A REPORT ON THE 2003 OUTFIELD VARIETY TESTS

Authors: ROBERT, TODD - LSU AG CTR, ST. GABRIEL; GRAVOIS, KENNETH - LSU AG CTR, ST. GABRIEL; JACKSON, WINDELL - ASCL, THIBODAUX, LA; WAGUESPACK, HERMAN - ASCL, THIBODAUX, LA; Garrison, Donnie

Submitted to: Sugar Bulletin
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2004
Publication Date: 6/20/2004
Citation: Robert, T.J., Gravois, K.A., Jackson, W.R., Waguespack, H.L., Garrison, D.D. 2004. A Report on the 2003 Outfield Variety Tests. Sugar Bulletin. 82(9):30-33.

Interpretive Summary: To be competitive in a global economy sugarcane growers in Louisiana must have a continuous supply of new and higher yielding sugarcane varieties. Each year, members of the USDA-ARS' Sugarcane Research Unit, the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, and the American Sugar Cane League of the USA cooperatively evaluate the performance of candidate varieties in the advanced stages of commercial development on grower fields located throughout the sugarcane belt of South Louisiana. Included in the 2003 evaluations were six experimental varieties; L99-226 and L99-233 in the plant cane crops, L 98-209 in plane cane and first stubble crops, TUCCP 77-42 in first-stubble crops, L 97-128 in plant cane, first stubble and second stubble crops, and Ho 95-988 in third stubble crops. Performance of the experimental varieties was compared to LCP 85-384, which represented 88% of the total Louisiana sugarcane acreage in 2003. Sugar per acre yields in plant cane, first stubble and second-stubble-crops of L 97-128 an early maturing variety, and Ho 95-988 in third stubble were comparable to LCP 85-384 in combined data from light (sandy) and heavy (clay) textured soils. In plant cane, first-stubble, second-stubble and third stubble sugar per acre yields of the other experimental varieties were comparable to LCP 85-384, except for L 99-226 which was significantly higher. As a result, Ho 95-988 and L 97-128 are candidate varieties for release to the Louisiana sugar industry for commercial planting in 2004. The availability of a commercial variety with a yield potential that is at least equivalent to LCP 85-384 will allow sugarcane growers to diversify their plantings and should help to insure against the potential crop failures due to varietal susceptibility to potential new diseases or changes in strains of present diseases.

Technical Abstract: Members of the USDA-ARS' Sugarcane Research Unit, the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, and the American Sugar Cane League of the USA cooperatively evaluated the performance of candidate sugarcane varieties in the advanced stage of commercial development during the 2003 growing season. Evaluations were conducted on nine grower fields located throughout the sugarcane belt of South Louisiana. Included in the 2003 evaluations were plant cane of the experimental varieties L 99-226 and L 99-233, plant cane and first stubble of L 98-209, first-stubble of TUCCP 77-42, plant cane, first stubble and second stubble of L 97-128, and third-stubble of Ho 95-988. Performance of the experimental varieties were compared to LCP 85-384 which represented 88% of the total Louisiana sugarcane acreage in 2003. Sugar per acre yields in plant cane, first stubble and second-stubble of L 97-128 and third stubble of Ho 95-988 were comparable to LCP 85-384 on both light (sandy) and heavy (clay) textured soils. L 97-128, a early maturing variety also appeared to be slightly less lodged than LCP 85-384, which may be beneficial during machine harvesting. L 97-128 and Ho 95-988 will be candidates for release to the Louisiana industry in 2004. Experimental varieties L 99-226 and L99-233 were included for the first time in the plant-cane evaluations. In sugar per acre L 99-226, was significantly higher than LCP 85-384 in combined data on all soils while L 99-233 was not different. The Louisiana sugarcane industry should have several additional varieties released for commercial planting in the coming years. This should help to reduce the industry's total dependence on a single variety.