B4086
lulg I969

SlIGARCANE mnns

in the  
lower Rio Granrle Valley of Texas

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 Itural Experiment Station
j a I. Acting Director. College Station. Texas

SUMMARY

Field and laboratory studies conducted on a
limited scale in 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1964 and in
more comprehensive detail in 1968 support the his-
torical concept of the adaptation of sugarcane to the
environmental conditions of the Lower Rio Grande
Valley of Texas.

The potentials for yields of cane and sugar indi-
cated by these studies compare most favorably with
those reported from the production areas in Louisi-
ana and Florida. Stokes (32) , in reporting the 5-
year averages from these areas in 1964, indicates cane
yields of Florida and Louisiana as 33.2 and 23.8 tons
per acre respectively; sugar per ton of cane was 194.6
and 172.2 pounds with acre yields of 6,460 and 4,098
pounds. Fanguy (19) , reporting on the results of
sugarcane variety outfield experiments in Louisiana
in 1967, indicated top yields from combined locations
in the range of 33 tons per acre and sugar yields of
7600 to 8300 pounds. Fanguy reports also that 1967
was a favorable production season in which Louisi-
ana growers produced the second largest crop of
record.

Three varieties, N.Co. 310, C.P. 36-105 and C.P.
44-101, grown in both test periods in Texas, produced
higher yields even with limited moisture and nutri-

2

;; for establishment of an industry.

CONTENTS
Summary
Inn-Qdunrtinn
1961 Trials
1962 Trials
1963 Trials
1964 Trials

1968 Trials ............ ..

References

Acknowledgments
Attachment I
Attachment II

  
   
   
   
  
   
 
  
 
 
 
  
   
  

ents than those reported above from 
Florida; with more adequate levels of u?
nutrients, yields were frequently doublei

The water requirement is a signifiv
consideration in determining the feasib’
production in South Texas. The "If
be limited to areas where supplemental ; 
supplies of suitable quality are available.
will survive periods of adverse conditi
demonstrated, and the feasibility of 
from alternate crops to support cane pr ff
be an important economic considerationif

t

Insects, diseases and salinity which L
early industry will in some degree be 
any new industry. Technological 
which have been many and far reach”
demise of the early industry, hold hopes:
solutions. 

No allotment for cane sugar produ 
able to Texas and the Lower Rio Grab ,2
the present closely regulated industry. 
zation for cane production and processi 
an essential consideration in evaluating -;_'

  

RCANIE TRIAlS

 Rio Grande Valley of Texas

. CowLEY AND B. A. SMITH‘

Sugarcane production and milling were enter-
prises of historical significance in the agricultural
development of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of
Texas.1

Small plantings of sugarcane were processed for
home use in settlements along the Rio Grande River
as early as 1830. The first sugar mill of apparent
record was constructed in 1858. Commercial produc-
tion and milling operations were in progress in the
Brownsville area in 1875; a mill was constructed near
Hidalgo in 1896. Cane yields of 30 and 40 tons per
acre were reported. Sugar produced by the early
industry was marketed locally as transportation to
distant markets was limited.

With the completion of rail lines to Brownsville
in 1904, the sugar industry entered a period of rapid
development. Levels of production had been dem-
onstrated by the early industry; analyses of the cane
confirmed that juice qualities were excellently suited
to sugar manufacture. The potential of the industry
became a significant, motivating factor in the clear-
ing of land, the development of irrigation facilities
and the settlement of the area. Mills were operated
at Brownsville, San Benito, Harlingen, Donna and
Pharr as cane production expanded throughout the
area.

The sugar industry reached peak operation about
1913; subsequent seasons of adverse markets for sugar,
however, marked the beginning of the decline of the
industry; by 1921 only one mill was in operation, and
its closing in 1922 brought an end to the enterprise.

Although available records are not authoratively
detailed, several factors apparently contributed to the
decline and eventual abandonment of the industry.
Market competition and associated economic prob-
lems were major and demoralizing influences. Some
difficulties with salinity, insects and diseases were
reported. The adaptation of alternate crops had
by this time been demonstrated, and growers tended
to abandon the less attractive enterprise of cane
production.

With the advent of the Cuban Crisis in 1960 and
the possibility for reallocation of foreign and domes-
tic sugar quotas, there was renewed interest in the
feasibility of sugarcane production. iThere were
numerous requests for production and quality data;
preliminary studies were cooperatively initiated in
1961 by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
of Texas A8cM University and the Crops Research
Branch of the USDA at the Agricultural Research
and Extension Center at Weslaco.

 

*Superintendent for research, Texas A8cM University Agricul-
tural Research and Extension Center at Weslaco, and research
chemist, Food Crops Utilization Research Laboratory, South-
em Utilization Research Division, ARS, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Weslaco, respectively.

‘See references 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, l0, 20, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 and
30 on page 8.

