Characterization and preliminary evaluation of factors for early growth in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

English

Sugarcane has a very slow growth during the early part of Its life. An expcritnent was conducted under field conditions to identify, characterize, and evaluate traits that could itnprove its productivity during this phase. 'I'wo sugarcane cultivars, Ni9 and NiF3, were used. They were planted at an average of 4. 16 plants normal density (HD) and 6.25 plants m-2 high density (HD). The cultivars were sprayed with GA to modify the canopy structure, and the growth characteristics were analyzed. For dry matter production and leaf characteristics, differences between the treated and control plants were significant in most of' the traits studied at I month after the treatment. In the later stages. the diffurences between the treatment and the control were not significant, but the differences between Ni9 and NiF3ND and between NiF3ND and NiF311D were signiticant. Within thc canopy structure, leaf area concentration and leaf area index (LAI) were greater in the control of the cultivars, resulting in reduced light penetration. In the treat:nents with a relatively lower LAI and even distribution of leaf area, light penetration was greater. Ideal traits proposed tör higher productivity in the early growth phase in sugarcane include rnoderately tall plant, long and large leaf, even distribution of leaf area in the canopy, maximum but not excessive ntnnber of tillers, and greater dry matter allocation for leaf' develomnent

Aboagye, L. M.; Terauchi, T.; Matsuoka, M.