Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Sugarcane Research Institute, Kaiyuan, Yunnan, China.
Department of Agronomy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
PLoS One. 2021 Jan 22;16(1):e0238085. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238085. eCollection 2021.
Ratooning is an important cultivation practice in sugarcane production around the world, with underground buds on the remaining stalk acting as the source for establishment of a subsequent ratoon crop. However, the optimal depth of cutting during harvest in terms of yield and root growth remains unknown. We carried out a two-year field study to determine the effects of three cutting depths (0, 5 and 10 cm below the surface) ratoon cane root and yield. Results showed that cutting to a depth of 5 cm increased the root fresh weight and root volume by 21-59% and 41-127%, respectively, compared to cutting depths of 0 and 10 cm. Remarkably, cutting to a depth of 5 cm also had a significant effect on the development of fine roots, which is closely linked to cane yield. The effect was particularly noticeable in terms of two root traits, root volume and the surface area of roots with a diameter of 1.0-2.0mm, and root length and the number of root tips in roots with a diameter of 0-0.5mm. As a result, a cutting depth of 5 cm below the surface increased cane yield by 43 and 28% compared to depths of 0 and 10 cm below the surface, respectively. Overall, these findings suggest that a cutting depth of 5 cm is optimal in terms of sugarcane yield, largely due to the enhanced effect on root traits, especially the development of fine roots. These findings will help optimize sugarcane ratoon management and improve the ratoon cycle.
宿根是全球甘蔗生产中的一项重要栽培措施，残茬上的地下芽作为建立后续宿根作物的来源。然而，在收获时，最佳的切割深度（比地表低 0、5 和 10 厘米）仍不清楚，因为这会影响到产量和根系生长。我们进行了为期两年的田间研究，以确定三种切割深度（比地表低 0、5 和 10 厘米）对宿根蔗根和产量的影响。结果表明，与切割深度为 0 和 10 厘米相比，切割深度为 5 厘米可分别使根鲜重和根体积增加 21-59%和 41-127%。值得注意的是，切割深度为 5 厘米对细根的发育也有显著影响，这与蔗产量密切相关。在两个根性状方面，根体积和直径为 1.0-2.0mm 的根的表面积，以及直径为 0-0.5mm 的根的根长和根尖数方面，这种影响尤为明显。因此，与切割深度为 0 和 10 厘米相比，切割深度为 5 厘米可分别使蔗产量增加 43%和 28%。总的来说，这些发现表明，切割深度为 5 厘米是最优的，这主要是由于对根性状的增强作用，特别是细根的发育。这些发现将有助于优化甘蔗宿根管理，提高宿根周期。
