was similar to T4 treatment (CD @ 15 t ha-1 + 36:52:60:17:10:2.5:4 kg NPKSMgZnB ha-1). On the other hand the lowest reducing sugars (6.56%) and ash content (2.96%) were also observed in T3 treatment. The results from this experiment revealed that the treatment - PL @ 5 t ha-1 + 95:51:87:9:10:2.5:4 kg NPKSMgZnB ha-1 followed by CD @ 15 t ha-1 + 36:52:60:17:10:2.5:4 kg NPKSMgZnB ha-1 provided a scope to supply raw material with juice and goor quality of sugarcane grown in High Ganges River Floodplain soils to sugar industry and goor makers.

Integrated weed management in preseasonal sugarcane

A field experiment on “Integrated Weed Management for preseasonal sugarcane” was conducted for three consecutive years at Central Sugarcane Research Station, Padegaon, Tal Phaltan District Satara, Maharashtra, India during 2015-16 to 2017-18 to find out tank mix optimum combination dose of post emergence herbicide for effective control in sugarcane. Dominant weeds observed in sugarcane crop were Brachiaria eruciformis, Cyperus rotundous, Alternanthera sessils, Parthenium hysterophorus L., Euphorbia geniculata Linn., Cardiosoermum lalicacabum, Ipomoea hederacea and Hylandis latiprosa. The result showed that mean total weed count and weed dry weight reduced with post emergence application of metribuzin @ 0.50 kg a.i.ha-1 + 2, 4-D @ 1.00 kg a.i. ha-1 at 25 DAP fb hoeing at 60 and 90 DAP and found at par with treatment post emergence application of metribuzin @ 1 kg a.i ha-1 + 2, 4-D @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 at 25 DAP fb hoeing at 60 and 90 DAP. Among the herbicidal treatments, post emergence application of metribuzin @ 0.50 kg a.i ha-1 + 2, 4-D @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 at 25 DAP fb hoeing at 60 and 90 DAP recorded significantly the highest germination per cent (66.73 %), number of internodes per cane (22) and average cane weight (1.93 kg) over all herbicidal treatments which was at par with pre emergence spray of metribuzin @1 kg a.i. ha-1 and post emergence spray of 2,4-D @1kg a.i. ha-1 at 60 DAP fb hoeing at 90 DAP for number of internodes per cane (21.90) and average cane weight (1.92 kg). Among the herbicidal treatments, maximum weed control efficiency of 60.59 %, 56.38 % and 75.99 % was found in treatment of post emergence application of metribuzin @ 0.50 kg a.i. ha-1+ 2,4-D @ 1.00 kg a.i. ha-1 at 25 DAP fb hoeing at 60 and 90 DAP to sugarcane crop at 30, 60 and 90 days after application, respectively followed by post emergence application of metribuzin @ 1 kg a.i ha-1 + 2, 4-D @ 1 kg a.i. ha-1 at 25 DAP with hoeing at 60 and 90 DAP. Similarly, the significantly highest cane yield (155.21 t ha-1) and CCS yield (21.38 t ha-1) was recorded by same treatment over all herbicidal treatments which was at par with treatment metribuzin @1 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre emergence, 2,4-D @1 kg a.i. ha-1 as post emergence application at 60 DAP fb hoeing at 90 DAP for CCS yield. The maximum net return (Rs. 278454) and benefit cost ratio (3.13) was also reported by same treatment followed by post emergence application of metribuzin @1.00 kg a.i. ha-1 + 2,4-D @ 0.50 kg a.i. ha-1 at 25 DAP fb hoeing at 60 and 90 DAP. The cane quality like commercial cane sugar %, sucrose %, brix (00) and purity % was not affected by hand weeding, mechanical weed control and application of any herbicide.

Post-harvest Quality Profile of Some Promising Sugarcane Cultivars Under Sub-tropical Conditions

An experiment was conducted (in 2016–2017 and 2017–2018) to evaluate the post-harvest quality deterioration and to identify cultivars possessing better juice quality during long harvest-to-crush periods. Five promising/commonly cultivated sugarcane cultivars, CoSe 08452, CoS 08276, CoS 08279, CoS 08272 and Co 0238, in sub-tropical regions of India during periods of low and high temperature were selected. Stalks were harvested from November to April and were kept in bundles in different conditions (treatments)—in an open field condition (T1) and sprinkled with water and covered with a thick layer of sugarcane trash (T2). Cane quality parameters (weight loss, sucrose percentage, reducing sugars and dextran) were assessed in both T1 and T2 until 240 h after harvest. Some cultivars appeared to be somewhat more resistant to loss in moisture and sucrose percent during this period, while others seemed to be more susceptible to deterioration and showed the highest loss during April. However, the deterioration was markedly higher in T1 as compared to T2 in all the cultivars. This study suggests that the preparation of post-harvest quality deterioration profiles of promising elite cultivars may be helpful in harvesting schedule to the benefit of growers and millers.

