Monday, November 5, 2007 - 2:30 PM
56-5

Registration of Three High Fiber Sugar Cane Varieties, L 79-1002, HoCP 91-552 and Ho 00-961, for Biofuels Production.

Thomas Tew1, Robert Cobill1, Edward Richard1, and Kenneth Gravois2. (1) USDA-ARS, 5883 USDA Rd., Houma, LA 70360, (2) Louisiana State University - Agronomy & Environmental Management, St. Gabriel Research Station, 5755 Lsu Ag. Rd., St. Gabriel, LA 70776

High fiber sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) varieties, or energy canes, have been shown to be a viable feedstock for biofuel applications. Three high fiber sugarcane varieties, L 79-1002, HoCP 91-552 and Ho 00-961, were released in April 2007 for commercial biofuel production. L 79-1002 averaged 26% fiber and 13% Brix for plant-cane, first-ratoon, second-ratoon, and third-ratoon crops and total solids averaged 39% of cane, or 31.4 Mg/ha. HoCP 91-552 averaged 16% fiber and 17% Brix for plant-cane, first-ratoon, and second-ratoon crops and total solids averaged 33% of total cane yield, or 28.7 Mg/ha. Ho 00-961 averaged 16% fiber and 17% Brix for plant-cane, first-ratoon, second-ratoon, and third-ratoon crops and total solids averaged 33% of total cane yield, or 26.7 Mg/ha. These were compared to the leading commercial standard, LCP 85-384, which had 13% fiber, 18% Brix and average total solids of 31% of cane, or 22.9 Mg/ha. At this time, seed cane of these varieties for planting in 2007 is limited.