United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service

Washington D.C. 20250

And

Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803

And

American Sugarcane League of the U.S.A., Inc.

Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301

Notice of Release of Sugarcane

Variety Ho 95-988

The Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station of the LSU Agricultural Center, and the American Sugar Cane League of the U.S.A., Inc., working cooperatively to develop improved sugarcane varieties, have jointly developed and hereby announce the release of a new variety, Ho 95-988, for commercial planting in 2004.

Ho 95-988 is a product of the cross CP 86-941 x US 89-12 bred in 1990 and selected as part of the ARS’s Sugarcane Research Unit’s basic breeding program at Houma (Ho), Louisiana. All four of its grandparents are wild- or foreign-commercial derivative varieties, two involving Saccharum spontaneum, one involving S. robustum, and one being a BC₂ progeny of Hawaiian variety, H 49-3646. This variety is not closely related to any variety currently grown in Louisiana. It has a high population of medium-sized stalks that turn purple when exposed to sunlight. Its stalk number is 90% and weight is 120% of Louisiana’s principal variety, LCP 85-384, averaged over plant, first-stubble and second-stubble crops. Ho 95-988 is an excellent stubbling variety.

Yield data from a total of 61 mechanically harvested, replicated yield trials on both light- and heavy-textured soils indicate that Ho 95-988 produces about 7% more cane yield and total recoverable sugar per acre than LCP 85-384 averaged across plant-cane, first-stubble, second-stubble, and third-stubble crops. Ho 95-988 produces levels of recoverable sugar per ton of cane and fiber content comparable to those of LCP 85-384. Field observations suggest that Ho 95-988 has greater stalk erectness and lower leaf sheath adherence to the stalk at harvest than LCP 85-384; hence, yield losses associated with the mechanical harvesting of Ho 95-988 are not expected to be as great.

Ho 95-988 is resistant to sugarcane mosaic virus (strains A, B, and D) and sorghum mosaic virus (strains H, I, and M). The variety is resistant to rust (Puccinia melanocephala H. & P. Syd.) and leaf scald [Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby) Dowson] diseases under natural field infection conditions. It is moderately susceptible to smut (Ustilago scitaminea H. & P. Syd.); however, significant yield losses from this disease are not expected. Similar to essentially all sugarcane cultivars released in Louisiana, Ho 95-988 can sustain significant reductions in yields of total recoverable sugar and cane in ratoon crops from ratoon stunting disease (RSD) (Clavibacter xyli subsp. xyli Davis et al.). To assure minimal risk from smut and RSD, it is strongly advised that seed cane of this variety be free or nearly free of these diseases at planting. Ho 95-988 does not appear to be any more susceptible to the sugarcane yellow leaf virus than current commercially grown varieties. Ho 95-988 is susceptible to the sugarcane borer [Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius)] and should not be grown in areas were insecticides cannot be applied.

A limited supply of seed cane of Ho 95-988 may be available from commercial seed sources in 2004. Seed cane of Ho 95-988 will not be available for distribution by the American Sugar Cane League until after July 1, 2005. At that time seed cane will be distributed in accordance with procedures that will be announced to all sugarcane growers in Louisiana. Inquiries concerning seed cane should be directed to the American Sugarcane League, 206 East Bayou Road, Thibodaux, LA 70301. Neither the United States Department of Agriculture nor the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station will have seed cane available for distribution. Genetic stock of Ho 95-988 will be available for the next 5 years from the USDA-ARS, Sugarcane Research Unit, 5883 USDA Road, Houma, LA 70360, and will also be deposited in the National Plant Germplasm System where it will be available for research purposes, including development and commercialization of new varieties. It is requested that appropriate recognition be made if this germplasm contributes to the development of a new breeding line or cultivar.

Dr. Judith B. St. John

Assoc. Deputy Administrator

USDA, Agricultural Research Service

Dr. David Boethel

Director

LSU AgCenter

Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station

Mr. John Gay

Chairman of the Board

American Sugar Cane League of the U.S.A, Inc.

--------------------------------------------------

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service

Washington D.C. 20250

And

Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803

And

American Sugarcane League of the U.S.A., Inc.

Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301

Notice of Release of Sugarcane

Variety HoCP 96-540

The Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, The Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station of the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, and the American Sugarcane League of the U.S.A., Inc., working cooperatively to develop improved sugarcane cultivars, have jointly developed and hereby announce the release of a new cultivar, HoCP 96-540, for commercial planting in the summer of 2003.

