Effect of Harvesting Sugarcane at 12, 14, and 16 Months of Age Upon Yields at Isabela, P.R.

Abstract

The data presented in this paper were obtained from a field experiment conducted at Isabela in northwestern Puerto Rico, employing a split plot design in which the age of the sugarcane at harvest (12, 14, and 16 months) was tested in the main plots and eight varieties in the subplots. The varieties were: P.R. 980, P.R. 1117, P.R. 1140, P.R. 1166, P.R. 1148, P.R. 1152, P.R. 1165, and P.R. 1158. Four replications were used. A statistical analysis of the data revealed that higher sugar yields were obtained when the cane was harvested at 16 rather than at 14 or 12 months of age under the conditions prevailing at Isabela and irrespective of variety. Yields also were higher at 14 than at 12 months. These differences were highly significant.