Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Houma, Louisiana » Sugarcane Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #352824
Research Project: Sugarcane Improvement through Effective Disease Management and Resistance Development

Location: Sugarcane Research

Title: History and progress in Texas: Sugarcane variety development since 2011

Author
item COMSTOCK, JACK - Retired ARS Employee
item SCOTT JR., ANDY - Rio Farms, Inc
item HERNANDEZ, EDDIE - Rio Farms, Inc
item DAVIDSON, R - Florida Sugar Cane League
item Grisham, Michael
item Dufrene, Edwis
item Hale, Anna
item Todd, James
item NUESSLY, G - University Of Florida
item KIMBENG, C - LSU Agcenter
item GRAVOIS, K - LSU Agcenter
item PONTIF, M - LSU Agcenter
item WAGUESPACK, H - American Sugar Cane League
item SHINE JR, J - Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative
item PRADO, J - Collaborator

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2018
Publication Date: 9/1/2018
Citation: Comstock, J.C., Scott Jr., A.W., Hernandez, E., Davidson, R.W., Grisham, M.P., Dufrene Jr, E.O., Hale, A.L., Todd, J.R., Nuessly, G., Kimbeng, C., Gravois, K., Pontif, M., Waguespack, H.L., Shine Jr, J.M., Prado, J.A. 2018. History and progress in Texas: Sugarcane variety development since 2011 [abstract]. Journal of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. 38:57-58.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Texas sugarcane industry experienced decreased yields during the period from 2007 to 2012 with tons of sugar per acre (TSA) averaging 3.06 and 3.31 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. In response, the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, Inc., and Rio Farms, Inc., began a new cooperative project of sugarcane variety testing by importing released and late stage clones from the USDA-ARS facilities in Canal Point, Florida and Houma, Louisiana in 2011, and from Louisiana State University Ag Center in 2013. Scientists from Rio Farms, Inc., initially increase seedcane in observation plots and annually install replicated yield trials at four locations representing a diversity of soil types and environments. In addition, variety CP 89-2143 was planted commercially on 266 acres in 2011, and following promising yields, was expanded substantially. The yield trials involving sugarcane clones introduced from 2011-2014 identified 24 clones with yields equal or better than CP 72-1210, a commercial variety that occupied over 50% of the acreage in 2011. Varieties, CP 00-1101, CP 06-2400, CP 07-1824, CP 08-1968, HoCP 04-838 and HoCP 11-537, which were selected from these yield trials represent 26.5% of the acreage planted in 2017, indicating industry adoption of the research. The Texas 2016-17 commercial yields were as follows: all varieties: 37,634 acres, 3.58 TSA; CP 72-1210: 10,762 acres, 3.06 TSA; CP 89-2143: 16,597 acres, 4.02 TSA; CP 00-1101: 450 acres, 4.03 TSA and HoCP 04-838: 272 acres, 4.36 TSA demonstrating improvement over CP 72-1210 and a decline in its acreage. Variety trials conducted in Texas supported the commercial release of two varieties, CP 08-1968 and HoCP 11-537. Newly introduced sugarcane varieties continue to show promise. Cooperative interagency research is also occurring on weed control management, Mexican rice borer resistance, sugarcane row spacing, and orange rust resistance projects that benefit all three states.