3

 

1961 TRIALS

Eight varieties of seed cane were supplied by the
Crops Research Branch from the U.S. Sugar Field
Station of Canal Point, Florida; the stocks provided
represented a range of American and foreign varie-
ties as described in Attachment I (32) (21). A
small trial with two replicates was planted February
25 in a row spacing of 76 inches. The soil type of
the test site was Willacy fine sandy loam. Fertilizer
in the equivalent of 60 pounds of elemental nitrogen
was applied as a sidedressing in April as the cane
began heavy growth, and a similar amount was
applied after the foliage was shredded by winds of
Hurricane Carla in September. The planting was
irrigated 13 times; rainfall of 24.43 inches was re-
corded. Sugarcane borer infestations were effectively
controlled with 11 applications of Endrin (2-percent
granules). No significant disease infections were
noted.

The trials were harvested for yield data Decem-
ber ll, some 290 days after planting. juice samples,
processed with a small, three-roller mill supplied by
the Crops Research Branch, were frozen and shipped
air express to Beltsville, Maryland, for analyses. Yield
and quality data are shown in Table 1.

The yield and quality data indicate that the
length of the growing season was not adequate for
the full development of sucrose and purity in the
late maturing varieties. N.Co. 293 and Co. 285, both
late varieties, produced the highest yields with 80.0
and 79.3 tons of cleaned stalks per acre; the juice
quality of Co. 285, however, was poor and did not
warrant sucrose analysis; N.Co. 293 had the lowest
sucrose level of the other entries evaluated. The
yields recorded, ranging from 58 to 80 tons per acre/
were indicative of favorable production potentials.
N.Co. 310, with an average yield of 66.7 tons per
acre, produced cane of the highest quality, 240
pounds of sugar per ton and the highest acre yield
of sugar, 16,033 pounds. All varieties, with excep-
tion of Co. 285, produced sugar yields in excess of
11,000 pounds per acre.

TABLE 1. YIELD AND ANALYTICAL DATA FROM EIGHT
VARIETIES OF SUGARCANE IN A PLANT CANE EXPERI-
MENT, WESLACO, 1961

Yield Laboratory-mill juice Yield of sugar

 

of cane analyses per per
Varieties per acre Brix Sucrose Purity ton acre
ton degrees percent percent pounds pounds
B. 42231 58.0 17.4 14.9 85.8 211.8 12,284
Co. 285 79.3 11.2
Co. 312 69.9 15.5 12.1 78.1 163.5 11,429
C.P. 36-105 69.4 15.4 12.3 79.9 168.4 11,687
C.P. 48-103 58.4 16.4 14.7 89.6 213.8 12,486
C.P. 44-101 64.9 16.7 14.5 86.8 207.6 13,473
N.Co. 293 80.0 13.2 11.5 87.1 164.9 13,187
N.Co. 310 66.7 18.0 16.4 91.1 240.3 16,033

4

 
   
   
  
  
 
   
     
 
 
  
   
   
  
 
  
  
   
 
  
  
   
  
 
  
 
  

1962 TRIALS

The stubble plots of the 1961 trials .3
vated, fertilized (60 pounds equivalent o
nitrogen) and irrigated toward productio
crops. Seed canes, reserved from the 1
stock, were planted in a similar design, 
fertilizer application, in adjacent plots;
purpose of the second test‘ was to determ'
the cane had become infected with e»:
disease that might limit the propagation
grown stocks. A less intensive level of H?
was planned to observe the reaction of F
lower levels of fertility and moisture. '

It is significant to note that the stu
survived extremely low temperatures on _.
which heavily damaged citrus and dest 
vegetables. B. 42231 ratooned sparsely .5
103 exhibited some reduction in stand '
have been the result of the freeze.

The rainfall during the production
14.62 inches; the trials were irrigated 10 
drin granules were applied only four tim
infestations of borers were apparent in
No diseases were noted. 

The two trials were harvested for §
December 19 after a production season 
mately 1 year. juice samples were 
Beltsville, Maryland, for analyses as in 
and quality data are shown in Tables 2 

Although cane qualities from the 
were generally excellent, yield levels, wi i»;
tion of Co. 285, were lower than those
seed cane planting reflecting in some 
reaction to lower levels of fertility an
Co. 285, as described in Attachment I, h’
bility to withstand adverse growing co ‘
entry produced the highest yield, 63.39 t 
per acre, but had the lowest sucrose 
12.09 percent. C.P. 48-103 produced 
highest quality, 245.2 pounds of sugar 
the yield was low due to the poor stan

TABLE 2. COMPARISON OF YIELD AND 
DATA FROM EIGHT VARIETIES OF SUG 
PLANT CANE EXPERIMENT AT WESLACO,,

Laboratory-mill juice i j

 

