Visual Identification of Sugarcane Varieties
1. Stalk wax – Since all varieties contain stalk wax, the ratings based on this category are light (stalk color highly visible), moderate (stalk color somewhat visible) and extensive (stalk color not visible).
2. Leaf sheath wax – The ratings used to describe the leaf sheath wax are none (no wax visible), light (slight wax visible) and extensive (prominent wax visible).
3. Leaf sheath margin – The outer edge of the leaf sheath where it wraps around the stalk. The leaf sheath margin descriptors are twofold: thin or wide with a color description.
4. Leaf sheath hair (pubescence) – The ratings are based on hair quantity and visibility and consist of none (no hair), light (hair that can be felt but not seen), moderate (hair that can be seen but is not in large quantity) and extensive (hair that can be seen and is in large quantity).
5. Dewlap – The hinge of the leaf blade joint where the leaf blade and the leaf sheath meet. The dewlap also will be described by color shading. The ratings will be the same (same color as leaf ), darker (darker color than leaf ) and lighter (lighter color than leaf ).
6. Stalk color – The stalk color represents internodes from stalks freshly cut (leaves and wax that have just been removed from the internode) because the combined sun and wax can have an impact on the true stalk color. Some varieties that express a red or purple color do so because of the exposure of the stalk to the sun. The stalk color may not be the same exact color as the template, but these base colors are a guide for identification.
7. Auricle – The appendages of the leaf sheath located on the opposite side of the ligule. The
auricle alternates sides from bot tom of the stalk to the top of the stalk. The descriptors for the auricle are short pointed, medium pointed, long pointed, short rounded, medium rounded, long rounded or a tuft of hairs.
8. Distinguishing characteristic – A certain characteristic or group of characteristics that can easily be used to identify the variety. The distinguishing characteristic may or may not be one of the identification descriptors listed above.
There are numerous varieties of sugarcane available for cultivation. Most people are familiar with the soft-fiber varieties that are usually sold at super markets, intended for human consumption, mainly through direct chewing, although some people also press their own juice with these canes.
These varieties, however, are not the ones planted for or by mills who intend to use the canes for sugar production. They chose, instead, other varieties whose fiber content may not make them appetizing to humans, but that can be processed nicely and efficiently by heavy machinery, to squeeze their sweet juice. In many cases, varieties are also selected based on their pest resistance or the number of days it takes them to mature, so they are ready in stages, allowing for the harvest to progress from one field to the next, always finding ripe cane that is perfect for harvesting.
The purpose of the Agricultural Focus, is to showcase specific varietals and their differences, allowing craft distillers to be better educated about their options, while at the same time allowing consumers to have a brief peek into the world of sugarcane agriculture.
Special thanks to the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.