Agronomic performances and industrial characters of sugarcane varieties under Finchaa valley conditions, Oromiya, East Africa

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1 Kamphaengsaen Acad. J. Vol. 4, No.1, 2006, Page ก ก ก ก ก ก Agronomic performances and industrial characters of sugarcane varieties under Finchaa valley conditions, Oromiya, East Africa Worku Burayu 1* 1 Worku Burayu 1* and Sombat Chinawong 1 ABSTRACT Evaluation and selection of agronomical desirable and industrial characters of seven sugarcane varieties for Finchaa valley, Oromiya, East Africa were made. The field experiment was initiated in 1998 and repeated in 1999 through to 2001 cropping seasons using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications on two soil types (Luvisol and Vertisol). Variety CO421 outsmarted the existing commercial varieties on both Luvisol and Vertisol in tillers ( and tillers ha -1 ), cane yield (213 and 140 t ha -1 ) and sugar yield (30.2 and 17.4 t ha -1, respectively) with better tolerance to lodging. Varieties CO1001 and Mexico54/245 also out yielded the present two commercial varieties (B41227 and CO449) on Luvisol but resulted in lower cane and sugar yields on Vertisol than the four commercial varieties. Of the commercial varieties NCO334 had high numbers of millable canes ( and tillers ha -1 ) but owned least weight per plant (1.65 and 1.47 kg, respectively). B52298 had thicker cane girth (3.11 and 2.92 cm) and higher cane yield (184 and 141 t ha -1 ). The results obtained in the present investigation are based on the data of two plant canes alone. Hence, repeating a similar study to obtain all required information on both plant and ratoon canes is worth considering for future investigation. Key words: cane yield, lodging, millable cane, plant cane, ratoon ก ก ก ก ก 7 ก ก ก ก RCBD 4 2 Luvisol Vertisol CO421 ก ก กก (200 x x 10 3 ก / ก ) ( / ก / ก ) ก ก ก ก CO1001 Mexico 54/245 ก ก ก B41227 CO449 Luvisol Vertisol ก NCO334 ก (120 x x 10 3 / ก ) ก ( ก ก B52298 ( ) ( / ก ) ก ก 2 ก ก ก ก ก ก 1 ก ก ก ก.ก Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaengsaen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand. * Corresponding author: Tel , Fax , address: workuburayu@yahoo.com

2 ก : ก INTRODUCTION In Oromiya, East Africa sugarcane is the sole source of sugar and used to cover 0.2 percent of the world total (Bekele, 1999). Although Oromiya enjoys very suitable agroclimatic areas for sugarcane production, the no hybridization program results in lacking of recently improved varieties. The entire dependence on the long years imported varieties is one of the main constraints confronting the country. Recent acreage census indicated that the Sugar Estates are highly dependent on three sugarcane varieties, namely B52298, B41227, and NCO334/NCO376 that were introduced ahead of 35 years. There are only four commercial varieties grown in the Finchaa valley, but when compared to the arable land being cultivated with sugarcane plantation at Finchaa (6,800 ha) this number is meager. Even for the currently grown four commercial varieties (B41227, B52298, CO449, and NCO334) their detail adaptability range under Finchaa valley conditions were not carried out and they were simply recommended for Finchaa based on their desirable agronomic performance at Wonji microclimatic condition. As a matter of fact, however, the variety that has been found excellent at other locations (Wonji and/or Metehara) may not necessarily be acting the same at Finchaa (430 and 530 km far away from Wonji and Methara, respectively) where there is variability in the biotic and aboitic factors as well as differences in cultural practices among them. Moreover, in a large-scale sugarcane plantation like Finchaa where uniform cultivars are planted diseases, insects and weeds inevitably pose a problem sooner or later. This fact has been recently witnessed at Finchaa and Metehara Sugar Estates where the higher yielding commercial varieties (B52298 and NCO334) were heavily infested by foliar diseases (Anonymous, 2000). In such a case having genetic diversity as a basis for the creation of new higher yielding better adapted and more disease and pest resistant varieties is indispensable. Due to different economic reason out of the existing sources of sugarcane genetic variability, the country adopted only imported commercial varieties from overseas. Hence, to overcome those multifarious problems and to scrutinize all the desirable characters, introduction of different varieties and their evaluation under Finchaa valley condition are vitally important. Accordingly the objectives of this study were to evaluate and identify the agronomic and industrial characters of interest that assist in selecting varieties under different soil types and to select varieties better suited to Finchaa agro-ecological condition with higher cane and sugar yield. MATERIALS AND METHODS A field experiment was initiated in the year 1998, repeated in 1999 and continued through to 2001 in Finchaa valley. Finchaa valley is located in the western part of Oromiya in Eastern Wollega Zone at ` to ` N and ` to ` E, and at the distance of 330 km Northwest of Finfinne (the capital city of Oromiya). The valley lies between1,350 to 1,650 m above sea level and gently undulating with general slope of 1 to 8%. It receives an average annual rainfall of 1,300 mm with temperature ranges 30.5 to c. The soil types at the experimental site are Luvisol and Vertisol. Both soil types occupy 73% and 27% of the valley s area coverage, respectively. Two promising sugarcane varieties (Mexico54/245 and CO1001) and one high yield commercial variety (CO421) having equal size of planting materials with the same age were obtained from Wonji Sugar Estate. The existing

