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Contents

Description of the plant

Characteristics of sugarcane varieties grown for sirup..

Varieties ___ ___

Page

Sugarcane diseases ., .__. _._ 9

Mosaic - 10

Red rot 10

Ratoon stunting disease _.__ 10

Other diseases 11

Insect pests of sugarcane 11

Sugarcane borer 12

Gray sugarcane mealybug _ 12

Corn leaf aphid _... 13

Sugarcane beetle 13

Wireworms _ - 14

Lesser cornstalk borer 14

Fertilizer practices 15

Soil requirements 18

Cultural practices 18

Crop rotation 18

Land preparation 19

Row spacing 19

Planting 19

Cultivation 20

Weed control -.- 22

Harvesting _. 24

iVIanufacture of sugarcane sirup 27

Literature cited -. 30

This handbook supersedes Department Circular 284, Sugarcane for

Sirup Production.

Washington, D.C. Issued December 1961

For sale by the Superintendent of Documenta, U.S. Government Printing Offic.

Washington 25, D.C. - Price 25 cents
(/•

CULTURE OF SUGARCANE

FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION

By I. E. STOKES, 0. H. COLEMAN, K. C.^FREEMAN, and D. M. BROADHEAD,

research agronomists, and J. L. DEAN, pathologist, Crops Research Division,

Agricultural Research Service

The production of sugarcane

sirup varied considerably from

year to year during 1938-60. It

ranged from 28,251,000 gallons in

1945 to 3,225,000 gallons in 1957.

Prices per gallon ranged from

42.9 cents in 1936 to $1.53 in

1946. Peak annual income from

sugarcane sirup was $35,806,000

in 1946, when 23,335,000 gallons

were produced.

In general, the sugarcane

grown for sirup production on individual farms ranges from a

fraction of an acre to 10 or 20

acres ; a few farmers have larger

acreages. Sirup is usually manufactured on a small scale ; however, there are a few large factories. It is sometimes made in

the neighborhood for home use

only ; otherwise it is produced

primarily for the market. In

many communities a group of

farmers has the sirup manufactured at a privately or cooperatively owned plant.

Sugarcane sirup is usually light

colored and mild and it has a

good flavor. It is a wholesome

food and is favored as a table

sirup.

Sugarcane is grown most extensively for sirup in Georgia,

Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. These States, sometimes

called the sugarcane-sirup belt,

produce about 90 percent of the

sugarcane sirup. Louisiana and

Georgia have been the largest

producers for many years. Some

sugarcane is also grown for sirup

in Florida and Texas. The northern limit for growing sugarcane

commercially for sirup (fig. 1)

is where the crop remains immature, imparting objectionable

qualities to the sirup, gives a prohibitively small yield due to the

short season, or fails to produce

a stubble crop (9) .^

Sugarcane is propagated by

means of "seedcane," or sections

of the stalk. True seed, occasionally produced in southern Florida

(fig. 2), is not suitable for growing an ordinary crop of sugarcane. It is exceedingly small,

germinates very poorly, and requires much longer to develop

into full-grown plants than do the

shoots from "eyes," or buds, on

the seedcane. Plants raised from

true seed are not true to type and

are usually inferior to the parent

varieties. However, the production of true seed is useful to the

plant breeder in developing

sugarcane varieties that are resistant to diseases and that pi'oduce high yields of a good-quality

sirup.

Sugarcane varieties propagated

vegetatively, that is from seedcane, do not tend to degenerate

when planted over long periods

of time. However, the old vari-

^ Italic numbers in parentheses refer

to Literature Cited, p. 30.
AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

FIGURE 1.—Successful sugarcane culture for sirup production is restricted to

the shaded area on the map.

FIGURE 2.—Sugarcane O.P. 50-28 flowering at Fellsmere, Fla.

eties have gradually disappeared

because of diseases, particularly

mosaic to which these varieties

were especially susceptible. Disease-resistant, high-yielding varieties are now used almost

exclusively throughout the sugarcane-sirup belt.

The primary objective in growing sugarcane for sirup is to obtain the largest possible yield of
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION 3

good-quality sirup. Yield and fertilizer and cultural practices,

quality of sirup are affected by harvesting, and manufacturing

the variety, diseases, insects, processes. ^

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Sugarcane is a member of the

grass family, belonging to the

genus Saccharum. It is best

adapted to tropical conditions.

Little or no growth is made during the winter in most areas of

the Southern United States. However, a new crop normally will be

produced from stubble of the

previous crop under favorable

conditions.

Early growth above the surface

appears to consist mainly of

leaves. However, the stalk is developing during this period—at

first mainly by the formation of

nodes very close together. The internodes from this time grow

more rapidly and become much

longer. Tillers develop from buds

below the surface (fig. 3) (2).

A mature plant usually has

several stalks growing together

in a large cluster, or stool (fig. 4).

FIGURE 3.—Diagram of part of a sugarcane stool: A, Ground level; B,

primary, C, secondary, and D, tertiary stems.

FIGURE 4.^Sugarcane C.P. 36-111, consisting of several stalks, at Newton,

Miss.

The stalks, which are made up of

fully expanded nodes and internodes, vary in height from 6 to

10 feet. Stalks of most varieties

taper from the base to the top.

They range from light green or

yellow to red or purple.

The node is tough, fibrous

tissue between the internodes.

Four essential structures are on

the node—the root band, the

growth ring, the bud, and the

leaf-sheath attachment (fig. 5)

(5).
AGR. HANDBOOK 20y, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

INTERNODE

VASCULAR BUNDLES

GROWTH RING

ROOT SAND

LEAF SCAR

WAX RING

CORKY CRACKS

BUD FURROW/

CORKY PATCH

ROOT PRIMORDIA

GROWTH CRACK

FIGURE 5.—Diagram of node and internode of sugarcane.

The root band is a small section of the node .just above the

leaf scar. It usually differs in

color from the internode and has

many small dots. Under favorable moisture conditions a root

may develop at each dot.

Just above the root band and

usually not clearly distinct from

it is a transition area known as

the growth ring. Elongation and

growth of the internodes takes

place in this area.

The bud is on the root band.

Buds are arranged in two rows,

usually alternately on opposite

sides of the stalk. When a bud

is exposed to favorable moisture

and temperature conditions and

with proper .stimulus, it can develop into a new shoot.

A slightly protruding, encircling shoulder is visible at the

node. It is the point of attachment of the leaf sheath.

The exterior of the mature internode is usually covered with a

thin film of waxy bloom. This

outer region, or rind, of the internode is hard and contains numerous fibers that strengthen the

stalk, whereas the interior of the

stalk is mainly soft pith that contains sweet juice.

A leaf of the sugarcane plant

consists of the sheath and the

blade. The sheath is so situated

on the node that it completely

encircles the stalk, forming a

close-fitting cover for the bud. It

usually extends the full length of

the internode. The blade varies

in width from 1 to 3 inches at

the point of attachment to the

sheath, but it tapers to a sharp

point. Leaf blades are usually 4

to 5 feet long.

