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Red rot disease reduces sugarcane yield and impacts the sugar quality, posing an important threat to the sugarcane industry in Florida. Although Colletotrichum falcatum, the causal agent of red rot in Florida, was first reported in 1984 based on morphology, molecular and pathological data have remained limited, highlighting the critical need for comprehensive characterization. Thirteen isolates were obtained from three local sugarcane varieties in Belle Glade, Florida. Phylogenetic analyses of five genetic markers (ITS, ACT, TUB2, GAPDH, and CHS-1) confirmed all the strains as C. falcatum. In addition, the study documented the disease progression at the cellular level and assessed the pathogenicity of representative strains using the leaf sheath and whole-seedling inoculation methods. The varieties CP96-1252 and CP89-2143 showed greater host resistance. These findings represent the first report of C. falcatum causing red rot in southern Florida, offer valuable insights for/into red rot management, and provide a basis for future breeding programs to enhance sugarcane resistance to red rot disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sugarcane smut caused by Sporisorium scitamineum represents the most destructive disease in the sugarcane industry, causing host hormone disruption and producing a black whip-like sorus in the apex of the stalk. In this study, the gibberellin metabolic pathway was found to respond to S. scitamineum infection, and the contents of bioactive gibberellins were significantly reduced in the leaves of diseased plants. The gibberellin receptor gene ScGID1 was identified and significantly downregulated. ScGID1 localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm and had the highest expression level in the leaves. Eight proteins that interact with ScGID1 were screened out using a yeast two-hybrid assay. Novel DELLA proteins named ScGAI1a and ScGA20ox2, key enzymes in GA biosynthesis, were both found to interact with ScGID1 in a gibberellin-independent manner. Transcription factor trapping with a yeast one-hybrid system identified 50 proteins that interacted with the promoter of ScGID1, among which ScS1FA and ScPLATZ inhibited ScGID1 transcription, while ScGDSL promoted transcription. Overexpression of ScGID1 in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants could increase plant height and promote flowering. These results not only contribute to improving our understanding of the metabolic regulatory network of sugarcane gibberellin but also expand our knowledge of the interaction between sugarcane and pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This study focuses on the diversified utilization of the sugarcane industry, and sugarcane syrup, as a by-product of the sugarcane industry, is a good raw material for fermentation. Bringing sugarcane syrup into beer is conducive to the enrichment of the sugar industry, and it can improve the flavor of beer and make it more aromatic. This study determined the optimal fermentation process for beer. By analyzing the consumption rate of the carbon and nitrogen sources of raw materials, the nutrient utilization of yeast, and the causes of differences in flavor substances, the flavor composition and flavor stability of beer were determined by SPME-HS-GC-MS technology. The results showed that beer brewed with sugarcane syrup as an auxiliary raw material met the basic specifications of beer. The addition of sugarcane syrup to the wort base increased the utilization of amino acids by the yeast, and LS (lager with added cane syrup) increased the nine flavor compounds of the beer, which constituted the basic flavor of the beer, bringing new flavor compounds compared with the normal all-barley beer. Forced aging experiments showed that LS produced fewer aging compounds than OWBL. Various experiments have shown that it is feasible to ferment beer with sugarcane syrup instead of partial wort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

We aim through this paper to highlight the positive aspects of the production and consumption of renewable energies, particularly liquid biofuel. Apart from sugar as a highly prized food product and bioethanol as a green fuel, the energy from sugarcane is considered renewable because it is made from sugarcane bagasse. We will try to show the other face of the expansion in the production of biofuel from agricultural products and its negative effects, on the medium to long term from the economic, social and environmental axes. Apart from the difficult and inhumane conditions of the production of the first and second generation of Brazilian bioethanol, its mass production contributes to increasing the price of raw materials, in this case the price of sugar. However, the most striking, it is by adding the social and environmental cost to the economic cost; this can make the price of this bioenergy uncompetitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Basic breeding efforts initiated at the USDA‐ARS in Houma, LA, in the late 1950s allowed Louisiana sugarcane breeders, once again, to cross with the wild germplasm of cultivated sugarcane, Sacharum spontaneum. 'LCP 85‐384' was the first success story from this effort and was quickly adopted by growers. It became clear that the cultivar would prove to be substantially impactful to the Louisiana sugar industry. Performing at unprecedented yields in ratoon crops, LCP 85‐384 changed how Louisiana growers would manage their crops. The variety proved to possess traits that fared well in the subtropical production zones of the state. Substantial stalk populations seemed to play a vital role in the necessary ratoon ability and consequent cold tolerance necessary for production in Louisiana. After significant disease pressure, the variety quickly declined in production acreage, but not in impact. It continued to provide sustained progress as a parent for years, contributing to most modern commercial cultivars in Louisiana. Today, LCP 85‐384 and its progeny are used in breeding and genetic research to usher in the next era of progress in the Louisiana sugar industry. Meanwhile, through cooperative efforts of breeding programs around the world, it is making its mark on the sugarcane industries of Argentina in much the same way as it did in Louisiana. In the future, it is expected that the progress made in the breeding program will continue by building upon the gains achieved from LCP 85‐384 and its progeny for the sustained success of the Louisiana sugarcane industry. Core Ideas: LCP 85‐384 has shaped the Louisiana sugar industry in ways that are unprecedented.Combined increases in cane yield, harvesting efficiency, and stand longevity boosted sugar yield by about 22%.Its release coincided with the widespread adoption of mechanical combine harvesters which improved harvesting efficiency.Crossing with LCP 85‐384 has led to the release of 13 cultivars in Louisiana.In Argentina, it received wide adoption as a cultivar and is the parent of a newly released cultivar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

'CP 15‐2516' (Reg. no. CV‐215, PI 703029) sugarcane cultivar, a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp., was developed jointly by USDA‐ARS, the University of Florida, and the Florida Sugar Cane League. CP 15‐2516 was released in June 2022 for commercial cultivation on the Florida organic (muck) soils due to its high cane and sucrose yields, commercial recoverable sucrose (CRS), and economic index (EI). CP 15‐2516 originated from CPX13‐1630, a cross between a female parent (CP 95‐1039) and a male parent ('CP 06‐2400'). CP 15‐2516 is resistant to brown rust, orange rust, and Sugarcane mosaic virus strain E. CP 15‐2516 harbors the Bru1 marker associated with brown rust resistance. CP 15‐2516 is moderately resistant to leaf scald and ratoon stunt disease, smut, and yellow leaf. Based on the results of three harvest cycles over five locations in Stage 4 on muck soils, cane and sucrose yields of CP 15‐2516 were 10.48% (181.31 Mg ha−1) and 11.49% (18.62 Mg ha−1) respectively, higher (P <.05) than those of the reference cultivar 'CP 96‐1252'. Compared with CP 96‐1252, the EI of CP 15‐2516 was significantly (P <.05) higher by 15% (3233 ha−1). The mean cane fiber content of CP 15‐2516 was 138.7 kg Mg−1 and was 1% to 8% higher than the reference cultivars ('CP 00‐1101', CP 96‐1252, and 'CPCL 05‐1201'). CP 15‐2516 flowers intermittently during January in Florida's climate. CP 15‐2516 has a better freeze tolerance than commercial reference cultivars