Abstract

Abiy Getaneh and Tadesse Negi

An investigation was undertaken on clay soils in cool season (November – January) of two crop years at Metahara Sugar Estate to study the relationship of length of pre-harvest drying-off period with cane quality parameters. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications. The main plot factor was sugarcane varieties, namely ‘B52298’, ‘B41227’, ‘NCo376’ and ‘NCo334’ which were evaluated by subjecting them to eight length of drying-off periods (sub-plot). The result of the study in both years showed that drying off period treatment resulted in gradual decline in soil moisture percentage. In crop year 1 better estimate recoverable sugar (ERS) were obtained for soil moisture between 24-28% which observed within 5 to 9 weeks drying off period treatment. In crop year 2, soil moisture was initially very low and the rainfall shower improved juice quality as it relieved the crop from being drastically harmed by extended moisture stress. When rainfall occurred after the cane is subjected to moisture stress, proper monitoring of soil moisture status is recommended to decide when to harvest the crop. Generally, the result of the study in both years indicates that drying off treatment exerted its effect on cane quality through its influence on soil moisture status, which in turn is dictated by soil moisture regime and prevailing weather condition in each year. Thus, to attain high cane quality, it is essential to precisely determine soil moisture status during preharvest drying off treatment.