The primary feeding roots

originate from nodes at a point

slightly beneath the surface of the

soil. They grow downward into

the soil, whereas secondary, tertiary, and smaller roots branch

out and penetrate the soil in all

directions. The plant obtains its

moisture and mineral nutrients

largely from the upper foot of

soil, although some of the roots

extend downward 3 to 4 feet or

more.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUGARCANE VARIETIES GROWN

FOR SIRUP

The desirable characteristics of

sugarcane varieties grown for

sirup production are (1) ability

to produce a high yield of medium

to large stalks; (2) a high percentage of extractable juice; (3)

juice with a high total solublesolids content, mostly sugar, and

expressed as degrees Brix; (4)

ability to mature in a comparatively short growing season; (5)

resistance to diseases ; (6) ability
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE POR SIRUP PRODUCTION

to produce a high-quality sirup ;

(7) good germination and stooling; (8) good stubbling; (9)

strong, erect plant growth that

resists lodging; and (10) resistance to cold injury. Varieties differ greatly in these characteristics and in their adaptation to

soil and climatic conditions. The

grower should carefully consider

all these qualities in his choice of

a variety.

A high yield per acre of medium to large stalks is essential

to the economical production of

sugarcane sirup. Large-stalk varieties are cheaper to harvest and

easier to handle in the small

mills normally used throughout

the sirup-producing areas of the

United States. Yields of cane per

acre are affected by cultural and

fertility practices.

A good variety should yield a

high percentage of extractable

juice. Stalks should not be pithy.

They should be soft and easily

milled in the small mills used in

the sirup areas. An efficient mill

should extract approximately 60

pounds of juice from each 100

pounds of stalk.

Sirup yield per ton of cane is

determined by the degrees Brix of

the juice and the amount of juice

extracted. A good variety should

produce juice with a high Brix

reading. To avoid excessive crystallization, or formation of sugar,

in the finished sirup, the solublesolids content should not contain

more than 50-percent sucrose.

Since most of the sugarcane for

sirup production is grown on the

northern fringe of the area

adapted to the culture of sugarcane in the United States (ñg. 1),

it is essential that the variety

mature as early as possible.

Maturity is determined by the

Brix reading of the juice. A good

variety should be mature for harvest in October to avoid cold injury later in the season.

All commercial varieties are

susceptible to one or more of the

sugarcane diseases. A satisfactory variety must have some resistance to the most economically

important diseases. Losses from

diseases may range from a slight

reduction in yield and quality of

sirup to a total loss of the crop.

Sugarcane diseases have been

economically important in all

sugarcane areas of this country

and in most sugarcane-producing

countries of the world.

A good variety should produce

a high-quality sirup with the following characteristics : (1) Light

amber color; (2) mild, sweet

flavor typical of sugarcane sirup ;

(3) no colloidal sedimentation or

sediment confined to a trace of

small particles near the top of

the container; and (4) no crystallization or, if present, limited

to a few small crystals. Sound

cultural and manufacturing practices are also essential in producing sirup of good quality.

The yield of cane and sirup per

acre and the quality of the juice

for sirup production at harvest

are affected by the ability of the

variety to germinate and to develop an adequate number of tillers per stool early in the spring.

Tillers produced late in the season often die before harvest. They

sap the growth of primary stalks

and tend to delay the maturity of

the crop. Delayed maturity causes

a low-quality juice for sirup production. A good variety should

germinate early in the spring and

produce an adequate number of

tillers by harvest.

Three crops of sugarcane are

usually produced from one planting in the sirup area. Early harvesting of a crop usually reduces

the stand of cane produced from
AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

the stubble the following year.

A good variety should produce a

satisfactory stand from stubble

even when the previous crop was

harvested as early as October 15.

Sugarcane stalks that are

lodged and entangled prior to harvest increase greatly the harvesting costs and reduce the profit

from the crop. In severe cases of

lodged cane the quality of the

juice is inferior for sirup production. A good variety should not

lodge readily even under severe

conditions of rain and high winds.

Since sugarcane is normally a

tropical plant, it has very little resistance to cold injury. Cold injury reduces the quantity and

quality of sirup produced. A good

variety should withstand light

frost injury, without being

greatly damaged for sirup production.

VARIETIES

The variety grown is one of the

most important factors in the

production of sugarcane sirup.

Most of the older varieties have

been eliminated from commercial

production because of susceptibility' to diseases. As a result of

plant explorations, valuable

breeding material has been

brought to the United States for

use in variety-improvement work

conducted at the U.S. Sugarcane

Field Station, Canal Point. Fla.

Here the best varieties of the

world are being assembled. They

are crossed and studied so that

better varieties for sirup, adapted

to the specific requirements of

each locality, can be developed

and made available to farmers

(ñg. 6).

Co. 290, C.P. 29-116, and CF.

36-111 are the principal varieties

grown in the sugarcane-sirup belt

(pi. I). The last two are recommended for sirup production.

Yield data are given in table 1.

FIGURE 6.—Plastic-covered

house at Canal Point, Fla

26 feet wide, 26 feet high

feet long.

crossing

. It is

and 204
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION 7

TABLE 1.—Yields of three varieties of sugarcane at Breivtou, Ala.,

Cairo, Ga., and Meridian and Poplarville, Miss., 1ÍJU-55
8

AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

Co. 290 was imported from

India by the U.S. Department of

Agriculture. It is a selection from

a cross between Co. 221 and D. 74.

This variety is not grown extensively because of its susceptibility

to mosaic, red rot, and other

sugarcane diseases (5).

The stalks are green with a

blush of reddish purple. From a

distance they appear blue because

of the wax layer. This variety

grows erect, usually with straight

stalks, which are approximately

the same diameter as those of C.P.

29-116, though somewhat shorter.

The leaves strip readily. It is relatively late in maturing and

somewhat susceptible to drought

and cold injury. Lower parts of

the stalks have a relatively high

concentration of sugar. The fiber

content is low. Stubbling qualities

are inferior to those of C.P. 29-

116. Yields of sirup per ton of

cane and per acre are usually

lower than from C.P. 29-116 and

C.P. .36-111, especially in stubble

crops (table 1).

C.P. 29-116, a variety bred by

the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1929, has consistently

given good yields of sirup in

the Southeastern United States

(5). It is a selection from a

cross between P.O.J. 2725 and

C.P. 116.5.

C.P. 29-116 grows erect, generally with straight stalks in most

sirup-producing areas. Stalks are

usually longer and about as large

in diameter as those of Co. 290.

They are green to greenish

yellow, becoming darker yellow

where exposed to the sun. This

variety has a relatively low fiber

content. It has much better stubbling qualities than Co. 290. The

leaves strip readily. C.P. 29-116

is highly resistant to mosaic in

the Southeastern United States.

It is susceptible to red rot injury

under some conditions, especially

when banked in the fall for planting the following spring. It produces a sirup of good quality.

C.P. 36-111, another variety

bred by the U.S. Department of

Agriculture in 1936, has consistently given good yields of sirup,

though somewhat less than C.P.

29-116 in some tests at Cairo, Ga.

(table 1) (17). It has the same

parentage as C.P. 29-116.

Stalks of C.P. 36-111 are pale

green to greenish yellow, with

faint reddish-purple markings developing lengthwise as the internodes mature. A purplish color

develops when leaves and sheaths

are removed and the stalk is exposed to the sun. Under favorable

growing conditions the internodes are long and the stalks

straight and about the same in

diameter and weight as those of

C.P. 29-116. C.P. 36-111 has

given excellent stands as firstand second-year stubble in most

areas. The leaves are fairly easily

stripped from the stalks at

harvest. Milling operations are

greatly facilitated by the straight

stalks. The percentage of juice

obtained in milling is approximately the same as from C.P.

