2022 Louisiana “Ho” nursery variety trials

Authors: Dufrene, Edwis; Duet, Michael; Lovell, Lawrence; Todd, James

Submitted to: Louisiana State University AgCenter
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In the USDA Sugarcane Research Unit’s sugarcane variety program, promising experimental varieties are assigned permanent numbers three years after selection in the seedling stage. These varieties are planted in replicated yield trials the same year permanent variety numbers are assigned. Because assignments take place later in the year when most farmers have finished their plantings, these nursery trials are planted on research stations. In 2021, trials were planted at USDA’s Ardoyne Farm in Schriever and at the LSU AgCenter’s Iberia Research Station in Jeanerette and Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel. Because of travel restrictions due to COVID 19, in 2020 two nursery trials were planted at Ardoyne Farm (one on heavy soil and one on light soil) and one trial was planted at St. Gabriel Research Station. A minimum of three commercial varieties are planted in each test for comparison purposes. The following year, experimental varieties advanced for further testing are combined with varieties from the LSU AgCenter program (“L” series) and planted in replicated nursery yield trials on commercial farms that represent the different regions of the sugarcane belt. In this report, the results of trials harvested in 2021 are reported. Experimental varieties from the assignment series 2017-2021 are reported in comparison to commercially grown sugarcane varieties. The yield and quality traits of sugar per acre, tons of cane per acre, sugar per ton, stalk weight, and stalks per acre are reported.