23 May 2013

New sugarcane varieties approved for release in the Burdekin region in 2013

Based on the recent endorsements from the Burdekin regional sugarcane Variety Adoption Committee, hosted by BSES Limited (BSES), two new varieties have been recommended for planting in 2013.

“Q240^A and Q252, two of last year’s releases to Burdekin Productivity Services Limited (BPS) have been added to the regional Recommended for Planting List,” said Mr Roderick Fletcher, Development Officer – Varieties, Professional Extension and Communication Unit, BSES.

Q240^A is a Southern region variety produced from parents QN81-289, and SP78-3137 from Brazil.   It has blanket approval in all regions and has performed well in local trials and has shown increased Tonnes Cane per Hectare (TCH) compared with the standards of Q171^A; Q183^A; Q208^A and KQ228^A. It is resistant to smut and leaf scald and will be useful in the Burdekin region. Local advice should be sought as it has been observed to produce many suckers.

Q252 produced from parents Q208^A and Q96 is a Burdekin variety which is resistant to leaf scald and has intermediate resistance to smut. It has performed well and shown equal Commercial Cane Sugar (CCS) – a measure of recoverable sugar in the cane – and higher cane yield than the standards of Q171^A; Q183^A; Q208^A and KQ228^A.

“Growers are encouraged to contact BPS for planting material of these newly released varieties,” said Mr Fletcher.

Other important endorsements made by the Variety Adoption Committee include Q253 and Q238^A – two new niche varieties approved for release to the BPS Distribution plot. These varieties will be made available to growers in 2014.

Q253 produced from parents QN80-3425 and Q209^A has been recommended for release based on its good TCH and possible suitability for marginal lands. Local advice should be sought when considering this variety as it has lower CCS compared to the standards of Q171^A; Q183^A; Q208^A and KQ228^A.

“Q238^A is a Central region cane produced from parents Q138 and Q155. It had average performance in our trials, but is highly susceptible to chlorotic streak, which may limit its suitability in some areas of the Burdekin.  It has no other pest, quarantine or milling restrictions,” said Mr Fletcher.

“By delivering a range of new varieties that are more productive, disease-resistant or suitable to specific growing conditions BSES is helping growers and the Australian sugarcane industry become more productive, profitable and sustainable.”

Media contact: Vanessa Sandhu, Communications Manager, BSES, 0419 175 815.