3 ก four commercial varieties (B41227, B52298, CO449 and NCO334) were included in the experiment. Both B41227 and B52298 varieties were introduced from Barbados to Wonji Sugar Estate in All the four commercial varieties were introduced from Wonji to Finchaa Sugar Estate (430 km far apart) in Harvesting was executed in 2000 and 2001 year for the one initiated in 1998 and 1999 year, respectively. A Randomized Complete Block Design was used where each experimental plot had four and six rows with furrow length of five and eight meters for the first and second phase planting, respectively. Each experimental unit was replicated four times. During the course of the experiment, the cultural practices followed were as per the norm of Finchaa Sugar Estate. The potential of the new varieties for increasing productivity was assessed by comparing percent sprouting, stalk population, height, girth, cane weight, sucrose percent cane, and sugar yield. Percent sprouting was collected forty-five days after planting. Tillers count was made at maximum tillering stage (five months after planting) while number of millable canes was taken at harvesting and expressed on a hectare basis. The mean height and girth of the cane was estimated from ten and twenty samples of randomly selected plants for the first and second planted crops, respectively. The plant height was taken from ground level to the top visible dewlap (TVD). Using Calliper device the girth of the stalk was measured from the lower, middle, and upper portion of the cane and the actual girth of the stalk were estimated from the average of those points. The sugarcane stem that was cut at ground level and whose top visible dewlap removed was used to determine the stalk weight and expressed per plant basis. Cane yield was determined from the two-middle row harvest and expressed as t per hectare. The sucrose content of each variety was calculated from the sugarcane quality parameters (pol and brix). The method developed by the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC, 1955) and Chen (1973), and the sugarcane analysis standard table developed by International Commission for Uniform Method of Sugar Analysis were employed. Finally sugar is determined from the total cane yield and its sucrose content. Data were subjected to General Linear Models Procedure (GLM) using SAS software statistical package (SAS, 1989). Duncan s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) and Least Significant Differences (LSD) were used for means separation at the 0.05 or 0.01 probability levels. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Sprouting, tillers and millable canes: Percent sprouting for seven sugarcane varieties and the differences among them are presented in Table 1. Remarkably higher percent of sprouting for all varieties were obtained from Luvisol than the one obtained from Vertisol. On Luvisol, greater percent sprouting was obtained for varieties CO421 (85.42%), B52298 (70.27%) and B41227 (62.25%). On Vertisol, only CO421 produced more than 60% sprouting. Thus, variety CO421 followed by B52298 performed better in percent sprouting on both soil types (Table 1). Variety on both soil types affected number of tillers and millable canes (Table 1) although significant difference among varieties in number of tillers was only found on Luvisol. At maximum tillering stage (five months after planting) significantly more number of tillers per hectare were recorded from variety CO421 ( ha -1 ), NCO334 ( ha -1 ) and B52298 ( ha 1 ) on Luvisol. On Vertisol, variety CO449 ( ha 1 ) followed by Mexican54/245 ( ha 1 ) produced relatively higher number of tillers. All varieties except CO449 gave better results on Luvisol than on Vertisol (Table 1). The survival of the tillers and reaching the status of millable cane

