Colletotrichum falcatum, the causal agent of red rot in sugarcane, is a dreaded pathogen that affects sugarcane production and productivity in India and elsewhere. Due to the frequent emergence of new variants, it exhibits enormous variation under field conditions. Phenotypic analysis of 110 isolates from 28 sugarcane cultivars of different geographic origins over 15 years revealed that fast-growing and virulent isolates dominated the population, and they were mainly from tropical regions compared to subtropical areas. To understand genetic diversity within the pathogen population, the isolates were analysed using conserved gene sequences. Analyses based on the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region confirmed the earlier grouping, and variation between the major groups, viz. Groups I and II, was mainly based on a 1-bp difference, although they showed moderate correlation with regional and pathogenic specificity. Dark-coloured, non-sporulating, and least virulent types, having sequences like other country isolates, were separated into Group III based on 6-bp differences. The same grouping pattern was observed for isolates collected during 2014–2023, including the recent pathotype CF13 from the cv Co 0238. Further multilocus analyses with actin, calmodulin, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene sequences of 25 representative isolates used in ITS analysis also implicated the existence of Group III and provided the least genetic support for Groups I and II. Hence, our data suggest that isolates of Indian origin exhibit a unique pattern with the least genetic variation compared to other country isolates, which might have a single origin and spread through seed canes.
Edaphic attributes strongly influence sugarcane yield, yet production environments are commonly classified based on average productivity, which may not fully capture environmental variability. This study evaluated how physicochemical soil attributes and soil classes influence sugarcane productivity and whether integrating nonlinear modeling and multivariate analyses improves the characterization of production environments. Edaphic data obtained from SoilGrids and mean Tons of Stalks per Hectare (TSH) per genotype, environment, and harvest cycle collected between 2018 and 2021 were used. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were fitted to assess the effects of soil classes and continuous soil attributes on productivity, while principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering were used to identify edaphic gradients and group environments according to soil similarity. The GAM explained 67
Starch is currently recognized as a critical quality parameter in raw sugar production. Despite its importance, few studies have systematically tracked the distribution and fate of starch throughout the sugar manufacturing process. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of starch behavior across nine process streams, from juice extraction to its final incorporation within raw sugar crystals, including several intermediate streams that have received limited attention in previous research. Starch concentration and mass flow were determined in the extraction, purification, and crystallization stages. In addition, relative errors were calculated at each stage to assess the quality of the analytical measurements and the consistency of the material balances. The results showed that diluted and filtered juices contained high starch concentrations due to the characteristics of their generation and handling. During purification, approximately 61
Sugarcane plays a pivotal role in India’s agro-industrial economy, with productivity growth increasingly driven by varietal innovation. However, regional disparities—particularly in Andhra Pradesh—raise concerns regarding the sustainability of growth and effectiveness of policy support. This study evaluates the social returns to sugarcane varietal research in Andhra Pradesh using an integrated analytical framework combining growth and instability analysis, gross value added (GVA) decomposition, economic surplus modeling and panel econometric estimation. Secondary data for the period 2014–15 to 2023–24 were utilized, corresponding to the post-bifurcation period of Andhra Pradesh. The results show divergence between national and state-level performance. While India recorded robust GVA growth (8.13
Conventional methods of planting sugarcane require substantial amounts of bulky planting material and involve labor-intensive processes, often leading to high input costs (10
The paper analyses BRICS sugar production scenario, intra-BRICS sugar trade, and the competitive landscape of sugar trade of each member country. BRICS accounts for 55.44
