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Impact of Subfreezing Temperatures on the 2006 Louisiana Sugarcane Crop

Impact of Subfreezing Temperatures on the 2006 Louisiana Sugarcane Crop. Benjamin L. Legendre Interim Director/Professor Audubon Sugar Institute St. Gabriel, Louisiana USA. Factory Operations Seminar - 2007. ‘Deep-Freeze’ Probability Generalized Likelihood of a Temperature ≤ 24 ºF

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Impact of Subfreezing Temperatures on the 2006 Louisiana Sugarcane Crop

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  1. Impact of Subfreezing Temperatures on the 2006 Louisiana Sugarcane Crop Benjamin L. Legendre Interim Director/Professor Audubon Sugar Institute St. Gabriel, Louisiana USA Factory Operations Seminar - 2007

  2. ‘Deep-Freeze’ Probability Generalized Likelihood of a Temperature ≤ 24ºF by/before December 10th Better than a 50-50 chance of a 24º temperature by/before December 10 < 50% 50% Data Sources: National Weather Service LSU Southern Regional Climate Center Louisiana Office of State Climatology LAIS, LSU AgCenter Probabilities Derived from ACIS / CLIMOD tools, LSU Southern Regional Climate Center 50% 40% 50% 40% 30% 40% 30% 30% 20% 20% 20% 20% 10% 10% 10% 10% Less than a 1-in-10 chance of a 24º temperature by/before December 10 Contours prepared by Jay Grymes, LSU AgCenter Base Map provided by LSU Cartographic Section Dept. of Geography & Anthropology

  3. 18º 18º Early December 2006 “Arctic Outbreak” 9 December 2006 Generalized Distribution of Minimum Temperatures (ºF) 20º 20º Data Sources: National Weather Service LSU Southern Regional Climate Center Louisiana Office of State Climatology LAIS, LSU AgCenter 20º 18º 20º 22º 20º 22º 22º 24º 24º 26º 26º 28º 24º 30º 26º 28º 32º 28º 30º Contours prepared by Jay Grymes, LSU AgCenter Base Map provided by LSU Cartographic Section Dept. of Geography & Anthropology 32º

  4. 2006 December Freeze Events • Temperature Extremes (°F) • LSU Dean Lee Research 20 • Bunkie 22 • Baton Rouge 22 • Donaldsonville 26 • Thibodaux 27 • Lake Charles 24 • St. Martinville 24 • New Iberia 24 • Jeanerette 25 • Franklin 26 • Houma 29 Source: Louisiana Office of State Climatology, Dept. of Geography & Anthropology

  5. Background: Freeze Damage to Sugarcane • The nature and extent of damage to cane by a freeze depends upon the intensity and duration of the freeze • Temperatures above 28°F do little more than affect terminal buds and tender leaves. You can generally still plant the stalk. Sucrose content continues to rise • Temperatures between 26-27°F kill growing point and top third of stalk. Most lateral buds are killed. Sucrose content and purity increase for short time due to dehydration. Minimal deterioration for 4-6 weeks assuming one can remove top 6-12” of stalk

  6. Background: Freeze Damage to Sugarcane • The nature and extent of damage to cane by a freeze depends upon the intensity and duration of the freeze • Temperatures between 23-25°F kill most tissue. Lateral buds begin to weep and allow entrance of bacteria into tissue producing dextran. Expect some deterioration in 2-4 weeks depending upon variety and post-freeze weather conditions. Recommend removal of 12-18” at top of stalk • Temperatures below 22°F kill all tissue and generally cause the rind to split (freeze cracks) allowing entrance of bacteria into tissue producing dextran. Expect serious deterioration in 1-2 weeks. Should still remove top 12-18”

  7. Background: Freeze Damage to Sugarcane • There are significant differences amongst varieties in their • tolerance to sub-freezing temperatures between 24-27°F. • Consider a harvest schedule based on varieties, location of • field, lodged condition of the cane and stand • Two mechanisms have been noted when testing varieties for post-freeze tolerance • Susceptibility of the tissue to sub-freezing temperatures • Susceptibility of the tissue to bacterial invasion and subsequent production of mannitol and/or dextran

  8. Background: Freeze Damage to Sugarcane • Deterioration is enhanced by warm temperatures, high humidity and fog following sub-freezing conditions • Colder temperatures and consequently greater damage is generally found in low lying areas when compared to ridges and/or higher ground • Cane that is lodged is affected differently than cane that is erect. Generally speaking, lodged cane is more affected • Thin stands of cane are generally more affected by sub- freezing temperatures than good stands

