LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Variety Performance Report

Because sugarcane varieties are the lifeblood of the Louisiana sugar industry, variety selection is one of your most important decisions on the farm. That decision has long-term consequences. The goal is to maximize profitability on every acre of the farm for each year of a long crop cycle.

Sugarcane variety choices for planting in 2021 include four that should occupy most planted acreages (HoCP 96-540, L 01-299, HoCP 09-804 and Ho 12-615) and four that should occupy minor acreage (L 01-283, HoCP 04-838, L 11-183 and L 12-201). Ho 13-739, a new variety release from 2020, should be expanded to determine where it might fit in your farming operation. L 14-267 and HoCP 14-885 were released in 2021. See the June 2021 issue of the Sugar Bulletin for information.

Variety selection should emphasize managing risk across the entire crop cycle. Yield potential, disease and insect resistance, stubbling ability, and cold tolerance are key traits to focus on for variety selection. Your own experience and record keeping are also critical in the decision-making process.

No single sugarcane variety is perfect — each has inherent risk. With brown rust and so many other diseases, new insect pests and tough winters, variety diversification is important. No single variety should occupy more than 50% of your 2021 planting. With the release of each new sugarcane variety, the Louisiana sugar industry remains poised to handle the many challenges faced each growing season. Good luck with planting in 2021!

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