Abstract
The inhibition of flowering in sugarcane by ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) applied to experimental plots is well-documented; however, verification of its efficacy in large field trials is lacking. Large-scale field trials were established at Mauna Kea Agribusiness Company, Inc., a sugar and macadamia nut plantation located on the island of Hawaii, to determine whether flower inhibition attributed to ethephon would increase sugar yield. Summarization of results from 35 paired block experiments showed an 87% reduction in tasseling in the ethephon-treated blocks. The yield of sugarcane was increased by 7.5%, and the yield of sugar by 10%. The correlation (r 2) between the decrease in flowering and increase in cane and sugar yield was only 0.02 and 0.08%, respectively, indicating that the yield increase attributed to ethephon was not adequately explained by its effect on flowering.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anon (1987) Flower suppression with ethephon 1986 trial. Australian Bureau of Sugarcane Experiment Stations, 87th Annual Report pp 16–17
Birkett HS (1982) Evaporation and sugar boiling. In: Luke DK Jr (ed) Sugar y asucar 1982 yearbook. Palmer Publications, New York, pp 191–199
Clark SJ (1982) Clarification and filtration. In: Luke DK Jr (ed) Sugar y asucar 1982 yearbook. Palmer Publications, New York, pp 132–145
Coleman RE (1968) Physiology of flowering in sugarcane. Proc Int Soc Sugar Cane Technol 14:992–1000
Deuber R, Irvine JE (1987) Controle do florescimento da cana-de-acvcar Com aplicacao de ethephon. Buletin Tecnico Copersucar 36/87:16
Gosnell JM, Julien HR (1976) Variations in the effects of flowering on cane yield and quality. Proceedings 1976. Monsanto Sugar Cane Ripener Sem 1:253–257
Hes JW (1951) The effect of arrowing on the yield of cane. Sugar J 14:10–17
Moore PH (1974) Flowering control with diquat. Hawaii Plant Rec 58:323–329
Moore PH (1985)Saccharum. In: Halevy H (ed) Handbook on flowering. Vol. VI. CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, pp 243–262
Moore PH, Osgood RV (1986) Use of ethephon to prevent flowering of sugarcane in Hawaii. Proc Int Soc Sugar Cane Technol 9:298–304
Osgood RV, Teshima A (1980) The effect of several growth regulators on dry matter production and partitioning in sugarcane CV. H59-3775. Proc Plant Growth Reg Soc Am 7:150
Osgood RV, Moore PH, Carr JB (1983) Comparison of diquat and ethephon for prevention of flower initiation in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids). Proc Plant Growth Reg Soc Am 10:266–269
Payne JH (1963) The processing of sugar cane into juice and fiber. Proc Int Soc Sugar Cane Technol 11:971–991
Payne JH, Rhodes LJ (1967) Assaying cane deliveries by core sampling and direct analysis. Proc Int Soc Sugar Cane Technol 12:1552–1559
Pooviah BW, Leopold AC (1973) Effects of ethephon on growth of grass. Crop Sci 13:755–758
Rao PS (1977) Effects of flowering on yield and quality of sugarcane. Exp Agric 13:381–387
Richardson W Jr, Isherwood MO Jr, Sloane G (1982) Sugar cane sampling and analysis. Sugar cane mill yard handling and payment systems. In: Luke DK Jr (ed) Sugar y asucar 1982 yearbook. Palmer Publications, New York, pp 49–63
Rostron H (1978) A review of chemical ripening of sugarcane with Ethrel in southern Africa. Proc Int Soc Sugar Cane Technol 16:1605–1616
Singh S, Reddy MS (1976) Effect of inhibition of flowering on improvement of cane yield and juice quality under Coimbatore conditions. J Agric Sci Comb 87:375–380
Van Andel OM, Vertkerke DR (1978) Stimulation and inhibition by ethephon of stem and leaf growth of some Gramineae at different stages of development. J Exp Bot 29:639–651
Van Vloten JFW (1910) Resultaten van Nashproeven, in 1910 te Sempalwadak geoogst en verdere beschouwingen over de waarnemingen, in den proeftuin Kasembon te Sempalwadak gedaan. Arch vd Suikerrind in Ned Ind 18:276–302
Villageliu AE (1982) State of the art: a review of cane conveying, preparation, milling and diffusion. In: Luke DK Jr (ed) Sugar y asucar 1982 yearbook. Palmer Publications, New York, pp 89–96A0443015 00006 CS-SPJRNPDF [HEADSUP]
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Paper No. 665 in the journal series of the Experiment Station, Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moore, P.H., Osgood, R.V. Prevention of flowering and increasing sugar yield of sugarcane by application of ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid). J Plant Growth Regul 8, 205–210 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02308089
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02308089