Spring deadhearts (number and total stand in two 0.002 ha samples per field) and end-ofseason
percent bored internodes (50 stalks sampled with bored internodes counted by position
from four locations in each field) were collected (hand cut) to determine the level of sugarcane
borer injury. The majority of the cane in 2000 and 2001 was severely lodged at the time of
harvest. Insecticide application information (application frequency per year) was obtained from
either the grower or consultant. Rainfall information was obtained for 2000 and 2001 from the
Louisiana Office of State Climatology.
A sucrose analysis was conducted on each sample at the USDA-ARS Sugarcane
Research Unit at Houma, Louisiana. Fiber was determined by shredding of the stalk with a prebreaker
manufactured by Cameco Industries prior to juice extraction. The method used was
similar to the one reported by Gravois and Milligan 1992 with the exception that a 1000g fiber
sample was used for juice extraction. Brix and pol reading were used to determine theoretical
recoverable sugar (TRS, g/kg) (Gravois et al.1991). A significant amount of the sucrose and
fiber data for 2000 and 2001 was lost due to an unfortunate computer malfunction. Therefore,
the sucrose and fiber data for this study were not reported.