29-116. Although this variety

has not been damaged severely

by mosaic or other diseases, it

is not immune to them.

C.P. 52-48 was released for

commercial culture in southwest

Georgia in August 1960. This

variety, bred by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has consistently given higher yields of cane

and sirup per acre than C.P. 29-

116 (table 2). It is a selection

from a cross between C.P. 36-105

and C.P. 38-34 (11). Like Co.

290, the long leaves of C.P. 52-48

tend to droop. Its early coverage

of the land makes the variety

highly competitive with weeds.
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION 9

TABLE 2.—Yields of two varieties of sugarcane at Cairo, Ga., 1955-50

1

Crop and variety

Cane

per acre

Sirup per

ton of cane

Sirup

per acre

Plant cane:

C.P. 29-116

Tons

28.3

36.3

23.3

33.9

16.3

33.6

22.6

34.6

Gallims

19.5

19.4

17.4

19.1

20.2

19.6

19.0

19.3

Gallons

552

CF. 52-48 704

First-year stubble:

C.P. 29-116 405

C.P. 52-48 647

Second-year stubble:

C.P. 29-116 329

C.P. 52-48

Average :

C.P. 29-116

659

429

C.P. 52-48 668

Stalks of C.P. 52-48 are pale

green when the grayish to pinkish

wax is removed. The variety is

highly resistant to lodging. It

has a stiff stalk and an extensive

root system. Under favorable

growing conditions the internodes

are long. The stalks are straight

and of about the same diameter

and weight as those of C.P. 29-

116. They are hard and more

difficult to cut by hand than those

of C.P. 29-116, but they are well

adapted for machine harvest because of their erectness. This

variety does not strip so clean and

so easily as C.P. 29-116, but stripping is not particularly difficult.

C.P. 52-48 germinates early in

the spring and develops a satisfactory stand 2 to 3 weeks earlier

than C.P. 29-116 or C.P. 36-111.

It is superior to them in tillering

and in producing a good stand in

first- and second-year stubble

crops in southern Georgia.

Milling operations are also

greatly facilitated by the straight

stalks of C.P. 52-48. The percentage of juice extracted and the

Brix reading are approximately

the same as for C.P. 29-116. The

juice clarifies well, and the sirup

is equal in quality to that of C.P.

29-116.

Mosaic has not been observed

in C.P. 52-48 in Georgia. Also,

there has been no extensive

damage from red rot. Based on

limited observations, banked seedcane of C.P. 52-48 is more resistant to damage from red rot and

other diseases than that of C.P.

29-116.

SUGARCANE DISEASES

Only those diseases that are

frequently found on sugarcane in

the sirup areas of the Southeastern United States are discussed here (10).

Damage to a sugarcane crop

from an}^ particular disease

varies from year to year, depending on the locality, weather conditions, and the variety. Primary
10 AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

disease-control measures include

planting resistant varieties if

available, planting healthy seedcane, and using crop rotation and

clean cultivation.

Mosaic

Mosaic is caused by a virus

that is transmitted from diseased

to healthy plants by aphids,

principally the corn leaf aphid

{Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch)),

the greenbug {Toxoptera graminum (Rond.)), and the rusty

plum aphid {Hysteroneura setariae (Thos.) ). Leaves of diseased

plants are pale green because of

irregular, longitudinal streaks of

Ught-green chlorophyll-deficient

tissue (pi. II). In severe cases

the light-green streaks may

coalesce to cover most of the leaf,

and the normal green is restricted

to isolated areas (18).

Mosaic causes reduced germination of seedcane and stunting

of infected plants. Most plants

from mosaic-infected seedcane

will be diseased (6). In susceptible varieties, losses in sirup

yields range from 10 to 35 percent, depending on the percentage of infected plants.

Control measures include using

resistant varieties (7) and roguing infected plants from fields of

seedcane during the growing season and at harvest. Roguing may

be effective for retarding excessive spread of mosaic when the

infection is limited to a small percentage of the crop, but it is

rarely adequate to eliminate the

disease.

Red Rot

Red rot is caused by the fungus

Physalospora tucumayiensis

Speg., referred to in older literature as Colletotriehum falcatum

Went. It is primarily a disease of

seedcane. However, it may damage the crop before it is harvested

for sirup. This disease is best observed by splitting the stalks

longitudinally (pi. III). The extent of .symptoms depends on the

susceptibility of the variety and

on environmental conditions. In

general, the disease can be recognized by the reddened interior of

the stalks interrupted by occasional white patches extending

crosswise on the stalks (1).

Losses from red rot are usually

greatest in banked seedcane or

in the plant-cane crop. The fungus invades the buds of the seedcane and reduces germination and

stands. Severe infection prior to

harvest reduces the sugar content

and lowers the yield and quality

of the sirup. Losses from red rot

have been negligible in varieties

currently recommended for sirup

production, except where seedcane

IS banked for winter or spring

planting.

Control measures include using

resistant varieties and fall planting to avoid the practice of banking seedcane.

Ratoon Stunting Disease

Ratoon stunting disease is

caused by a virus that is transmitted from diseased to healthy

plants by knives used in harvesting the crop. External symptoms

are retarded growth, less tillering, and smaller stalks (fig. 7).

These symptoms are most pronounced under drought or other

stress conditions. Internal symptoms are limited to orange

vascular bundles that are most

evident in the nodal regions (pi.

IV).

Losses from ratoon stunting

disease are usually greatest in

stubble crops. In severe cases 35

percent of the crop may be destroyed, depending on the susceptibility of the variety and on

growing conditions.
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION H

with an inlet temperature of the

heating chamber of 57°-58° is

used almost exclusively to control

the disease. The hot-water treatment of 50° for 2 hours is used in

most areas of the world. However, for maximum control, 51°

for 2 hours or 50° for 3 hours is

recommended to insure healthy

seedcane for successive plantings.

Other Digeases

Several minor diseases of

sugarcane occur in sirup areas,

but they rarely cause serious damage. Pokkah boeng is caused by

Gibberella fujikuroi (Saw.) Wr.

It produces distorted chlorotic

areas and often red discoloration

of leaves usually near the top of

the plant. Infected plants may be

stunted for a while; however,

they usually recover and resume

normal growth.

Red stripe is caused by Xanthomonas rubrilineans (Lee et al.)

Starr & Burkh. It produces long,

narrow, dark-red stripes lengthwise on the leaves and sometimes

on the sheaths. In severe cases the

bacteria invade the growing

point.

FIGURE 7.—Stunting oí sugarcane due

to ratoon stunting disease. A, Diseased; B, healthy.

Ratoon stunting disease is controlled by treating the seedcane

with hot air or hot water. In

Louisiana the hot-air treatment

of 54° C. (129,2- F.) for 8 hours

INSECT PESTS OF SUGARCANE

The major pests of sugarcane

in the United States are not

present in all sugarcane-growing

areas. The establishing of a pest

in new areas is often due to shipment of exchange seedcane by

planters and others to introduce

new varieties for trial. This practice has been largely responsible

for extending pest-infested areas.

