Abstract
This paper suggests an alternative approach for determining optimal replanting cycles for sugarcane based on finding maximum allowable yield loss in successive ratoon crops in relation to reference yield, beyond which total net return per unit expenditure on all crops in a cycle starts to decline and corresponding break-even yield of the ratoon crop. This method was empirically applied to determine the near-optimal replanting cycles for the variety Co 775 grown under rain-fed/irrigated conditions and/or settler/out-grower situations at Sevanagala, Pelwatte and Hingurana sugar mill areas in Sri Lanka using the farm-level data collected from 1990/91 to 1994/95 cropping years. The results showed that in the rain-fed settler farms at Sevanagala and Pelwatte replanting should be undertaken when the cane yield reduced to 32 t/ha which corresponds with 8th ratoon in both areas. In the out-grower situations at Pelwatte cane crop should be replanted after 11th ratoon or when the cane yield dropped to 21 t/ha. In the irrigated settler situations at Sevanagala and Hingurana replanting should be undertaken after the fifth ratoon. This corresponds with ratoon cane yield of 52 t/ha. In the out-grower situations at Hingurana replanting should be undertaken after fourth ratoon or when the cane yield dropped to 75 t/ha.
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Keerthipala, A.P., Dharmawardene, N. Determination of optimal replanting cycles for sugarcane production in Sri Lanka. Sugar Tech 2, 9–19 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02945751
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02945751