Planting Rate Effects on Sugarcane Yield Trials

Abstract

ABSTRACT Temperate sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) growing regions, such as Louisiana, often use higher planting rates than tropical and subtropical sugarcane growing regions. The common production practice in Louisiana is to use three to four whole-stalks (lines) placed along side each other when planting sugarcane. The LSU AgCenter's sugarcane breeding program uses a two whole-stalk planting rate in all stages of the program. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of planting rate on sugar yield and its components in sugarcane yield trials. A second objective was to determine characteristics affecting bud germination of different sugarcane genotypes. Two experiments were conducted during 2000 through 2004 at two locations at the Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. Eight sugarcane genotypes were planted at planting rates of two, three, and four whole stalks. Data were collected in the plant-cane through third ratoon crops. The lack of a sugarcane planting rate by genotype interaction indicated that sugarcane genotypes performed similarly in yield trials whether a twostalk, three-stalk, or four-stalk planting rate was used. Only differences in magnitude were observed for the planting rates, which is of only minor consequence in breeding programs. Another experiment was conducted in 2002 with the same set of genotypes and germination traits were assessed. Correlation coefficients indicated no negative relationship s for percent germination. The current use of a two-stalk planting rate in sugarcane selection and yield trials within the breeding program appears valid