Sugarcane Saccharum Officinarum Research Articles

The development of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on 8 major crops in Japan and its oviposition preference for maize and soybean.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a polyphagous pest native to the Americas. It first invaded Japan in July 2019, and the most damaged crop in this region to date has been maize. To determine pest control strategies, the range of crops potentially damaged by S. frugiperda in Japan should be identified. In this study, the effects of 8 major crops in Japan-forage maize Zea mays subsp. mays, sugarcane Saccharum officinarum, forage and edible rice Oryza sativa subsp. japonica, soybean Glycine max, eggplant Solanum melongena, green bell pepper Capsicum annuum var. grossum, sweet potato Ipomoea batatas, and taro Colocasia esculenta-on the development of S. frugiperda were analyzed by feeding leaves of domestic cultivars during larval stage. Spodoptera frugiperda developed from hatching to adulthood and laid eggs in all 7 treatments, except for taro. However, among them, only soybean showed comparable developmental suitability to maize. Therefore, its oviposition preference for maize and soybean was examined using further nonchoice and choice tests. In the nonchoice test, the number of egg masses oviposited for 3 days on soybean plants was significantly less than that on test containers, while that on maize was comparable to that on containers. These findings can explain partly why major damage has been limited to maize in Japan.

Evaluation of the Agro-technological and Health Characteristics of Sugar Cane Varieties (Saccharum officinarum L.) in Rainfall Conditions

Sugar cane Saccharum officinarum (Poaceae) is an important industrial crop in the Ivory Coast. Cane production involves two types of culture. The irrigated cultivation of sugar cane which is that practiced by industrialists and the cultivation in rainy conditions which is that of village producers The study aimed to improve agricultural productivity in village sugar cane plantations by selecting varieties adapted to rain conditions. The trials carried out at the CNRA research station in Ferké (north of the Ivory Coast) in experimental plots were arranged in complete randomized blocks with 7 varieties, including two controls, repeated 6 times. These experiments were carried out on two consecutive harvest cycles, a virgin and a regrowth, with cane yield, extractable sugar content and tolerance to bio-aggressors as the main selection criteria. The varieties Co 997, M 1176/77 and M 2238/89 were found to be significantly superior to controls R 570 and SP 711406. As for the variety KnH 80412, it appeared equivalent to the best control R 570. Among these 5 varieties tested under rainy conditions, the most productive was Co 997 with 60.5 t of cane / ha after 2 consecutive harvest cycles since the new plantation. These best varieties Co 997, M 1176/77 and M 2238/89 are drought tolerant and can therefore replace obsolete varieties that have become too sensitive to the major enemies of sugar cane in village cultivation in the Ferkessédougou region.

Nest construction and repairing habits of Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus (Aves: Passeriformes: Ploceidae) in the agricultural landscape of Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu, India

The intricate nesting habits of Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus were studied on two Palmyrah Palm Borassus flabellifer trees in Chendur village, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu between 20 March and 30 November 2020. Observations concentrated on sources of fibers, developmental stages of nests, re-construction & repairing of nests, deposition of clay in the nest walls, and various threats. A total of 98 nests of various developmental stages (wad stage—4, helmet stage—31, egg-chamber closed stage—5, and complete nests—58) were studied on these two nest colonies. The birds used leaf fibers of Indian date Palm Phoenix sylvestris and Sugarcane Saccharum officinarum as nest materials, and took 6–48 days for construction of a complete nest. 95% of helmet stage nests (n = 126) contained clay deposits. Analysis of plastered clay revealed it was alkaline with pH 9, and dry weight ranged from 5.1–5.8 g. Males re-constructed new nests from the remnant stalks attached to tips of palm fronds, and also made repairs on damaged nests. Anthropogenic factors, wind, rain, and avian predators, such as House Crow Corvus splendens, Long-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos, Rufous Treepie Dendocitta vagabunda, and Shikra Accipeter badius posed threats to Baya Weavers. A total of 42 nests, 11 broken eggs, and 14 dead chicks were found fallen under the two supporting trees. The detailed systematic survey covering entire district, rapid urbanization, and the anthropogenic pressures will help in nest drafting an action plan to conserve local populations of Baya Weaver.

The Role of Levels and Times of Application of Super Micro Plus Nanofertilizer on some Growth Characteristics and Stems Yield of Sugarcane Saccharum officinarum L.

