Sugarcane harvest time for processing and technological quality of brown sugar

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the optimal harvest time of ten genotypes of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) for the processing and quality of brown sugar. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design in a 3x10 factorial arrangement in split plots, with three harvest times and ten sugarcane genotypes, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The qualitative parameters of brown sugar were evaluated by Scott-Knott’s test, at 5% probability. The harvest season in September, known as the middle of the harvest, is the most suitable for the production of brown sugar due to the higher of ºBrix values of cane, ºBrix of the broth, pol of brown sugar, and total reducing sugars in this period. The harvesting of the sugarcane genotypes in June-July is the most favorable for the production of brown sugar for the color characteristics a*, b*, L*, and chroma; however, it is also the period of production of brown sugar with a lower sugar content. The third harvest season (November) is the least recommended for brown sugar production due to the higher fiber and purity values. The most suitable genotype for brown sugar production and quality is 'IACSP04-704'.摘要：本研究旨在评估10个甘蔗（Saccharum officinarum）基因型的最佳收获期，以保障红糖的加工性能与品质。试验采用3×10裂区因子的随机完全区组设计，设置3个收获时期与10个甘蔗基因型，试验地点位于巴西圣保罗州。采用Scott-Knott检验对红糖的品质参数进行显著性分析，显著性水平设定为5%。9月（即收获中期）为红糖生产的最适收获期，此时期甘蔗锤度（°Brix）、糖汁锤度、红糖转光度（pol）及总还原糖含量均处于较高水平。6-7月收获的甘蔗基因型更适合生产符合a*、b*、L*及色度指标要求的红糖，但该时期生产的红糖糖分含量较低。第三个收获季（11月）因纤维与纯度值较高，最不推荐用于红糖生产。最适合红糖生产且品质最优的甘蔗基因型为‘IACSP04-704’。