CP 00‐1101 and CP 96‐1252. CP 15‐2516 is expected to positively contribute to the profitability and sustainability of the Florida sugarcane industry. Core Ideas: CP 15‐2516 sugarcane cultivar was released for commercial production on organic soils in Florida.Sucrose and cane yields of CP 15‐2516 were equivalent to or higher than those of reference cultivars.CP 15‐2516 was resistant and moderately resistant to economically significant diseases.CP 15‐2516 showed better cold tolerance than reference cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The world's most significant yield by production quantity is sugarcane. It is the primary source for sugar, ethanol, chipboards, paper, barrages, and confectionery. Many people are affiliated with sugarcane production and their products around the globe. The sugarcane industries make an agreement with farmers before the tillering phase of plants. Industries are keen on knowing the sugarcane field's pre-harvest estimation for planning their production and purchases. The proposed research contribution is twofold: by publishing our newly developed dataset, we also present a methodology to estimate the number of sugarcane plants in the tillering phase. The dataset has been obtained from sugarcane fields in the fall season. In this work, a modified architecture of Faster R-CNN with feature extraction using VGG-16 with Inception-v3 modules and sigmoid threshold function has been proposed for the detection and classification of sugarcane plants. Significantly promising results with 82.10% accuracy have been obtained with the proposed architecture, showing the viability of the developed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sugarcane smut, caused by the fungal pathogen Sporisorium scitamineum, is a prominent threat to the sugarcane industry. The development of smut resistant varieties is the ultimate solution for controlling this disease, due to the lack of other efficient control methods. Artificial inoculation method is used to evaluate the virulence differentiation of pathogens. The mostly used artificial inoculation methods are soaking of the seed canes in the teliospore solution and injection of teliospores or haploid sporidia into the sugarcane sprouts. However, due to the infection nature of the pathogen that invades the sugarcane plant through meristem tissue of the sprout or shoot, the rate of successful infection is often low and fluctuated, resulting in low confidence of the assays. We recently reported a rapid and high-throughput inoculation method called plantlet soaking by using tissue culture-derived sugarcane plantlets as the test plants. Here, we compare different inoculation methods and report the characterization of parameters that may affect the sensitivity and efficiency of the plantlet soaking technique. The results showed that sugarcane plantlets were highly vulnerable to infection, even with the inoculum density at 6.0 × 105 basidial spores/ml, and this method could be applied to all varieties tested. Notably, varieties showing high smut resistance in the field exhibited high susceptibility when inoculated with the plantlet soaking method, suggesting that the plantlet soaking method is a good complement to the traditional methods for screening germplasms with internal resistance. In addition, this method could also be used to monitor the variation of cellular virulence of the smut pathogen strains in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In-field quality prediction in agricultural products is mainly based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR). However, initiatives applied to sugarcane quality are only observed under laboratory-controlled conditions. This study proposed a framework for NIR spectroscopy sensing to measure sugarcane quality during a real harvest operation. A platform was built to support the system composed of the NIR sensor and external lighting on the elevator of a sugarcane harvester. Real-time data were acquired in commercial fields. Georeferenced samples were collected for calibration, validation, and adjustment of the multivariate models by partial least squares (PLS) regression. In addition, subsamples of defibrated cane were NIR-acquired for the development of calibration transfer models by piecewise direct standardization (PDS). The method allowed the adjustment of the spectra collected in real time to predict the quality properties of soluble solids content (Brix), apparent sucrose in juice (Pol), fiber, cane Pol, and total recoverable sugar (TRS). The results of the relative mean square error of prediction (RRMSEP) were from 1.80 to 2.14%, and the ratio of interquartile performance (RPIQ) was from 1.79 to 2.46. The PLS-PDS models were applied to data acquired in real-time, allowing estimation of quality properties and identification of the existence of spatial variability in quality. The results showed that it is possible to monitor the spatial variability of quality properties in sugarcane in the field. Future studies with a broader range of quality attribute values and the evaluation of different configurations for sensing devices, calibration methods, and data processing are needed. The findings of this research will enable a valuable spatial information layer for the sugarcane industry, whether for agronomic decision-making, industrial operational planning, or financial management between sugar mills and suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The valorization of byproducts from the sugarcane industry represents a potential alternative method with a low energy cost for the production of metabolites that are of commercial and industrial interest. The production of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) was carried out using the yeast Suhomyces kilbournensis isolated from agro-industrial sugarcane, and the products and byproducts of this agro-industrial sugarcane were used as carbon sources for their recovery. The effect of pH, temperature, and carbon and nitrogen sources and their concentration in EPS production by submerged fermentation (SmF) was studied in 170 mL glass containers of uniform geometry at 30 °C with an initial pH of 6.5. The resulting EPSs were characterized with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results showed that the highest EPS production yields were 4.26 and 44.33 g/L after 6 h of fermentation using sucrose and molasses as carbon sources, respectively. Finally, an FT-IR analysis of the EPSs produced by S. kilbournensis corresponded to levan, corroborating its origin. It is important to mention that this is the first work that reports the production of levan using this yeast. This is relevant because, currently, most studies are focused on the use of recombinant and genetically modified microorganisms; in this scenario, Suhomyces kilbournensis is a native yeast isolated from the sugar production process, giving it a great advantage in the incorporation of carbon sources into their metabolic processes in order to produce levan sucrose, which uses fructose to polymerize levan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sugarcane is an annual or perennial persistent rooted tropical and subtropical herb that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. As China's production ranks among the world's leading, sugarcane industry is an important part of agricultural economy in China. As the largest sugarcane production center in China, Guangxi is one of the most suitable areas for sugarcane cultivation in China and even in the world. Sugarcane industry, as an agricultural advantageous industry in Guangxi, not only has a significant image to the national economy of the region, but also is closely related to the issue of security of national sugar supply. Continuous cropping of sugarcane is very common in Guangxi, which is very helpful for the concentration selection of sugarcane samples. The wide application of satellite remote sensing monitoring technology has become an indispensable means of natural resources monitoring. Using optical satellite remote sensing image to identify and extract sugarcane planting areas is of great significance to quickly and conveniently grasp the information of sugarcane distribution and yield. In this paper, the precision of sugarcane extraction from GF1 and GF2 satellite images is analyzed by using deeplab V3 + model, the effect of optical remote sensing images with different resolution on sugarcane extraction accuracy was studied to provide better data support for dynamic monitoring of sugarcane