Yield
of cane analyses

Varieties per acre Brix Sucrose Purity

ton degrees percent percent 
B. 42231 28.1 17.2 15.1 87.7 {j
Co. 285 58.2 14.6 12.2 83.5 . 
Co. 312 42.8 16.0 13.6 85.3 l
C.P. 38-105 38.9 15.2 13.5 88.9 I‘
C.P. 48-103 38.8 17.6 15.9 90.3 ‘
C.P. 44-101 39.9 15.7 14.2 90.5
N.Co. 293 47.8 14.9 13.0 87.4
N.Co. 310 44.2 17.8 16.1 90.3

   
 
    
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  

l» AND ANALYTICAL DATA FROM EIGHT
, SUGARCANE IN A FIRST-YEAR STUBBLE
‘AT WESLACO, 1962

 Md Laboratory-mill juice Yield of sugar

 cane analyses Per per
acre Brix Sucrose Purity ton acre

~. ton degrees percent percent pounds pounds
7.38 17.5 15.55 88.9 225.2 1,662
ps9 14.8 12.09 84.5 170.7 10,821
 .88 17.0 14.98 87.8 215.0 6,854
j .82 16.2 14.15 87.8 208.2 11,749
9.82 18.6 16.80 . 90.6 245.2 4,860
 s1 17.0 15.52 91.8 227.7 12.866
g». 15.3 15.70 89.5 199.1 5,742
i, .49 17.5 15.47 89.4 224.7 12.243

:01 and N.Co. 310 produced stalk yields
 tons per acre with sugar contents of
i}! pounds per ton.

 e seed cane trials were generally lower
the stubble cane trials; these yield dif-
g be attributable to the more extensive
,3 root systems of the stubble planting
fof the season of restricted nutrient and
"lies. Co. 285 and N.Co. 293, both late
ical varieties, produced the highest
.2 and 47.8 tons of stalks per acre but
 sucrose contents. N.Co. 310 with a
244.2 tons per acre produced cane of the
f‘ , 234.5 pounds of sugar per ton and
y of 10,367 pounds.

 trials demonstrated that certain varie-
Juce ratoon crops of acceptable yields
 under restricted levels of management.
I,» trial did not become infected with
 would indicate the feasibility of pro-
j A cane locally.

1963 TRIALS

A tives of the limited studies, begun in
ely attained in the 1962 season. The
,; water requirements for maximum
 d experiences during the drouth years
L when water supply was critically limit-
~ made the evaluation of clone survival
ions of severe stress a matter of con-

,_ble trials were cultivated and irrigated
i’ blishment of regrowth. No fertilizer
 and the trials were irrigated only to
'ons of severe moisture stress; five light
.1101 water weremade; rainfall of 20.76
‘lcorded. No“ insecticides were applied,
kmage, moderate to severe, was noted.
g significance were apparent.

‘ties made creditable regrowth, follow-
‘8 application of water with exception

,2‘ clones of which in both trials largely

died. Clone multiplication in subsequent periods,
however, was limited, and seasonal growth of the
cane was erratic and greatly restricted. The cane
was cut January 17, 1964; no samples were taken for
yield and quality evaluations. The stalks were re-
moved from the plots and burned to eliminate over-
wintering borers.

Clone survival of several entries demonstrated
that sugarcane can withstand severe conditions of
moisture and nutrient deficiencies; in years of severe
drouth, established stands apparently can be main-
tained with limited water supply. It was also dem-
onstrated that the sugarcane borer can be a major
pest if not controlled by insecticide application.

1964 TRIALS

With the demonstrated clone survival in the
adverse 1963 season, it became a matter of interest
to determine the extent to which the various varie-
ties could recover initial levels of yield and quality
under favorable conditions.

The cane stubble of the 1961 planting was chosen
for evaluation as the conditions of initial establish-
ment and maintenance would perhaps be more repre-
sentative of those which might occur in a series of
unfavorable production seasons.

The trials were cultivated, fertilized (80 pounds
of actual nitrogen) and irrigated following cutting
of 1963 growths. Ratoon growth and clone multi-

lication were rapid in all varieties, except B. 42231.
Although 1964 was a season of rainfall deficiency

‘ (12.53 inches), the cane did exceptionally well with

l0 heavy irrigations. Borer infestations were com-
paratively light; Endrin was applied only in March.
No symptoms of viruses or other disease infections
were noted.

