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Title: THE EFFECT OF PLANTING DATE AND PLANTING METHOD ON LOUISIANA SUGARCANE VARIETIES

Author
item Dufrene, Edwis
item Viator, Ryan
item Garrison, Donnie
item Tew, Thomas
item Richard Jr, Edward

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2005
Publication Date: 7/20/2005
Citation: Dufrene Jr, E.O., Viator, R.P., Garrison, D.D., Tew, T.L., Richard Jr, E.P. 2005. The Effect of Planting Date and Planting Method on Louisiana Sugarcane Varieties [abstract]. Journal of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. 25:105. Available: http://www.assct.org/journal/journal.htm

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sugarcane in Louisiana is propagated from either whole-stalks or billets in late summer through early fall. Research was conducted to determine if yields of sugarcane varieties currently grown in Louisiana are affected by planting date and/or planting method. Billet planting was compared to whole-stalk planting at three planting dates (August 15, September 15, and October 15) with three varieties (LCP 85-384, HoCP 85-845, and HoCP 91-555) in 2002 and 2003. Yields of sugar per ton of cane, cane per acre, and sugar per acre were compared in the plant-cane and first-ratoon crops. Yields in plant-cane from billet planting were inconsistent when compared to whole-stalk planting. The August planting date had higher yields of cane (40.0 to 43.1 t/A) and sugar (11,000 to 11,800 lbs/A) than the September and October plantings (30.0 to 36.1 t/A and 7,200 to 9,900 lbs/A) when varieties and planting methods were combined and averaged for each planting date. Varieties did not differ in response to planting method. In 2003, the first-stubble crop also benefited from an early planting as yields in the August-planted cane were 2.5 t/A and 600 lbs/A higher than in the September and October-planted cane. Billet planting did not affect yields of the first-ratoon crop. Data suggests that farmers should plant as much as possible in August to obtain maximum yields. Also, farmers should be aware that by planting billets, they may get inconsistent yields compared to planting whole-stalks.