planting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Since the 1970s, Brazil has carried out the most successful world program of commercial biomass for use and production of energy by stimulating its sugarcane industry and promoting the large-scale production of ethanol nationwide in response to the first oil shock. Today, the technologies behind ethanol production are well established. Brazil is the world's largest sugarcane supplier, producing its ethanol at a competitive price. If other sugarcane producing countries decided to join Brazil's move toward the production of this biofuel, what impacts might there be for each country's economy and employment? This is what we investigate in this paper. Prime candidates for ethanol production include Australia, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States of America. We evaluated the potential socioeconomic impacts of developing this promising industry by using an input–output approach. More specifically, we adapted the Brazilian method of producing ethanol to these countries' distinct economies. We augmented the input–output table of each country, inserting a new ethanol industry based on the Brazilian ethanol production model. We also augmented their new ethanol industry's sales following a hypothetical hydrous and anhydrous ethanol consumption scenario. Thereafter, we reconcile the national accounts, concluding our analysis by quantifying and comparing the different net effects of this new industry for each of the assessed countries for the year of 2009. We demonstrate which industries would be expected to be positively or negatively impacted by this substitution in each country; and find that not all of the countries we assessed would experience positive socioeconomic results from emulating Brazil's production of ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The sugar industry, which relates to people's livelihood, is strategic and fundamental in the development of agricultural economy. In China, sugar derived from sugarcane accounts for approximately 85% of total sugar production. Mechanization is the "flower" of sugarcane industry. As the saying goes "when there are blooming flowers, there will be sweet honey." However, due to limitations in land resources, technology, equipment, organization, and management, mechanization throughout the sugarcane production process has not yet brought about the economic benefits that a mechanized system should provide and has not reached an ideal yield through the integration of agricultural machinery and agronomic practice. This paper briefly describes how to initiate the mechanization of Chinese sugarcane production to promote the sound, healthy, and rapid development of the sugarcane industry, and how to ultimately achieve the transformation of sugarcane breeding in China and the modernization of the sugarcane industry from three perspectives, namely, requirements of mechanized production for sugarcane varieties, breeding strategies for selecting new sugarcane varieties suitable for mechanized production, and screening for sugarcane varieties that are suitable for mechanization and diversification in variety distribution or arrangement in China. We also highlight the current challenges surrounding this topic and look forward to its bright prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sugarcane (Saccharum hybrid) is an important cash crop grown in tropical and subtropical countries. Ratoon stunting disease (RSD), caused by a xylem-inhabiting bacterium, Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli (Lxx) is one of the most economically significant diseases globally. RSD results in severe yield losses because its highly contagious nature and lack of visually identifiable symptoms make it harder to devise an effective management strategy. The efficacy of current management practices is hindered by implementation difficulties caused by lack of resources, high cost, and difficulties in monitoring. Rapid detection of the causal pathogen in vegetative planting material is crucial for sugarcane growers to manage this disease. Several microscopic, serological, and molecular-based methods have been developed and used for detecting the RSD pathogen. Although these methods have been used across the sugarcane industry worldwide to diagnose Lxx, some lack reliability or specificity, are expensive and time-consuming to apply, and most of all, are not suitable for on-farm diagnosis. In recent decades, there has been significant progress in the development of integrated isothermal amplification-based microdevices for accurate human and plant pathogen detection. There is a significant opportunity to develop a novel diagnostic method that integrates nanobiosensing with isothermal amplification within a microdevice format for accurate Lxx detection. In this review, we summarize (i) the historical background and current knowledge of sugarcane ratoon stunting disease, including some aspects related to transmission, pathosystem, and management practices; and (ii) the drawbacks of current diagnostic methods and the potential for application of advanced diagnostics to improve disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The global sugarcane industry is under threat due to low international prices and oversupply. This requires new revenue opportunities through a diversification strategy. The economic competitiveness of small‐scale, decentralized biorefineries to produce short‐chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) and/or ethanol, both valuable products with growing market applications, in comparison to large‐scale, centralized facilities annexed to existing sugarcane mills, was therefore considered. The economic feasibility of three potential scenarios was investigated using AspenPlus process simulations of small‐ and large‐scale facilities. In Scenario 1 only scFOS was produced. In Scenario 2 only ethanol was produced, and in Scenario 3 scFOS and ethanol were co‐produced. The small‐scale implementation of Scenarios 1 and 3 was economically feasible, with minimum selling prices (MSPs) below market prices. However, in all scenarios the large‐scale implementation of technologies in facilities annexed to an existing sugar mill improved economic viability, despite efforts to minimize the disadvantages of small‐scale facilities and their capital costs through the selection of simplified process technologies and decentralized processing. Despite this, the small‐scale production of scFOS is the preferred investment option for scFOS production due to the very high scFOS production rates of the large‐scale scenarios, which could flood the market. Processing of freshly harvested sugarcane in decentralized, small‐scale facilities increased the feedstock cost per unit of sugar, in comparison with the use of molasses obtained by annexation to an existing sugar mill. Simplified sugarcane processing to ethanol also lowered the product yield and increased capital costs. Further improvements in process technology design and performance for small‐scale facilities are required to make these financially competitive with large‐scale facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The article identifies elements of standardization, metrology, and quality that contribute to the elevation and transformation of the competitiveness of the Cuban sugar sector. Previous research and strategic prospecting assessments carried out in the companies studied in the last two years were studied. Actions for its solution that contribute to the search for a new management model for the elements that are part of the sugarcane value chain were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Since innovation is regarded as a source of a firm's development, productivity, and competitive advantage, the identification of the drivers of innovation activities is important for businesses and governments. Based on a case study of 35 emerging sugarcane growers in KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast, South Africa, this study employed the Nossal and Lim framework, which utilised the criteria and methodologies described in the Oslo Manual to measure the innovation activities of firms. The Ordered Probit Model (OPM) was utilised to estimate the factors impacting the innovation activities of the emerging sugarcane farmers. The study findings show that majority of farmers (57%) are highly innovative, with process innovation being the most popular type of innovation. Furthermore, the OPM results revealed that several socioeconomic, institutional, and farm level factors are statistically