A field experiment was carried out in one of the agricultural fields of Muqdadiya region during the season 2022-2023 to study the role of spraying with nanofertilizer called Super Micro Plus at levels (0, 1, 2 and 3) g/L as a first factor and with spraying times (the beginning of the tillering stage, the beginning of the elongation stage, and the beginning of the maturity stage) as a second factor in some growth characteristics and stems yield of sugarcane, variety Cp 89. The experiment was carried out according to a completely randomized blocks design with three replications, and the data were analyzed statistically, the results showed the following: 1. The use of nanofertilizer at a level of 2 g/L resulted in a significant increase in the number of total stems, stem height, stem diameter, leaf area and number of green leaves, as they reached 57.8, 160.7 cm, 30.7 mm, 1126.1 cm2/plant and 10.1 leaf/plant respectively. It also caused an increase in the mean of stems yield, reaching 61.5 tons/ha, with an increase of 56.1 %. 2. The spraying of nanofertilizer at the beginning of the tillering stage resulted in a significant increase in the number of total stems, stem diameter, leaf area and number of green leaves, reached to 61.6, 31.8 mm, 1127.9 cm2/plant and 9.9 leaf/plant respectively, and a decrease in the mean of stem height, as it reached to 155 cm. It also caused an increase in the mean of stems yield as it reached 53.6 tons/ha. 3. Spraying the plants with nanofertilizer at the level of 2 g / L at the beginning of the tillering stage resulted in highest increase in the mean number of total stems, stem diameter, leaf area and number of green leaves, reached to 69.4, 33.1 mm, 1187.5 cm2/plant and 11.7 leaves / plant respectively. And a decrease in mean of stem height, as it reached 153 cm. It also achieved the highest significant increase in the mean of stems yield, reached to 66 tons / ha, an increase of 67.5 %.

Nest colonies of Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus (Linnaeus, 1766) on overhead power transmission cables in the agricultural landscape of Cuddalore and Villupuram districts (Tamil Nadu) and Puducherry, India

Nesting habits of Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus with specific reference to overhead power transmission cables was studied between April and November 2021 in the agrarian landscape of 10 villages covering Cuddalore and Villupuram districts (Tamil Nadu), and Puducherry. A total of 408 nests of various stages (wad stage-35, ring stage-21, helmet stage-227, egg-chamber closed stage-49, complete nests-22, and abnormal nests-54) and 411 birds were enumerated on 25 nest colonies. The number of nests in each colony ranged from 1 to 82. Baya Weavers had selected power cables as nesting sites despite the availability of three nest-supporting trees (n= 2,255), such as Cocos nucifera, Borassus flabellifer, and Phoenix sylvestris within 500 m of nesting cables. Birds used leaves of sugarcane Saccharum officinarum, Indian Date Palm Phoenix sylvestris, and Narrow-leaf Cattail Typha angustifolia as a source of fibres for the construction of nests. Twenty-three out of 25 nest colonies were found on power cables running over sugarcane crops. Abnormal nests constituted 13.23% (n= 54) of the total nests and 92.91% (n= 223) helmet stage nests had clay deposits on the inner walls. A total of 285 fallen nests in various stages of development were scattered on the ground. There were opportunistic sightings of avian predators, such as House Crow Corvus splendens, Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos, Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda, and Shikra Accipiter badius found perched on power cables bearing nests and caused damages to eight nests.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in plants and their possible ecotoxicological and agri food impacts

Scientific investigations on levels of Organochlorine Pesticide (OCP) residues in plants largely consider the edible parts (crops, vegetables, and fruit plants). Though the non-edible parts of plants are not eaten by human beings directly, these parts are consumed by livestock and other animals, thereby facilitating the flow of chemical residues through the food chain. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the concentration of OCP residues in non-edible plant parts to provide insights on their potential ecotoxicological impacts. Eighteen OCP residues were extracted in nine different plant species (banana Musa acuminate, brinjal Solanum melongena, Casuarina equisetifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, lotus Nelumbo nucifera, paddy Oryza sativa, sugarcane Saccharum officinarum, tapioca Manihot esculenta, tomato Lycopersicon esculentum) following QuEChERS method. The concentrations of OCP residues in plant extracts were determined using Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The OCP residues, namely: γ-HCH (lindane), heptachlor epoxide isomer, dieldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone were found predominantly in seven plant species. Residues of γ-HCH (lindane) were reported in different parts of plant species such as stem (581.14 ng/g in paddy and 585.82 ng/g in tapioca) and leaf (583.3 ng/g in tomato). Seven samples contained residues of heptachlor epoxide isomer (512.53 to 1173.8 ng/g). Dieldrin was found in paddy stem (489.97 ng/g), tapioca stem (490.21 ng/g) and tapioca leaf (490.32 ng/g). The detected OCPs in the present study were 10–50 times higher than the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL, 0.01–0.1 mg/Kg) as prescribed in the Codex Alimentarius of the FAO/WHO. Their elevated concentrations in the plant parts therefore pose risk of contamination to the consumers in the food chain, including human beings those are dependent on the animals as source of protein. The findings of this study are the first report on residue levels of OCPs in non-edible plant parts in the agricultural landscape of Puducherry region, India. Since, this study assumes significance for the strategic location of Oussudu Lake, an interstate lake spread over Puducherry and Tamil Nadu states, regular monitoring of OCP residues in different environmental segments in strategic locations in both the states is suggested, which will help the authorities in devising a comprehensive environmental management plan aiming at the ecosystem at large.

