Effect of Percent and Stage of Leaf Defoliation on the Quality of Sugarcane, at Arjo - Dedessa Sugar Factory, in Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is unusual among field crops in that it is not the seed that have economic values, but rather the stalk. Sucrose is extracted from the large stalks that are produced by sugarcane plants. The effect of percent and stage of defoliation sucrose content as well as recovery percentage of sugar cane is still unknown. The experiment was conducted at Arjo-Didessa Sugar Factory which is located in East Wollega Zone of Oromia Regional State with the objective of determining the effect of leaf defoliation at different stages of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) on the quality. Effect of leaf defoliation at three different stages on quality of sugarcane juice was studied under field conditions. The methodology used include seven percent of leaf defoliation comprises of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 0% (control) and three growth stages of defoliation at 9, 10 and 11 month of sugarcane was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design. From the results obtained, the analysis of variance indicated the sugar recovery in stems of defoliated sugarcane (11.70 %) from 30 % leaf removal at 11 month age was significantly different from undefoliated (9.03 %) when defoliation applied at 0 % of leaf removal with 9 month age. These results indicated that sugar cane plants could be partially defoliated with changing sucrose production and the retention of defoliated leave in the field providing advantage to the sugar factory, that should be used as fodder, increase nutrient conservation, reduce weed growth, and conserve soil moisture on substantial losses of C and N due to sugarcane leaf burning at harvesting stage. However, further research is required to strengthen the investigation and repeating similar research on different location are necessary to recommend to all Ethiopian sugar factories.