Early yield estimation is essential for agricultural planning, localized management and decision-making in commercial areas, especially in view of the high spatial variability of sugarcane fields. However, traditional estimation methods are generally destructive, costly, and inefficient in accounting for this variability. In this context, the integration of remote sensing data, soil attributes and machine learning techniques presents itself as a promising alternative for predicting sugarcane productivity. The objective of this study was to apply predictive models of productivity at a sub-field scale, integrating orbital data, structural information derived from LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and mineralogical attributes of the clay fraction. The study was conducted in a commercial area in the state of São Paulo. The actual productivity data were obtained by sensors embedded in a sugarcane harvester, georeferenced by GNSS with RTK correction. Multispectral images of the constellation Planet Labs were used, from which spectral bands, vegetation indices and texture attributes based on the Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) were extracted. The height of the plants was obtained by airborne LiDAR surveys, while the soil mineralogy was characterized by magnetic susceptibility measurements, converted into a representative index of the clay fraction. The Random Forest, XGBoost, KNN and Multiple Linear Regression models were evaluated. The results indicated that the XGBoost model presented the best performance among the models tested after selecting the variables, with RMSE and MAPE values of 5.53 t ha−1 and 5.79
Organic fertilizers can provide economic and ecological benefits for nutrient management in soil–plant systems. However, the long-term effects of chicken manure application on rhizosphere microbial ecology and sugar beet yield remain unclear. Here, we conducted a six-year field experiment with CM application in a northern black soil area of China to analyze the long-term effects of CM on soil physicochemical and microbiological properties, as well as on sugar beet yield. Results indicated that long-term CM application increased sugar beet yield by 33.83
Stevia rebaudiana is a source of low-calorie, non-nutritive steviol glycosides (SGs). Among all SGs, Rebaudioside A, Rebaudioside D, and Rebaudioside M are in higher commercial demand due to their less bitter aftertaste. While Rebaudioside A is one of the predominant SG, RebD and RebM occur at relatively low concentration. Developing stevia varieties with enhanced accumulation of Reb A, D, and Mare among the current breeding challenges. Additionally, limited information exists on the regulatory mechanisms underlying the multisubstrate functionality of key UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) that synthesize 60 different SGs. Transcriptome-derived SNPs, ascertained from actively transcribed regions, are particularly relevant for gene function and regulation studies compared to non-genic SNPs. In this study, transcriptome-derived single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified using RNA-seq data from nine contrasting genotypes with varying concentrations of Reb A, D, and M. A total of 8, 40,332 high-quality SNPs were identified, and categorized into 1, 82,802 missense categories and 3,960 nonsense categories. Genomic localization showed the maximally in intergenic regions (3, 59,023), followed by genic (3, 41,137) and intronic (1, 97,976) regions. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs associated with key traits, including growth biomass, secondary metabolism, and abiotic stress-related categories, were highly enriched. Furthermore, 501 potential missense variations were identified associated with the SG biosynthesis pathway. Molecular docking revealed six potential variants in the UGT76G1 gene that showed higher substrate selectivity toward Reb A (ile234ser, phe22leu, and ser357thr) and RebD (ile16val, pro240ser, and lys39glu). These targeted variants can accelerate the genetic improvement program for stevia varieties with elevated accumulation of RebA and RebD. The SNP resources can also support the development of high-density genotyping platforms and GWAS studies.
Sugarcane in Yunnan, China, is predominantly cultivated in high-elevation, rainfed systems where water availability mainly limits productivity. Soil potassium (K) plays a key role in drought tolerance, and optimized K fertilization may help mitigate water limitations. However, systematic evaluation of elite genotypes across different potassium fertilizer levels in Yunnan's conditions is lacking. This study evaluated 55 sugarcane genotypes under three K fertilization levels: K0 (0), K1 (180), and K2 (360) kg K2O ha⁻1. A composite Z-score index, based on plant height, stalk diameter, and field Brix at 11 months, was used to select 19 representative genotypes for biomass and tissue K analyses. Moderate K (180 kg K2O ha⁻1) supported vegetative growth with no gain from higher rates; the highest Brix under K0 was due to biomass dilution effect, not to increased sugar synthesis per plant. Based on the results of plant biomass and tissue K accumulation indices, four distinct genotypic response categories were identified: constitutively K-efficient (YZ151679, FY798, FL41), K-inducible (GL03182, GL05136), K-dependent efficient (YT63-237), and K-utilization efficient (MT70-611). Post-harvest soil analysis revealed that potassium fertilization increased soil pH from 5.11 to 6.65. Soil organic matter exhibited strong positive correlations with available K (r = 0.874) and total N (r = 0.813). Furthermore, total N was positively correlated with available K (r = 0.945), indicating tightly coupled K-N dynamics. These findings provide the first systematic framework for selecting K-efficient parental stocks: constitutively efficient and utilization-efficient genotypes for low-input systems, and K-inducible or K-dependent efficient genotypes for fertilized systems.
