DIVERSIFICATION OF SUGARCANE VARIETIES FOR CATTLE FEED AND SUSTAINABILITY

By H. JORGE, O. SUÁREZ, H. GARCÍA, I. JORGE and L. BENITEZ
Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones dela Caña de Azúcar, Habana. Cuba
hector@inica.minaz.cu

Abstract 

THE PAPER reports results of a study of 44 sugarcane genotypes, evaluated as cattle feed, at
13 months of age, in the first ratoon crop, at Villa Clara–Cienfuegos Territorial Sugar Cane
Research Station and the Sancti Spiritus National Breeding Center in Cuba.
Fourteen traits were evaluated by means of multivariate analyses (Principal
Components and Discriminant Function), and also a simulation was conducted of agroecological regionalisation for the allocation of the sugarcane varieties according to the main
limiting factors (drought and poor drainage) on a cattle producing farm.
Results showed that the variables, percentageof stalk fresh weight (% of stalks) and
of tops (% of tops), had high influence in the first principal component, whereas the genetic
disease (smut and rust) resistance had high influence in the second component. It should be
pointed out that the percentage of digestibility of the dry matter showed very little variability,
which indicates a high stability of this trait.
The Discriminant Function Analysis allowed classification of cultivars into three
groups: varieties of low forage value (below 40% digestibility of the dry matter), varieties of
intermediate forage value (between 40–50%) and varieties of high forage value (above 50%
digestibility).

Results allowed the recommendation of 21 new genotypes, characterised by their
resistance to main diseases and their high foragevalue, and nine were superior to the control
My5514, four suitable for waterlogging stress and three for drought stress.
The simulation of the agro-ecological regionalisation enabled spatial location and
modelling for the appropriate establishment of individuals, in agreement to their digestibility,
tolerance to the two environmental stresses (waterlogging and drought) and their disease
resistance.

KEYWORDS: Cattle Feed, Digestibility,
Dry Matter, Soils, Abiotic Stress.

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Agronomy - Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 27, 2010

A SUSTAINABLE FERTILISATION PROGRAM FOR A SUGAR FACTORY IN MEXICO: A PRINCIPLE FOR PRECISION AGRICULTURE

By S. SALGADO GARCÍA, D.J. PALMA-LÓPEZ, J. ZAVALA-CRUZ,
L.C. LAGUNES-ESPINOZA, M. CASTELÁN-ESTRADA,
C.F. ORTIZ-GARCÍA, J.F. JUÁREZ-LÓPEZ, O. RUIZ-ROSADO,
L. ARMIDA-ALCUDIA and J.A. RINCÓN-RAMÍREZ

Colegio de Postgraduados – Campus Tabasco 
Apdo.Postal 24. 86500 Cárdenas, Tabasco, México 
salgados@colpos.mx

Abstract

THIS WORK was carried out to determine site-specific fertiliser application rates for the
different types of soil in which sugarcane is cultivated in the sugar factory ‘Presidente Benito
Juárez’ in Mexico.
Cartographic soil subunits were identified through interpretation of aerial
photographs, field observations, and soil sampling toa depth of 1.2 m. In each subunit, the
agrologic profiles were described, and physical and chemical analyses were done to classify
the soil according to the World Soil Map. Fertilisation rates (FR) of N, P2O5, and K2O for
each soil subunit were estimated using a conceptual model. This model is based on the
balance of nutrient demand of the crop, nutrients supplied by the soil, and fertiliser
efficiency. To estimate demand, dry matter production and N, P, and K accumulation of the
sugarcane aerial biomass were determined. P and K supply was calculated from the results of
soil chemical analysis, plus the N contributions from crop residues and their management.
Three major soil groups were found and classified as subunits. The FR for each soil
subunit were (N, P2O5, K2O kg/ha): 120–60–80 for Cambisol Fluvic (Eutric Clayic),
Cambisol Endogleyic (Clayic Eutric) and Cambisol Stanic (Clayic Eutric); 120–70–80 for
Cambisol Endogleyic Stanic (Eutric Ferric) and Gleysol Haplic (Eutric Clayic); 160–80–80
for Vertisol Gleyic Stanic (Eutric); and 120–80–80 for Vertisol Stanic (Eutric).
Fertiliser rates were adjusted based on the expected sugarcane yields for each soil
subunits and soil fertility maintenance. We alsogenerated a map of FR for each sugarcane
field to allow producers to locate the relevant rate.

KEYWORDS: Saccharum officinarum, Fertiliser Recommendation,
Precision Agriculture, Conceptual Model.

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Agronomy Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol. 27, 2010