Estimating and Improving the Storage Technology for Single Node Sugarcane Setts in Mie, Japan

Abstract

In Mie, Japan, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) aboveground parts die in winter because of the low temperatures. As a result, seedlings are required for cultivation of the next spring-planted sugarcane. In late November, single node setts of sugarcane cut to 5 cm and including the node, bud, and stalk were coated with white petroleum jelly at each cut end of the stalk to reduce water evaporation. They were then packed into Styrofoam containers filled with river sand adjusted to 10% soil water content ratio on dried soil basis and stored in a brown rice cold store or in a barn. We investigated the germination and emergence rates of the single node sugarcane setts on the basis of storage location and storage duration. Storage in the brown rice cold store resulted in a higher rate of emergence because of its higher minimum temperature than in the barn. The rate of emergence peaked after 65days of either type of storage and decreased as the storage period increased. The emergence rate of single node seedlings stored in the brown rice cold store for 65days was 86.7%; with 93days months of storage it was 76.7%. The emergence rates were therefore good for both periods. The storage methods used here will ensure the availability of large quantities of single-node seedlings for planting of sugarcane in the following spring.