Tropical potato clones with larger canopies do not affect the growth, yield and yield components of intercropped sugar cane

Abstract

About 80% of the potato produced in Mauritius comes from an intercrop with sugarcane. Recently, several new tropical clones with higher yields have been proposed to growers. Since their higher yields are associated with larger canopies, five trials were conducted in 1997 and 1998 to investigate whether the new clones affect the yield and yield components of intercropped cane. Percent and duration of canopy cover of tropical clones were significantly higher than those of traditional temperate clones. Canopy cover was also higher in intercropping than in pure stands.The potato had no significant effect on tiller density, number of millable cane, sucrose content, cane and sugar yield of intercropped cane. There were no relationships between either potato canopy cover duration or potato yield and relative cane yield. This confirms that even potato with larger canopies and higher yields do not affect intercropped cane growth and yield.


Key Words: Mauritius, potato/sugarcane intercrop, sucrose content, tiller density


(African Crop Science Journal 2001 9(1): 59-66)