U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Agricultural Research Service ARS Sugarcane Research Unit scientists developed and released a new high-fiber variety of sugarcane, or energy cane, Ho 06-9002, in Houma, LA, and continue their research on December 13, 2021. Sugarcane is one of the most efficient producers of biomass of all plant species and can be used as a renewable fuel. The new variety has a high fiber content, excellent regrowth ability over 4 to 5 years, is cold-tolerant, has a high stalk population, and produces excellent biomass yields. Ho 06-9002 showed no symptoms of brown rust or smut when exposed to high levels of natural inoculum. Mosaic disease, caused by either sugarcane mosaic virus or sorghum mosaic virus, was not observed in the variety under natural field conditions. Its most significant attribute is cold tolerance and the ability to yield high biomass in non-traditional sugarcane growing regions.

Here, Biological Science Technician Heather Neil tests sugarcane energy cane for Brix by placing a drop of juice on a refractometer.

Additionally, to measure the actual cane sugar present in the juice, 200ml samples of juice are lined up in sets of 10, and a clarifying agent is added into each container.

The clarifying process begins by dropping an oblong magnet into the liquid. The container is placed on a specialized table that drives the magnets to spin and stir.

Once mixed, the samples are poured through funnels lined with filter paper and allowed to drip through.

A juice sucrose reading is measured by pouring the clear juice through the Saccrimeter.

The ongoing studies are conducted in cooperation with the Department of Energy; University Extensions, and industry organizations.

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USDA Media by Lance Cheung.

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