The trials were harvested for yield and quality
data January 14, 1965. Juice samples were extracted
with a Squier cane sampling mill of the Food Crops
Utilization Research Laboratory operated with 30
tons force on the upper roll and were subsequently
analyzed by personnel of the cooperating agency.
The yield and analytical data are shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4. YIELD AND ANALYTICAL DATA FROM EIGHT
VARlETIES OF SUGARCANE IN A THIRD-STUBBLE EX-
PERIMENT AT WESLACO, 1964

Yield

of cane analyses per per
Varieties per acre Brix Sucrose Purity ton acre
ton degrees percent percent pounds pounds
B. 42231
Co. 285 134.5 16.7 13.1 78.3 177.3 23,847
Co. 312 53.3 18.7 15.7 84.0 221.0 11,779
C.P. 36-105 85.1 17.3 13.8 79.7 188.8 16,067
C.P. 48-103 32.4 19.6 16.4 83.7 230.4 7,465
C.P. 44-101 70.8 18.1 14.9 82.3 207.5 14,691
N.Co. 293 65.5 16.4 12.7 77.3 170.8 11,187
N.Co. 310 73.9 19.6 16.4 83.7 230.4 17,027

5

Laboratory-mill juice Yield of sugar

The potential for recovery and for prolonged
production is demonstrated by the yield and quality
of cane produced in the third stubble crop. With
the exception of B. 42231, all varieties produced very
creditable cane yields of good quality. The yield of
Co. 285 (134.5 tons per acre) was particularly out-
standing. C.P. 36-105 and N.Co. 310 produced yields
of 85.1 and 73.9 tons per acre, respectively. N.Co.
310 and C.P. 48-103 produced canes of excellent qual-
ities with indicated sugar recovery levels of 230.4
pounds per ton of cane.

Although the studies conducted during the per-
iod 1961-64 were made with small plantings at one
location on one soil type, the validity of the data
recorded is supported by reports of the early indus-
try. Commercial varieties available to the industry
demonstrated potentials for excellent yields and
qualities. Varieties of tropical origin appeared to
have excellent potential for yield but had lower levels
of sucrose. In recognition of possible limitations in
water supplies, observations were made which indi-
cate that certain varieties can survive adverse condi-
tions and subsequently recover to very creditable
levels of yields and qualities under favorable growth
environments.

1968 TRIALS

With the technology and interest in sweet sor-
ghums as cooperatively developed by theTexas Agri-
cultural Experiment Station and the Food Crops
Utilization Research Laboratory (17) (31), research
was reinitiated in 1968 with sugarcane as a com-
panion sugar source crop. Winter harvest of sugar-
cane and the summer and fall harvest of sweet sor-
ghum would provide for an extended milling season
(17) (31). The availability of laboratory facilities
and technicians of the cooperating federal agency
made possible a more comprehensive evaluation of
cane quality.

Disease free, seed cane of 12 varieties was pro-
vided by the Crops Research Branch at Beltsville,
Maryland; information regarding the origin and
major varietal characteristic is shown in Attachment
II (16) (12) (22) (23) (25). The trials were planted
January 17 in three replications of 20-foot plots; the
row spacing was 76 inches. The so-il type was Willacy
fine sandy loam of slightly lighter texture than typi-
cal of the series. -

The spring months were unseasonably wet, and
major demand for irrigation began in June; eight
irrigations were applied. Fertilizer in the amount of
90 pounds equivalent of nitrogen was applied in two
applications June 3 and August 16. Insecticides were
applied nine times; control of borers was lost after
three apllications of Sevin dust in the late summer;
control was subsequently reestablished with granular
Dyfonate. The period of borer activity did, how-
ever, provide for some evaluation of varietal resist-
ance. Three varieties were noted to flower in late

6

   
  
     
 
    
  
  
  
 
  
   
      
     
  
  

TABLE 5. AVERAGE STALK LENGTHS, 
NODES PER PLANT AND PERCENT OF BO L»_
FOR 12 VARIETIES OF SUGARCANE IN A P
EXPERIMENT AT WESLACO, 1968

1.
'

t
z

Number of 

Varieties Stalk length nodes
N.Co. 810 7'-0"_ --; 21
C.P. 52-48 7'-6" 27
C.P. 52-68 7'-6" 20
C.P. 55-30 7'-0" l9
C.P. 50-28 8'-6" 23
C.P. 36-105 8H6" 23
C.P. 44-101 7'-6" 17
L. 60-25 7'-0" 19
C.P. 47-193 6'-6" 18
C.P. 48-103 7'-0" 21
C.P. 31-517 6'-0" 18
C1. 41-223 4'-6" 20

1968-011 50-28, November 24; C.P. 52 
ber 26; and C.P. 44-101, December ll. 

The trials were harvested January 2
corded were yields, average length of c
average number of nodes per stalk and t;
age range of plants with evidence of u‘
tation. Samples were processed for jui
Squier sample mill and subsequently anal
laboratory. 

Data regarding stalk lengths, num'
per plant and percent borer damage are
Table 5. Yield data, sucrose and appa i
values and recoverable sugar are shown w?
Other analytical data, true purity, invert s!
sugars, carbonate ash and free acidity l‘
juice quality are shown in Table 7.