HoCP 96-540 is a product of the cross LCP 86-454 x LCP 85-384 made at Canal Point (CP) Florida in 1991 and selected at Houma (Ho), Louisiana, in 1993. The cultivar has a high population of medium-sized stalks that turn amber when exposed to sunlight. Its stalk number is 90% and weight is 125% of Louisiana’s principal cultivar, LCP 85-384, averaged over plant, first-ratoon and second-ratoon crops. Similar to LCP 85-384, HoCP 96-540 is an exceptionally good ratooning variety.

Yield data from a total of 58 mechanically harvested, replicated yield trials on both light- and heavy textured soils indicate that HoCP 96-540 consistently produces 10-15% greater total recoverable cane and sugar per hectare than LCP 85-384 in plant, first-ratoon and second-ratoon crops. HoCP 96-540 is a mid-maturing high sucrose cultivar that produces levels of recoverable sugar per ton of cane and fiber content comparable to those of LCP 85-384. Field observations suggest that stalks of HoCP 96-540 are more erect and less brittle than LCP 85-384. In addition, leaf sheaths may be less tightly adhered to the stalks. These characteristics should minimize yield losses associated with whole stalk and combine harvesting.

HoCP 96-540 is resistant to sugarcane mosaic virus (strains A, B, and D) and sorghum mosaic virus (strains H, I, and M). The cultivar is resistant to smut (Ustilago scitaminea Sydow) rust (Puccinia melanocephala H. And P. Syd.) and leaf scald [Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby) Dowson] diseases under natural field infection conditions. Similar to essentially all sugarcane cultivars released in Louisiana, HoCP 96-540 may sustain significant reductions in yields of total recoverable sugar and cane in ratoon crops from ratoon stunting disease (Clavibacter xyli subsp. xyli). It is essential that seed cane of this cultivar be free or nearly free of this disease in order for it to yield to its fullest potential. Based on field observations where it has been increased, HoCP 96-540 is not any more susceptible to the sugarcane yellowleaf virus than current commercially grown cultivars. Field observations also suggest that HoCP 96-540 is not any more susceptible to herbicides commonly used for the control of problematic weeds than LCP 85-384. HoCP 96-540 is susceptible to the sugarcane borer [Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius)] and should not be grown in areas where insecticides cannot be applied.

Based on maturity, cold tolerance, and ripener studies conducted thus far, HoCP 96-540’s maturity curve, cold tolerance profile, and response to Polado are similar to those of LCP 85-384.

Cultivar HoCP 96-540 produces the following microsatellite fingerprints that can be used for identification purposes: two alleles of SMC334BS (145 and 162 base pairs (bp) in size), four alleles of SMC336BS (166, 169, 171, 177 bp), six alleles of MCSA068G08 (177, 180, 183, 186, 188, 194 bp), four alleles of SMC286CS (129, 132, 135, 144 bp), four alleles of SMC713BS (119, 357, 360, 369 bp), three alleles of MCSA053C10 (143, 147, 150 bp), five alleles of MCSA042E08 (123, 135, 151, 155, 197 bp), four alleles of mSSCIR5 (145, 168, 373, 378 bp), and three alleles of mSSCIR33 (320, 326, 335 bp).

Seed cane of HoCP 96-540 will be distributed by the American Sugarcane League of the U.S.A., Inc., in accordance with procedures to be announced to all sugarcane growers in Louisiana on or after July 1, 2003. Inquiries concerning seed cane should be directed to the American Sugarcane League, 206 East Bayou Road, Thibodaux, LA 70301. Neither the United States Department of Agriculture nor the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station has seed cane available for distribution.

Dr. Edward B. Knipling

Administrator

USDA Agricultural Research Service

Dr. William H. Brown

Director

LSU Ag Center

Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station

Mr. John Gay

Chairman of the Board

American Sugar Cane League of the U.S.A., Inc.

-------------------------------------------------

Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station

Louisiana State University, Agricultural Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803

And

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service

Washington, D.C. 20250

And

American Sugar Cane League of the U.S.A, Inc.

Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301

Notice of Release of Sugarcane

Variety L 97-128

The Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station of the LSU Agricultural Center, the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the American Sugar Cane League of the U.S.A., Inc., working cooperatively to develop improved sugarcane varieties, have jointly developed and hereby announce the release of a new variety, L 97-128, for commercial planting in the summer of 2004.

L 97-128 was derived from a cross (XL92-42) made in 1992 between LCP 81-10 as the female parent and LCP 85-384 as the male parent. Single stool seedling selection was done at the St. Gabriel Research Station located at St. Gabriel, Louisiana in 1994. The stalks of L 97-128 are greenish-brown (green predominates) and are covered with a heavy wax layer. In the sunlight the stalks have a more purplish hue. The new variety has an average population of large diameter stalks. Its stalk population is 86% and stalk weight is 124% of Louisiana’s leading variety, LCP 85-384, averaged over plant-cane, first-stubble, second-stubble, and third-stubble crops. L 97-128 is a good stubbling variety.

