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Cultural Methods to Increase Sucrose and Energy Yields of Sugarcane¹

Sugarcane (Saccarum spp.) is widely grown in the tropics and sub-tropics for sucrose production. The higher sugar yield make sugarcane an attractive candidate as a feedstock for producing ethanol for fuel. To increase yields of either sucrose or ethanol, information is needed on the effects of row spacing and chemical ripening.

Sugarcane (cv. CP 65-357) was grown at narrow interrow spacings on Pahokee muck (Lithic Medisaprist) and Riviera sand (Arenic Glossaqualf) in Florida to determine the effect of high plant populations on yields of biomass, cane, sucrose, total sugars, and ethanol. A narrow interrow spacing of 0.5 m resulted in increased yields in comparison to the standard commercial spacing of 1.5 m. Differences in yields between row spacings tended to be larger in ratoons than in the plant crop (first growth). Increased yields were mainly due to an increased stalk population at the 0.5 m row spacing for all crops. Stalk population differences were large early, decreased with time, but still remained significantly different at harvest. Rapid canopy cover which reduced weed competition was an advantage of narrow interrows. An intermediate spacing of 1.0 m resulted in only slightly higher yields than the 1.5 m spacing on sand. Applications of glyphosine [N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl) glycine] increased potential yields of sucrose, total sugars, and ethanol. The photosynthetic efficiency for the narrow rows was 1.5 to 1.6% of total short wave radiation; for the standard rows, 0.9 to 1.0% and for commercial cane in Florida during the period 1977–1978,0.7%. Fresh biomass, dry biomass, fresh stalks, sucrose, total sugar and fiber yields averaged 182, 53, 149, 21.2, 25.2 and 25.0 metric tons ha^-1 year^-1 over five harvests with a 0.5 m inter-row spacing. If only the stalks were processed, the potential ethanol yield would have averaged about 10,000 liters ha^-1 year^-1. The dry matter (trash and bagasse) for burning to fire the ethanol plant averaged 25 metric tons ha^-1 year^-1, Such high yields make sugarcane a potential energy source in areas suitable for its growth.

Key Words: Biomass • Canopy closure • Ethanol • Glyphosine • Photosynthetic efficiency • Ripener • Row spacing • Saccharum spp. • Total sugars

² Professor of agronomy and assoc. professor of agric. engineering, respectively. Senior author now, professor, Univ. of Georgia, Coastal Plain Exp. Stn., Tifton, GA 31793.

Received for publication January 12, 1981.