Stalk lengths of cleaned cane ranged i
ages of 8 feet, 6 inches for C.P. 50-28 an

TABLE 6. STALK YIELD, SUCROSE, PURI

COVERABLE SUGAR or 12 VARIETIES or 
IN A PLANT CANE EXPERIMENT AT WES §

Yield
of cane g
per acre Sucrose, Purity, per w;

Juice analyses Yield?‘

Varieties tons percent percent poun f
N.Co. 810 70.6 15.6 86.0 227.8‘
C.P. 52-48 62.9 13.1 83.9 188.5 f,
C.P. 52-68 62.1 15.9 84.3 229.9
C.P. 55-30 55.3 15.5 84.7 224.7 
C.P. 50-28 50.8 16.1 86.8 235.8
C.P. 36-105 50.7 13.2 81.0 187.0 1
C.P. 44-101 49.9 15.3 85.0 221.1‘
L. 60-25 50.0 15.9 87.4 234.1 ‘
C.P. 47-193 48.6 15.5 85.5 226.7 5i
or. 48-108 41.0 16.4 88.3 242.7
C.P. 31-517 28.3 8.0 63.6 96.9
C1. 41-223 26.0 15.6 87.8 230.2 Q
LSD .05 4.8 1.8 4.9 9.0.1
LSD .01 6.5 2.4 6.7 12.0 f

  
  
  
  
    
    
  
   
 
 
 
  
   
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
  
 
  
 
  

“ UE PURITIES, INVERT SUGARS. TOTAL
yoNATE ASH AND FREE ACIDITIES, BASED
m CONTENT OF CRUSHER JUICES FROM
 OF SUGARCANE IN A PLANT CANE EX-
, WESLACO, 19681

True Invert Total Carbonate Free
purity, sugars, sugars, ash, acidity,
percent percent percent percent percent

86.96 0.99 87.95 4.16 0.62
84.99 1 .67 86.66 4.23 0.81
87.52 0.73 88.24 4.47 0.71
85.71 4.15 89.86 3.66 0.46
87.76 0.98 88.74 4.10 0.63
83.65 2.03 85.68 5.34 0.85
87.34 1.41 88.75 4.60 0.76
88.21 0.68 88.89 4.00 0.54
87.29 1.18 88.47 4.35 0.72
88.80 0.79 89.59 3.84 0.51
69.37 4.43 74.37 11.93 1.85
88.29 0.86 89.14 3.28 0.53

2.63 0.79 2.12 2.38 0.12

3.57 1.08 2.87 3.23 0.16

 analysis

a sfdata provided in the preceding tables were ob-
 to methods described in the following sections
i tion of the Official Methods of Analysis of the
_ (8): Sucrose (Pol), 29.020C; brix solids, 29.009;
F nt of juices, 29.008; carbonate ash, 29.012; true
l’ invert sugars, 29.035. Apparent purity is calcu-
 (P01) percent brix solids, and free acidity is
ytion of a weighed juice sample with standard
j of 8.3 and calculated as free aconitic acid per-
,.- content.

A ort 4-foot stalks of c1. 41-223. C.P. 47-
"jf 31-517 produced stalks in the 6-foot
other varieties were intermediate, in the

, O

mber of nodes per plant ranged from
 52-48 to 17 for C.P. 44-101; internode
lihe potential for leaf production can thus

was a wide range of difference in borer
ost heavily damaged was the variety,
‘lwhile C.P. 31-517 averaged less than 5-
ge. Other varieties exhibiting apparent
iistance were C.P. 52-68 and C.P. 47-193.

‘ven of the 12 varieties produced stalk
tons per acre or greater. N.Co. 310 was
gyielding with 70.6 tons. C.P. 31-517 and
lwere the lowest yielding varieties with
30 tons.

 the 12 varieties had sucrose levels of 15
i more. The highest levels of sucrose were
nes of C.P. 48-103 and C.P. 50-28 with
1.1 percent, respectively. C.P. 31-517, with
_ntent of 8.0 percent, was the only variety
fcceptable level of sucrose.

1' t purities of all varieties, except C.P. 31-
 the excellent quality range of 80 percent

and above. C.P. 48-103 with 88.3 percent had the
highest level; C.P. 31-517 was the lowest with only
63.6 percent.

The pounds of sugar per ton of cane are deter-
mined by formula, the variable factors of which are
sucrose and apparent purity. Nine of the 12 varie-
ties produced sugar per ton of cane in the range of
200 pounds and higher. Cane of C.P. 48-103 was
the highest with 242.7 pounds while C.P. 31-517 with
the low quality values had the lowest.

Eight of the l2 entries produced acre yields of
more than 10,000 pounds of sugar. N.Co. 310 with
superior yield and good quality levels produced the
highest yield, 16,090 pounds per acre; C.P. 31-517
with low stalk yield and poor juice quality was the
lowest with 2,743 pounds per acre.