Such exchange of seedcane should

be reduced to a minimum. Precautions should be taken to reduce

" Prepared by the Entomology Research Division.

the hazard of transporting insects

with the seedcane.

Hot-water treatment (8,19) of

the seedcane or cuttings will kill

all stages, including eggs, of

the common pests that may lodge

on or in the cane. The buds will

not be killed if the treatment is

carefully controlled. The temperature of the water should be

122° to 126° F., and the duration

of the treatment 30 minutes. This

is an easy, practicable procedure

for small lots of a dozen cuttings

or less, the usual package for

shipment, and it requires no

special equipment.
12 AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

Sugartaiie Borer

The mo.st .serious insect pest of

-UKarcane in the United States is

the sug-arcane borer {Diatraea

.sijccharalis (F.)). It causes extensive damage to sugarcane in

Louisiana and is present also in

southwestern Mississippi, southern Florida, and the Gulf area of

Texas. This insect has not been

found in Georgia, Alabama, or

northern Florida.

Injury to sugarcane by borers

takes many forms. It is not specially noticeable in old cane unless

closely examined. If the leaves are

pulled away, small holes may be

observed in the rind, and the

frass or sawdustlike material may

be seen clinging to the stalk near

the holes. When the stalk is split

lengthwise, tunnels are visible,

through which the larvae of the

insect have eaten their way, sometimes for several feet. The tunnels

are about an eighth of an inch

wide and meander lengthwise and

crosswise through the interior of

the stalk, often .joining the main

axis of the stalk but generally

running parallel with it. The stalk

is so weakened that sometimes it

is broken or blown down by the

wind. Almost invariably the

disease known as red rot becomes

established in these injuries and

finishes the work of destruction.

In the field, injury to young

cane is more apparent than to

older cane. It takes the form of

"dead heart," or death of the

growing point, and shriveling of

the whorl of youngest leaves.

Such affected stalks are conspicuous early in the season when the

plants are 1 to 3 feet high.

To control the sugarcane borer,

follow these practices, which have

proved of value :

1. Harvest the heaviest infested fields first. Destroy overwintering borers by thoroughly

cleaning up lai'ge pieces of cane at

harvesttime. After harvest burn

over the fields, as this practice

destroys approximately threefourths of the borers overwintering in the trash. However, burning has not reduced borer egg

parasitism by the tiny wasp

Trichogramma minutum Riley.

2. Cut cane stubble close to the

ground to decrease the number of

overwintering borers.

3. Early in the winter plow

fields to be taken out of sugarcane.

4. Plant resistant sugarcane

varieties. Co. 290 is less damaged

by the borer than other varieties.

S'ince C.P. 36-111 and C.P. 29-

116 are susceptible to borer injury, do not plant them where

borer damage is usually serious.

•5. Soak seedcane for 72 hours

in water at room temperature.

This practice has killed, on an

average, 69 percent of the borers

in the seed pieces.

6. Apply 2-percent endrin

granules at the rate of 12 pounds

per acre. Make four applications

at 14-day intervals and schedule

them so that the last application

is made at least 45 days before

harvest. Do not feed bagasse or

field trimmings from endrintreated cane to livestock. A dust

containing 40-percent ryania can

also be used. Apply it in four

weekly applications at 12 to 15

pounds per acre when the air is

still and the plants are moist with

dew. There are no feeding

restrictions on sugarcane treated

with ryania. Insecticide treatments are recommended to control only the second- and thirdgeneration borers.

Gray Sugarcane Mealybug

The gray sugarcane mealybug

(Pseudococcus boninsis Kuw.) is

found throughout southern Florida and Louisiana and on some
CULTURE OP SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION 13

farms in the northern part of

these States, as well as in Georgia, Alabama, and Texas. It is

not known to occur in Mississippi.

The female mealybug, which is

more commonly seen than the

male, is soft bodied, flat-oval,

grayish, and about one-eighth

inch long when full grown. It

surrounds its body with a white

webby, mealy substance, in which

the eggs are deposited. Mealybugs

most often feed on sugarcane between the sheath and the stalk

and suck the juice. Although

usually considered a minor pest,

the mealybug does cause some

direct loss through its feeding.

Its presence also makes sirup

manufacture more difficult and

generally lowers the quality of the

sirup.

The mealybug parasite Pseiidaphycus mimdus Gahan is now well

distributed over the areas infested by the mealybug in the

continental United States and

helps to keep it under control.

To control the mealybug or to

prevent its spread to uninfested

fields where sugarcane is grown

for sirup, follow these practices :

1. Plant only clean, or uninfested, seedcane.

2. Plant it some distance from

mealybug-infested fields.

3. Cut cane close to the ground

so that mealybugs will have less

food.

4. Destroy all scraps of cane

left on the fields and around the

mills after grinding.

5. Avoid carrying mealybugs

from place to place. Brush out

trucks or wagons after they have

been used to haul infested cane to

the mill. Do not carry about live

specimens for exhibition or other

purposes.

Soaking seedcane for 30

minutfs in water held at 122° to

126° F. has been successful in

eradicating the mealybug from

infested areas. Soaking seedcane

in water at ordinary temperatures for 7 days also has been

satisfactory. Heattreatment of

sugarcane to control ratoon stunting disease should also destroy

most of the mealybugs.

Corn Leaf Aphid

Direct injury to cane by the

corn leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum

viaidis (Fitch)) is insignificant,

but this insect is the principal

agent in transmitting mosaic to

healthy plants during epidemics

of this disease. Therefore it must

be regarded as an economically

important pest. The corn leaf

aphid is universally present in or

near sugarcane fields, where it infests certain wild grasses and

cultivated grass crops like corn

and sorgo. Its abundance depends

mainly on the availability of food

plants at the proper stage of succulent development, which in turn

depends on seasonal and weather

conditions.

Where mosaic-susceptible

sugarcane varieties are planted,

it is worthwhile to supplement

seedcane-selection practices with

measures to reduce infestation by

the corn leaf aphid. These

measures include eliminating

near seedcane plots any corn and

sorgo, which are favored food

plants of the aphid and on which

it breeds in enormous numbers.

Sugarcane itself is not especially

attractive to the aphid. When the

corn or sorgo becomes mature and

less desirable as a source of food,

this insect migrates to sugarcane.

If any mosaic is present, the

aphid then serves as a source of

the virus, which is rapidly spread

to other cane by the successive

feeding of the insect.

Sugarcane Beeile

Injury by the sugarcane beetle

(Euetheola rugiceps (Lee.)) is
14 AGR. HANDBOOK 20'.i, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

serious in some localities. The

newly emerged adult is black and

shiny, about one-half to fiveeighths inch long. Ragged holes

gnawed in the shoots .just below

the surface of the ground cause

noticeable injury to sugarcane.

The inner leaves turn yellow, and

the shoots usually die.

Damage to the field is apparent

early in the season and is in proportion to the number of beetles

present. Losses are ordinarily

greater in plant than in stubble

cane. The beetles breed heavily

on sod lands and slightly or not

at all in woodland. To reduce

beetle populations, sugarcane

fields, where possible, should not

be near sod and grass pastures.

In some sugarcane areas there is

a gradual shift to early-fall or

summer planting. Because of the

large number of shoots the following spring from such plantings,

there is proportionately less

beetle injury and better stands

result.

