New varieties increase sugarcane yield by up to 20%

The use of newer sugarcane varieties can increase crop yields and allow for gains of 2 tons of sugar per hectare. This is what research by the Sugarcane Technology Center (CTC) shows, based on its "benchmarking platform", which has more than 175 participating mills and represents 80% of the milling in the Center-South region. 

“New varieties present significant gains in productivity, resulting in greater production of tons of sugar per hectare. This is due to the continuous improvement in genetic development, which increases agricultural yield,” says Luciana Castellani, genetic improvement manager at CTC. 

According to CTC technicians, one of the factors that drives genetic gain is the reduction in the recurrence cycle of new parents, which represents a significant advance in the context of genetic improvement.

“This reduction allows us to capture higher levels of genetic gains, in an accelerated manner, quickly meet market demands and environmental challenges, as well as ensure the constant introduction of parents with better performance and adapted to different soil and climate conditions”, explains Luciana.

According to her, newer varieties are better adapted to face specific challenges, such as climate change, pests and diseases.

“They were subjected to more modern selection processes, aligned with current market demand. This means that, by adopting these varieties, producers have a greater chance of success in the face of challenges,” Luciana continues.

Driving

Adopting new varieties is, therefore, a strategic step for producers seeking to maximize the efficiency and profitability of their agricultural operations, in addition to preparing for future challenges in the sector.

But, in addition, it is necessary to allocate the varieties correctly, respecting the management of both the harvest season and the productive potential of the place where they will be cultivated, which is technically called the edaphoclimatic production environment.  

“This will ensure the maximization of sugarcane productivity,” says Ricardo Neme, CTC marketing manager. 

Based on the CTC's "varietal benchmarking" data, the simple fact of correctly managing the varieties, following the instructions suggested by the Genetic Improvement Programs, will provide an increase of 14% or 1,2 tons of more sugar per hectare. 

Biotechnology is also a great ally for varietal management. Neme explains that “Bt varieties, resistant to the sugarcane borer, protect productivity mainly in areas that are difficult to manage and more susceptible to the pest.”

CTC research also shows that varieties developed after the year 2000 have a 20,6% higher performance than varieties developed in the 1980s in terms of Tons of Sugar per Hectare (TAH/ha). The analysis is based on the 2021/22 to 2023/24 harvests. 

Elite varieties (CTC's most recent releases) have a performance 36,6% higher than that developed in the 1980s in Tons of Total Recoverable Sugars per Hectare (ATR/ha). The analysis is based on the 2023/24 harvest. 

These numbers and gains go beyond the specific comparison between harvests, when considering the adoption and contribution of this product to the producer/mill's cash flow.  

Taking the example of a variety and its first 5-year cycle in the cultivation area of ​​a producer/mill, choosing a more modern cultivar generates an additional gross profit of R$3 million or 37% more compared to choosing a variety from the 1980s. This is the benefit of choosing a more productive variety.  

When the introduction of this variety is accelerated, from 5 ha to 10 ha, the additional gross profit in the cycle is R$ 6 million or 44% more. This is the financial benefit of accelerating and anticipating the greater profitability of this variety in the first five years of its cycle.