Further evaluations of these and other quality
factors are possible from consideration of the analyti-
cal data shown in Table 7. These data result from
more precise determinations of the solid matter, su-
crose and other raw juice constituents than are re-
quired for the evaluation of field samples as shown
in Table 6 and therefore permit more reliable meas-
urement of the quality of the crusher juices obtained
in the 1968 sugar cane trials. The juice true purities
indicate that, with the exception of varieties C.P. 31-
517 and possibly C.P. 36-105, the materials in these
trials had attained essentially full maturity. Similar
indications regarding plant maturity are provided by
the generally low levels of invert sugars, with the pos-
sible_exception of variety C.P. 55-30 where the invert
sugar content is comparatively high. Total sugars
of varieties C.P. 52-48, C.P. 36-105 and C.P. 31-517
are lower than the 88 to 89-percent level anticipated,
but generally coincide with higher invert sugar levels.
While carbonate ash determinations are not accur-
ate measures of the juice mineral content, the values
do serve as an index of the relative maturity of the
plant; in this series of varieties such a relationship
is obvious, as both C.P. 31-517 and C.P. 36-105 were
found to have the highest ash content. Free acidities
also provide an index of plant maturity with the
higher values of C.P. 31-517 and C.P. 36-105 coincid-
ing with the lower values indicating maturity pro-
vided by other analytical data. Insufficient repli-
cated data were available from starch, protein and
aconitic acid analyses for insertion in Table 7, but
certain generalizations appear to be justified. Starch
was noted to vary in these juices between 0.09 and
0.25 percent on the juice dry solid matter. Such
values are generally much higher than those reported
elsewhere, even in the Uba cane planted in South
Africa (ll). The analytical method employed in
measuring starch in these present studies (18) has
not been widely used, as it has been considered some-
what tedious in comparison with the method of Balch
(l3, 14), frequently used in Louisiana, and the modi-
fications of Balch’s method reported in use elsewhere

(1). However, limited comparisons of the starch-

7

iodine colorimetric method suggested by Balch, and
that used here, which depends on the measurement
of phenol-starch color, provide evidence that starch-
iodine color fails to measure all of the starch present.
A similar experience was reported by Cashen, et al.
(15) when comparisons of Balch’s method and an

anthrone colorimetric procedure were made.

Pro-

tein (Kjeldahl N x 6.25) levels found in the sugar
cane juices ranged by varieties from approximately
2 percent to 4.7 percent on the juice solid matter,
averaging 3.2 percent except for variety C.P. 31-517
where the three replicates average 8.0 percent. Aco-
nitic acid levels ranged from approximately 0.05 to
0.28 percent on juice solids, except for C.P. 31-517,
where a value of approximately 1.0 percent was
found.

s}!

10.

ll.

12.

13.

l4.

l5.

16.

17.

REFERENCES

Alexander, J. B. “Some Notes on Starch in the Sugar In-
dustry”, Proceedings of the 28th South African Sugar Tech-
nologists Association, 1954.

Anon. “Brownsville Sugar Leads”, Brownsville Daily Her-
ald, March 7, 1906.

Anon. “New 1200 Ton Mill Starts Grinding Cane Mon-
day", San Benito Light, November 15, 1912.

Anon. “Developing Large Acreage of Cane Near San
Benito”, San Benito Light, November 16, 1917.

Anon. “Delta of the Lower Rio Grande is Remarkable”,
San Antonio Express, June 7, 1907.

Anon. “Breaking Ground for Sugarcane Planting, Hills
Farm Near Harlingen, Texas”, Gulf Coast Magazine, Octo-
ber 1908.

Anon. “Big Sugar Mills on Rio Grande ----”, San Antonio
Express, October l0, 1910.

Anon. Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of
Official Agricultural Chemists, 9th Ed., 1960.

Anon. “Sugar Industry Made Fortunes Back in the l920's”,
Brownsville Herald, Dec. 12, 1942.

Anon. “Valley Agriculture Develops by Experiment From
Rice and Cane to Present High Point”, Valley Morning
Star, November 17, 1950.

Anon. “Annual Reports”, Sugar Milling Institute of South
Africa, Communications No. 64, 1965. pp 7-9.

Anon. “1968 Sugarcane Variety Recommendations for
Louisiana", (prepared jointly by personnel of the USDA
Sugarcane Field Station, Houma, Louisiana, and the L.S.U.
Agr. Expt. Sta., Baton Rouge, La.), The Sugar Bulletin
46:13, July 15, 1968. p. 5.

Balch, R. T., B. A. Smith, L. F. Martin. “Note on the
Starch Content of Louisiana Sugarcane and Raw Sugar”,
Sugar J. 15:6, 1952. p. 39-40.

Balch, R. T. “Further Notes on Starch in Louisiana
Canes, Junices and Raw Sugars”, Sugar J. 15:8, 1953. p. 11-
15.

Cashen, N. A., and J. J. Friloux. “Comparison of Meth-
ods for Determination of Starch in Sugar Cane Juices”,
J. Agr. and Food Chem. 14, 1966. p. 434-437.

Coleman, R. E. Letter, March 3, 1969 (Descriptive infor-
mation about ten varieties of sugarcane.)

