Effects Of Tillage On Sugarcane Growth, Arthropod Ground Predators, and Weeds In Florida Sugarcane.

Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) is a major crop in Florida with more than 80% of its acreage on organic soils. Very high organic matter (> 85%) in organic soil makes it more prone to carbon oxidation. No-tillage or minimum tillage is considered to be one of the best practices to reduce soil carbon oxidation and to improve soil sustainability. A field trial has been established to determine the effects of no-tillage, minimum tillage, and conventional tillage on the plant cane growth of three commercial sugarcane cultivars (CP 88-1762, CP 89-2143, and CP 00-1101) and population of arthropod ground predators. Results indicated that the plant emergence was delayed in no-tillage compared to minimum and conventional tillage. At six weeks after planting, plants per acre in no-tillage were significantly lower than minimum tillage and conventional tillage. However, at 10 weeks after planting, plant population was not significantly different among the tillage levels. It indicates that the sugarcane plant emergence in no-tillage was slow or delayed initially, which was compensated with the progress of sugarcane growth season. Leaf chlorophyll (SPAD) and leaf stomatal conductance were significantly effected by the cultivars and not by the tillage levels. Arthropod ground predators (collected with pitfall traps) primarily consisted of ants, centipedes, earwigs, rove beetles, and spiders. Weed population was also recorded to determine the effect of treatments on weeds.