The Effect of Changing the Harvesting Method on the Agronomic and Physiological Characteristics of Sugarcane Cultivars

Abstract

Replacement of the usual harvesting sugarcane method (burning field before harvesting) by green harvesting method could be the most important factor contributing to the ecological balance and stable sugarcane production in the Khuzestan region. To evaluate the green harvesting sugarcane method and its effects on the agronomic and physiological characteristics of sugarcane cultivars, a field experiment was conducted in Imam Khomeini Agro Industry during the 2015-2016 period. The experiment was carried out using a split plot design based on complete randomized block with four replications. Cultivars of Sugarcane as the main plots (CP73-21, CP69-1062 and CP69-1062) and five harvesting methods and ratooning as the sub plots were investigated. The results showed green harvesting method had a significant negative effect on nearly all agronomic and physiologic characteristics. Yield was reduced about %12.5 in the green harvesting methods. On the other hand, the results showed water consumption was substantially decreased (10,000 m-3) in the green harvesting method. Regarding problems in water supply for agricultural production in Iran, green harvesting of sugarcane could play an important role in ecosystem sustainability and sugarcane production of Khuzestan, aiding the better consumption of natural resources.

Keywords

• Green harvesting
• Trash blanket
• Yield
• Water consumption
• Nitrogen