Evaluating Sugarcane Varieties in Southeast Texas. Beaumont, TX. 2003 Project Investigators: Technicians: Student Assistants: Administrative Support: Mo Way in cooperation with Bill White and Ed Dufrene (USDA/ARS at Houma, LA) M.S. Nunez, R.G. Wallace and R.B. Eason M. Weiss, B. Wolff, M. Aguillard and A. Easley C.D. Tribble Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center 1509 Aggie Drive Beaumont, TX 77713 [409-752-2741 phone] [409-752-5560 fax] or [moway@aesrg.tamu.edu] Introduction Sugarcane continues to be grown on a relatively small scale in Southeast Texas. Sugarcane acreage in this region could increase in the future if more information becomes available as to the economic feasibility and profitability of the crop. Specifically, research is needed to determine yield potential and adaptability of available varieties to the Texas Upper Gulf Coast environment. The objective of the research in 2003 was to continue to evaluate sugarcane varieties for yield potential at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Beaumont in cooperation with the USDA/ARS at Houma, LA. Materials and Methods Two previously planted sugarcane experiments were maintained through the 2002-03 winter. Both experiments consisted of eight varieties replicated three times in a randomized complete block. Plot size was 3 rows, 5 ft. row width, 16 ft. long. Individual 3-row plots were separated by 4 ft. alleys (see plot map: Sugarcane Variety Trials at Beaumont). The first experiment was a fourth-stubble variety test planted 30 Sep 1998. The second experiment was a third-stubble variety test planted 26 Aug 1999. On 29 Apr, after stubble regrowth was well established in the spring of 2003, a tank mix of 2,4 D-amine @ 2.0 qt/acre and Asulox @ 4.0 qt/acre was post-directed for early season weed control on both experiments with a CO 2 -pressurized hand-held spray boom (4-8002 nozzles, 50 mesh screens, 20 gpa application rate). Excellent weed control was achieved with this application. On 20 Jun, 217 lbs of urea was aerially-applied to the entire plot area as a topdress (100 lb N/acre). Mid-season weed problems included ground cherry, Texas weed, small leaf flower, morningglory, yellow nutsedge and broadleaf signalgrass. On 14 Jun, a tank mix of 2,4 D-amine @ 2.0 qt/acre and Asulox @ 4.0 qt/acre was again post-directed down the furrows of both experiments with a hand-held spray boom. This application achieved good weed control for the remainder of the growing season. Populations of sugarcane borer did not reach significant levels. Therefore, insecticide was not applied to either experiment. Plots were not irrigated. On 29 Aug, sugarcane stalks in the middle row (16 ft. long) of each plot in both experiments were counted. These stalk density data were later used to calculate yield on a per acre basis. On 30 Oct, 10 102
stalks (subsamples) were randomly selected from the middle row of each plot, bundled and immediately weighed in the field. Bundles were then cut into small billets, placed in plastic bags and sprayed with a high concentration of Karate Z to ensure no transport of live Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini, to Louisiana. Researchers at the USDA/ARS in Houma, LA analyzed the plot subsamples for yield (tons/acre), sugar/ton, sugar/acre, stalk wt. (lb) and % fiber (see Tables 1-10). Results For the 1998 planting, L 85-384 produced the highest yields (tons/acre) for plant cane, and 1 st and 4 th stubble crops (Table 1). L 85-384 also produced the highest average yield over five cuttings (35.7 tons/acre). In general, yields of all varieties declined with time (plant cane to 4 th stubble crop). L 86-454 produced the highest amount of sugar (lb/ton) for 2 nd stubble crop and produced the highest average amount of sugar/ton over five cuttings (257 lb/ton) (Table 2). However, L 85-384 produced the most sugar/acre