significant in explaining farmers' capacity for innovation. Therefore, it is essential for farm managers and policymakers to consider and incorporate these range of elements that have a positive link with innovation and are crucial for new farming ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In order to study the fermentation process of sugarcane papaya compound fruit vinegar, a single factor experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the addition of fruit vinegar bacteria, fermentation temperature, fermentation time, and initial alcohol content on the fermentation of compound fruit vinegar. Using total acid as the response value, the acetic acid fermentation process was optimized using Box-Benhnken response surface methodology. The results show that the optimal fermentation conditions for sugarcane papaya compound fruit vinegar were as follows: added amount is 3% vinegar bacteria, fermentation temperature is 36 °C fermentation time is 13 days, and initial alcohol content is 8%. Under these conditions, the total acid content of sugarcane papaya compound fruit vinegar reaches 5.60 g/(100 mL). The research results can provide reference for the development of fruit vinegar industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sugarcane yellow leaf disease (YLD) caused by sugarcane yellow leaf virus (ScYLV) is a major threat for the sugarcane industry worldwide, and the aphid Melanaphis sacchari is its main vector. Breeding programs in Brazil have provided cultivars with intermediate resistance to ScYLV, whereas the incidence of ScYLV has been underestimated partly due to the complexity of YLD symptom expression and identification. Here, we evaluated YLD symptoms in a field assay using eight sugarcane genotypes comprising six well-established commercial high-sucrose cultivars, one biomass yield cultivar, and a susceptible reference under greenhouse conditions, along with estimation of virus titer through RT-qPCR from leaf samples. Additionally, a free-choice bioassay was used to determine the number of aphids feeding on the SCYLV-infected cultivars. Most of the cultivars showed some degree of resistance to YLD, while also revealing positive RT-qPCR results for ScYLV and virus titers with non-significant correlation with YLD severity. The cultivars IACSP01-5503 and IACBIO-266 were similar in terms of aphid preference and ScYLV resistance traits, whereas the least preferred cultivar by M. sacchari, IACSP96-7569, showed intermediate symptoms but similar virus titer to the susceptible reference, SP71-6163. We conclude that current genetic resistance incorporated into sugarcane commercial cultivars does not effectively prevent the spread of ScYLV by its main aphid vector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sugarcane breeding programs incorporate foreign material to broaden the genetic base, expanding the gene pool. In South America, the Inter-university Network for the Development of the Sugarcane Industry (RIDESA) and Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres (EEAOC) sugarcane breeding programs from Brazil and Argentina, respectively, have never exchanged materials. In that sense, the knowledge of the genetic diversity and population structure among sugarcane genotypes of both germplasm banks, determined in a reliable way through their molecular profiles, will provide valuable information to select the best parental accessions for crossing aimed at the efficient introgression of desirable alleles. For that, the aim was to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of 96 Saccharum commercial hybrids from RIDESA and EEAOC sugarcane breeding programs by using TRAP, SSR and markers related to disease resistance (e.g. Bru1 and G1). Genetic structure was determined through genetic similarity analysis, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), Multidimensional scaling (MDS), and a Bayesian method. Average PIC values were 0.25 and 0.26, Ho values were 0.24 and 0.28, and He values were 0.25 and 0.28, for TRAP and SSR primers, respectively. Genetic similarity, MDS, and analysis of structure revealed that Brazilian and Argentinean genotypes clustered in two groups clearly differentiated, whereas AMOVA suggested that there is more variability within programs than between them. Regarding Bru1 markers, Brazilian genotypes showed high frequency of haplotype 1 (71.4%) whereas Argentinean genotypes showed high frequency of haplotype 4 (80.8%); haplotypes 1 and 4 are indicated for the presence and absence of the brown rust resistance gene (Bru1), respectively. Respecting the G1 marker, most of the evaluated genotypes (60.4%) showed the presence of the fragment, in a similar proportion for genotypes of both programs. In conclusion, the exchange of materials, at least the most diverse genotypes, between RIDESA and EEAOC breeding programs will allow extending the genetic base of their germplasm banks, and the knowledge of genetic diversity will help breeders to better manage crosses, increasing the probability of obtaining more productive varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sugarcane is a lignocellulosic crop which is used to produce sugar in sugarcane processing industries. Globally, sugarcane processing industries generate solid and liquid wastes amounting to more than 279 million tons per annum and by-products; namely, trash, bagasse, mill mud, and molasses. The valorisation of waste and by-products has recently increased and is playing a significant role in achieving policies and goals associated with circular bioeconomy and sustainable development. For the valorisation of sugarcane processing industry waste and by-products, a number of technologies are well established and in use, while other innovative technologies are still ongoing through research and development with promising futures. These by-products obtained from sugarcane processing industries can be converted into biofuels like hydrogen and methane via anaerobic digestion. Molasses belongs to the first-generation (1G) waste, while trash, bagasse, and mill mud belong to second-generation (2G) waste. Various studies have been carried out in converting both first- and second-generation sugarcane processing industry wastes into renewable energy, exploiting anaerobic digestion (AD) and dark fermentation (DF). This review emphasises the various factors affecting the AD and DF of 1G and 2G sugarcane processing industry wastes. It also critically addresses the feasibility and challenges of operating a two-stage anaerobic digestion process for hydrogen and methane production from these wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Caderno de Administração is the property of Universidade Estadual de Maringa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

This paper addresses a hierarchical optimization model for the sugar–alcohol energy sector with robust optimization analysis to provide managerial insights. It has two levels: the upper level is a linear model in which more aggregated decisions are related to allocating production targets to mills belonging to a cooperative society aiming to meet the potential market demand, as well as managing the inventories over months in annual planning; the lower level is a mixed‐integer model that represents the less aggregated decisions of each mill, such as the milling rhythm, the industrial process selection to produce sugar–alcohol–molasses and energy, purchasing sugarcane from the suppliers on a weekly basis. Robust optimization analysis is performed for product prices and industrial yields to investigate their impacts on the supply chain that could not be inferred through deterministic approaches. One important result was related to the uncertainty in product prices that had a greater impact on the whole supply chain compared to the industrial yield, which affects only the mill itself, particularly increasing the inventory backlog of the mill for not meeting the demand assigned by the cooperative. Cogeneration of energy, and the sale of surplus energy was an important strategy to mitigate the decrease in industrial yield performed in the robust analysis while the change in the product production pattern was a consequence of product price uncertainty. The models can be applied in practice to provide better strategic and tactical planning of mills in cooperatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Copyright of Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente is the property of Universidade Federal do Parana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) more...