Field experiment was conducted during the spring season 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 to study the effect of band application of herbicides in combination with mulching or hoeing on weed control in sugarcane. The experiment was investigated in randomized complete block design with twelve weed control treatments which comprised of weedy check, mulching @ 6 t ha−1, hand-hoeings at 45, 75 and 105 DAP (days after planting), metribuzin (blanket) 1400 g ha−1 as pre-emergence (PE), metribuzin (band) 560 g ha−1 followed by (fb) mulching @ 6 t ha−1, metribuzin (band) 560 g ha−1 fb three hand-hoeings, sulfentrazone + clomazone (blanket) 700 + 750 g ha−1 as PE, sulfentrazone + clomazone (band) 280 + 300 g ha−1 fb mulching @ 6 t ha−1, sulfentrazone + clomazone (band) 280 + 300 g ha−1 fb three hand-hoeings, metribuzin 1050 g ha−1 + tembotrione 115.5 g ha−1 (blanket) as post-emergence (POE), mulching @ 6 t ha−1 fb metribuzin 420 g ha−1 + tembotrione 46.5 g ha−1 (band), metribuzin 420 g ha−1 + tembotrione 46.5 g ha−1 (band) with three hand-hoeings. Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Echinochloa colona, Cyperus rotundus, Digera arvensis and Convolvulus arvensis were the major weeds in the experimental crop. Pre-emergence band application of sulfentrazone + clomazone 280 + 300 g ha−1 fb mulching @ 6 t ha−1 was highly effective against the grasses, the only sedge and broad-leaf weeds followed by metribuzin 560 g ha−1 with mulching @ 6 t ha−1. Cane yield was the highest (92.4 t ha−1) in sulfentrazone + clomazone (band) 280 + 300 g ha−1 fb mulching @ 6 t ha−1 with the highest net returns and B:C ratio. Higher cane yield in band application of sulfentrazone + clomazone 280 + 300 g ha−1 fb mulching might be attributed to higher tiller population (137.0 thousand per ha), cane length, cane girth, single cane weight (978.8 g) and number of millable canes (96.4 thousand per ha) due to better weed control.
The present study was undertaken to develop and optimize a jaggery-based chocolate enriched with sprouted finger millet flour and to assess its nutritional and textural characteristics. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied using Design-Expert software (ver. 11.1.0.1). The independent variables selected were cocoa butter replacement with coconut oil (20–30
This study was conducted to determine and optimize energy indices and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to perform an economic analysis of sugar beet production using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The required data were collected through interviews with farmers and agricultural experts in Eyvan County, Ilam Province of Iran, as well as via structured questionnaires. The results indicated that the total energy input and output were 45,211.99 and 1,093,411.2 MJ ha⁻1, respectively. Regression coefficients revealed that human labor, machinery, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and also manure had a positive effect on crop yield, whereas electricity, nitrogen fertilizer, and diesel fuel had a negative impact. The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission analysis indicated that, under conventional practices, nitrogen fertilizer and diesel fuel contributed 620.19 and 606.24 kg CO₂-eq, respectively; after optimization, these values were reduced to 561.54 and 438.74 kg CO₂-eq. DEA of energy efficiency showed that, under the Constant Returns to Scale (CRS) model, 32
A long-term field experiment was conducted to evaluate the sustainability and performance of organic and conventional sugarcane farming systems under the tropical semi-arid conditions of coastal Andhra Pradesh, India. The study ran for 14 consecutive years (2011–12 to 2024–25) at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle, using a randomized block design with two farming systems: organic farming (OF) and conventional farming (CF). The investigation assessed cane yield, yield attributes, juice quality, soil properties, microbial populations, and economic returns. Two-way ANOVA showed that treatment effects had no significant impact on cane yield and yield attributes, juice quality parameters, economic elements, soil physicochemical, nutrient, and microbe parameters, except phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), indicating comparable performance of the two farming systems. Organic farming recorded numerically higher mean values for cane yield (72.38 t ha⁻1), sugar yield (9.64 t ha⁻1), sucrose (18.75
Accurate quantification and precise prediction of the net carbon sink, together with the examination of its spatiotemporal evolution, are essential for advancing the low-carbon transformation of Chinese sugarcane industry. In this study, the spatial distribution and evolutionary trajectory were delineated, the decoupling relationship between the sugarcane net carbon sink and output value was analyzed, and precise predictions of the net carbon sink were conducted in Chinese sugarcane industry. Results showed that, from 2012 to 2023, the total net carbon sink displayed a fluctuating yet gradually declining trend, with an average value of 13.5906 million tons. Besides, the spatial configuration of the total net carbon sink was primarily characterized by a “northwest–southeast” distribution pattern. Regarding the projected total net carbon sink for 2024 and 2025, it is estimated at 13.7527 and 13.2282 million tons, respectively, with corresponding theoretical values of 2.063 and 1.984 billion US dollars. It is thus recommended that the planting scale in primary producing regions be maintained, the “northwest–southeast” spatial structure be reinforced, and the recovery and development of Hainan’s sugarcane sector be promoted. Rational monetization of the sugarcane net carbon sink is also suggested to elevate the overall industrial output value and benefits.
