Objective:
The goal of this research is to develop new and improved sugarcane cultural practices which increase efficiency and sustainability and minimize adverse environmental impacts in both the crop and fallowed fields. The specific objectives are to: 1) investigate the utility of precision agricultural techniques, including soil grid sampling, crop yield mapping, and variable rate application; 2) to develop new systems to manage post harvest residues, which may include mechanical, chemical or biological removal techniques; 3) to characterize sugarcane cultivars and germplasm developed through conventional breeding and genetic transformation for sustainability in integrated systems that contain post-harvest residues; and 4) to develop new or improved cultural practices that maximize the efficiency and productivity of sugarcane billet planting and reduced tillage systems.

Approach:
In an effort to maximize sugarcane efficiency, while minimizing negative environmental impacts, precision agicultural management techniques including GPS based grid soil sampling, crop yield mapping and variable rate application of fertilizers and lime will be investigated in field experiments. Field, laboratory, and greenhouse experiments will also be conducted to determine the effects of chopper harvester-generated trash mulch on: sugarcane development and performance, soil nutrient availability, soil health and water quality. Studies will be conducted to characterize cultivar and germplasm performance under conventional and evolving cultural systems where post harvest residues, reduced cultivation, and billet planting are included. In fallowed fields, the use of short-season, rotational crops and decreased cultivations will be evaluated in an attempt to improve soil fertility, profitability and sustainability.