The sugarcane industry has a high environmental impact. In countries such as Mexico, cultivation and harvesting practices consume and pollute many ecological resources. However, quantifying these impacts is difficult due to their diverse nature and different units of measurement. In this study, an approach with two focuses was taken to assess the environmental costs of the sugarcane industry in San Luis Potosí, México. The first focus is human health costs related to air pollution (black carbon) and the second one is a lifecycle assessment applied to the production phase. In the first case, four scenarios, with different concentrations and populations, were projected. Costs of 516.8 thousand USD were estimated for a scenario in which black carbon concentrations exceeded the WHO reference by one unit for the total population. In the second case, costs of 642 million USD were estimated for the impairment of seven ecosystem-based services. These estimates may vary due to the source and specificity of the information provided, but nevertheless are considered an appropriate approximation of the cost of environmental damage. It is recommended that first-hand information be collected and systematized to improve the certainty of the estimates and that changes to sugarcane agrifood systems be considered to reduce environmental costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The article aims to introduce a brief characterization of the productive spatial circuit of the sugarcane industry. The concept of productive spatial circuit has been widely used in the studies of Geography and related areas to analyze the relationships between the economic activities and geographic space, having as guiding method the identification of agents, places and the material and immaterial flows that compose the several stages designing of goods and services. In this sense, with the support of the literature review, statistical data systematization about the sugarcane production in Brazil and technical visits in some sugarcane mills, it was possible to identify and link such elements that compose the productive spatial circuit of the sugarcane industry and, thereby, to understand the essential geographic conditions inherent to the location and operation of the main agents of this agribusiness activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The selection of sugarcane genotypes with high sucrose content and good ratooning ability (RA) is an important objective of the Canal Point breeding program to improve the current profitability levels of the Florida sugarcane industry. In this study, thirteen test sugarcane genotypes and three checks were evaluated in three sand locations, Pahokee Produce Inc. (PP), Townsite farm (TS), and Lykes Brothers Inc. (PF), during three crop cycles (plant cane, first ratoon, and second ratoon). Multi-environment best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) were highly significant for commercially recoverable sucrose (CRS) and not significant for cane yield (CY) among genotypes. The ANOVA based on the RA values produced significant genotypic effects but a reduced RA diversity among the genotypes. The simultaneous selection for BLUP_CRS, BLUP_CY yield, and RA identified CP 14-4165 and CP 13-2340 as the most outstanding genotypes. The BLUP_GGE biplots method showed that the PP location was the most discriminative for BLUP_CY, whereas the TS was the ideal location. For BLUP_CRS, the three locations had similar abilities to discriminate genotypes and were positively and strongly correlated. The which-won-where graph indicated that CP 13-2340 showed the highest BLUP_CRS levels in TS and PP locations, while CP 14-4165 and CP 14-4588 were the top genotypes in the PF location. The results suggest that selecting genotypes with high CRS values is possible without compromising the genotype discrimination for CY. CP 14-4165 and CP 13-2340 are resistant to most diseases and genetically diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

We develop and analyze an unexplored mechanism to reduce biorefinery supply chain costs when the feedstock is a perennial crop: adjusting the age structure, and hence yield, of the perennial feedstock. The non-monotonicity of the age-yield function introduces a non-convexity to the cost minimization problem. We show that, despite this, the problem has a solution and present analytic and numeric comparative statics, finding that larger refineries are most likely to benefit from optimizing age structure. The model is calibrated to the sugarcane industry in Brazil. The cost reductions from optimizing age, compared to the observed regional average age, are less than 1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Orange rust caused by Puccinia kuehnii is a major emerging disease in many sugarcane-producing countries. Breeding for resistant varieties is the main strategy for controlling orange rust. The rapid spread of this disease in recently contaminated sugarcane industries offers the opportunity to use on-going breeding trials to investigate the effect of orange rust on yield traits and gauge levels of resistance required to minimize losses. Orange rust was first observed in 2018 in Reunion. This study reports the effects of the disease on cane yield (CY), recoverable sugar (RS), fiber content (FIB) and economic index (EI) in five environments of Reunion's sugarcane breeding program located in diverse agro-climatic zones. Disease resistance assessed under natural infection had high broad-sense heritability (0.76–0.91) in multi-environment analyses. Mean infection levels differed between locations congruently with location differences for two influential climatic parameters (humidity and temperature). Maximum potential yield losses ( YL max ) associated with orange rust were estimated using regression analyses of yield traits versus disease susceptibility. YL max for CY and EI varied between environments and reached up to 26.0% and 24.2% respectively, in one of the most humid environments. RS was either unaffected or only slightly increased by the disease. In contrast, FIB was always reduced by the disease ( YL max ≤6.5%). Multi-environment analyses of yield traits of varieties common to all five environments gave insights into the impact of orange rust on the yielding ability of these varieties across all environments. All these data provide food for thoughts to efficient breeding strategies for varietal resistance to orange rust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: This research arises from the need to have criteria that support the versatility of sugarcane bagasse, not only used as fuel for the process that produces it, but also its use in the ways that farming industry residues are currently used, in the form of pellets. Objective: To review in the bibliography what is exposed about the use, properties and pretreatments applied to sugarcane bagasse, which are the cause of its potential as an energy carrier in the form of pellets. Materials and Methods: References from the last ten years were consulted, in relation to the use of bagasse, its chemical and energetic properties, the different types of pre-treatments that can receive before being used as an energy carrier and the substances that are extracted. Results and Discussion: From the physical properties analyzed, low nitrogen and sulfur contents were found. In addition, the caloric power was observed in a range of 17-19 MJ/kg. Among its lignocellulosic components, cellulose is the one with the highest percentage. Like pellets, the presence of lignin is essential during compaction. The characteristics of the biomass pellets were searched, observing that the sugarcane bagasse complies with the standards. Conclusions: The review carried out is the starting point for research directed towards the study of the use of agro-industrial waste as an energy carrier in the form of pellets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sugarcane bagasse (SCB) is the main residue of the sugarcane industry and a promising renewable and sustainable lignocellulosic material. The cellulose component of SCB, present at 40–50%, can be used to produce value-added products for various applications. Herein, we present a comprehensive and comparative study of green and traditional approaches for cellulose extraction from the by-product SCB. Green methods of extraction (deep eutectic solvents, organosolv, and hydrothermal processing) were compared to traditional methods (acid and alkaline hydrolyses). The impact of the treatments was evaluated by considering the extract yield, chemical profile, and structural properties. In addition, an evaluation of the sustainability aspects of the most promising cellulose extraction methods was performed. Among the proposed methods, autohydrolysis was the most promising approach in cellulose extraction, yielding 63.5% of a solid fraction with ca. 