Effect of glyphosate used as a sugarcane chemical ripener in Cte dIvoire

Sugarcane chemical ripening is aimed at accelerating the sucrose accumulation in the stems for harvesting when the climate conditions of crop year are hardly optimal for natural ripening. The study aims at determining the best response of sugarcane varieties to glyphosate ripening effect and the harvest delay after its application in Ferke 2 Sugar Bowl, Northern Cote d’Ivoire, in order to improve the technological qualities of canes at the early harvest season. Twenty plantations (700 ha) hosting two commercial varieties NCo376 and SP711406 were treated with glyphosate (360 emulsion concentrated) at 0.8 L/ha. For each plantation, two sample plots of 1 ha control and treated were determined. Those samples were analyzed to determine the sucrose gradient all along the stalks and monitor their technological qualities after 10, 15 and 20 days. As results, glyphosate improved sucrose content and the recoverable sugar of treated varieties. SP71-1406 was more sensitive than NCo376 with uniform qualities all along stalks after 20 days. Gains of 1.6% sucrose content and 1.5% recoverable sugar were obtained, compared to the control. So, the uppermost parts preservation of harvested stalks is justified and a sugar gain of 0.13 t/ha except those generated by the ripener. Key words: Glyphosate, ripener, technological quality, gradient, sucrose, recoverable sugar.