ISSCT XXVIth CONGRESS
Durban, South Africa
29th July - 2nd August 2007
AGRICULTURE COMMISSION
Papers & Posters Titles
(Click on titles to access Abstracts)agronomy & AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING PAPERS
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING POSTERS
AEP1
Performance and economics of the Illovo mechanical cane cutter
P.W.L. Lyne, M.I. Langton,C.N. Bezuidenhout and J.C. Smithers - South Africa
AEP2
Evaluating the applicability of MODIS data for forecasting sugarcane yields in Colombia
E. Bastidas-Obando and J. Carbonell-González - ColombiaAEP3
Discrimination of sugarcane varieties CC 85-92 and CC 84-75 using Landsat 7 ETM_satellite imagery
P.J. Murillo, J.A. Carbonell, C.A. Osorio and E. Bastidas-Obando - Colombia
AEP4
Performance of the harvester under green cane harvesting in Okinawa
T. Akachi - Japan
AEP7
Optimised agricultural planning of the sugarcane using the linear programming
M.S. Scarpari, M.G.A. Landell and E.G.F. de Beauclair - BrasilAGRONOMY PAPERS
ABSTRACTSAG1_abstract
SOIL LOSS AND DECLINING SUGARCANE YIELDS ON SLOPING LAND IN FIJI
By
A.N. RAM1, J.S. GAWANDER1, A.D. JOKHAN2, and K. GARAN1
1Sugar Research Institute of Fiji, FIJI
2Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the South Pacific, FIJI
ashween@fsc.com.fjKeywords: Erosion, Trash Mulch, High Rainfall, Management Practices, Soil Conservation
Abstract
Growing sugarcane on sloping land receiving high-intensity rainfalls causes extensive soil erosion in Fiji. This soil loss and accompanying declining cane yields on undulating terrain is of major concern to the Fijian sugar industry. In recent years, growers have not only abandoned best management practices to conserve the soil, but they have also uprooted the borders of vetiver grass. This, to a large extent, has accelerated the loss of top soil and thus soil degradation causing, with the burning of trash, the yield to decline even more rapidly. As quantitative data on erosion from field plots are scanty in Fiji, an experiment was initiated on a sloping cane farm (8° slope) to determine soil loss under different management practices and impact on the cane yield of the plant cane and of ratoon crops. The different management practices studied were sugarcane planted across slope, sugarcane planted uphill and downhill, cane planted across the slope with vetiver grass grown as hedgerow, and trash cover with cane planted across slope. There was significant (P<0.05) difference in cane yield in the plant-cane crop. In ratoons, there were no significant differences among treatments. However, the plots in which trash was conserved and cane planted across the slope maintained yields better than the other three treatments. Soil loss was largely affected by the different planting strategies associated with the conservation practices. Trash acted as a protective layer under high rainfall, and 153 and 221 kg soil/ha/y were eroded in the first- and second-ratoon crops, respectively. Where the sugarcane was planted uphill and downhill soil losses were 16 376, 259 and 2274 kg/ha/y, in plant cane and the two ratoon crops, respectively. The very low soil loss in the first-ratoon crop is attributed to the drought conditions of that year. Planting sugarcane across the slope, conserving trash mulch, and keeping a vetiver hedgerow therefore reduces soil erosion and, with increasing period of cultivation, will sustain cane production to provide stable economic returns to Fijian farmers.
AG2_abstract
The Better Sugarcane Initiative – Impacts and Benefits on the Global Sugarcane Industry
by
R. Quirk 1, H. Morar 2, R. Perkins 3, G. Kingston 4, and W. Burnquist 5
1 Cane grower – Australia, 2 Tate & Lyle – UK, 3 WWF – UK,
4 BSES Limited – Australia, 5 Cane Technology Centre – Brazil
rgquirk@bigpond.comKEYWORDS: Sustainability, environmental impacts, cane growing, sugar milling, Better Sugarcane
Abstract
An international conference in London in June 2005 confirmed that several producers and processors of sugarcane were committed to the common goal of production and processing of sugarcane in an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable manner. This goal will be met through the Better Sugarcane Initiative (BSI). Stakeholders will engage in a constructive dialogue to define and develop relevant performance-based and verifiable standards to describe practices within the value chain for sustainable sugarcane systems. The BSI will also foster implementation of improved management practices to effect measurable reduction in key impacts, as there is evidence that more sustainable practices can result in improved profitability.