Micropropagation of sugarcane Saccharum officinarum Plant via Organogensis callus in vitro

Propagation of sugarcane Saccharum officinarum (L) Plant via in vitro by callus production through the culture of shoot tips on MS medium supplemented by 2,4- D 3 mg/L. Organogenic callus were produced by culturing callus on MS medium contained BA and kinetin at 0.5 mg/L for both of them. Incubation of culture was at 25 c and photoperiod at 16 hr and darkness for 8 hrs. Adventitious shoots were cultured on rooting medium contained MS salts at half concentration and NAA 0.5 mg/L , BA 0.5 mg/L and incubated for 8 weeks. Then plantlets were produced and successfully acclimatized.

Soil resilience and management of former sugarcane Saccharum officinarum L lands on the Naparima Peneplain Trinidad and Tobago

The lands of the Naparima Peneplain, Trinidad and Tobago, are an invaluable resource with multiple land use characteristics including agricultural diversification. Sections are classified as Class V soils, non-resilient with minimum recovery over the medium term, and as Class IV soils, slightly resilient with improvements in medium term resulting in significant land management and land use changes. These lands were under sugarcane cultivation for centuries, from the colonial era until the closure of the sugar factory in 2003. Since then, as in so many other Caribbean territories, the land has been ear-marked for agricultural diversification and made available to small farmers for the production of commodities for the domestic market. Land use changes in the post-sugarcane era have resulted in approximately 14,000 hectares becoming available for possible agricultural diversification. However, the positive impact on domestic food supply that was anticipated has not materialized. A land resource study was conducted in 2012–2014 in the La Gloria and Cedar Hill sections of Caroni (1975) Ltd lands on the Naparima Peneplain, to determine the effect of long-term sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivation on land degradation and soil resilience by comparison with data from historical records and to make recommendations on the way forward. Assessment of land use, chemical and physical soil properties, and extent of soil erosion, comprised the study. The most severe land management factor was identified as chronic and widespread soil erosion, especially in Cedar Hill, with additional problems of subsoil exposure, soil slumping and movement. Soil erosion studies (Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)) indicate estimates of 35–74 t/ha affecting 75% of the lands. Historical records on soil physical indices such as bulk density, clay percentage in the profile and available water, revealed that these parameters were stable over the period 1977–2014. However, chemical indices, inclusive of organic carbon, nitrogen and pH, reflect significant decline correlated with reduced soil fertility and land abandonment. While identifying stable soil resilience indices is valuable, the immediate problem is the correction of soil erosion, which results in considerable land abandonment. Therefore, it is recommended that the land be restored to an acceptable level of soil fertility, specifically with respect to its organic matter content, and that infrastructural adjustments be made to stop or greatly minimize soil erosion so that these lands could be used to contribute to national food security as envisaged.

Evaluation of Phytotoxicity of Sulfantrazone 48% F to Sugarcane Saccharum officinarum L.

