Effects of meteorological variables on sugarcane ripening in the Cauca river valley, Colombia

Abstract

Sugarcane ripening is conditioned by the interaction between biological factors of the crop and climate. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of some meteorological variables on the sucrose content, during the ripening period, in the Cauca river valley (Colombia). The evaluations were conducted at seven locations, during four periods, being each one a three-month period. The meteorological variables of maximum, mean and minimum air temperature, diurnal vapor pressure deficit and precipitation were evaluated with respect to the sucrose variable (% cane). The results showed that a low precipitation and a high vapor pressure deficit increased the sucrose content in the stems. High minimum temperatures during the maturation stage decreased the sucrose levels, although their effect was less noticeable than previously mentioned. The meteorological conditions in the different localities caused substantial differences in the sucrose concentration of the stems, especially during the beginning of the maturation phase. However, these differences were reduced by the age of the crop and by the periods of rainfall or drought occurrence.

KEYWORDS: Sucrose, vapor pressure deficit, minimum temperature.