The crop is cultivated 3 to 5 times a year, in addition to herbicide use. Tillage includes 1 to 2 preplant operations and 3 to 4 cultivations in plant care and each ratoon crop. All of these herbicides are important since options for weed control are limited . Outlook Insect pests are not as severe in Texas as in other cane-growing regions. Crop breeding will continue to provide disease resistance.
Herbicides are essential to sustain yields.
Hooded sprayers, GMO lines, and new chemistry are potential options for future use. This effort is supported by the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers , and other commodity groups. Dr. Dudley Smith, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and Dr. Juan Anciso, Texas Agricultural Extension Service prepared these reports August 2000 using information from numerous sources. The information given herein is for educational programs only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station is implied.