Planting more vigorous varieties of sugarcane gives a better

original stand and greater recovery from injury. Spraying

endrin at li pound or heptachlor

at 2 pounds per acre on the seedcane pieces in the open planting

furrow gives fair beetle control.

Wireworms

Several species of wireworms

of the family Elateridae seriously deplete the stand of sugarcane in some areas. Injury is

greatest in the winter, when the

plant is growing very little, if

any. Wireworms are the young

of click beetles. They are yellowish, slender, smooth, and wiry.

They are one-half to an inch or

more long. They bore into buds

of plant cane and stubble and

into young plants below the surface of the ground. Wireworms

may be controlled by applying 2

pounds of chlordane per acre as

a spray, dust, or granules on cane

in the planting furrow. The dosage should be doubled in muck

soils.

Lesser Cornstalk Borer

The lesser cornstalk borer (Elasmopalyms lignosellus (Zeil.)) is

found throughout the sugarcanegrowing area of the continental

United States. The larva is

slender and greenish, with darkbrown longitudinal bands. It is

about an inch long when full

grown. It makes a rapid jerking

motion when disturbed. The larva

bores into the young cane at or

below the surface of the ground

and then usually upward, killing

the shoot. Its injury resembles

that of the sugarcane borer, except that the hole made by the

lesser cornstalk borer is close to

the soil surface and has a tubular

burrow extending outward from

it. The burrow consists of soil

particles, which the borer webs

together with silk. The larva

pupates in this burrow and

changes into a small moth.

Injury from the lesser cornstalk borer is found from March

to June. Since the infested plants

usually put out suckers from

below the injury, there is little

loss of stand but only delayed

growth with slightly lower sucrose content at harvesttime.

Greatest injury from this insect

has been observed in southern

Florida, where as many as 30 percent of the plants were infested

in some fields. Infestations were

lighter in fields where the trash

had not been burned. Nonburning of trash may therefore be of

value in areas where there is

heavy damage from the lesser

cornstalk borer.
Agriculture Handbook No. 209, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Stalk characters of three varieties of sugarcane: A, C.P. 29-116; B, Co. 290;

C, C.P. 36-111.
Agriculture Handbook No. 209, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Leaves of sugarcane showing mosaic. A, Diseased; B, healthy.
Agriculture Handbook No. 209, U.S. Dept. of Agricultui

B

Split sections of sugarcane showing red rot. Ä, Diseased; B, healthy.
Agriculture Handbook No. 209, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Split Stalks of sugarcane siiowiug internal sjyniptonis uf ratoon stunting diseast.-.

.4, Diseased; note orange discoloration in nodes. B, Healthy.
CULTURE OP SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION

FERTILIZER PRACTICES =

15

Most of the land used for growing sugarcane requires fertilizer.

The amount for optimum growth

depends largely on soil type, rainfall, crop history, and previous

applications of manure and fertilizer {12, 15).

Heavy soil may produce a good

sugarcane crop with little or no

fertilizer. Sandy soil is less

fertile and usually requires fertilizer for a good growth of sugarcane. Some upland soils of intermediate types, such as sandy

loam, produce low yields without

fertilizer, as shown in table 3.

When legume cover crops are

used for green manure, the need

for fertilizer, especially nitrogen,

is less. This is also true for land

that has been well manured in the

past or for land just plowed out

of improved pasture.

Fertilizer may be applied in

the "off-bar" * furrow on each

side of the row in late March or

early April with the first spring

cultivation. The fertilizer is

covered with 4 to 6 inches of soil.

Subsequent applications of fertilizer, usually nitrogen, should be

made during June. Later applications may retard maturity of the

cane and lower the yield and the

quality of sirup.

In a fairly fertile soil a small

application of fertilizer in the offbar furrows to help the early

grovrth may be all that is necessary the entire season. However,

on most soils the quantity applied

should be greater than that

needed for a starting effect only.

Also, more fertilizer may be

added later.

'Prepared by E. S. Lyons, formerly research agronomist, Crops Research Division.

' "Bar-off" IS commonly used in

Georgia.

Each grower should study his

soil and fertilizer practices and

get current fertilizer recommendations from the nearest experiment station or the county

extension agent.

Most of the fertilizer used for

sugarcane is a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

The ratio varies in different

localities, depending on local requirements or practices. Nitrogen is particularly needed in most

soils and is generally considered

first. Most soils are usually not

deficient in phosphorus. Potassium is needed in some soils

(table 3).

It is not possible to recommend

a single fertilizer practice to fit

all farm conditions. In the absence of specific information

about the needs of a particular

farm, the grower should use a

standard fertilizer formula that

is recommended for his area,

such as 5-10-5, 6-8-4, 6-8-8, or

10-10-10 (N, P.,0„ K,0, respectively), at a rate of 500 to 700

pounds per acre. Where fertility

is low, it may be advisable to

make a second application, or side

dressing, of 20 to 30 pounds of

nitrogen ; the total amount is 50

to 80 pounds of nitrogen and 30

to 60 pounds each of phosphorus

and potassium.

It was formerly believed that

nitrogen used in an organic fertilizer, such as cottonseed meal or

tung meal, gave superior sirup.

Current information indicates

that a sirup of good quality can

also be produced by using organic

nitrogen in ammonium sulfate,

sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, or anhydrous ammonia (4) •

It should be applied during early
16 AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGKICULTUEE

TABLE .3.—Effect of fertilizer on sirup yield at Cairo, Ga., ami

PoplarviUe, Miss.

CAIRO, GA. '

Fe tilizei per Sirup yield per acre from—

acre (pounds)

Average

yield

Increase in

yield from

fertilizer

N P.O, K=0 Plant

cane

First-year

stubble

Second-year

stubble

Gallnna Gallons Gallons Gallons Gallons

0 0 0 333 328 236 299

0 72 0 361 346 251 319 20

0 0 72 415 413 315 381 82

0 72 72 422 442 3.39 401 102

36 0 0 390 367 241 333 34

3B 72 0 404 394 251 3.50 51

36 0 72 502 513 367 461 162

36 72 72 518 535 420 491 192

72 0 0 396 369 232 332 33

72 72 0 428 406 241 358 59

72 0 72 537 568 438 514 215

72 72 72 528 597 467 531 232

POPLARVILLE, MISS.

0 0 0 393 423 305 374

20 0 0 537 498 479 505 131

40 0 0 571 572 530 5.58 184

60 0 0 561 621 595 592 218

80 0 0 480 608 571 553 179

20 20 0 454 .508 447 470 96

40 20 0 5.32 692 572 599 225

60 20 0 661 605 584 617 243

80 20 0 530 538 622 563 189

20 40 0 516 516 426 486 112

40 40 0 585 610 513 569 195

60 40 0 609 642 686 646 272

80 40 0 596 572 627 598 224

80 40 20 534 658 674 622 248

' Tifton fine sandy loam.

- Ruston sandy loam.
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION

growth, not later than June, in

amounts not exceeding the requirements of the crop.

Under some conditions inorganic sources of nitrogen, as

17

ammonium sulfate, sodium nitrate, and ammonium nitrate,

produce slightly higher yields of

sirup per acre than organic

sources, as cottonseed meal and

GAL /ACRE

600

400 -

200

A.S. S.N. A.N. T.M.

