Performance of New Sugarcane Varieties in the Cabo Rojo-Hormigueros Area of Puerto Rico

Abstract

The performance of 34 new sugarcane varieties was evaluated in a plant crop and two ratoons at two sites in southwestern Puerto Rico. At Bonilla farm in Cabo Rojo the five leading varieties were PR 65-413, PR 65-339, PR 62-739, UCW 53-69, and PR 980. PR 980, which is the leading commercial variety of the Cabo Rojo area, ranked fifth in total sugar production per acre. PR 65-413 and PR 65-339 have the greatest potential as commercial varieties for the Cabo Rojo area, since they are high sugar yielders and suited to mechanization. In the humid valley of Central Eureka in Hormigueros, the most outstanding varieties were PR 1152, PR 61-902, PR 1140, CP 52-43, and NCo 310. PR 1152 is high in sugar content and cane tonnage production, and is suitable for mechanized harvesting. PR 1140 and PR 61-902 also had a good sucrose content, but their performance in subsequent crops was poor. NCo 310 and UCW 53-69 are not suitable for mechanized harvesting.