Sugarcane is an important economic crop, and a systematic examination of the policies governing Chinese sugarcane industry can provide valuable references for promoting the sustainable development of the sugarcane industry. In this study, text mining techniques and the policy modeling consistency (PMC) index model were used to examine the development path and policy tools of Chinese sugarcane industry policies, and to quantitatively evaluate selected policy samples. The results show that sugarcane industry policies have maintained a clear objective orientation in China, while their functional roles and strategic positioning have been continuously adjusted and upgraded. This process reflects a development path characterized by “exploration and development—adjustment and reform—quality improvement and efficiency enhancement.” Five major policy tools have been used: excellent varieties and effective techniques, mechanization, research and development innovation, financial subsidies, and organizational coordination. The frequency ranking is: organizational coordination > excellent varieties and effective techniques > mechanization > research and development innovation > financial subsidies. Among these tools, organizational coordination is the most influential, and the coordination among different policy tools has become increasingly apparent with the development of the sugarcane industry. In terms of implementation effectiveness, the average performance of the policy samples reaches an excellent level, indicating strong relevance and practical feasibility. However, regional disparities remain evident, with PMC index rankings of Guangxi (5.6833) > Yunnan (5.5833) > Guangdong (3.8833) > Hainan (3.1166). Therefore, during the stages of “exploration and development—adjustment and reform,” the Chinese government has actively performed the role of a “proactive government” by optimizing the industrial structure and promoting the high-quality development of the sugarcane industry. In the future, Chinese sugarcane industry should gradually move from policy-driven support to competition-oriented mechanisms, and from government-led guidance to function-based differentiation, thereby improving industrial competitiveness and better safeguarding the security of the sugarcane industry.
The emerging trend of pesticide mixtures use in modern agriculture necessitates a deeper understanding on their environmental fate, particularly under diverse soil and agro-climatic conditions. The present study investigated the effect of co-occurrence of fipronil (FP) and imidacloprid (IM) on their leaching behaviour in three representative sugarcane-growing soils (sandy clay loam, loam and silty clay loam) of Northern India under simulated continuous and discontinuous rainfall regimes. The soil column leaching experiment revealed that imidacloprid exhibited moderate mobility, redistributing up to 15–20 cm depth depending on soil type and water flow conditions, while no breakthrough into the leachate was observed. However, fipronil showed strong sorption-driven immobility, with over 85–90
This study investigated the physicochemical changes occurring during the production and storage of sugarcane vinegar prepared using different fermentation starters. Fresh sugarcane juice was subjected to six treatments: control, commercial vinegar, curd culture, IISR vinegar culture, jaggery scum, and boiled juice. The samples were fermented under ambient conditions for 30 days and subsequently stored for 90 days. Physicochemical parameters including total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity, color attributes (L*, a*, b*), and browning index were monitored at 15-day intervals. Results showed a rapid decline in TSS and pH during the initial stages of fermentation, indicating active microbial metabolism and acetic acid production. Titratable acidity increased progressively and stabilized after 60 days. Significant variations in color and browning index reflected biochemical transformations during fermentation and storage. Treatments inoculated with curd and IISR vinegar culture exhibited superior fermentation performance and sensory acceptability, demonstrating their potential for producing high-quality sugarcane vinegar suitable for cottage-scale enterprises.
Crystal coconut sugar from Banyumas Regency has increasing market potential due to its organic certification, low glycemic index, and perceived functional value. However, its production must meet both food quality standards and environmental requirements. This study evaluated the nutritional quality and environmental performance of crystal coconut sugar production using antioxidant analysis, wastewater characterization, and life cycle assessment (LCA) based on SNI ISO 14040:2016 and SNI ISO 14044:2016. Antioxidant-related parameters, including DPPH inhibition, IC50, AEAC, and total polyphenols, were analyzed across processing stages, while environmental impacts were assessed using the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint (H) method. The results showed that heating, evaporation, drying, and moisture removal strongly influenced antioxidant properties by concentrating bioactive compounds, degrading heat-sensitive antioxidants, or promoting process-induced antioxidant formation. The LCA results showed a GWP of 3.63 × 10−1 kg CO2-eq per kg product, with the second processing stage, consisting of cooking, initial packaging, and transportation, as the dominant hotspot. In addition to GWP, particulate matter formation, fossil resource scarcity, toxicity-related impacts, and packaging-related burdens were relevant environmental concerns. Sensitivity analysis indicated that sawdust, LPG, and packaging were key parameters affecting environmental performance. The integrated nutritional-environmental interpretation shows that thermally intensive stages responsible for antioxidant transformation are also major contributors to environmental burdens, indicating a quality environment trade-off. Controlled heating, improved evaporation efficiency, cleaner energy, optimized drying, lower-impact packaging, food-grade equipment, and wastewater treatment are recommended.
Pretreatment method and process conditions significantly affect biomass composition by altering the relative proportions of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, thereby influencing reducing sugar (RS) yield during enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study, the effectiveness of hot water-, acid-, alkali-, and choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvents (containing lactic acid, acetic acid, or formic acid) was compared for sugarcane bagasse (SCB) delignification. The alkali pretreatment method, which achieved the highest delignification (i.e., 65.01
