Abstract

GIARDINA, Juan A. et al. Frost severity effect on sprouting and seedling emergence potential capacity of high quality seed cane in Tucuman, R. Argentina . Rev. ind. agric. Tucumán [online]. 2019, vol.96, n.2, pp.23-29. ISSN 1851-3018.

In 2007, the sugar cane fields of Tucumán (Argentina) were affected by both light and very severe frost. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of frost severity on high quality seed cane sprouting capacity under laboratory and field conditions. Samples from three sugar cane varieties (LCP 85-384, RA 87-3 and TUCCP 77-42) were taken in three locations (Louisiana, Fronterita and Simoca) representative of the sugarcane cultivation area. In these locations, freezing events of different intensity (mild, moderate and very severe, respectively) occurred. The potential sprouting capacity in the laboratory as well as the dynamic and final emergence in the field was evaluated. Results showed that, under light frost conditions, the behavior of the three varieties was similar and the buds were not significantly affected by low temperatures. In conditions of moderate frost, RA 87-3 buds showed a greater susceptibility to cold temperature compared to the other two cultivars. On the other hand, when the frost was very severe, the viability of the buds was significantly affected in all the considered varieties, which was evidenced in both laboratory and field conditions.

Keywords : Registered nurseries; frosts; Saccharum spp..