Sugarcane is a multipurpose crop whose components may be used, in addition to sugar production, for various energy carriers or end-products (electricity, liquid biofuels and heat) which enhance its economic potential. For many years, plant breeders and agronomists have focused on increasing sucrose yields per hectare and millers on increasing recoverable sucrose per ton of sugarcane in sugar mills. Attempting to exploit the energy potential of sugarcane more fully, calls for a more holistic approach focusing on both sucrose and lignocellulosic components of sugarcane biomass, and gaining some insight into the management practices required to optimize sugarcane cropping systems in these respects. Such options include genotype selection, harvest date with respect to the crop's growing cycle, crop type (plant crop vs. ratoon crops) and harvesting systems (mechanical vs. manual). The effects of these factors are strongly modulated by climate and soil properties, and these interactions are overall poorly known. Here, we set out to examine sugarcane infield management 9 environmental interactions with respect to (i) sugarcane yield and partitioning of the aboveground biomass; and (ii) sugarcane milling products (recoverable sucrose yield and amounts of coproducts) and their derived energy carriers. Three Saccharum cv. cultivars (R570, R579 and R585) were planted in three locations on La Reunion Island with contrasting management practices and climatological conditions. Quality characteristics of the samples were assessed by conventional and near infrared spectroscopy methods. Product, coproducts and potential energy production were measured and computed using transfer equations and a mill-operating model. Yields and quality characteristics from cultivars and harvesting systems were affected differently by environmental factors -low temperature and radiation, and water stress. The current study also provides valuable information on how combinations between environments, genotypes and practices affect yield and partitioning of the aboveground biomass, and food and energy production.
Polarimetry is used worldwide as a simple sucrose content measurement. This method needs a clarification step to remove sample turbidity for correct light transmittance on a polarimeter. The conventional clarification with lead acetate for polarimetric measurement at 589.44 nm was compared with a physical method utilizing a polarimetric measurement at 882.6 nm. Filtration with filter aids is a physical method which has less impact on the environment than lead. Comparison between polarimetry at 589 nm and 882.6 nm and sucrose content by chromatography for sugar factory products as mixed juice, bagasse, filter cake and molasses are presented. These products came from two sugar factories of Réunion Island: Le Gol factory (milling tandem) and Bois-Rouge factory (diffuser). Polarimetry at 882.6 nm gave lower contents compared to measurements at 589 nm for cane (–0.075 g/100 g), mixed juice (–0.07), A run-off syrup (–0.19), C massecuite (–1.67) and final molasses (–3.82) and higher results for filter cake (+0.06). There was no difference for bagasse. The method repeatability was 0.05 for mixed juice and 0.04 for molasses. Polarimetry at 882.6 nm has been used in sugar factories since 2005 and for cane payment in Réunion from the beginning of 2009 crushing season.
The International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis Ltd (ICUMSA) is the only international organisation involved with the development and testing of analytical methods for use within the sugar industry. Analysis methods undergo a rigorous approval procedure, progressing from Tentative to Official or, Official (Reference) method status before being published in the Methods Book. As an example of these processes, the comparison of two alternative computations (Berding and Pollock; Hamna) used in a proposed hydraulic-press method for cane evaluation is described. The press method was compared to the Official Method for cane analysis (GS5/7-1 (2011)) that is based on wet disintegration of cane, by comparing the results obtained from 79 samples split into three subsamples analysed by the three methods. Correlations of greater than 0.9 were recorded for the press method’s sugar and fibre results compared against the existing method. A recommendation was made to ICUMSA, based on the study, that a draft method should be written for cane evaluation using the press method and Berding and Pollock computations.
In Réunion, changes in harvesting practices have led to increased amounts of sugarcane tops and leaves delivered to factories. To anticipate the changes in sugar recovery processing, laboratory trials were undertaken. Samples with known quantities of tops or green leaves were prepared and cane processing was simulated at laboratory scale: juice extraction, clarification and evaporation with operating parameters similar to those in the factory. Juice and syrup were collected and analyzed for sugar quality parameters, as well as parameters that impact sugar recovery or processing quality: ash and reducing sugars contents were monitored to estimate the sucrose loss to molasses, while calcium, phosphate and oxalate contents were monitored to evaluate the risk of fouling in evaporator. Results highlight a degradation of juice composition with increasing quantities of tops and leaves, an increase in lime consumption, and color. An increase in residual calcium in syrup was observed thus increasing the risk of evaporator fouling. The mixed juice, clear juice and syrup qualities declined in the same proportion and the composition of the juice did not get worse with juice treatment.
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