Yield data from 51 mechanically harvested outfield tests that are replicated on both light and heavy textured soils indicate that L 97-128 produces approximately 9% greater recoverable sugar per acre than LCP 85-384 averaged across plant-cane, first-stubble, and second-stubble crops. L 97-128 is very early maturing and has produced 4% greater recoverable sugar per ton of cane than LCP 85-384 when average across all tests. Based on 20 tests, the fiber content of the new variety is 12.2%, which is only slightly higher than LCP 85-384. Field observations indicate that L 97-128 is an erect variety and well suited to both whole stalk and combine harvesting systems. The leaf sheaths of L 97-128 are less tightly held than LCP 85-384, which should aid in trash extraction during combine harvesting of green (unburned) cane.

L 97-128 is resistant to sugarcane mosaic virus and sorghum mosaic virus. The new variety is moderately susceptible to smut (Ustilago scitaminea Sydow), moderately resistant to rust (Puccinia melanocephala H. And P. Syd.) and moderately resistant to leaf scald [Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby) Dowson] under natural field infection. The effect of yellow leaf syndrome on the yield of L 97-128 is unknown. Similar to all other varieties grown in Louisiana, L 97-128 may sustain significant yield loss in stubble crops from ratoon stunting disease (Clavibacter xyli subsp. Xyli). To realize the maximum yield potential of this variety, healthy seed cane free of this disease must be planted. L 97-128 is susceptible to the sugarcane borer [Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius)] and should be scouted to insure timely insecticide applications and should not be planted where insecticides cannot be applied. Field observations indicated that L 97-128 is not any more susceptible to herbicides commonly used for weed control than LCP 85-384.

Based on two years of maturity data obtained from the USDA-ARS Sugarcane Research Unit, L 97-128 is very early maturing and continues to accumulate sucrose throughout the harvest. The new variety had 14% higher recoverable sugar per ton of cane when harvested in mid-September than LCP 85-384. When harvested in mid-December, L 97-128 had 4.2% higher recoverable sugar per ton of cane than LCP 85-384.

Seed cane of L 97-128 will be distributed by the American Sugar Cane League of the U.S.A., Inc. in accordance with the procedures to be announced to all sugarcane growers in Louisiana on or after July 1, 2004. Inquiries concerning seed cane should be directed to the American Sugar Cane League, 206 East Bayou Road, Thibodaux, LA 70301. Neither the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center nor the United States Department of Agriculture has seed cane available for distribution. An application for variety protection via a plant patent is being made by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.

Dr. David Boethel

DirectorLSU AgCenter

Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station

Dr. Edward B. Knipling

Acting Administrator

USDA, Agricultural Research Service

Mr. John Gay

Chairman of the Board

American Sugar Cane League of the U.S.A, Inc.

Summary of results comparing the yield of L 97-128 with LCP 85-384, HoCP 85-845, HoCP 91-555, and HoCP 96-540 in 51 combine-harvested, replicated trial on light- and heavy-textured soils from 2001 to 2003.

Sugar

Cane

Sugar

Stalk

Stalk

Variety

per Acre

Yield

Per Ton

Weight

Number

(lbs/A)

(tons/A)

(lbs/ton)

(lbs)

(stalks/A)

Plant-cane crop (28)¹

LCP85-384

7714

29.4

262

2.16

27743

HoCP85-845

7241

-

29.3

248

-

2.38

+

24769

-

HoCP91-555

7647

29.0

264

2.17

27314

HoCP96-540

8730

+

32.9

+

265

2.70

+

24948

-

L97-128

8643

+

32.3

+

267

2.67

+

24410

-

First-stubble crop (16)¹

LCP85-384

7606

28.0

272

1.80

31772

HoCP85-845

7099

-

27.3

261

-

2.04

+

27316

-

HoCP91-555

7117

25.8

-

276

1.84

28813

-

HoCP96-540

7756

28.9

270

2.21

+

26577

-

L97-128

7725

27.8

280

+

2.20

+

25177

-

Second-stubble crop (7)¹

LCP85-384

6298

24.0

264

1.59

30216

HoCP85-845

5829

24.0

244

-

1.89

+

25518

-

HoCP91-555

6518

23.8

275

+

1.63

29530

HoCP96-540

6335

24.5

260

1.86

+

26320

-

L97-128

6768

24.4

280

+

1.91

+

26069

-

¹Number in parentheses represents the total number of trials.

Varieties that are significantly higher or lower than LCP85-384 are denoted by a plus (+)

or minus (-), respectively. The analysis was done with SAS (v9.0) using the PROC MIXED procedure which estimated least square means that were separated by the PDIFF option.