Cowley, W. R. “Sweet Sorghums in South Texas; Yield
Potentials and Cultural Practices”, T.A. 7642, Jour. Rio
Grande Valley Hort. Society, January 1969.

   
  
 
  
   
 
  
  
 
     
 
  
  
   
   
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
  
  
   
 
  
   
  
  

18. Dubois, M., K. A. Gilles, J. K. Hamilton, P. ‘
F. Smith. “Colorimetric Method for De’
Sugars and Related Substances", Anal. ~,
p. 350-356. I

19. Fanguy, Hugh P. “Sugarcane Variety O t;
ments in Louisiana in 1967”, The Sugar
November 15, 1968. p. 6. -

20. Griffin, Henry P., Jr. “Story of San Juan P
tory of Valley Developmentf’, Valley Marni 
2s, 1965.  <

21. Hebert, L. P. “Culture of Sugarcane for 
tion in Louisiana", Agriculture Handbook 
cultural Research Service, USDA, June 1964.,

22. Hebert, L. P. “The 1968 Sugarcane Var’
Florida”, USDA CR-80-68, NOV. 1968. i‘

23. Hebert, L. P. “Florida Sugarcane Variel
1966”, reprint from January 1967 issue 5
Journal.

24. Hill, Lon c. Notes from files of Hill 

25. Matherne, Rouby J. “Distribution of Su l,
in Louisiana”, The Sugar Bulletin 47.7, Jan 
4.

26. Pearey, John R. Echoes from the Rio _
Now, Springman-King Company, Brownsvi _
pp. 50-53. 
27. Ratkin, Gary Alan, “Sugarcane; Early Valley
Farming and Citriculture. 40:3, September a

28. Ratkin, Gary Alan, “Local Markets T I
Sugar”, Texas Farming and Citriculture. "-
1963. "

29. Ratkin, Gary Alan. “Sugarcane Industry
Boom”, Texas Farming and Citriculture. '
1963.

30. Ratkin, Gary Alan. “Valley Sugarcane l,
Gamut from Boom to Bust”, Texas Fa H ‘y,
culture. 40:8, February 1964. 1

31. Smith, B. A. “Production of Sugar from S 
Jour. Rio Grande Valley Hort. Society, 

32. Stokes, I. E. Letter, May 13, 1966 aw‘
tion about eight varieties of sugarcane M,‘
yields of sugarcane in Louisiana and Flori",

f‘

.-

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I. E. Stokes, former leader, Sugar .1
Sorghum Investigations, Crops Res - Q
Agricultural Research Service, United 
ment of Agriculture supplied the seed "
initial plantings made in 1961 and 
made analyses of cane juices. R. E. 5
rent leader of that Section, provided L
1968 plantings. i

Lon C. Hill, Mrs. M. U. Caul and
Hill made files of the pioneer Hill f uf
for compilation of information relative,
torical aspects of the early industry.

ATTACHMENT I a
Origin, Major Plant Characteristics and _
ties and Strains Evaluated, 1961-64.

B. 42231 — a heavy stalk variety rec "
production in tropical areas where irriga
able. The variety has been grown mosh‘

  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  

i e Dominican Republic and has not
 commercial culture in the United
étendency to lodge, the variety is sus-
5'6.

variety of uncertain parentage which
pecies. The variety at one time was
Ansively in the Punjab State of India;
ileased for production in the United
1y resistant to red rot but susceptible
~c>ratoon stunting diseases. Classified
te maturing variety, the most favor-
 its reported characteristic to with-
 ditions.

U Indian variety which has been most
f» in the northern production areas
_- it has not been released for produc-
i - ~ States. Reportedly a heavy yielder,
A aracteristically crooked, and the va-
i1 suited for mechanical harvesting.
'0 red rot, but highly susceptible to
 and ratoon stunting disease.

A —released in 1945, was once a leading
iana but is no longer grown in pro-
 that State. It proved to be limited
v a range of soil types, lacked cold
‘d poor milling and processing qual-
 attributes of the variety were moder-
go mosaic, resistance to red rot and
‘u early maturity and apparent resist-
7 failure.

l-a cooperative agency release made
 1955. It is one of the earlier matur-
 in that state and produces cane
_  ity with good milling characteristics;

g attributes are moderate resistance to
" rot diseases and tolerance to cold
T 'ety is reportedly better adapted to
 lighter soils and is lacking in com-
 It is susceptible to injury from the
pon and Sinbar.

 -released in 1949, was a leading va-
 some 50 percent of the acreage for
TLouisiana; the acreage in 1968, how-
jjt 7 percent. The canes are green,
 erect and suitable for mechanical
is adapted to most soil types, reason-
 turity, and tolerant to cold tempera-
 eptible to mosaic, moderately resist-
 moderately susceptible to root rot,
y‘ to borer injury. With capacity for
 th, a principal attribute is the pro-
ble crops. ~

5* developed in South Africa where it
Ft ercially after 1959. It has not been
roduction in the United States. A
fietywith a tendency to lodge, it is
_1 rot but susceptible to mosaic.