To achieve this goal the participants in the BSI have agreed:
- To maintain open, honest, and respectful communications;
- To develop a protocol for external communications related to the BSI including the use of sensitive data;
- To respect differences in experience and opinion, recognizing that impacts will differ from farm to farm and region to region, as will the ability to reduce impacts;
- To form a steering committee that reflects the interests of the range of stakeholders interested in Better Sugarcane;
- To address the key global impacts associated with growing and processing sugarcane in the following areas:
- Field environmental impacts associated with soil health, water use, generation of effluents and habitat loss;
- Labour issues ranked as work place health and safety, child labour, casualisation of labour and wage levels;
- Community impacts including access to water, health and education;
- Processing impacts ranked as food and worker safety, mill environmental issues and water use.
We provide background to the BSI, on how it may impact international sugarcane industries and plans for initiatives. We draw on our international experiences and knowledge to inform the conference as to the Best Management Practices (BMP) in their countries of origin and associations, and will be looking for assistance to broaden this knowledge for the betterment of the global sugar industry.
AG5_abstract
INTEGRATED AGRONOMIC PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE SUGARCANE PRODUCTION – A REPORT ON THE 2006 AGRONOMY WORKSHOP
By
K.F NG KEE KWONG
Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute
RNKKwong@msiri.intnet.muKEYWORDS: New technologies, plant residues, organic matter, environment
Abstract
The 2006 Agronomy Workshop was held from 22 to 26 May 2006 in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The response by sugar cane technologists to the Workshop was very positive with the presence of 92 participants coming from 16 different countries (41 of them travelling from overseas). The scene for discussion and interaction among the technologists was set by 30 oral presentations and 10 posters divided under the five following specific themes:
- New/refined technologies for sustainable sugar cane production
- Ratoon yield decline and its management
- Soil management and the utilization of plant residues
- Challenge of environmental pressure and strategy for the sugar cane grower
- Modelling sugar cane growth and production
It emerged at the Workshop that the key for sustainable sugar cane production lies in soil organic matter conservation. The benefits from measures that enhance and conserve soil organic matter can, however, be gauged most often in the medium or long term through the improvement in soil health. Though soil organic matter conservation and build up in the soil are most critical for better management practices, it was also clear that research findings should not be considered as universally applicable and should be tested under the specific local conditions.
The Workshop also provided the opportunity to acquire an overview of the sugar industry in Thailand and the status of research and development in the country. The problems that the Thai sugar industry has to overcome are not more daunting than those experienced in other sugar producing countries. With an integrated approach encompassing a more effective technology transfer and a more efficient breeding program to produce cane with improved ratooning ability and resistance to pests and diseases, the Thai sugar industry would certainly be capable of improving very significantly its productivity and sustainability.
AG15_final
A new approach to implementing computer-based decision
support for sugarcane farmers and extension staff
THE CASE OF MY CANESIM
by
A. SINGELS
South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI)
Private Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa
abraham.singels@sugar.org.zaKEYWORDS: Crop model, irrigation, decision support, extension, Internet, weather data.
Abstract
Sugarcane production regularly requires complex and quick decision-making under ever changing conditions. Adoption of computer-based decision support systems has been disappointing. This paper reviews a new approach to developing and implementing decision support for sugarcane production. The main features are (1) use of state-of-the-art technology, (2) limiting users’ exposure to system complexity, and (3) participation of users in system design and implementation.
The My Canesim system consists of a sugarcane model, an on-line weather database and a communication network. The system uses basic field data, initially entered by the user via the Internet, to calculate the soil and crop status for each day of the growing season as the season progresses.
The system was implemented on a pilot scale on two small-scale irrigation schemes in Pongola and Makhathini, South Africa. Farmers, extension staff and mill cane supply management contributed to the design of the web interface, the advice and the reports generated by the system. Irrigation advice and yield estimates are disseminated weekly to 39 farmers using cell phone text messages. Summaries for each scheme are faxed to three extension officers and to mill management. Reports containing detailed information such as estimated current and predicted future cane yield, sucrose content and soil water deficit can be downloaded from the website.
The study revealed various inefficient irrigation practices that could be eliminated and showed that significant savings in irrigation water and costs could be achieved by following the advice. System reports served as a useful benchmark of field and crop status. These reports were used by extension staff as a basis for discussion during field visits and by mill management as an indicator of crops that are ready for harvesting.
It is believed that a similar approach could be followed to support other aspects of crop production, e.g. fertilizer management and harvest scheduling.