SOURCES OF NITROGEN

^1 PLANT CANE ^%j STUBBLE: Ist-yr. ¡¿v^^d-VrFIGURE 8.—Effect of five sources of nitrogen on yield of sugarcane sirup wfien

applied in March in a 6-8-4 mixed fertilizer at 1,000 pounds per acre.

A.S.=ammonium sulfate, S.N.=sodium nitrate, A.N.=ammonium nitrate,

T.M.^tung meal, C.M.:=cottonseed meal.

tung meal (fig. 8). The cost per

unit of nitrogen is usually lower

in inorganic sources. Anhydrous

ammonia is equal to ammonium

nitrate in its effect on yield of

sugarcane sirup (fig. 9).

Avoid applying a high nitrogen

fertilizer after June as a side

dressing. Use an organic fertilizer in March or early April. If

manure is used, apply it to the

previous crop instead of directly

to the sugarcane crop. When

heavy applications of manure are

applied to the sugarcane crop or

directly preceding it, a sirup of

poor quality may be produced.

Tractor-propelled distributors

are generally used to apply fertilizer in the oiï-bar furrows.

Distributors can be adjusted to

apply the quantity needed at the

depth desired. Later, during

cultivation of the crop, the same

equipment can be used to apply a

side dressing along the row.
18 AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

POUNDS OF FERTILIZER/ACRE

GAL./ACRE

600

60-80-40

n March and June)

400

200

A.A. A.N. A.A. A.N. A.A. A.N.

SOURCES OF NITROGEN

^1 PLANT CANE Y///\ STUBBLE: Isl-yr \///;A 2d-yr.

FIGURE 9.—Effect of anhydrous ammonia and ammonium nitrate on yield of

sugarcane sirup. A.A.=anhydrous ammonia, A.N.=ammoniura nitrate.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS

Many types of soil are used to

grow sugarcane, ranging from

the heavy silt loam of Louisiana

to the light sandy soil of Mississippi and Alabama. However, a

soil with good physical characteristics and high fertility produces

the best results. In general, loam

and sandy loam are best for growing sugarcane for sirup production. Poorly drained, heavy soils

usually result in sparse stands,

low yields, and a poor quality of

sirup.

Soils rich in organic matter

may have a detrimental effect on

the quality of sirup. However, if

cultural practices are satisfactory, sirup of good quality is

frequently made from sugarcane

grown on soils rich in organic

matter supplied by green manure

crops.

CULTURAL PRACTICES

Yield and quality of sugarcane

sirup and the economy of handling the crop are affected chiefly

by the soil type, fertilizer practices, growth, uniformity in maturity, erectness of stalks, and

ability to withstand deterioration after harvest. The cultural

practices that affect these factors

are discussed.

Crop Rotation

Sugarcane usually is grown on

the same land for 3 years. The

rotation should provide for one
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION 19

or more interim crops, such as

corn, cotton, or soybeans. Clean

cultivation of the interim crop

is desirable to reduce the weeds

in sugarcane. Addition of the residue from all crops to the soil

will help maintain adequate

organic matter and water-retention capacity.

A winter cover crop may be

grown in cotton rows or after

corn or soybeans to add organic

matter preceding the sugarcane

crop. However, during many

seasons a cover crop cannot be

planted early enough in the fall

after sugarcane or the interim

crop to produce a satisfactory

growth before cold weather. Since

the cover crop must be turned

under early in the spring to avoid

damage to the succeeding interim

crop, it does not usually have

time to produce a satisfactory

yield of green manure.

The residue from corn, cotton,

or soybeans must be thoroughly

chopped into the soil several

weeks before planting sugarcane

to avoid damaging the stand.

Planting soybeans in May on

land to be used for sugarcane in

October is usually a very good

practice. The growth is turned

under in late August or early September and allowed to deteriorate

partially before planting sugarcane. After this treatment the

land usually has enough organic

matter to remain in good condition during one plant-cane and

two stubble crops of sugarcane.

Other leguminous plants, particularly blue lupin where it does

well, have been used with equal

success.

Land Preparation

Since plant-cane and succeeding stubble crops occupy the same

land for 3 to 4 years, it is necessary to have a well-prepared seedbed. The land should be "flatbroken" to a depth of 6 to 8 inches

at least a month before planting.

Tractor-propelled disk or moldboard plows are used to prepare

the seedbed. The land should be

plowed so as to drain properly.

Just before planting, disk the

land and bed it into rows. Furrows between the beds may be

used for seedcane. However, the

practice of opening the beds to

provide a furrow for seedcane is

best done during wet weather or

on land with slow drainage.

Row Spacing

Most sugarcane in the sirupproducing areas is planted in

rows spaced 4 to 5 feet apart.

However, the spacing may be

varied slightly to suit available

tractor equipment.

Table 4 shows average yields

from diiferent row spacings of

plant-cane and first-year stubble

crops. Rows spaced 3 to 4 feet

apart are generally satisfactory

for the plant-cane crop, but they

may cause crowding in successive

stubble crops.

Planting

In order to protect the eyes, or

buds, during planting, do not

strip seedcane. However, to

facihtate handling, remove the

tops. Before the eyes germinate,

leaves and sheaths will deteriorate without hindering the stand.

The practice of planting sugarcane in late September or October

is recommended. However, planting can be done under favorable

conditions until March 15. Plantings in February or March

usually yield as much as those in

the fall, as shown in table 5. Results for C.P. 29-116 were similar

to those obtained for C.P. 36-111.

Seedcane for spring plantings

must be stored in banks at the

time of harvest in October (13).

Fall planting requires less labor,
20 AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

TABLE 4.—Effect on sugar-cane yield of various row spacings of plant

cane and first-year stubble on Riiston sandy ham at Poplmville, Miss.

Row spacings

(feet apart)

Cane

per acre

Sirup per

ton of cane

Sirup

per acre

o

Ton3

42.2

36.8

31.9

25.4

Gallons

21.2

20.7

21.0

20.2

Gallons

895

4 762

5 „ 670

6 - 513

TABLE 5.—Effect on sugarcane yield of date of planting of C.P.

36-111 second-year stubble on Kalmia sandy loam at Brewton, Ala.

Date of planting Cane

per acre

Sirup per

ton of cane

Sirup

per acre

Oct. fi

Tons

34.8

33.7

Gallons

19.7

19.9

Gallons

686

Feb. 17 ._ . 671

and the seedcane usually remains

in good condition while dormant.

A satisfactory stand is usually

obtained by planting If'-t to 2

lines of seedcane in a furrow. The

practice of overlapping seedcane

about 12 inches helps eliminate

gaps in the stand (fig. 10).

Crooked stalks should be cut to

straighten the lines in the furrows. Approximately 2,400 sixfoot stalks are required to plant

an acre at the rate of II/2 lines

in rows spaced 4V-2 feet apart.

Seedcane may be planted 11,0

to 4i'2 inches below the surface of

the soil without affecting yields.

Typical yield data from depth-ofplanting experiments in Mississippi are shown in table 6. Results for C.P. 29-116 were

similar to those obtained for C.P.

36-111. Cover fall-planted seedcane with 7 to 9 inches of soil to

protect it from cold injury during

the winter. Remove the soil in

the spring to within 2 to 3 inches

of the seedcane. Cover springplanted seedcane with 2 to 3

inches of soil. Provide good drainage after planting by plowing out

the middle area between beds to

a depth of 2 to 4 inches below

the seedcane (figs. 11 and 12).

