Effect of genotype, environment and time of harvest on sugarcane yields at middle and upper Egypt

ObjectivesThe experiments were conducted to find out the optimum harvesting age of four promising sugarcane varieties cultivated at two different locations of Egypt. Methods Two field experiments were conducted at two different locations,viz,El-Mattana Research Station,Luxor Governorate (Upper Egypt) and Mallawi Research Station,Minia Governorate (Middle Egypt) during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 crop seasons as plant cane to study the harvesting age,i.e.,10,11,12 and 13 months of four promising sugarcane varieties,viz,G95-21,G98-28,G99-160 and G99-103 in a split-plot design with three replicates.The agronomic characteristics and yield of sugarcane and sugar were investigated. Result Results showed that at 13 month harvesting age,the varieties G99-103 and G95-21 recorded highest stalk height,diameter and weight,sucrose,purity,sugar recovery,cane yield as well as sugar yield.It was observed that planting cane at Luxor governorate had pronounced positive effects on most of the studied traits. First and second interaction order among the three variables,i.e.,varieties,harvesting date and locations,significantly affected all studied traits.Conclusion It could be concluded that planting sugarcane varieties G99-103 and G95-21 in upper and middle Egypt areas and harvesting them at 12 and 13 months stage results in highest cane and sugar yields.