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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Houma, Louisiana » Sugarcane Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #383970
Research Project: The Effects of Water-Driven Processes on Sugarcane Production Systems and Associated Ecosystem Services in Louisiana

Location: Sugarcane Research

Title: The effect of wide row spacing on L 01-299 and HoCP 04-838 sugarcane yields in Louisiana

Author
item White, Paul
item Callahan, Harold
item WEBBER III, CHARLES - Retired ARS Employee
item Ellsworth, Patrick

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2021
Publication Date: 6/15/2021
Citation: White Jr, P.M., Callahan Jr, H.J., Webber III, C.L., Ellsworth, P.Z. 2021. The effect of wide row spacing on L 01-299 and HoCP 04-838 sugarcane yields in Louisiana [abstract]. Journal of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. 41:10.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is produced on over 200,000 ha in Louisiana and is the most valuable row crop in the state. The majority of the sugarcane is produced on 1.83-m spaced rows and harvested green using combine chopper harvesters. However, a 2.44-m spaced, double-planted row system has recently been employed by numerous sugarcane growers in an effort to harvest cleaner cane. The objective of this research was to evaluate the crop yield in both row spacing systems for the commercial cultivars ‘L 01-299’ and ‘HoCP 04-838’ over multiple crop years. Tests of each row spacing and cultivar were planted in 2017 and 2018 at equivalent seeding rates. In plant cane, the wide row spacing produced significantly greater cane yield (111.4 t ha-1), compared to the standard row spacing (104.2 t ha-1), an increase of about 7%. Row space did not affect first ratoon, second ratoon, or the total crop cycle yields; however, L 01-299 out yielded HoCP 04-838 regardless of row spacing in first and second ratoon. In plant cane, L 01-299 in the wide row configuration exhibited the lowest TRS, compared to all other treatment combinations. In first ratoon and the grand mean, HoCP 04-838 exhibited higher TRS but no row spacing effect was observed. Sucrose yield followed a similar trend to TRS. Overall, row spacing only affected cane yield, TRS, and sucrose yield in plant cane. The remainder of the crops evaluated were affected by cultivar but not row spacing. Therefore, both row spacing systems represent viable production options for Louisiana growers.