4 ก was significantly higher in NCO334 ( ha 1 ) while it was significantly least in CO1001 ( ha 1 ) on Luvisol. Cane mortality, maximum number of tillers, less number of millable canes expressed in percent, was remarkably higher in the variety CO1001. The increment in numbers at the early stage of growth and the reduction of stalk population during the growth of sugarcane is a characteristic of several gramineous. This reduction of stalk population (mortality of cane) could be attributed to the factors which induce competition for light, moisture and nutrient; and the survival of the tillers after the competition is a character of a variety. Thus, in the present finding the variation in survival and mortality rate could probably attributed to the differences in the genetic make up of the varieties. The less extent of tillering and the inferior result in number of millable canes of sugarcane on Vertisol might have been associated with the incidence of the water logging and drainage problems. The Vertisol soil type occupies 27% of the valley s area and receives an average of 1300 mm annual rainfall. In the present finding sprouting, tillers, and millable canes have been remarkably affected by variety. The difference in percent of sprouting among varieties on the same soil type clearly indicates that sprouting greatly influenced by varietal characters. Watson (1958) found significant varietal difference in a sprouting ability similar to the present finding, which could be attributed to the difference in the genetic make up of the varieties. Generally, the significant difference in the characters studied among varieties on the same soil type indicated that yield and yield contributing traits of sugarcane largely depend on genotype. In agreement with the present finding, Rasario et al. (1978) also reported a pronounced genotypic variation in sprouting, number and length of shoot of different varieties of sugarcane. This indicated that one or more of the factors mentioned above might have also attributed to the differences among varieties of the present finding. Cane girth, height, and cane weight per plant Generally variety B52298 (3.11 cm) and CO1001 (3.06 cm) had significantly thicker cane girth although not significantly different from that of CO421 (2.99 cm) on Luvisol as compared to other varieties grown on the same soil type. On Vertisol, thicker cane girth of 3.07, 2.98 and 2.92 cm girth was recorded for CO1001, CO449 and B52298, respectively (Table 2). Regarding height, significantly taller cane was obtained from varieties CO1001 (2.85 m) and Mexico54/245 (2.82 m) as compared to the commercial varieties grown on Luvisol. On Vertisol Co449 (2.31 m) gave higher cane height (Table 2). Remarkable variation was observed in weight per stalk among varieties on both soil types. Greatest weight per plant was recorded from CO1001 (2.35 and 1.76 kg, respectively on Luvisol and Vertisol) and the least was from variety NCO334 (1.65 and 1.47 kg, respectively). Sucrose content, cane yield and sugar yield The sucrose content was only slightly affected by sugarcane varieties on both soil types. When both soil types were combined, variety CO1001 was rich in sucrose (13.55%) while others such as Mexico54/245 (13.32%), CO449 (13.31%) and CO421 (13.28%) were at par (Table 3). The total tonnage of the cane per hectare from variety grown on Luvisol was higher than that obtained on Vertisol (Table 3). On Luvisol, significantly higher cane yield was obtained form variety CO421 (213 t ha -1 ) than that obtained from B41227 and CO449 while maximum of 158 t per hectare was obtained from CO449 on Vertisol. The remaining two introduced varieties (CO1001 and Mexico54/245) also out yielded the present two commercial varieties

5 ก (B41227 and Co449) on Luvisol. However, these two former varieties gave lower cane yield as compared to any of the four commercial varieties on Vertisol. When data for both soil types were combined, variety CO421 outsmarted the existing commercial varieties in sugar yield (23.5 t ha -1 ), which is the final objective of the sugar Estate. Of the commercial varieties, NCO334 yielded better sugar quantity (22.5 t ha 1 ) while both B52298 and CO449 resulted at par. Variety B41227 produced the least sugar yield compared to any other variety (Table 3). All varieties remarkably affected by differences in soil types. A pronounced difference in sugar yield among varieties due to soil was particularly observed on varieties such as CO421 (30 Vs 17), NCO334 (28 Vs 17), B52298 (27 Vs 17) and CO1001 (26 Vs 14) t ha -1, respectively for Luvisol and Vertisol. Generally, increasing sugar yield was obtained from Luvisol in all varieties as compared to the sugar obtained from Vertisol. The general trend was that those varieties, which performed better on Luvisol also, acted well on Vertisol. On Luvisol, Variety CO421 (30 t ha -1 ) followed by NCO334 (28 t ha -1 ) gave higher sugar yield though not significantly different in the sugar yield obtained from B52298 (27 t ha -1 ) and CO1001 (26 t ha -1 ). It was only CO449 that produced more than 20 t ha -1 on Vertisol. The normal cultural practices of Finchaa Sugar Estate reveals that the irrigation interval and the amount of water applied for Luvisol and Vertisol are the same. However, it is an established fact that different soil types need different interval and amount of water applied. During the course of the experiment water logging on Vertisol was the principal problem complemented by improper drainage management of Finchaa sugarcane plantation. Thus, the amount of water applied on Vertisol might have been above the crop requirement resulted in suffocation, which could hinder air circulation in the soil. There may be a sharp decline or complete failure in sprouting and come up with disappointing result in such advent of water logging. This could probably be one of the causes for reduced percent sprouting, number of tillers and millable canes, inferior cane height and girth, which all could finally resulted in lower cane and sugar yield obtained from Vertisol. The different performance of the same varieties on distinct two soil types might have been attributed to their differential response potential to the environment in which they are grown. Similar to the present finding Dillewijn (1952) and Kakde (1985) reported that the differences in the ability of a variety to extract nutrients from different soil types affected its potential to grow under such condition. The high results of some varieties on both soil types could perhaps indicate their wide adaptation to different soil types. CONCLUSION On Luvisol, variety CO421 gave a sugar yield advantage of 23 and 24% over the commercial varieties B41227 and CO449, respectively. The two other introduced varieties (CO1001 and Mexico54/245) also out yielded the same commercial varieties on Luvisol. But the existing commercial varieties resulted relatively in higher cane and sugar yields on Vertisol as compared to the latter two newly introduced varieties. In their respective importance variety CO421, NCO334, and B52298 on Luvisol, and variety CO449, CO421, and NCO334 on Vertisol gave reasonably high cane and sugar yields with better other agronomic characters. The present finding clearly indicates that each variety has its own specific requirements of soil types and it also gives a precaution measure for Finchaa Sugar Estate to use a proper variety on appropriate soil type. Furthermore, proper soil crop water management such as the variation in the amount of water required for different soil types and the optimum irrigation interval need

