U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Sugarcane Research: Houma, LA
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Southeast Area Houma, Louisiana Sugarcane Research Research





- White, Paul
- Ellsworth, Patrick
- 2023
- 2022
- Publications
- Water Availability and Watershed Management (211)
- Soil and Air (212)

Research Project: Water and Soil Resources in Sustainable Sugarcane Production Systems for Temperate Climates **Location:
                            Sugarcane Research** 2022 Annual Report **Objectives**
                                

Objective 1: Determine and evaluate critical water efficiency optimization parameters that impact sugarcane crop production systems in temperate environments.
Sub-objective 1.A: Improve crop coefficients for reference ET models that are reliable along the sugarcane life cycle and across sugarcane growing areas in U.S. with differing climatic zones and water regimes, including deficit and excess-water conditions.
Sub-objective 1.B: Improve ET models for water management at field to regional level by separating transpiration and soil evaporation fluxes using stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen in water.

Objective 2: Develop holistic stochastic optimization models and decision support tools to improve the sustainability of sugarcane production systems in temperate environments.

Objective 3: Evaluate and/or develop conservation best management practices that positively influence soil water and carbon cycling in sugarcane production systems in temperate environments.
Sub-objective 3.A: Characterize how long-term (16+ y) sugarcane crop residue management affects soil moisture storage, C sequestration, and crop yield.
Sub-objective 3.B: Characterize how new tillage and fallow cover cropping practices affect soil moisture storage, C sequestration, and crop yield. **Approach**
                                

Through greenhouse and field experiments, improve crop coefficients for reference evapotranspiration (ET) models that are reliable along the sugarcane life cycle and across sugarcane growing areas in U.S. with differing climatic zones and water regimes, including deficit and excess-water conditions; and Improve ET models for water management at field to regional level by separating transpiration and soil evaporation fluxes using stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen in water. Employ data collected in the field to populate DSSAT input modules to evaluate how changing climatic conditions will affect sustainable sugarcane production. Characterize how long-term (16+ y) sugarcane crop residue management affects soil moisture storage, carbon sequestration, and crop yield. Characterize how new tillage and fallow cover cropping practices affect soil moisture storage, carbon sequestration, and crop yield. **Progress Report**
                                

This project started in April 2022 and replaces the previous project 6052-13210-002-000D, “The Effects of Water-Driven Processes on Sugarcane Production Systems and Associated Ecosystem Services in Louisiana”. 

Equipment and initial formatting of DSSAT templates is complete. We are scheduled to begin harvesting first year experiments in October 2022. Long-term experimental harvest will be in December 2022. Once completed all 12-month milestones will be fully met. **Accomplishments**


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov