Project Number: 6435-21000-011-01
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 12, 2001
End Date: Apr 01, 2006

Objective:
Develop information regarding the factors which can influence yield losses in the subsequent stubble crops where post-harvest crop residues are not removed. Develop management strategies which may reduce the potential negative impact on the blanket of crop residue following the chopper harvesting of green cane on the yield of the subsequent stubble crop.

Approach:
A field study will be conducted to determine the influence of a chopper-harvester generated blanket of green sugarcane residues on the yield of the following year's stubble crop. Treatments will include no residue removal, partial residue removal, and complete removal by burning. The removal treatments will be replicated in time (harvest through March). A second field study will investigate the influence of the same sugarcane residue removal treatments on soil temperature, soil moisture, soil chemical properties and the soil microbial composition. A final field study will investigate the influence of the application of various adjuvants (fertilizers, molasses, etc.) on the breakdown of sugarcane residue. All studies will be conducted for two consecutive growing seasons. Greenhouse and laboratory studies will also be conducted to investigate the rates of residue decomposition and carbon and nitrogen mineralization. Finally, a greenhouse study will be conducted to determine if the residue evolves yield-reducing allelochemicals during the decomposition process. If positive results are obtained in the initial studies, the allelochemicals responsible will be identified through gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and comparison with previously identified allelochemicals.

Project Team

Richard, Edward Viator, Ryan Johnson, Richard White, William Grisham, Michael

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Crop Protection & Quarantine (304)   Crop Production (305)