  9. Background: Freeze Damage to Sugarcane • Frozen cane harvested by combine deteriorates faster than whole-stalk cane especially if burned before harvest. Proper management must be used on the farm and at the factory following freeze events to ensure optimal quality

  10. Reaction of Louisiana Sugarcane Varieties to Sub-freezing Temperatures

  11. Indicators of Deterioration Following Sub-freezing Temperatures • Indicators of deterioration to the producer • Decrease in pH of juice • Increase in titratable acidity • Decrease in sucrose content • Decrease in purity • Decrease in recoverable sugar per ton of cane • Increase in polysaccharides, notably dextran

  12. Reaction of LCP 85-384 to Sub-freezing Temperatures Ardoyne Farm (USDA-ARS, SRRC, SRL) Chacahoula Freeze Dates & Duration: December 5 (9 hr), 6 (7 hr), 8 (5 hr) & 9 (13 hr). Low temperature: 25°F

  13. Reaction of LCP 85-384 to Sub-freezing Temperatures Ardoyne Farm (USDA-ARS, SRRC, SRL) Chacahoula Freeze Dates & Duration: December 5 (9 hr), 6 (7 hr), 8 (5 hr) & 9 (13 hr). Low temperature: 25°F

  14. Reaction of LCP 85-384 to Sub-freezing Temperatures - Field Observations Frozen top Unfrozen stalk

  15. Reaction of HoCP 96-540 to Sub-freezing Temperatures Ardoyne Farm (USDA-ARS, SRRC, SRL) Chacahoula Freeze Dates & Duration: December 5 (9 hr), 6 (7 hr), 8 (5 hr) & 9, 2006 (13 hr). Low temperature: 25°F

  16. Reaction of HoCP 96-540 to Sub-freezing Temperatures Ardoyne Farm (USDA-ARS, SRRC, SRL) Chacahoula Freeze Dates & Duration: December 5 (9 hr), 6 (7 hr), 8 (5 hr) & 9, 2006 (13 hr). Low temperature: 25°F

  17. Reaction of L 99-226 to Sub-freezing Temperatures Ardoyne Farm (USDA-ARS, SRRC, SRL) Chacahoula Freeze Dates & Duration: December 5 (9 hr), 6 (7 hr), 8 (5 hr) & 9, 2006 (13 hr). Low temperature: 25°F

  18. Reaction of L 99-226 to Sub-freezing Temperatures Ardoyne Farm (USDA-ARS, SRRC, SRL) Chacahoula Freeze Dates & Duration: December 5 (9 hr), 6 (7 hr), 8 (5 hr) & 9, 2006 (13 hr). Low temperature: 25°F

  19. Simple Field Test for Determining pH of Juice to Detect Deteriorated Cane Pliers pH indicator strips

  20. Indicators of Deterioration Following Sub-freezing Temperatures • Indicators of deterioration to the processor • Increase in sucrose losses • Increase in viscosity of syrups and molasses • Decrease in filterability • Elongated and deformed sugar crystals • Rate of crystallization markedly reduced because of increase in viscosity • Dextran in sugar • Increase in molasses purity and volume

  21. Increases in Polysaccharide

  22. Increases in Dextran

  23. Changes in Processing Parameters Following December Freeze Events Taken from Weekly Comparative Manufacturing Report Prepared by Dr. Harold Birkett

  24. Crystal Elongation Caused by Dextran Following Sub-freezing Temperatures Sometimes called “Needle Grain”

  25. Conditions Following Freeze Events Were Favorable to Increased Leafy Trash, Tops and Mud Equal cane with trash Wet & lodged fields

  26. Impact of Trash on Cane and Juice Quality • For each 1% in cane trash, one can expect the following impact upon quality parameters • Reduction in sucrose of 0.10 units • Reduction in purity of 0.28 units • Reduction in extraction of 0.37 units • Increase in fiber of 0.18 units (w/new formula this increase is 0.23 units) • Reduction in sugar yield of 3.0 lbs (1.36 kg)

  27. Question Following Freeze Events Were the losses experienced following the early December freeze events in 2006 the result of cane deterioration or were the losses the result of the increase in leafy trash, deteriorated tops and mud caused by the excessive rainfall (Average of 9.92” across Southwest, South-Central and Southeast Louisiana or +4.88” above normal) following the freeze events or was it the combination of the two weather events? I believe that it was the combination of the two weather events although the freeze events took their toll especially in the northern areas of the state.

  28. Acknowledgements Co-investigators Harold Birkett Gillian Eggleston Jeanie Stein Chris Finger

  29. Questions and/orComments? Mexico North Dakota Louisiana

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