N.Co. 310 — jointly released in 1954 by the USDA,
the Louisiana Experiment Station and the American
Sugarcane League. The variety has had the most
tolerance to cold injury of any variety released in
Louisiana and is moderately resistant to damage of
the sugarcane borer. It is susceptible to mosaic and
moderately susceptible to red rot. A green large
barrel cane with good milling qualities, N.Co. 310
is adapted to both light and heavy soils of the cur-
rent production areas. The use of the variety has
declined in Louisiana from a peak of 23 percent of
the acreage in 1962 primarily because of susceptibilty
to mosaic. It is the leading variety in Taiwan and
is widely grown in Australia, Mexico and Iran.

ATTACHMENT II

Origin, Major Plant Characteristics and Use of Varie-
ties Evaluated, 1968.

C.P. 52-48 — jointly released in 1960 by the USDA,
the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station and the
Cairo Cane Growers League. This high yielding,
lodging resistant variety was developed for sirup pro-
duction in Southwest Georgia. It is reported to ger-
minate well in the early spring and to tiller freely.
It produces good stands in stubble crops. The growth
is upright, and the straight stalks are very hard; it
is well adapted to mechanical harvesting but diffi-
cult to hand cut. Mosaic infection had not been
observed at the time of release, and resistance to red
rot was reported. It is susceptible to borer damage.

C.P. 52-68 — jointly released in 1958 by the USDA
and the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station.
The variety is adapted to both light and heavy soils
and produces vigorous, erect canes that are well
adapted to machine harvest. It is susceptible to
mosaic, moderately resistant to red rot, resistant to
root rot and reportedly has some measure of resist-
ance to ratoon stunting disease. It is more suscepti-
ble.to cold injury than N.Co. 310. C.P. 52-68 was
grown on less than 13 percent of the acreage in 1961,
but expansion of plantings was indicated.

C.P. 55-30—a release of the Louisiana Agricul-
tural Experiment Station, the American Sugarcane
League and the USDA made in 1963 for particular
adaptation to the Mississippi River Delta region.
The variety establishes in good stands from seed
cane and reportedly is especially vigorous in stubble
crops. It is adapted to both light and heavy soils.
The variety is susceptible to mosaic and ratoon stunt-
ing diseases with intermediate tolerance to cold in-
jury and moderate tolerance to borer damage. The
growth is erect, and the canes are well adapted to
machine harvesting. Reportedly some 15 percent of
the acreage in Louisiana is grown to this variety.

C.P. 50-28 — developed in the breeding program
of the United States Department of Agriculture at
Canal Point, Florida, was released jointly with the
Florida Agricultural Experiment Station in 1957 for

9

planting initially on the muck and sandy muck soils
of the Fellsmere area in Florida; subsequent tests
indicate adaptability in other areas also. Early ma-
turity and cold tolerance were major attributes of
the new variety in providing a cane for both early
and late harvests. This variety reportedly excels all
other varieties grown in the Fellsmere production
section in production of ratoon crop from stubble.
Growth habit is normally upright; however, lodging
occurs with heavy growth and adverse conditions.
The variety is reportedly resistant to “several of the
leaf spotting diseases common in Florida”; it is sus-
ceptible to mosaic and ratoon stunting diseases but
has some tolerance to damage by the sugarcane borer.
Florida reportedly was using this variety on about
5 percent of the acreage in 1968.

L. 60-25 — jointly released in 1966 by the Louisi-
ana Agricultural Experiment Station, the USDA and
the American Sugarcane League. Although a recent
release, it is reportedly considered an important va-
riety of potential in Louisiana. It has yielded well
on both light and heavy soils, exhibits good vigor
and early maturity and has good sucrose content. It

1O

 
  
  
  
   
   
   

is tolerant to ratoon stunting and resistan
diseases. The variety is, however, suscepti

mosaic disease and damage by borers, a i;
tolerant of Dalapon herbicide. *-

C.P. 47-193 -a cooperative agency
Louisiana made in 1955. It never becamé
variety, apparently because of limitation
tion to a range of soil. types, susceptibilp
injury and inferiority in milling quality. 
cipal attribute was resistance to mosaic i7
reportedly is moderately resistant to b0 I

C.P. 31-517 —a selection from a cr 
one parent of an old variety D-74 assume
one grown in the early South Texas in Yj
data relative to adaptation of this selectio‘
able from Louisiana or Florida. i

Cl. 41-223 - a patented variety devel 
leased by the U.S. Sugar Corporation at-
Florida. It has been a leading variety i
since about 1953. Reportedly its princi _
besides good yields and high sugar, is th ‘T
content of the canes. 

[Blank Page in Original Bulletin]

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station

Texan AkM University
College Station, Texas 77843

H. 0. Kunkel, Acting Director-Publication;