Study on Dry-off period before harvest at Finchaa Sugarcane Plantation: Cool Season Study

Abstract

This study was conducted at Fincha’a Sugar Estate during 2003/4 to 2007/8 cropping seasons on two dominant soil types (Vertisol and Luvisol) of the estate.  When the cane reached maturity stage it was subjected to six (4-9 weeks) length of drying off period. Sugarcane varieties used for investigation were B52298, B41227, NCo334 and CO 449.The experimental design used was split- plot with four replications, as the main plot being varieties while sub plots were length of dry-off period. The experimental fields were planted and managed following the standard cultural practice of the Estate. During the course of the experiment soil wetness, leaf sheath moisture content, Sucrose % cane, stalk weight, cane yield and sugar yield were measured. Soil samples were collected from 30 – 60cm depth for moisture content (Wt basis); Gravimetric moisture content was determined by auger hole methods. From the result of the study it was observed that extending dry off periods resulted in a sharp drop in soil moisture in both soil types. The drying off treatment did not affect stalk weight on both soils which shows that cane tonnage is not significantly affected. On Luvisol, better sucrose % cane and ESY were obtained for soil moisture around 13% which fell almost within 7 to 9 weeks drying off treatment for the tested varieties. On the other hand, on Vertisol, dry off period did not affect sucrose content and sugar yield.  Generally, it is recommended to harvest the test sugarcane varieties within 7 to 9 weeks drying off treatment in Luvisol while in Vertisol it can be harvested when the field is dry enough for machine movements.