A field experiment was conducted at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Luchnow, under subtropical Indian conditions during the season 2012-2013 to study the evaluation of phytotoxicity of sulfantrazone 48% f to sugarcane variety CoSe 92423. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The treatments used in the experiment are sulfentrazone PPI 720 g a.i.ha-1, sulfentrazone PPI 1440 g a.i.ha-1, sulfentrazone Pre-em: 3 DAP 720 g a.i.ha-1, sulfentrazone Pre-em: 3 DAP 1440 g a.i.ha-1 and untreated control(weedy). The results showed that sulfentrazone PPI 1440 g ai.ha-1 registered the highest increase of germination (56.9 %) that didn’t differ significantly from other treatments. The dry matter accumulation in weeds was the lowest (7.2, 10.6 and 22.8 g.m-²) in sulfentrazone PPI 1440 a.i.ha-1 treatment achieved highest inhibition proportion of dry matter (90.2, 88.9 and 83.5 % ) at the 60, 90 and 120 DAP respectively. Phytotoxicity was not significantly affected by use of sulfentrazone herbicide. a significant increase in average number of canes by using sulfentrazone PPI 1440 g a.i.ha-1 led to even the highest increase in this attribute at the 90,120,150, 210 and 300 DAP. The use of sulfentrazone PPI 1440 g a.i.ha-1 registered the highest cane yield (84.1 t.ha-1) that was significantly higher to the tune of 44.94 % over control. Addition of sulfentrazone treatments significantly affected sugar yield. Sulfentrazone PPI 1440 g a.i.ha-1 and sulfentrazone Pre-eme 1440 g a.i.ha-1caused highest increase in this character which reached to 13.850 and 13.500 t.ha-1respectively.

Adult oviposition preferences and larval performance of rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis on rice and non-rice graminaceous plants

The rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), occurs throughout southeast and northeast Asia, and has a broad host range including graminaceous crops and weeds. Unraveling the relationship between adult oviposition preference and offspring performance is central to understanding the evolution of plant–insect interactions. In the present study, we examined oviposition behavior and larval performance of the C. medinalis on rice plants and non-rice graminaceous plants. Using choice oviposition experiments, female C. medinalis moths preferred rice volatiles, and laid significantly more eggs on the leaves of rice plants than non-rice graminaceous plants. Larval performance, as assayed by host plant selection rate, and host suitability, were evaluated by using multi-choice experiments and life-table analysis, respectively. Larval host selection experiments showed that the younger C. medinalis larvae (1st and 2nd instar) exhibited a stronger ability to identify rice hosts compared to non-rice graminaceous plants than older larvae (3rd to 5th instar). The results of life-table studies showed that C. medinalis developed and grew faster on rice plants than on non-rice graminaceous plants. In particular, the graminaceous crop, sugarcane Saccharum officinarum, and graminaceous weeds Miscanthus sinensis and Setaria viridis, prevented the development and ovipositing of C. medinalis. Our results showed the strong preference that C. medinalis adults had to oviposit and larvae had to develop on rice and this was highly consistent within the population tested. This indicated that oviposition preference of female C. medinalis moths might play an important role in larval host identification between rice plants and non-rice graminaceous plants.

Production of bioethanol from agricultural waste

This study investigates the potential of ethanol production from agro wastes. Agro waste from sugarcane Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane baggasse, sugarcane bark) and maize plant Zea mays (corncob, corn stalk, corn husk) was subjected to a pretreatment process using acid hydrolysis was applied to remove lignin which acts as physical barrier to cellulolytic enzymes. Ethanolic fermentation was done using Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 5days and the ethanol yield, specific gravity, pH and total reducing sugar were also determined. From the results, the specific gravity, sugar content and pH decreased over time while the Sugarcane baggasse, Sugarcane bark, Cornstalk, Corncob and Cornhusk gave maximum percentage ethanol yield of 6.72, 6.23, 6.17, 4.17 and 3.45 respectively at 72hrs Fermentation. Maximum yields of ethanol were obtained at pH 3.60, 3.82, 4.00, 3.64 and 3.65. These findings show/prove that ethanol can be made from the named agricultural waste and the process is recommended as a means of generating wealth from waste. Keywords: bioethanol; fermentation; agro waste; Zea mays; sugar cane

Effect of Weed Control Methods on Growth and Development of Weeds in Sugarcane Saccharum officinarum L. Fields

A field experiment on sugarcane was carried out during 2012-2013 season at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research Farm, Lucknow (UP), India to assess the effect of weed control methods on growth and development of weeds in sugarcane. The experiment was applied according to the Randomized Complete Block Design RCBD with three replications. Application of weed control methods was made at tiller stage of sugarcane crop (Variety CoSe 92423). All 14 treatments comprising various doses and time of application of sufentrazone alone or in combination with other weed control methods including other herbicides. The results have shown that the weed density and dry matter accumulation were significantly reduced due to different treatments at all the growth stages of the crop in comparison to that of control. Weed growth in terms of weed density was recorded to be the lowest with sulfentrazone (pre-em; 900 g ai/ha) at 60, 90 and 120 Day After Planting. However, the dry matter accumulation by weeds was the lowest with three-hoeing as observed at the same growth stages.

