Abstract: Seasonal Fiber Responses of Three Sugarcane Cultivars to Soil Type and Crop Cycle

Authors: Glaz, Barry; SHINE, JAMES - SUGARCANE GROWERS COOP; IREY, MICHAEL - UNITED STATES SUGAR CORP; PERDOMO, RAUL - FLORIDA CRYSTALS; POWELL, GERALD - FLORIDA CRYSTALS; Comstock, Jack; TAYLOR, ROBERT - SUGARCANE GROWERS COOP

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2008
Publication Date: 6/19/2008
Citation: Glaz, B.S., Shine, J.M., Irey, M.S., Perdomo, R.E., Powell, G., Comstock, J.C., Taylor, R. 2008. Abstract: Seasonal Fiber Responses of Three Sugarcane Cultivars to Soil Type and Crop Cycle. American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. 71:15

Interpretive Summary: Interpretive Summary: Fiber content is an important trait of sugarcane cultivars. The electricity to operate sugarcane mills in Florida is almost entirely generated from the fiber of the sugarcane plant. However, if sugarcane has more fiber than is needed to generate electricity for the sugarcane mill and refinery, then sugar recovery is reduced and time needed to recover the sugar is increased. Fiber was analyzed from three major sugarcane varieties sampled monthly on organic and sand soils from September through February in the plant-cane, first-ratoon, and second-ratoon crop cycles. Fiber content either increased with each successive month of sampling or increased through December or January. Often relationships among varieties differed due to month of sampling, crop cycle, and soil type. The first-year results of this 2-year study indicated that confidence in fiber estimations of new sugarcane varieties in Florida would improve by more rigorously accounting for these variables.

Technical Abstract: Technical Abstract: Fiber content is an important trait of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivars. Sufficient fiber is needed to generate electricity for the sugarcane mill and refinery, but excessive fiber reduces sugar recovery. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sample collection date, soil type, and crop cycle on the fiber contents of CP 72-2086, CP 78-1628, and CP 89-2143 in Florida. Samples from three replications of each cultivar in six final-stage experiments of the Florida sugarcane cultivar development program were collected as early as September and as late as February. Plant-cane, first-ratoon, and second-ratoon experiments at one location with a Torry muck soil and one location with a Pompano fine sand soil were sampled. After stripping leaves and extraneous matter from stalks, approximately 100 g of bagasse collected from a 3-stalk sample processed through a Jeffco cutter grinder was placed in a cloth bag. Soluble solids were removed by washing the bagasse twice in 30-minute cold water cycles in a washing machine. Fiber was calculated as the dry sample weight divided by its fresh weight. CP 78-1628 often had higher fiber content than CP 72-2086 or CP 89-2143 which usually had similar fiber contents. Seasonal fiber content was generally equally well explained by either a linear increase from September through February or by a quadratic response characterized by an increase from September through December or January followed by a moderate decline in February. Genotype x month interactions occurred in several experiments, but there were no consistent trends identified that characterized these interactions. Relationships among the three cultivars often differed due to month of sample, soil type, and crop cycle. Preliminary results after the first year of this study suggest that sampling procedures to reduce variability along with changes that allow for monthly sampling at representative soil types among plant-cane, first-ratoon, and second-ratoon experiments would substantially improve estimation of fiber contents of new sugarcane genotypes prior to their release as commercial cultivars.