70% cellulose. The solid fraction showed a crystallinity index of 60.4% and typical cellulose functional groups. This approach was demonstrated to be environmentally friendly, as indicated by the green metrics assessed (E(nvironmental)-factor = 0.30 and Process Mass Intensity (PMI) = 20.5). Autohydrolysis was shown to be the most cost-effective and sustainable approach for the extraction of a cellulose-rich extract from SCB, which is extremely relevant for aiming the valorization of the most abundant by-product of the sugarcane industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Brown stripe disease is a severe foliar fungal disease of sugarcane worldwide and is widespread in all sugarcane planting areas in China. Brown stripe is a major disease that seriously affects the output and quality of the sugarcane industry in Yunnan Province, China's second‐largest sugar base, while the pathogen of this disease remains not yet fully understood. To address this, we isolated and identified the fungi associated with 68 leaf samples showing typical symptoms of brown stripe from 22 sugarcane varieties in different areas of Yunnan Province. A total of 113 isolates were obtained, which were morphologically similar. Of these, 64 representative isolates were sequenced for the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), GAPDH and EF‐1α loci. All representative isolates grouped with the type strain of Bipolaris setariae in the phylogenetic trees inferred with individual and concatenated sequences of ITS, GAPDH and EF1‐α. Pathogenicity test results showed that B. setariae strains were able to induce typical symptoms of brown stripe. The results obtained in this study clarify that only B. setariae is associated with sugarcane brown stripe in Yunnan, China. It is recorded here for the first time as a pathogen causing sugarcane brown stripe in Yunnan, and it is able to infect many major cultivars and new varieties, posing a new threat to the sugar industry in Yunnan Province. In addition, these results provide the scientific basis for the future breeding of disease‐resistant varieties and effective prevention and control of sugarcane brown stripe disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A review of specialized literature has been carried out to determine the main characteristics and importance of the base cutter of sugarcane harvesters. This mechanism is of vital importance for the correct cutting of the cane, hence developing an efficient base cutter and finding a reasonable base-cutting mode is key to successful mechanical harvesting. Various kinematic and construction parameters, such as cutting speed, oblique blade angle, cutting disc pitch angle and blade shape, influence the performance of base cutters. As a result of the investigation, the insufficient number of investigations focused on the impact cutting systems receive from dissimilar objects found in the ground was verified. On the other hand, abrasive wear is the main phenomenon that threatens the durability of the cutting segment, as well as the morphological and physiological characteristics of the cane, the correct preparation of the soils, the damages caused by the bad manipulation of the mechanism in the cutting process and the working speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction. This paper analyses the trends in sugar and sugarcane production in sub-Saharan Africa, including the core drivers of production by reviewing the current institutional and production arrangements. Materials and methods. The analysis is based on 35 African countries Categorized into 4 regions based on the United Nations M49 classification. A detailed literature review was conducted to explain the observed trends and to provide context for the various institutional and production arrangements. The literature reviewed key sugar-related documents at national level, websites of the core companies producing sugar in each country including their annual reports and previous empirical studies undertaken in the major sugarcane producing countries. Results and discussion. The sugarcane industry in South Africa has grown significantly over the last 6 decades, with raw sugar production and sugarcane production increasing by 200 and 215%, respectively. In terms of regional production, the average growth rate for raw sugar production over the period 1961 to 2020 was 2, 3, 3, and 13% for Eastern, Middle, Southern and Western Africa regions, respectively. The Eastern and Southern Africa regions produce a major share of both sugar and sugarcane production accounting for 90 and 86% of total production. Yields have consistently remained low and only Eswatini, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia have remained competitive and low cost producers in the region. Some countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are not self-sufficient and have consistently been net importers of sugar. The countries in question have in the past imposed import restrictions particularly on import tariffs as a way of boosting domestic production. Threats to steady supply of sugar and sugarcane, especially for countries that depend on rain fed agriculture, have continued to emanate from periodic droughts, particularly the major producing Eastern and Southern regions in the early 1990s. The institutional review revealed that the proportion of sugarcane production supplied by smallholder farmers under outgrower schemes compared to the nucleus estate dictates the stability of sugar production in Africa. Outgrowers dominate the production of sugarcane, as is the case in South Africa (92%) and Kenya (90%), which poses a high risk to the steady supply of sugarcane to the milling company involved in sugar production. This may arise because outgrowers may fail to honor their contracts and engage in opportunistic behavior to side-sell their sugarcane to other offtakers. Conclusion. Key to resolving the low yields and threats to sustainable sugarcane production in sub-Saharan Africa will be addressing the institutional and production arrangements of sugarcane production, particularly addressing the issues surrounding outgrower schemes that are the major production models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

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Area and production under sugarcane in Andhra Pradesh was decreasing continuously since 2014-15. Sugarcane farmers belonged to North Coastal Zone (NCZ) are linked with sugarcane industries, operating under organized cooperative and private sectors nearer to rural areas. Sugarcane industries are facing problems from both industry and farmer side. Out of total 12 factories located in North Coastal Zone, only five sugar mills are operating. To explore the ground for declining trend in sugarcane cultivation, the present survey was taken up with the specific objective to determine the constraints encountered by the cane growers and sugar factories. Probability proportionate sampling procedure was adopted for selection of respondents. Response Priority Index (RPI) was employed to quantify the constraints. Results reveal that Labour shortage (RPI = 0.89) and higher production cost (RPI = 0.93) were major constraints encountered by the sugarcane cultivators and factories respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Sugarcane leaves and trash burning during harvesting, and vinasse management, are major challenges of the Thai sugarcane industry. Identification of the appropriate valorization pathways for both the biomass waste streams using the sugarcane biorefinery concept is necessary. This study aims to assess the environmental sustainability of five CE models, including (1) sugarcane trash for electricity, (2) sugarcane trash to biochar, (3) sugarcane trash as a soil conditioner, (4) vinasse as a bio-fertilizer, and (5) vinasse for power generation. Life cycle assessment has been conducted using the ReCiPE midpoint impact assessment method. The results revealed that all waste utilization scenarios can help reduce the environmental impacts compared to the base case. The utilization of sugarcane leaves and trash for electricity generation brings about the lowest environmental impacts due to the environmental credits from the substitution of Thai grid electricity. The utilization of sugarcane leaves can reduce impacts on climate change, terrestrial acidification, and ozone formation by about 20–104%, 43–61%, and 12–54%. Recycling vinasse as bio-fertilizer and for biogas production for electricity generation can reduce climate change impact by about 28–29%. There is a significant improvement of the avoidance of pre-harvesting burning of sugarcane in the Thai sugar industry, which has led to the big potential of sugarcane leaves biomass utilization. Recommendations to enhance the efficiency of using sugarcane leaves and vinasse are discussed. The integrated waste circulation