for plant cane, 1 st and 4 th stubble crop, and produced the most sugar/acre over five cuttings (45189 total lb sugar/acre) (Table 3). L 85-384 had the lowest stalk weight over five cuttings (Table 4). For the 1999 planting, L 85-384 produced the highest 2 nd and 3 rd stubble crop yields with an average of 35.3 tons/acre over four cuttings (Table 6). These results are similar to those from the 1998 planting. Out of eight test varieties, T 87-3388 ranked 8 th, 3 rd, 2 nd and 8 th in yield (tons/acre) for plant cane, 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd stubble crops, respectively (Table 6). T 87-3388 produced the 7 th lowest yields (tons/acre) of the eight test varieties over four cuttings. As in the 1998 planting, L 86-454 produced the highest amount of sugar/ton over four cuttings (Table 7). Over four cuttings, sugar production/acre was highest for L 85-384 (34263 lb) with L 86-454 second highest at 33165 lb (Table 8). T 87-3388 produced the 7 th lowest amount of sugar over four cuttings. L 85-384 had the lowest stalk weight over four cuttings (Table 9). Results from these two experiments over four and five cuttings indicate that L85-384 grown in Beaumont, TX produced tonnage and sugar yields comparable to those produced in Louisiana. 103
Table 1. Yield (tons/acre) from sugarcane variety test planted 30 Sep 1998. Beaumont, TX Variety Plant cane a 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 3 0 L 85-384 46.1 39.5 21.5 41.2 30.4 178.7 35.7 Ho 85-845 43.9 30.4 21.9 34.1 27.2 157.5 31.5 LHo 40.2 33.2 19.7 36.4 30.1 159.6 31.9 70-321 38.6 35.1 26.9 38.7 25.4 164.7 32.9 L 86-454 38.6 37.2 28.7 32.2 28.2 164.9 33.0 79-318 37.5 31.9 25.6 37.2 21.1 153.3 30.7 L 82-89 34.2 33.6 24.2 32.1 19.0 143.1 28.6 33.9 35.3 26.3 41.3 27.1 163.9 32.8 LSD 0.05 6.2 7.2 8.9 NS NS b 1st stubble harvested on 11 Dec 2000, 2nd stubble on 17 Dec 2001, 3rd stubble on 17 Dec 2002, Table 2. Yield [sugar (lb)/ton] from sugarcane variety test planted 30 Sep 1998. Beaumont, TX Variety Plant cane a 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 0 LHo 275 281 214 257 219 249 L 85-384 268 276 231 243 237 251 70-321 266 282 215 253 199 243 Ho 85-845 266 261 214 258 202 240 L 86-454 266 276 246 263 234 257 252 252 209 242 203 232 L 82-89 251 276 244 267 241 256 79-318 238 262 236 254 205 239 LSD 0.05 17 17 20 19 18 b 1st stubble harvested on 11 Dec 2000, 2nd stubble on 17 Dec 2001, 3rd stubble on 17 Dec 2002, 104
Table 3. Yield [sugar (lb)/acre] from sugarcane variety test planted 30 Sep 1998. Beaumont, TX Variety Plant cane a 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 3 0 L 85-384 12290 10860 4956 9873 7210 45189 9038 Ho 85-845 11633 7947 4685 8841 5457 38563 7713 LHo 11079 9307 4216 9366 6606 40574 8115 L 86-454 10277 10283 7037 8424 6637 42658 8532 70-321 10222 9903 5797 9775 5034 40731 8146 79-318 8883 8323 6020 9430 4305 36961 7392 L 82-89 8586 9262 5930 8601 4521 36900 7380 8566 8911 5516 9976 5481 38450 7690 LSD 0.05 1400 1980 2099 NS NS b 1st stubble harvested on 11 Dec 2000, 2nd stubble on 17 Dec 2001, 3rd stubble on 17 Dec 2002, Table 4. Yield [weight (lb)/stalk] from sugarcane variety test planted 30 Sep 1998. Beaumont, TX Variety Plant cane a 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 0 Ho 85-845 3.27 1.85 1.31 1.58 1.18 1.84 70-321 2.43 2.17 1.58 1.93 1.43 1.91 L 85-384 2.36 1.56 1.01 1.55 1.07 1.51 L 82-89 2.35 1.69 1.26 1.45 1.27 1.60 79-318 2.23 1.72 1.38 1.74 1.22 1.66 LHo 2.19 1.66 1.21 1.65 1.25 1.59 L 86-454 2.08 2.28 1.55 1.75 1.57 1.85 2.06 1.92 1.21 1.67 1.29 1.63 LSD 0.05 0.42 0.30 0.32 0.27 0.26 b 1st stubble harvested on 11 Dec 2000, 2nd stubble on 17 Dec 2001, 3rd stubble on 17 Dec 2002, 105
