Glyphosate as a ripener in sugarcane production in Batangas

Issue Date

12-2007

Abstract

Late recession of rainfall coinciding with the sugarcane ripening stage and early harvesting months had been occurring for the last decade. This is one of the reason for the low sugar yields and declining profitability of sugarcane farming. In response, the use of cane ripeners was tired by some farmers in Eastern Batangas and they has been obtaining positive results. This study was conducted to determine the effects of glyphosate as a ripener on sugar (VMC 86-550) and to analyze the financial advantage of using ripeners in sugarcane production. At 8 months after planting, appropriate plots in the sugarcane field were sprayed with any of 5 ripener concentrations: control (0%), 0.02%, 0.04%, 0.06% and 0.08%. Treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design with 3 replicants: The field trial was conducted at Barangay Banay-Banay, Lipa City, Batangas from February to December 2006. The application of ripener greatly affected the growth and physio-morphological features of the sugarcane plant over and above the effects of the 2 typhoons (Milenyo and Reming) that passed the area during the conduct of the study. Leaf expansion was suppressed at 0.06% and 0.08% ripener concentrations. Reduction in leaf moisture was observed in all ripener treatments. Leaf moisture decreased (65.65% to61.81% at 0.08% concentration) and total leaf phosphorus at 0.04% was reduced (1.73 mg/g to 1.19 mg/g). Millable stalks at harvest time were shorter and lighter at 0.08% concentration. The juice quality of the canes improved (higher Brix, percent pol and apparent purity). Sugar % cane increased from 15.10 to 16.30 at 0.04% concentration. The application of 0.04% concentration of glyphosate increased PS/TC from 1.56 to 1.68, which amounted to about 7.59 kg/TC or about 759 kg/ha (TC/HA=100). At 0.04% glyphosate concentration, an additional ₽6.67 per peso invested was obtained and the net income per hectare increased from ₽35,006 (control) to ₽45,472 (0.04% concentration), or a 29.9% (₽10,466) net increase. The effects of the ripener in the succeeding ratoons are yet to be determined.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463x

Volume

32

Issue

3

Page

31-45

Document Type

Article

Frequency

tri-quarterly

Physical Description

table, diagram

Language

English

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