Cultivation

Cultivation should begin in

the spring when the eyes start

to germinate. A "finger-weeder"

(fig. 13) is useful for breaking

the surface of the soil and removing small weeds that develop

during the winter. When the soil

is firmly packed or when weeds

are intermingled with stubble, a

rotary hoe (fig. 14) is more
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION 21

FIGURE 10.—Two lines of seedcane in furrows before stalks are cut

into short pieces.

FIGURE 11. Two-row lister used for plowing out middle area between beds

after sugarcane is planted.
22 AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF .AGRICULTURE

FIGURE 12.—Field of sugarcane showing middle area between beds plowed

out to provide drainage.

TABLE 6.—Effect on sugarcane yield of various planting depths of

C.P. 36-111 plant cane on Rustan sandy loam at Poplarville, Miss.

Planting depths (inches) Cane

per acre

Sirup per

ton of cane

Sirup

per acre

1.5 - -

Ttms

34.2

34.0

36.8

Gallons

19.5

20.5

20.7

GaUtms

667

3.0 - .. . 697

i'i 762

efficient than the finger-weeder

for the first cultivation. A section

harrow can be used on some soils

to remove the top layer.

After the soil is removed to

within 2 to 4 inches of the seedcane, a disk cultivator (fig. 15)

or moldboard plow can be used

to off-bar plant or stubble cane.

Off-barring favors germination

and early growth during the cool

part of the spring. When the cane

is 8 to 12 inches high, apply fertilizer in the off-bar furrows and

follow by shallow cultivation.

Frequent shallow cultivations are

needed throughout the season to

control weeds and to provide

optimum growing conditions.

Weed Control

The practice of hoeing sugarcane to control weeds is decreasing because of economic factors
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION 23

FIGURE 13.—"Finger-weeder" used for removing winter growth of weeds from

sugarcane.

FIGURE 14.—Rotary hoe used for breal:ing the soil and removing weeds from

sugarcane.
24 AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

FIGURE 15.—Off-bairing sugarcane with a disk cultivator.

and improved mechanical and

chemical weeding.

"Flame cultivation" is generally satisfactory for destroying

young weeds in early stages without damaging sugarcane. Some

hardy weeds, such as johnsongrass, cannot be killed by flaming

without damaging the sugarcane

crop.

Chemical weed control in sugarcane grown for sirup production

shows promise.' In areas where

broad-leaved weeds are a problem

in the fall, a postemergence application of 2,4-D (amine-2,4-

dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid) at

11-2 pounds per acre will give

excellent results. This treatment

should be followed in the spring

by a preemergence spray of

monuron (3 (p-chlorophenyl)-

1, 1-dimethvlurea) or diuron

(.3 (3,4-dichiorophenyl)-l, 1-dimethylurea) at 3 pounds of active

ingredient per acre on heavy soils

and 2 pounds on sandy soils. Cultivation may be done 2 months

after preemergence treatments if

necessarv.

HARVESTING

Changes in the composition of

the juice as the cane matures

affect the quality and quantity

of the sirup. In general, harvestInformation on chemical weed control is furnished by R. D. Palmer, assistant

plant physiologist, Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station.
CULTURE OP SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION

ing should be delayed as late in

the year as possible to allow for

the maximum accumulation of

soluble solids. However, sugarcane should be harvested before

it is subjected to severe damage

from cold.

Early-harvested cane produces

25

ratory tests to evaluate the yield

and quality of sirup.

Late-maturing varieties may

produce low yields early in the

season. Varieties particularly

susceptible to diseases may decrease in sirup yield late in the

season.

GAL/ACRE

600 -

400 -

200

OCT. 15

PLANT CANE

OCT. 29 NOV. 12 NOV. 26

HARVESTING DATES

STUBBLE; Ist-yr mm 2dFIGURE 16.—Sirup yields based on nine date-of-harvesting tests of sugarcane

at Poplarville, Miss.

less sirup per acre than cane

harvested late in the season (fig.

16). Also, the stand and corresponding yield are usually less

in succeeding stubble crops following early-harvested cane (fig.

17). The effect of early harvesting on yield depends on the

variety and whether the crop is

plant or stubble cane (16).

When suitable facilities are

available, the most accurate way

to determine the maturity of the

crop and the time for harvesting

is to run adequate mill and laboHarvesting practices vary considerably throughout the sugarcane-sirup belt, depending largely

on the acreage and on local practices. Stripping the leaves from

the stalks is usually done first.

Leaves may be struck ofl" with a

paddle, a cane stripper, or the

knife used to cut the stalks, or

they may be pulled off by hand.

Stripping and topping should be

done while the stalks are standing.

Sugarcane for sirup production

may be cut with a corn knife (fig.
26 AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

FIGURE 17.—Stand of sugarcane as affected by time of harvesting at Meridian,

Miss. A, Late harvest; B, early harvest.

FIGURE 18—Cutting sugarcane with a com knife at Meridian, Miss
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE POR SIRUP PRODUCTION 27

18), cane knife, hoe, or with a

mechanical harvester, of which

there are several types. Small

tractor-mounted harvesters are

used in the sugarcane-sirup belt.

Generally the cane is cut near

the surface of the soil. If cut

higher, losses in tonnage and total

production of sirup result. Juice

from the lower internodes contains more sugar than that from

internodes in the middle and top

of the cane.

Since most sugarcane for sirup

is manufactured on small-scale

equipment, stripped cane must

sometimes remain in the field or

at the mill several days before it

is milled. This practice does not

cause a loss of sirup, provided the

cane is in good condition at the

time of harvest, it is stored no

longer than 25 to 30 days, and it

is not subjected to freezing temperatures. The sirup quality is

often improved when stored for

15 to 20 days (l.l^.). Table 7 shows

the effect of length of storage on

yield of sugarcane sirup.

TABLE 7.—Effect of length of storage on sirup yield of C.P. 29-116,

hosed on 10 observations in tivo tests, at Meridian, Miss.

Days of

storage

Relative weight

per stalk '

Laboratory-mill

juice analysis

Sirup per ton

of cane Extraction Brix

0

Percent

100.0

100.6

99.5

98.0

93.2

91.6

90.0

Percent

58.5

60.1

58.6

59.2

53.5

53.1

51.1

Degrees

14.98

15.21

15.56

15.84

16.63

16.98

16.95

Gallons

18 4

2 19.1

4 „_

7

14

19.2

19.0

19.9

21 „_ __ 19.7

28 __.... 19.1

' Based on 0 storage as 100 percent,

MANUFACTURE OF SUGARCANE SIRUP

The yield and quality of sugarcane sirup are affected by the

manufacturing equipment and

process and by the skill of the

sirup maker.

Several sizes and types of mills

are used. The size of the mill depends on the volume of sugarcane

to be milled. In general, mills

with three horizontal rollers propelled by motor power are used

for crushing the cane. Larger

mills with more rollers subjected

to hydraulic pressure are used for

large volumes of sugarcane. The

extraction of juice should be between 50 and 60 percent ; that is,

100 pounds of stripped cane

should furnish 50 to 60 pounds

of juice. Extracting less juice

results in less sirup and a lower

return from the crop, as shown

in table 8. More juice may be extracted if the procedure does not

lower the quality of the sirup.
28 AGR. HANDBOOK 20'J, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

TABLE 8.—Effect on simp yield of various extractions of sugarcane

juice, based on an assumed Brix reading of 15"

Extraction of juice

(percent)

Juice per ton

of cane

Sirup per ton

of cane

Increase in

yield

40 ...