6 ก due attention. The results obtained in the present investigation are based on the data of different agronomic traits of two plant canes alone. The over all yield stability of sugarcane is, however, the resultant effect of both plant cane and ratoons. Since disease and other undesirable characters expressed mostly in the ratoon canes, and the ratooning capacity is also one of the most desirable characters, there should be sufficient information on the ratoon canes of those varieties. Hence, repeating a similar study by widening the sugarcane genetic resources and obtaining all required information on both plant and ratoon canes are worth considering for future investigation. Table 1. The effect of variety and soil type on sprouting, number of tillers and millablecanes. Variety Sprouting (%) Tillers (thousand ha -1 ) Millablecanes (thousand ha -1 ) Luvisol Vertisol Luvisol Vertisol Luvisol Vertisol B c bcd 164 c 126 ns 100 b 84 ns B b ab 191 ab b 91 CO cd d 163 c c 65 CO a a 200 a b 95 CO cd bc 161 c b 96 Mexico54/ d cd 176 bc b 81 NCO d cd 196 a a 101 CV (%) Means followed by a common letter within a column are not significantly different from each other at 5% level of significance (DMRT). within a column. NS indicate that the means are not significantly different from each other Table 2. The effect of variety and soil type on growth of cane in Finchaa Valley. Variety Height (m) Girth (cm) Weight (kg/stalk) Luvisol Vertisol Luvisol Vertisol Luvisol Vertisol B c ns 2.79 b 2.69 ns 1.70 c 1.44 ns B d a bc 1.55 CO a a a 1.76 CO ab ab ab 1.53 CO c b c 1.68 Mexico54/ a b bc 1.46 NCO bc b c 1.47 CV (%) Means followed by a common letter within a column are not significantly different from each other at 5% level of significance. column. ns indicate that the means are not significantly different from each other within a

7 ก Table 3. The effect of variety and soil type on sucrose content, cane and sugar yield. Variety Sucrose Content (%) Cane Yield (t ha -1 ) Sugar Yield (t ha -1 ) Luvisol Vertisol Luvisol Vertisol Luvisol Vertisol B ns 12 ns 168 b 123 ns 23 c 1 16 ns B ab abc 17 CO b abc 14 CO a a 17 CO b c 20 Mexico54/ b bc 15 NCO ab ab 17 CV (%) Means followed by a common letter within a column are not significantly different from each other at 5 % level of significance. column. ns indicate that the means are not significantly different from each other within a LITERATURE CITED Anonymous, Sugarcane "Foliar Diseases" at Finchaa and Matahara Sugar Estates. Research and Training Report of Ethiopian Sugar Industry, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 6 pp. AOAC, Association of Official Agriculture Chemists (A.O.A.C). Official Methods of Analysis. Washington, D.C. 550 pp. Bekele, F "Investment and Tourisim". The Ethiopian Herald, 28 May 1999., p 8. Chen, M Cane Sugar Hand Book. Tenth ed. John Wiley and Sons. New York. 947 pp. Dillewijn, N.C Botany of Sugarcane. Chionica Botanica Waltham, U.S.A. 230 pp. Kakde, J.K Sugarcane Production. Akola, Metropolitan Book Co. Ltd. New Delhi. 384 pp. Rasario, E.L., R.R.Tapay, R.R., and V. Dosado Leaf growth characteristics of three sugarcane varieties at different population densities and levels of nitrogen fertilization. In International Society of Sugarcane Technologists. p1527. SAS SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA. SAS software release Watson, D.J The dependence of net assimilation rate and leaf area index. Annals of Botany 22(85): Received 20 December 2005 Accepted 19 February 2006