What to Do About Sugarcane Lodging? Cause Analysis and Remedial Methods

Sugarcane, as a fruit with high sugar content and high nutritional value, is deeply loved by many people. As we all know, sugarcane averages around 2 m in height, and growing this tall during cultivation certainly means many problems have to be faced, among which lodging is a relatively common issue for sugarcane. So why does sugarcane lodge? What should be done about sugarcane lodging? Now let's take a look together with the editor.

I. Causes of Sugarcane Lodging

Sugarcane is a crop that grows relatively tall; in the later stages of growth it can reach over 2 m, with a tall plant and correspondingly more leaves. If stormy rain and wind occur, the unstable center of gravity makes lodging very easy. Especially after rain, water accumulating in the field makes the top heavier, and a light wind will knock it over. After lodging, the part touching the ground may grow new roots and sprout side shoots, and the whole stalk will become bent, consuming nutrients from the main stem. This causes the sugarcane to become shriveled with hollow gaps and poor development.

II. Effects of Sugarcane Lodging

1. After large-scale lodging of sugarcane, the leaves overlap each other, so the leaves inside cannot carry out photosynthesis and turn withered and yellow.

2. Sugarcane lodging breaks the roots and stems, blocking the absorption and transport of nutrients, so the sugarcane stem does not have enough nutrients for development, resulting in shriveling and hollowing.

3. After lodging, side buds grow; the side buds sprout and grow in large numbers, snatching nutrients from the cane stem. This reduces the sucrose in the cane stem, and the weight of the cane stem consequently decreases.

4. After lodging is the time when rodent damage and cotton aphids are most likely to occur; they gnaw on the cane stem, causing damage to and affecting the growth of the cane stem, and lodging breaks the roots and affects planting the following year.

III. Prevention and Control of Sugarcane Lodging

1. When choosing varieties, lodging-resistant varieties should be selected; these varieties mainly have relatively hard cane stems, very thick roots, fewer leaves in the later stage, and straight cane stems, making them unlikely to lodge.

2. Before planting, apply sufficient base fertilizer, and apply topdressing early. Fertilizer should be reasonably formulated; do not apply too much nitrogen fertilizer, so that sugarcane can be thick and strong rather than leggy at emergence, improving lodging resistance.

3. After the sugarcane has grown tall, the old leaves and withered leaves below can be removed, because the photosynthetic capacity of old leaves has already decreased greatly, and each sugarcane plant only needs 5-8 leaves. This can reduce the weight and wind-facing area of the sugarcane and prevent lodging. It is also possible, when the sugarcane has grown to about 2 m, to tie the sugarcane together with rope into a “”-shaped arrangement, which can also effectively prevent lodging.

The above is the editor's brief introduction to the causes and prevention of sugarcane lodging. Sugarcane lodging directly affects the quality and yield of sugarcane. Everyone should make preventive preparations in advance to avoid lodging. If lodging does occur, I hope this article by the editor can help everyone.