scenarios on cane leaves and vinasses in the sugar-electricity-ethanol biorefinery shows advancement in the bio-circular-green economy (BCG) aspects for enhancing the environmental sustainability of the Thai sugarcane industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The sugarcane growing soil in far-north Queensland is sandy, and infertile. To ensure productivity, nutrient guidelines recommend lime application rates based on soil cation exchange capacity (CEC). However, laboratory determination of CEC is expensive. Because CEC is often correlated with soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa, mS/m) measured from electromagnetic induction (EM) instruments, ECa can be used to predict CEC. Using ECa may lead to uncertainty in prediction, but estimates of true electrical conductivity (σ, mS/m) generated from inversion of ECa, can be correlated with depth-specific CEC. In this study, we compared linear regression (LR) between ECa from a DUALEM-421S and CEC at specific depths (i.e., topsoil [0-0.3 m], subsurface [0.3-0.6 m], subsoil [0.6-0.9 m] and deep subsoil [0.9-1.2 m]), with a LR of σ using a quasi-2d (q-2d) or quasi-3d (q-3d) inversion of DUALEM-421S ECa and CEC at all depths. The use of a multiple linear regression (MLR) to predict CEC, using σ with depth and location (i.e., Easting and Northing) is also explored along with σ from the other EM products (i.e., DUALEM-1S and DUALEM-21S). The minimum number of calibration sample locations (i.e., n = 165, 150,..., 15) is also investigated. The LR between ECa (e.g., 1mPcon) and CEC were very weak (R² = 0.27) and weak (0.36) in the topsoil and subsurface, respectively, but moderate in the subsoil (0.57) and deep subsoil (0.67). The LR between σ, estimated from q-2d (R² = 0.66) and q-3d (0.64) inversion of DUALEM-421S ECa, and CEC at all depths was moderate. In terms of prediction agreement, the Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (LCCC) was moderate for q-2d (0.79) and q-3d (0.75). Using a MLR with depth, coordinates and σ, led to an improvement in calibration using q-2d (R² = 0.71) or q-3d (0.67), with prediction agreement substantial for q-2d (LCCC = 0.83) and moderate for q-3d (0.78), with comparable agreement from DUALEM-1S and DUALEM-2S (0.77) estimates of σ. The minimum number of calibration samples for a strong MLR R² (>0.7) and substantial and good agreement was 15 for q-2d and 30 for q-3d, respectively. The final digital soil mapping of topsoil CEC developed using MLR and σ estimated from q-3d of DUALEM-421S ECa could be used to apply the Australian sugarcane industry lime application guidelines with areas with intermediate (3-6 cmol[+]/kg) and small (<3 cmol[+]/kg) topsoil CEC requiring 4 and 2.25 t/ha, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

White leaf disease (WLD) is an economically significant disease in the sugarcane industry. This work applied remote sensing techniques based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and deep learning (DL) to detect WLD in sugarcane fields at the Gal-Oya Plantation, Sri Lanka. The established methodology to detect WLD consists of UAV red, green, and blue (RGB) image acquisition, the pre-processing of the dataset, labelling, DL model tuning, and prediction. This study evaluated the performance of the existing DL models such as YOLOv5, YOLOR, DETR, and Faster R-CNN to recognize WLD in sugarcane crops. The experimental results indicate that the YOLOv5 network outperformed the other selected models, achieving a precision, recall, mean average precision@0.50 (mAP@0.50), and mean average precision@0.95 (mAP@0.95) metrics of 95%, 92%, 93%, and 79%, respectively. In contrast, DETR exhibited the weakest detection performance, achieving metrics values of 77%, 69%, 77%, and 41% for precision, recall, mAP@0.50, and mAP@0.95, respectively. YOLOv5 is selected as the recommended architecture to detect WLD using the UAV data not only because of its performance, but this was also determined because of its size (14 MB), which was the smallest one among the selected models. The proposed methodology provides technical guidelines to researchers and farmers for conduct the accurate detection and treatment of WLD in the sugarcane fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The Brazilian sugarcane industry generates a significant amount of waste each year, which should be properly analyzed and studied to allow an adequate recovery and application supported by the best understanding of its properties. The present work reports the ignition and burnout temperatures of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) obtained after performing a thermal analysis using four different heating rates. The intersection method (IM) and deviation method (DM) were employed to approach the ignition and burnout temperatures of the sugarcane bagasse. The ignition temperatures of the SCB measured from IM are between 250 and 263 °C, and their burnout temperatures are between 357 and 377 °C. The ignition temperature was in the range of 205 °C to 236 °C for the DM. IM is recommended for determining the ignition and burnout temperatures. In TGA, the heating rates in the range of 10 °C·min−1 and 15 °C·min−1 are suggested due to their accuracy and the contribution to timesaving in the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

BACKGROUND: Brazil is the largest grower of the world's 26 million ha of sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum. Pest damage mainly by the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), is a great challenge to the sugarcane industry. To control D. saccharalis, Brazil launched the world's first commercial use of Bt sugarcane in 2017. As part of the resistance management programs for Bt sugarcane planting, 535 F2 isoline families of D. saccharalis collected from three major sugarcane planting states (Goiás, Minas Gerais and São Paulo) in Brazil during 2019–2020 were screened for resistance to two Bt sugarcane varieties: CTC20BT expressing Cry1Ab and CTC9001BT expressing Cry1Ac. Here we report the results of the first study related to Bt resistance in a sugarcane cropping system. RESULTS: Larval survivorships of these families in an F2 screen on CTC20BT were highly correlated with their survival on CTC9001BT, whereas the Cry1Ac tissues exhibited greater insecticidal activities than Cry1Ab. Resistance allele frequencies (RAFs) for populations from Goiás and Minas Gerais were relatively low at 0.0034 for Cry1Ab and 0.0045 to Cry1Ac. By contrast, RAFs for São Paulo populations were considerably greater (0.0393 to Cry1Ab, 0.0245 to Cry1Ac). CONCLUSIONS: RAFs to Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac varied among Brazilian D. saccharalis populations. Prior selection resulting from an intensive use of single‐gene Bt maize under low compliance of refuge planting could be a main factor contributing to the high RAF in São Paulo. The results suggest that mitigation measures including sufficient non‐Bt maize refuge planting, effective resistance monitoring, and use of pyramided Bt sugarcane traits should be implemented promptly to prevent further increase in the RAF to ensure the sustainable use of Bt sugarcane in Brazil. To control Diatraea saccharalis, Brazil launched the world's first commercial use of Bt sugarcane in 2017. As part of the resistance management programs for Bt sugarcane planting in Brazil, 535 F2 isoline families of D. saccharalis collected from three major sugarcane planting states (Goiás, Minas Gerais and São Paulo) in Brazil during 2019–2020 were screened for resistance to Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac sugarcane plants Resistance allele frequencies (RAFs) for the populations from Goiás and Minas Gerais were relatively low at 0.0034 for Cry1Ab and 0.0045 to Cry1Ac. By contrast, RAFs for the São Paulo populations were considerably greater (0.0393 to Cry1Ab, 0.0245 to Cry1Ac). Prior selection resulting from an intensive use of single‐gene Bt maize under low compliance of non‐Bt maize refuge planting could be a main factor contributing to the high RAF in São Paulo. The results suggest that effective mitigation measures including sufficient non‐Bt maize refuge planting, effective resistance monitoring and use of pyramided Bt sugarcane traits should be implemented promptly to prevent further increase in the RAF to ensure the sustainable use of Bt sugarcane in Brazil. