Effect of storage periods on quality characteristics and sugar yield of pre-harvest burnt and unburnt cane of sugarcane varieties (Saccharum spp. hybrid) at Finchaa Sugar Factory, Oromia, Ethiopia

The study aimed to determine the effects of cane storage periods on pre-harvested burnt and unburnt green harvested canes on quality characteristics and sugar yield of sugarcane varieties at Finchaa Sugar Factory, Ethiopia. Experiments were conducted on a split-split plot design with two varieties, N 14 and N Co 334 as main plots, types of canes burnt and unburnt green harvested canes as sub-plots, and eight cane storage periods (0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 h) as sub-subplots with three replications. All quality parameters were investigated using the standard procedure. The results showed that the loss in cane weight increased and pol %, purity % juice, estimated recoverable sugar, and sugar yield decreased significantly with increasing periods of storage. The results also indicated that losses were more in burnt harvested canes than the unburnt canes over the storage period. Brix and reducing sugar in juice increased with the storage periods and these were more in burnt canes than unburnt harvested canes. The loss in cane weight, pol, juice purity, recoverable sugar, and sugar yield was high in NCo334 variety at each storage period. The pol and purity % juice, recoverable sugar % cane, and sugar yield were more in burnt and unburnt harvested canes in both varieties at storage periods. The findings suggested that the N 14 cane variety of burnt harvested canes and green canes should be crushed within 24 and 48 h to obtain better sugar quality than N Co 334 variety.