AG18_abstract
Improving Cane Productivity with Dual Row Planting in Mauritius
by
F. M. ISMAEL, S. SEERUTTUN, C. BARBE AND A. GAUNGOO
Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute, Réduit, Mauritius
fismael@msiri.intnet.muKEYWORDS: sugarcane, row spacings, dual rows, cane and sugar yield
Abstract
Dual row planting, consisting of pairs of cane rows 0.5 m apart with 1.8 m between their centres, was studied in twelve field trials between 1999 and 2004. Dual rows were compared to the standard row spacing of 1.6 m. Two N fertilizer rates (normal and + 25%) and two cane sett densities (normal and a reduced amount) were included as treatments in the early trials whereas the response of sugarcane varieties to the new spacing was evaluated later. Increases in cane yields with dual row planting varied between 3% and 28% depending on cane varieties; M 1400/86 and R 579 were the most responsive with a mean increase varying between 8% and 16%. Yields of plant and ratoon cane showed that dual rows can be planted with an equivalent amount of cane setts and using the same rate of fertilizer as for the conventional spacing. No difference in sucrose content has been observed between the two spacings. Weed management improved with dual rows; and critical periods of weed competition were shortened by at least four weeks. Mechanized harvest of dual rows at some of the sites showed that the pairs of rows can be cut simultaneously without any difficulty; the efficiency of the machines also improved with less driving distance per hectare, less turning time and a higher pour rate. Dual row planting is being increasingly adopted as initial results from commercially planted fields are confirming the gain in productivity.
AG19_abstract
New Herbicide Tank-Mix, Krismat® + Dinamic®: A Cost-effective Broad-spectrum Pre-& Post-Emergence Treatment for Managing Weeds in SugarCane
By
S. Seeruttun, C. Barbe and A. Gaungoo
Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute, Réduit, Mauritius
sseeruttun@msiri.intnet.muKEYWORDS: trifloxysulfuron, ametryn, amicarbazone, weed management, sugarcane
Abstract
New weed management strategies are being developed to reduce the amount and cost of herbicides used within the Mauritian sugar industry. One approach consists of applying herbicides a few weeks after planting or harvest at the beginning of the critical period of weed competition, with the goal of controlling emerged weeds and providing long-term residual activity. With this objective, new herbicides Krismat (trifloxysulfuron + ametryn) and Dinamic (amicarbazone) were tested alone or in tank-mixes in both plant and ratoon cane. When applied pre-emergence to weeds, Krismat (1.5-1.8 kg a.i./ha) and Dinamic (1.05 and 1.4 kg a.i./ha) were found to be comparable to the standards. Krismat was less effective on Digitaria horizontalis and D. timorensis while Dinamic did not control Cyperus rotundus, Paspalum spp. and Kyllinga spp.; tank-mixing lower rates of the two herbicides overcame their weaknesses while maintaining a residual activity over 14 to 16 weeks. With early post-emergence applications, both Krismat and Dinamic were effective on many broad-leaved weeds and some grasses. The efficacy of Krismat on Paspalum spp., C. rotundus and other sedges, and that of Dinamic on Digitaria horizontalis compensated for their individual inefficacies when they were tank-mixed. The tank-mix, Krismat + Dinamic (1.5 + 0.875-1.05 kg a.i./ha) did not cause crop injury in young plant or ratoon cane. The efficacy (pre- and post-emergence) of the new tank-mix offers a new perspective for managing weeds in sugarcane, as delaying of the first herbicide application will result in savings of at least one herbicide treatment per season.
AG22_abstract
RECENT ADVANCES TO IMPROVE NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY OF SUGARCANE IN THE
SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR INDUSTRY
by
J.H. MEYER1, A.W. SCHUMANN2, R.A. WOOD3, D. NIXON4,
M. VAN DEN BERG11South African Sugar Research Institute,2University of Florida,3 Sugarcane consultant,4Booker Tate.
SASRI, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe 4300
jan.meyer@sugar.org.za
KEYWORDS: Nitrogen, N mineralisation, urea, N volatilisation, leaf N
Abstract
The nitrogen requirement of sugarcane in South Africa has been the subject of extensive research. Results of more than 200 trials conducted over the past four decades have shown that the response to applied N can be highly variable and that N use efficiency by the crop can be influenced by ecological factors such as season, rainfall, nature of the soil as well as cultural practices that include variety, irrigation, N form, rate, timing and method of N placement. Local research results are reviewed and specific outcomes that have modified N use efficiency include:
· Soil specific nitrogen fertiliser recommendations for the main agro-climatic zones that are based on soil organic matter status and the potential of the soil to release N;
· For advisory purposes, an analytical method based on Near Infra‑red Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) was pioneered to rapidly measure the organic matter and nitrogen mineralisation potential of soil;
· A new laboratory test to predict potential ammonia volatilisation losses from surface-applied urea fertiliser;
· &