CCS, the concentration of sucrose in cane on a fresh weight basis, is controlled
by two components: the concentration of sucrose in cane dry matter and the dry
matter content of cane. CCS differs along sugarcane stalks, and information on the
distribution of sucrose along stalks can be used to predict environmental effects on
CCS with crop age, and the scope for its manipulation through management. The
distribution of sucrose along sugarcane stalks was studied in an irrigated ratoon crop
at 8 and 11 months growth in low and high N supply treatments, to determine the
basis for effects of N supply and crop age on sucrose accumulation. CCS reached a
maximum in the lower part of the stalk, and as the crop age increased, the proportion
of the stalk with this maximum CCS increased. In the topmost internodes of the
stalk where green leaves were attached, CCS was less than closer to the base of the
stalk, due to both lower sucrose concentration in the cane dry matter and a lower dry
matter content. CCS was lowered throughout the stalk under high N due to lower
dry matter content. The difference in CCS between N treatments narrowed as the
crop aged, due to the declining influence of the topmost section of the stalk where
sucrose concentration was lowest. The results illustrate that there is scope for manipulating CCS through topping height, nitrogen management and crop age at harvest.