Risk Management in the Production of Sugar in Mojo Sugar Factory, Sragen Regency

This research aims to determine the risk, kind of risks and formulate the risk handling strategies in the sugar production in Mojo Sugar Factory, Sragen Regency. The analysis method used the variation coefficients (CV) score and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) approach. The results showed the score of CV is 0.77&gt; 0.5 which means that there is a high risk of sugar production in Mojo Sugar Factory. There are 12 risks identified in this research. The risks with low status are the risk of broken sugar cane and risk of the damaged truck; The risks with medium status miscalculations risk in the yield distribution and the late receipt of funds from PTPN IX. The risk of high status is new tools operation difficulties. The risk of very high status is low sugar cane quality, sugar cane sent to other factories, steam drop, the tools and machines performance stopping while grinding, sugar cane production that is below RKAP, losses, and the total production of sugar that is below the RKAP. The risk management strategies for low-status risks are giving strict punishment to farmers’ partners and more regular and scheduled maintenance. The management strategies for medium status is involving technology in calculating results and implementing wiser based financial management. The management strategy for high-status risk is assisting the operation of new tools by experts. The management strategies for very high status are holding an intensive meeting, conducting education, training programs for employees, benchmarking with other sugar factories which have better performance, make a good relation with the partner.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords— Risk; Risk Management; ERM; Risk Analysis; Sugar

Competitiveness of different sugarcane industries in an era of low sugar prices

A surplus in global production over consumption in 2017-18, initially projected at 10 mn t of sugar mainly from boosted production in India, Thailand, European Union and other countries, resulted in a 10-year low price of sugar in August 2018. Due to the low price environment seen in 2017-18, even the most efficient sugar producing countries such as Brazil had production cost higher than the world market price. It was opportune to study the competitiveness of different sugarcane industries in Southern, Eastern, Central and Western Africa in comparison with large producers such as Brazil, India, Thailand and Australia. Parameters measured included the general situation of each industry, the production of cane (area cultivated, yield, productivity, cane quality, harvest and control, performance of small producers, price of cane and research, development and extension), milling of cane (number of factories, sugar production, milling efficiency, price of sugar locally and internationally) and diversification (biofuel, electricity cogeneration and others). The technical performance indicators usually used by sugar analysts across the world were used to compare the technical efficiency of the industries concerned in relation to their regional and world competitors. National policies implemented in each country were analysed. Explicit lessons were drawn from the complexity and diversity of sugar policy applied to industries around the globe. Armed with these lessons, stakeholders should be able to develop a reformed policy tool box for the sugar industry that will allow it to achieve the required efficiency at all levels.

Evaluation of sugarcane clones in two crop cycles and interrelationships among yield and agronomic traits

Twenty sugarcane clones (genotypes) and one check cultivar were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Mattana Agricultural Research Station Luxor Governorate, Egypt, during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019. The objective of study was to evaluate and calculate interrelationships among cane yield and quality traits in plant cane (PC) and first ratoon crop (FR) at early clonal selection stage. The results showed significant (p < 0.05) differences among the genotypes for cane yield and its component traits, sugar yield and quality traits, except for purity percentage. The interaction of genotype x crop cycle was highly significant for most studied traits (p < 0.01), except for purity, sugar recovery percentages and sugar yield. Mean performance for different traits revealed that clone G.2017–68 showed substantial superiority over the other ones, for cane yield. G.2017–30 recorded the highest sugar yield/fed, while the lowest was recorded for G.2017–28. The correlation analysis showed that the cane diameter, number of stalks per meter and cane height contributed the most in the harvestable cane yield. Based on the performance of genotypes across the two crop cycles, the selection at the plant cane and first ratoon can be recommended at early clonal stage to strengthen the varietal development program.

Character association and path coefficient analysis for cane yield and quality characters in fourth clonal generation (C4) of Sugarcane (&lt;em&gt;Saccharum &lt;/em&gt;sp. complex)

Character association and path coefficient analysis for cane yield and quality characters in fourth clonal generation (C4) of Sugarcane (&lt;em&gt;Saccharum &lt;/em&gt;sp. complex)

Seasonal chemical sucrose losses in upstream and downstream products at a cane sugar factory

Measurement of sucrose losses across a cane sugar factory are notoriously difficult to measure directly or indirectly. Six loss trials were conducted at one factory across a Louisiana processing season; per trial, 40 samples were collected across four upstream and downstream unit processes. Sucrose losses were directly measured with gas chromatography using two equations based on (1) an increase in glucose/sucrose ratios on a RDS basis across a process, or a (2) a decrease in sucrose/RDS. When actual losses were &lt;0.5%, eq. (2) did not detect losses due to the experimental error of the method being greater than the loss. Conversely, when high sucrose losses occurred, i.e., &gt;0.5%, sucrose losses based on eq. (1) were lower than those based on eq. (2), because concomitant acid degradation of glucose occurred. Mean season losses were 2.56% equivalent to 4.89 lbs sucrose lost per short ton of cane and USD1,404,000, with values being much higher than previously reported. Mean losses were 2%, 24.8%, 58.6%, and 14.8% across the MJ tank, clarifier, two pre-evaporators (in series), and from the pre-evaporators to the final evaporator, respectively. 53% of total season losses occurred in early season when the cane quality was worst.