Fermentation, losses, and aerobic stability of sugarcane silages treated with chemical or bacterial additives

Utilization of sugarcane Saccharum officinarum L. silage is increasing in Brazil but intensive ethanol production during fermentation reduces forage quality. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of additives on fermentation and aerobic stability of sugarcane silages produced in minisilos. Treatments were (fresh basis): untreated silage (control), urea (5.0 g kg-1), sodium benzoate (1.0 g kg-1), potassium sorbate (0.3 g kg-1), Lactobacillus plantarum (1 x 10(6) cfu g-1), and Lactobacillus buchneri (3.64 x 10(5) cfu g-1). At the 94th day after ensilage, ethanol concentration was lower in urea, benzoate, sorbate and L. buchneri supplemented silages and higher in L. plantarum inoculated silage, as compared to control. Urea and benzoate treated silages showed the highest and L. plantarum treated silage the lowest in vitro dry matter digestibility. Effluent production was higher in the urea treated silage. Inoculation with L. buchneri reduced 50% ethanol production as compared to control. Urea and L. buchneri reduced yeast count. Aerobic stability was enhanced by L. buchneri and benzoate. Sodium benzoate and L. buchneri were the most promising additives, improving both silage fermentation and aerobic stability; inoculants containing L. plantarum can be deleterious to fermentation and conservation of sugarcane silages.

Is rum toxic?

Introduction : During his second voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus brought to the West Indies, at the end of the 15th century, the sugar cane Saccharum officinarum , originally from Asia. It was only during the 17th century, somewhere around 1640, that an alcohol obtained from the sugar cane or more exactly from molasses, a residue of the sugar cane manufacture, appeared in different islands of the Caribbean. Rum (in French, rhum ) is obtained by distilling fermented cane juice (agricultural rum) or molasses (industrial rum). Today, every year more than 200 000 tons of sugar cane produce 8 M litres of rum and 4000 T of sugar in Martinique. Methods : The authors describe the manufacturing procedure of rum in Martinique (fermentation and distilling processes), then present the various qualities of agricultural and industrial rums and explain the criteria necessary for their A.O.C. appellation. As we know, rum contains 40 to 50% alcohol and is drunk pure or as a cocktail with sugar cane syrup or fruit juices. It may be dangerous for health. So, two pathologies must be considered: those where sugar is concerned and those where alcohol is involved. Some epidemiological studies have been conducted to sum up the situation of Martinique regarding these two problems. Results : In Martinique, type 2 diabetes appearing in the adult is the most frequent form. The prevalence of diabetes is 8 to 10%, which is 2 to 3 times higher than in metropolitan France and the rest of the world. While it is widely recognised that alcoholism has negative health effects, moderate consumption has been found in some research to have a positive effect on longevity. However, in the case of abuse, oxidative and nonoxidative pathways of alcohol metabolism have numerous detrimental consequences that contribute to tissue damage and diseases seen in alcoholic patients. Martinique is in particular exposed to excessive alcohol consumption: 14% of the male population and 2.7% of the female population show an addiction to alcohol. Young people under 18 are two times less likely than young people in metropolitan France to declare that they consume alcohol on a regular basis and four times less likely to declare repetitive drunkenness. As concerns the death rate related to alcoholism, it is considered that 80 to 95% of deaths due to liver cirrhosis, alcoholic psychosis, alcoholism and upper digestive tract cancer are related to an excessive alcohol consumption. On this basis, 85 to 100 deaths can be attributed to alcohol every year in Martinique. In comparison with metropolitan France, Martinique shows a lower death rate for liver cirrhosis and upper digestive tract cancer, but a higher death rate for alcoholic psychosis and alcoholism. This could be due probably to a genetic predisposition of the population. Conclusion : Rum is a strong alcoholic beverage. Its consumption is not forbidden but requires caution, and people may be informed of its adverse health consequences. As for the question: is rum toxic? The answer is: it all depends on how you manage it.

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Rhynchophorus palmarum

<i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus </i>and<i> Rhynchophorus palmarum</i>

Studies on Chemical Control of Plant Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Sugarcane Saccharum officinarum Linn

Studies on Chemical Control of Plant Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Sugarcane Saccharum officinarum Linn