CROPPING SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY CANE GROWN ON
VOLCANIC SOILS IN A TROPICAL CLIMATE : INITIAL RESULTS
ON PLANTING DATES, CYCLE DURATION AND PEST PRESSURE
Methods
Two experiments at the same location: Agronomic exp. (3 replic.)
A multipurpose variety (BBZ92076) planted on two dates (June, Nov), and harvested after 8 (D8) and 12 (D12) months, 3 crop cycles for D8 and two for D12. Total DSB produced from
harvests over the two year period were compared. Agro-varietal exp.(4 replic.)
Comparison of 4 multipurpose varieties (BBZ92076, WI79460, WI79461, WI81456), planted in June. Stemborer damage was recorded in 100 stalks each of 4 varieties.
Results
Planting at the end of the rainy season (November) produced a little more DSB over the two year period for both cropping
cycles, compared to planting in June.
Cropping cycle D8 produced slightly less DSB in three harvests, than that produced in two harvests from cropping cycle D12.
Fewer than 3% of internodes were damaged by stem borers, regardless of variety.
The species of stemborer collected was Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).
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CONCLUSION
The impacts of planting date and cropping
cycle duration on DSB should help to build
sustainable cropping systems for energy cane.
Stem borer damage is well below the economic
threshold of 5%.
Studies conducted in Guadeloupe (West Indies) were designed to investigate the
benefits of producing sugarcane biomass as a dedicated energy feedstock (to reduce fossil fuel).
The objective was to identify sustainable cropping systems for energy cane production.
Initial results on the impacts of planting date and cropping cycle duration on dry shoot biomass (DSB) production and stem borer damage are presented.
CHOPART J L, SERGENT G, GOEBEL F R
Conclusion
What is REBECCA ?
A research & R-D project
(CIRAD, INRA, QUADRAN) conducted in Guadeloupe, aiming to generate
electricity from sugarcane. Partially founded by E.U.
[email protected] 0 4 8 12 16
June-D8 June-D12 Nov.-D8 Nov.-D12 10,8 12,5 12,4 13,6 0 2 4 6 WI 79 460 WI79461 WI81456 BBZ92076 % of internodes damaged by stem borers
Total DSB (kg m-²) produced (2 years) D8 : 3 crop cycles of 8 m
D12: 2 crop cycles of 12 m
kg.m-²
Planted June Planted Nov.
D8 D12 D8 D12
Experiments (REBECCA Project ) BBZ92076 variety Diatraea saccharalis © Ré gis Goebel © JL Ch opar t © JL Ch opar t
CIRAD, UPR AIDA, 97170 Petit-Bourg, France.
