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Biomass Yield and Carbohydrate Composition in Sugarcane and Energy Cane Grown on Mineral Soils

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Abstract

A better understanding of sugarcane and energy cane (Saccharum spp.) in biomass accumulation and carbohydrate composition can improve the knowledge of crop production sustainability and optimal utilization. The objectives of this study were to identify sugar composition and concentrations of stalk juice in sugarcane and energy cane grown on two sandy soils during ripening and to determine differences between the two types of canes in nonstructural and structural carbohydrate partitioning and concentrations in dry biomass for the mature plant-cane, first-ratoon, and second-ratoon crops. A field study was conducted at two locations with mineral (sand) soils in south Florida, USA, using two commercial sugarcane cultivars of CP 78-1628 and CP 80-1743 and two energy cane genotypes (US 78-1013 and US 84-1066) to determine their biomass yields and carbohydrate composition and concentrations. Averaged across the three crops and two locations, energy cane had significantly higher biomass yield, lower nonstructural carbohydrate (reducing sugars and sucrose) concentrations, and higher concentrations of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin than sugarcane. Although there were no differences between sugarcane and energy cane in total carbohydrate concentration (839 to 842 g kg−1 DW), energy cane had 80% higher cellulose, 63% higher hemicelluloses, and 76% higher lignin; 69, 64, and 56% lower sucrose, glucose, and fructose concentrations, respectively, than sugarcane, when averaged across the three crops and two locations. These results can be useful for potential use of canes for both sucrose and cellulosic ethanol production on marginal sand soils to improve sustainability and profitability in the future.

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Acknowledgements

Authors thank Philip Aria and Miguel Baltazar for their valuable technical assistance in data collection. Authors also appreciate Carlos Romagosa (Florida Crystals Corporation) and Lee Davis (U.S. Sugar Corporation) for help on planting, field management, and harvest. Use of trade or commercial product names is for informational purpose only and does not imply endorsement by the United States Department of Agriculture to the exclusion of any other product that may be suitable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA-ARS, Sugarcane Field Station, 12990 U.S. Highway 441 N., Canal Point, FL, 33438, USA

    Duli Zhao & Aliya Momotaz

  2. United States Sugar Corporation, Clewiston, FL, 33440, USA

    Chris LaBorde & Mike Irey

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  1. Duli Zhao
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  2. Aliya Momotaz
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  4. Mike Irey
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Contributions

D. Zhao contributed to conception and design of the experiment, and analyzed and interpreted data, and prepared the first version of manuscript. A. Momotaz finalized the manuscript and integrated all ideas and comments from other authors and peer reviewers. C. LaBorde and M. Irey coordinated in experimental design, field plot arrangement, and manuscript review.

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Correspondence to Duli Zhao.

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Zhao, D., Momotaz, A., LaBorde, C. et al. Biomass Yield and Carbohydrate Composition in Sugarcane and Energy Cane Grown on Mineral Soils. Sugar Tech 22, 630–640 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-020-00807-0

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