45

Pounds

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

Gallons

12.1

13.7

15.2

16.7

18.2

Percent

13.2

50 ...

55 ...

60 ...

25.6

38.0

50.4

Most farmers make sugarcane

sirup on open-type, continuousflow evaporators of galvanized

iron or copper. These evaporators

are shallow and have crosswise

baffles to slow down the flow of

juice. Cold juice enters the lower

end of the evaporator and then

flows slowly to the opposite end,

where it is drawn off as finished

sirup.

Fuels to heat the evaporator include wood, kerosene or fuel oil,

liquid-petroleum or natural gas,

and coal.

In small-scale operations the

fire heats the bottom of the evaporator. In most large-scale

operations the juice is heated by

steam coils placed in the evaporator.

The Stubbs pan is another

open-type, continuous-flow evaporator of galvanized iron (fig.

19). It is not used so widely, but

somewhat less skill is required for

efficient operation. It is 12 feet

long, 31/2 feet wide, and 10 inches

deep. The side where the juice

enters is 114 feet and the other

side 2i't feet wide. Heat is supplied through four copper coils,

each of which is fitted with a

steam-inlet valve and an automatic steam trap.

Juice enters the evaporator at

the side (A) through an adjustable valve (E) and travels lengthwise along the high longitudinal

partition, around the end of this

partition, and back to the finishing-off compartment (F). When

the cold juice is heated, certain

proteins and nonsugar substances

are coagulated. They rise to the

surface and are removed as skimmings. The juice is clarified in

this manner and evaporated to

semisirup before it reaches the

finishing-ofï compartment (F).

After clarification, the juice is

evaporated to sirup density as

rapidly as possible (fig. 20). The

desired sirup density can be determined by a sirup hydrometer

or a thermometer. A suitable

thermometer (fig. 20) is preferred, because it indicates accurately and continuously the

sirup density. When sirup is

tested near boiling, the reading

for a desirable density should be

.35' to 36' Baume with a sirup

hydrometer or 226' to 228° F.

(108° to 109° C.) with an accurate thermometer.

The finished sirup should be

filtered as effectively as possible
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION 29

FIGURE 19.—Stubbs-type evapuialui ; A. Side where jiiicf I'litcrs; B, copper

heat coils; C, steam-inlet valve for coil; D, automatic steam trap; E,

adjustable valve; F, finishing-oft compartment.

FIGURE 20. Stubbs-type evaporator in operation. Thermometer (A) used

determine sirup density.
39 AGR. HANDBOOK 209, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

and cooled to the proper tempera- half-gallon and smaller containers

ture before being stored in con- are filled, ISO' for gallon containers. It should be 190" F. when tainers, and 120'' for barrels.

LITERATURE CITED

(1) ABBOTT, E. V.

19:î8. RED ROT OF SUGARCANE. U.S. Dept. Agr. Tech. Bui. 641, 96 pp.,

illus.

(2) ARTSCHVVAGER, E.

192.5. ANATOMY OF THE VEGETATIVE ORGANS OF SUGAR CANE. JOUR. AGR.

Res. 30: 197-221, illus.

(3)

1940. MORPHOLOGY OF THE VEGETATIVE ORGANS OF SUGARCANE. JoUr. Agr.

Res. 60: .50.5-548, illus.

(4) ASHLEY, T. E., STOKES, I. E., and ANDREWS, W. B.

1956. SOURCES OF NITROGEN FOR SUGARCANE PRODUCTION. MisS. Agr.

Expt. Sta. Cir. 205, 14 pp., illus.

(5) BELCHER, B. A., and SHERWOOD, S. F.

1937. TWO NEW VARIETIES OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION. U.S.

Dept. Agr. Cir. 461, 4 pp.

(6) BRANDES, E. W.

1924. MOSAIC'S ROLE IN LIMITING LOUISIANA YIELDS. Facts About Sugar

18: 610-611.

(7)

1928. SUGAR INDUSTRY SAVED IN LOUISIANA BY USING DISEASE-RESISTANT

VARIETIES OF CANE. />; What's New in Agriculture, U.S. Dept.

Agr. Yearbook 1928: 565-567.

f8) and KLAPHAAK, P. .J.

192:3. GROWTH STIMULATION AND PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL BY HOTWATER TREATMENT OF SUGARCANE "SEED." La. Planter 71:

371-372, 392-394, 412, illus.

'9> SHERWOOD, S. F., and BELCHER, B. A.

1940. SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION. U.S. Dept. Agr. Cir. 284, 48

pp., illus.

(10) EDGERTON, C. W.

1959. SUGARCANE AND ITS DISEASES. 301 pp., illus. La. State Univ.

Press, Baton Rouge.

(11) FREEMAN, K. C, and LYONS, E. S.

1960. C.P. 52-48, A NEW SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION IN SOUTHWEST

GEORGIA. Ga. Agr. Res. 2 (2) : 8-9.

(12) LYONS, E. S.

1954. FERTILIZER EXPERIMENTS WITH SUGAR CANE. Ga. Coastal Plain

Expt. Sta. Bui. 54, 10 pp.

(13) STOKES, I. E.

1949. RESULTS OF DATE-OF-PLANTING SUGARCANE TESTS IN MISSISSIPPI,

1939-1946. Miss. Agr. Expt. Sta. Cir. 148, 6 pp.

(14)

1950. EFFECTS OF STORAGE ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF SUGARCANE SIRUP IN

MISSISSIPPI. Miss. Agr. Expt. Sta. Cir. 154, 7 pp.
CULTURE OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION 31

(15) STOKES, I. E., and ASHLEY, T. E.

1947. RESULTS OF FERTILIZER TESTS OF SUGARCANE IN MISSISSIPPI DURING

PERIOD 1941-1946. Miss. ARI-. Expt. Sta. Bui. 446, 9 pp.

(16) and ASHLEY, T. E.

1956. AGRONOMIC PRACTICES INFLUENCE STUBBLE DETERIORATION OP SUGARCANE. Internat!. Soc. Sugar Cane Techno!. Cong. [India] Proc.

9, 17 pp., i!lus.

(IV) ASHLEY, T. E., KUYKENDALL, R., and HURT, B. C.

1951. C.P. 36-111, A NEW VARIETY OF SUGARCANE FOR SIRUP PRODUCTION

IN MISSISSIPPI. IMiss. State Expt. Sta. Inform. Slieet 461, 2 pp.,

illus.

(18) SUMMERS, E. M., BRANDES, E. W., and RANDS, R. D.

1948. MOSAIC OF SUGARCANE IN THE UNITED STATES, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO STRAINS OF THE VIRUS. U.S. Dept. AgT. Tecti. BU!. 955,

124 pp., i!lus.

(19) YODER, p. A., and INGRAM, J. W.

1923. HOT-WATER TREATMENT OF SUGAR CANE FOR INSECT PESTS.—A PRECAUTION. U.S. Dept. Agr. Cir. 303, 4 pp.

iz U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEi 1961-
Vi