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Biofuels are currently the only available bulk renewable fuel. They have, however, limited expansion potential due to high land requirements and associated risks for biodiversity, food security, and land conflicts. We therefore propose to increase output from ethanol refineries in a land-neutral methanol pathway: surplus CO2-streams from fermentation are combined with H2 from renewably powered electrolysis to synthesize methanol. We illustrate this pathway with the Brazilian sugarcane ethanol industry using a spatio-temporal model. The fuel output of existing ethanol generation facilities can be increased by 43%–49% or ~100 TWh without using additional land. This amount is sufficient to cover projected growth in Brazilian biofuel demand in 2030. We identify a trade-off between renewable energy generation technologies: wind power requires the least amount of land whereas a mix of wind and solar costs the least. In the cheapest scenario, green methanol is competitive to fossil methanol at an average carbon price of 95€ tCO2−1. Fuel output of Brazilian sugarcane ethanol facilities may be increased by over 40% without using additional land if production is combined with synthetic fuel processes. This amounts to 100TWh of fuel, sparing 27,000 km2 of land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Weeds cause severe damage to crops with large economic losses. In Cuba, in the latter, a group of woody weeds have invaded agro-ecosystems, mainly those linked to sugarcane activity, as a consequence of inadequate crop management. The present work was carried out with the objective of determining the effects caused to the mechanized harvest by the species A. procera, of woody consistency, in "Eulalio García" Sugarcane Production Farm, in Mayabeque Province in western Cuba. Blocks and fields were selected in which strips formed by 10 furrows were established, spaced at 1.6 m, which were consecutively numbered for random selection in the sample formation process, which was constituted with 30% of the fringes formed in each field. The time lost due to the obstruction of the weeds was evaluated by measuring the time elapsed from the moment the cutting activity was interrupted by the appearance of the obstacle until its restart once it had been overcome. Statistical processing included the calculation of central tendency and dispersion statistics and analysis of variance. Significant differences were found in the number of obstacles between fields and strips due to the heterogeneous distribution of plants in the area. The average time used to clear the obstacles was 26 seconds and the total time in the entire test was 0.29 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Aims: To examine the interaction of diagnostic techniques, initial titres of Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli (Lxx), sugarcane genotype and thermotherapy on ratoon stunt (RSD) control. Methods and Results: Single buds of RB867515, RB92579 and RB966928 were submitted to 50°C/2 h or 52°C/30 min under factorial block design and five replications; results were checked 9 months later by serological (DBI) and molecular (PCR) techniques. A 10,000 bootstrapping simulations were performed to infer the best plot size based on the experimental coefficient of variation. Analysis of variance showed significance only on initial Lxx titres and RSD control. Despite the absence of significance in the overall analysis, minor differences in control success with different methods and cultivars are predicted to have a major epidemiological impact on RSD, considering successive harvests and vegetative increase. According to an epidemiological interpretation, the 50°C/2 h treatment was more effective, cultivar RB966928 was the most susceptible and the PCR‐based method was the most sensitive for pathogen detection. The minimum required plants per plot was 15, indicating high precision of our experiment Conclusions: Data interpretation considered both the statistical analysis and the epidemiology aspect of RSD in order to improve RSD management. The Brazilian sugarcane industry will benefit from this approach since it is not using it. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study that examined multiple factors that affect RSD control. Our work pinpointed the importance of the thermotherapy, its best combination as well as the diagnostic test. Also, the effect of the cultivar to respond to management strategies. Because the epidemiological aspect of RSD was taken into consideration, results of our work can have an impact on RSD control in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Improving the sugarcane payment to the sugarcane grower, in a differentiated way, according to the quality of the raw material, demanded the design by the national industry of the AZUTECNIA Horizontal Sampling Probe, as part of the kit of equipment for that purposes. The objective of the research was to determine the fulfillment of the quality of work and the technological and exploitation indices of the probe in the sampling of sugarcane to be ground in the mill under the conditions of the Cuban sugar agroindustry. The research was carried out in the laboratory of "Panchito Gómez Toro" Agro-Industrial Sugar Company, in Villa Clara Province. The standards and evaluation procedures for agricultural machines established by the Institute of Agricultural Engineering in Cuba were taken into account. The results showed that the quality of work was satisfactory, as it complied with the sample weight of 15 kg demanded by the laboratory in cane harvested with strange matter less than 12%. The operating system with the working organ active for a short period influenced the marked decrease in the productivity of operating, productive and exploitation time, as well as the exploitation coefficients associated with them; however, there is no difficulty in guaranteeing the established 16 daily samples. It showed adequate reliability, with a technical safety coefficient greater than 70%, and average fuel costs based on the number of samples and their weight of 0.053 L/sample and 0.004 L/kg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Root exudates are implicated in biotic and abiotic stress resistance mechanism by influencing the rhizosphere microbiome, which also enhance the availability of fixed soil nutrients. The significance of root exudates is profoundly higher under adverse growing conditions in comparison to conducive environments. Several reports are available on the above-ground morpho-physiological adaptations to biotic and abiotic stresses, whereas exudation of root-released organic compounds is one of the least studied responses in sugarcane. Root exudates at the optimal amount determines crop establishment and survival by overall improvement in rhizosphere fitness and microbiome beneficial for nutrient acquisition. An attempt was made to characterise the diversity in root exudates of Saccharum spp. clones and allied genera under ambient growing conditions during the germination phase. Among the tested 40 genotypes, 26 were previously reported to be resistant against biotic and abiotic stresses, out of which 16 genotypes exhibited greater proportion of root-released organic compounds, which apart from other adaptive above-ground responses may attribute to their resistance mechanism. The data generated may aid future research in this field of work, and for optimal utilisation of genetic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Plants efficiently absorb silica through the uptake of dissolved ortho silicic acid from the soil, a molecule characterized by its lack of charge. This variant of silica, recognized as ortho silicic acid (OSA) or plant-available silicon (PAS), originates from the depletion of silica-rich minerals. Despite its traditional non-essential status for plant growth, silica pervades the vegetation of soilbased crops, conferring functional and beneficial attributes. Intriguingly, specific crops like rice and sugarcane demonstrate a silica absorption pattern reminiscent of essential nutrients like nitrogen and potassium. Consequently, silica gains significance from an agronomic perspective, proving advantageous for enhancing the yield of these crops. Motivated by this revelation, our study delves into the effects of applying stabilized ortho silicic acid (Silxol, 0.8%) on the growth, yield, and juice quality characteristics of four distinct sugarcane varieties viz; two early (CoS 13231, CoLk 15204) and two mid-late varieties (CoS 12232, CoPb 15213). These varieties possess better sucrose percentages, yet their yield percentages fall short, leading to their limited acceptance among farmers due to the payment system anchored in cane weight. The outcomes unveiled a consistent elevation in tiller count and millable cane across all varieties due to silicic acid application. Additionally, the use of OSA fostered favorable impacts on pivotal cane yield attributes, including cane diameter, internode length, stalk height, and unit cane weight. These combined enhancements contributed to an amplified cane yield. Notably, treated canes showcased superior juice quality attributes, evidenced by enhanced measurements such as Brix levels, sucrose percentage, commercial cane sugar percentage (CCS %), and overall CCS yield per hectare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...