Two field trials were conducted at El-Mattana Agricultural Research Station (Luxor Governorate) planted as a spring plant cane in 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons and the 1st ratoon crops grown in 2010/2011 to study the effect of delivery delaying periods (1, 4 and 7 days) on yield and quality of two promising sugar cane varieties (G.98-28 and G.99-80 beside G.T.54-9).
The results indicated that G.98-28 surpassed G.T.54-9 and G.99-80 varieties, attaining the lowest values of brix% and stalk fresh weight losses%. While, the highest cane and sugar yields/fed, purity% and sugar recovery%., respectively in plant canes and 1st ratoon crops. Brix% and stalk fresh weight loss% tended to increase as post harvest storage periods were prolonged up to 7 days after harvest, while, sucrose%, purity%, sugar recovery% as well as cane and sugar yields/fed decreased as the period after harvesting was extended.
The interaction between delivery delaying periods and sugarcane variety were significantly differed for sugar recovery%, cane and sugar yields/fed in the 1st plant cane and 1st ratoon crops.
Delivery of sugarcane immediately after harvesting to the mill is recommended to attain the best quality and maximum cane and sugar yields.