Sugarcane Ripener Recommendations for 2020
By Albert Orgeron & Ken Gravois
LSU AgCenter
Chemical ripeners for sugarcane in Louisiana provide an important benefit. When properly applied, ripeners can maximize recoverable sugar and minimize cane yield (tonnage) losses.
In 2020, the following glyphosate formulations are available as chemical ripeners: Roundup WeatherMAX and Roundup PowerMAX II. Note that these products are labeled for use in stubble sugarcane crops only and not in plant cane. When used according to the label and the following recommendations, these products increase recoverable sugar per ton of cane while minimizing losses in cane tonnage. Sugarcane response to ripener application may be lessened when conditions favor good natural ripening, during periods of plant stress or when conditions are not conducive to glyphosate absorption. Ripener response varies among varieties. Ripener application will reduce vegetative growth and will reduce cane tonnage. However, cane tonnage losses are generally offset by increases in recoverable sugar, resulting in equal or greater yields of sugar per acre.