20 MAY

Based on the recent endorsements from the regional sugarcane Variety Adoption Committee, hosted by BSES Limited (BSES), two new varieties are now available to      growers in the Northern cane growing regions.

“The most promising varieties with blanket approval have been added to the regional Recommended for Planting List by the Variety Adoption Committee,” said Mr Roderick Fletcher,  Development Officer – Varieties, Professional Extension and Communication Unit, BSES.

“For the Northern region these include Q232^A and Q240^A”.

Q232^A produced from parents QN80-3425 and QS72-732 has been grown commercially in the Northern districts with blanket approval. This variety is resistant to smut, is a heavy flowerer, and has good cane yield.

Q240^A produced from parents QN81-289, and SP78-3137 from Brazil is a Southern release variety which has blanket approval in all regions. It is resistant to smut and leaf scald. It has performed equal to the standards of Q200^A; Q208^A; Q231^A and Q241^A.

“Growers are encouraged to contact their local cane productivity services group for planting material of these released varieties,” he said.

Based on decisions made at the Northern Variety Adoption Meeting, South Johnstone miller and canegrower representatives also requested the release of Q256. Achieving good cane yields in the  Final Assessment Trails (FATs) mainly in plant crops and vigorous growth in local propagations the representatives stated that this variety would make a good addition in their region.

“Q256 produced from parents Q136 and N21 from South Africa, is a Northern bred variety. This variety is susceptible to smut and Pachymetra root rot. It has produced very good plant crop results in our trials, but has shown severe decline in the following ratoons,” said Mr Fletcher.

“Tully, Mulgrave and Mossman mill areas agreed not to release and recommend this variety in their mill areas; however they accepted its release in the South Johnstone mill area.”

Approval from the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) will be sought for the release of Q256.

“There are more highly productive new varieties on the horizon for the Northern region, especially clones in the QN05 series which have been derived from seedlings planted in 2005. These will be further assessed and progressed through to adoption stage in the immediate coming years,” he said.

“By delivering new varieties that are more productive and disease-resistant BSES is helping growers and the Australian sugarcane industry become more productive, profitable and sustainable.”