Fructose-glucose ratio — A method to identify and classify the maturity of sugarcane

Abstract

In a replicated field trial 30 varieties were studied for their Fructose /Glucose (F/G) ratio in juice for testing the maturity of the cane. Top, bottom portions and full cane juice were collected at 9 to 12 months at monthly intervals and fructose-glucose ratio were worked out. Varieties Co 775, Co 997, Co 62174, Co 6806, Co 7201, Co 7204, Co 7304, Co 7704, Co 7712, CoJ 64, CoC 671, CoA 7601 and Co 7508 recorded F/G ratio of more than unity in bottom cane juice from 9 to 12 months and at 10 to 12 months in juice of top cane. Full cane juice analysis indicated that Co 997, Co 62174, Co 6806 and CoC 671 showed F/G ratio of unity even at 9 months onwards. Varieties were identified and classified as early maturing types based on F/G ratio during maturity period.