The Production of Biomass by Sugarcane

Experiments conducted between 1962 and 1970 in South Africa permit a study to be made of biomass production by sugarcane. It is possible to estimate the proportions of trash (dead leaves + foliage) and cane stalk produced by different varieties. The accumulation of biomass in the crop, maximum rates of biomass production, and the effects of varieties, espacement, nitrogen fertilizer, water availability and season are all given consideration. Introduction The world-wide depletion of fossil fuels during the twentieth century has not yet precipitated the impending crisis, but there is much to be said for the development of alternative energy sources well beforeoil and coal reserves run out. To this end, the information already available o n the production of biomass by sugarcane should be of interest. Biomass here is defined as the total above-ground dry matter produced by the crop, and is considered exclusively in terms of its energy equivalent and the photosynthetic efficiency with which it is produced, and not in the traditional terms of its food value. Materials and Methods During the period from 1962 to 1970, six experiments were conducted by the S.A.S.A. Experiment Station in such a way that estimates of biomass production became available. Concurrently, total incoming shortwave radiation (R ,) was measured, usually by means of a Kipp solarimeter.