Effect of Time of Sugarcane Harvest on Sucrose Content and Sugar Yield

Abstract

Twelve field experiments with six sugarcane varieties were planted in randomized block designs at four locations (three experiments in each area). One at each location was planted in January; the second in March; and the third in May. Results were pooled and analyses of variance performed, irrespective of location, for sucrose content, and cane and sugar yield per acre of th e plant crop, the ratoon crop, and the combined plant crop-ratoon crop. These analyses indicated that for harvesting at 12 months, cane harvested in mid-March was higher in sucrose content and yielded more cane and sugar than that harvested in mid-January or mid-May.