Table 5. Yield (% fiber) from sugarcane variety test planted 30 Sep 1998. Beaumont, TX Variety Plant cane a 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 0 79-318 14.0 12.8 13.3 13.0 12.6 13.1 13.5 11.5 13.6 12.3 12.8 12.7 L 82-89 13.4 11.1 13.1 11.9 12.2 12.3 70-321 12.8 10.9 13.3 12.1 11.5 12.1 L 85-384 12.7 12.7 13.9 13.3 12.7 13.1 LHo 12.5 10.4 12.5 12.1 11.6 11.8 L 86-454 12.1 10.4 12.8 12.0 11.5 11.8 Ho 85-845 11.8 12.1 14.1 13.1 12.6 12.7 LSD 0.05 0.7 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.9 b 1st stubble harvested on 11 Dec 2000, 2nd stubble on 17 Dec 2001, 3rd stubble on 17 Dec 2002, Table 6. Yield (tons/acre) from sugarcane variety test planted 26 Aug 1999. Beaumont, TX Stubble a 1st 2nd 3rd 3 0 Variety Plant cane b 33.7 28.8 32.4 30.9 125.8 31.5 Ho 91-555 31.5 26.5 30.5 27.0 115.5 28.9 L 86-454 30.9 41.2 30.3 32.5 134.9 33.7 Ho 85-845 29.2 24.9 31.1 30.2 115.4 28.9 LHo 28.7 29.5 32.1 29.2 119.5 29.9 L 85-384 24.7 36.4 45.2 34.9 141.2 35.3 70-321 22.7 26.4 32.5 24.0 105.6 26.4 T 87-3388 22.4 29.1 37.8 21.6 110.9 27.7 LSD 0.05 8.0 7.3 10.7 NS a Plant cane harvested 11 Dec 2000. b 1st stubble harvested on 17 Dec 2001, 2nd on 17 Dec 2002, 3rd on 30 Oct 2003. 106
Table 7. Yield [sugar (lb)/ton] from sugarcane variety test planted 26 Aug 1999. Beaumont, TX Variety Plant cane a 1st 2nd 3rd 0 70-321 282 210 254 221 242 LHo 277 229 262 214 246 Ho 91-555 271 210 257 230 242 T 87-3388 270 209 239 202 230 L 86-454 268 218 268 240 249 L 85-384 265 229 260 219 243 Ho 85-845 263 188 246 218 229 253 205 243 211 228 LSD 0.05 13 20 12 19 a Plant cane harvested 11 Dec 2000. b 1st stubble harvested on 17 Dec 2001, 2nd on 17 Dec 2002, 3rd on 30 Oct 2003. Table 8. Yield [sugar (lb)/acre] from sugarcane variety test planted 26 Aug 1999. Beaumont, TX Variety Plant cane a 1st 2nd 3rd 3 0 8544 5896 7923 6508 28871 7218 Ho 91-555 8516 5562 7815 6142 28035 7009 L 86-454 8301 8984 8099 7781 33165 8291 LHo 7948 6781 8415 6247 29391 7348 Ho 85-845 7715 4663 7635 6584 26597 6649 L 85-384 6524 8384 11751 7604 34263 8566 70-321 6378 5539 8303 5272 25492 6373 T 87-3388 6054 6061 9015 4381 25511 6378 LSD 0.05 2196 1870 2734 NS a Plant cane harvested 11 Dec 2000. b 1st stubble harvested on 17 Dec 2001, 2nd on 17 Dec 2002, 3rd on 30 Oct 2003. 107
Table 9. Yield [weight (lb)/stalk] from sugarcane variety test planted 26 Aug 1999. Beaumont, TX Variety Plant cane a 1st 2nd 3rd 0 L 86-454 2.83 2.19 1.93 1.77 2.18 2.18 1.59 1.68 1.59 1.76 Ho 85-845 2.16 1.59 1.64 1.53 1.73 T 87-3388 2.16 1.69 2.20 1.37 1.86 70-321 2.14 1.85 2.03 1.43 1.86 Ho 91-555 1.96 1.54 1.40 1.16 1.52 LHo 1.78 1.71 1.68 1.47 1.66 L 85-384 1.52 1.60 1.60 1.33 1.51 LSD 0.05 0.36 0.28 0.40 NS a Plant cane harvested 11 Dec 2000. b 1st stubble harvested on 17 Dec 2001, 2nd on 17 Dec 2002, 3rd on 30 Oct 2003. Table 10. Yield (% fiber) from sugarcane variety test planted 26 Aug 1999. Beaumont, TX Variety Plant cane a 1st 2nd 3rd 0 L 85-384 12.6 13.5 12.9 12.9 13.0 Ho 85-845 12.3 15.6 13.5 13.2 13.7 T 87-3388 12.1 15.1 12.7 12.3 13.1 Ho 91-555 11.8 14.9 12.9 12.9 13.1 11.4 14.2 12.2 13.2 12.8 70-321 10.9 13.9 12.3 11.6 12.2 L 86-454 10.3 13.6 11.2 11.4 11.6 LHo 10.3 12.6 12.1 11.6 11.7 LSD 0.05 0.8 1.1 1.0 0.8 a Plant cane harvested 11 Dec 2000. b 1st stubble harvested on 17 Dec 2001, 2nd on 17 Dec 2002, 3rd on 30 Oct 2003. 108
Sugarcane Variety Trials at Beaumont, 1998-2003 Plot Map Plot size: 3 rows, 5 ft. row width, 16 ft. long (0.0055 acres), 4 ft. alley between plots 109 Planted 9/30/98 Planted 8/26/99 L 82-89 L 82-89 L 86-454 79-318 L 85-384 LHo Ho 85-845 85-384 86-454 91-555 85-845 85-845 70-321 T 87-3388 Fallow 79-318 L 82-89 L 85-384 Ho 85-845 L 86-454 LHo L 86-454 79-318 Ho 85-845 70-321 L LHo 85-384 70-321 Ho 85-845 Fallow 91-555 87-3388 86-454 87-3388 87-3388 85-845 85-384 86-454 70-321 87-3388 85-384 Fallow Buffer rows 70-321 LHo L 85-384 79-318 L 82-89 70-321 L 86-454 70-321 91-555 85-845 86-454 91-555 70-321 85-384 7 rows 1 row 2 rows 3 rows 3 rows 3 rows 2 rows 2 rows 2 rows 3 rows 3 rows 3 rows 2 rows 2 rows 2 rows North - Road