Traffic count methodology for sugarcane

1. Objetivo

Production and quality estimates by sector and per hectare.

2. Muestreos

There are two types of sampling, production and quality.

  • Production: sampling to monitor production progress will be conducted starting five months after cutting/planting.

  • Quality: quality samplings will be conducted starting from two months before the estimated harvest date and up to a maximum of 10 days before harvest. The samples must be sent and analyzed in the laboratory. We must save the capacity ID to enter the laboratory results once we receive them.

For both samplings, the field points will be georeferenced using HEMAV AFOROS mobile application.

3. Características del muestreo

  • The plant must have more than 14 green leaves

  • Conducted with a minimum of 5 points of 2 linear meters in different vigor zones defined with the HEMAV Aforos APP.

  • If production and quality are performed in the same capacity calculation, the generated capacity ID must be noted down in order to find it again later and fill it out correctly.

4. Material Necesario

  • Machete (For harvesting

  • Scale (For weighing plants)

  • Label/paper (To properly identify each sample)

  • Permanent Marker (To label samples and send them to the laboratory appropriately)

  • Worker protection equipment API (Required to enter and harvest in the field)

  • Rope or tape (To delimit the linear meters to be sampled)

  • Thread (To tie the specimens, weigh them and send them to the laboratory)

  • Mobile device with HEMAV AFOROS installed and fields downloaded to the APP.

Check that you have the materials before going to the field:

5. Identificación de las zonas a muestrear

The sampling zones will be defined based on the latest available cloud-free satellite image, and a sample will be analyzed for each zone with different behavior, although surveying with the drone image is recommended when possible.

The number of samplings must be sufficient to represent the field’s reality, with a minimum of 5 samples per plot.

If the field is very homogeneous, take 5 samples per block repeating the most common classes.

6. Insertar AFORO de PRODUCCIÓN en APP HEMAV

To insert a new SUGAR CANE PRODUCTION capacity, follow these instructions with our selected plot.

For each sampling, the following data must be entered:

Required parameters

  • Number of Canes: Number of Canes in the 2 linear meters sampled

  • Cane weight [kg]: Weight of all canes from the 2 linear meters sampled

  • Notes on survey: Write down the linear meters sampled, and the expected moisture level at harvest time (percentage values).

Optional Parameters

  • Moisture (%): sugarcane moisture at the time of sampling. However, entering the moisture content from the testing is highly recommended.

  • Number of individuals: Number of individuals in the 2 linear meters sampled

  • No. of sprouts or small reeds: Number of sprouts or small reeds in the 2 linear meters sampled (also known as suckers).

  • Stubble width (cm): Width of the stubble bed at ground level

  • Stubble width (cm): Width of the stubble bed at ground level

7. Insertar AFORO de CALIDAD en APP HEMAV

When laboratory data is received, we will look for the ID of the sampled gauging. After locating it, we will enter the parameters shown in the following image in the quality section:

Mandatory parameters to request from the laboratory

  • ATR (%): Total recoverable sugars

  • HUMIDITY (%): Humidity level.

Optional parameters to request from the laboratory

  • FR (%): Fiber content

  • BRIX (%): Soluble solids content

  • SAC (%): Sucrose content

  • POL (%): Sucrose polarization in juice

  • RED. SUG (%): Reducing sugars (Glucose and fructose)

  • PURITY (%): Purity, amount of sucrose in relation to soluble solids

  • Capacity notes: Indicate important considerations.

Once the data has been entered and saved, processing (postpro@hemav.com) must be notified that the quality counts are ready and the following information must be attached:

✓ Quality parameter to generate the deliverable: POL, BRIX, SAC, FR, ATR

✓ Attach laboratory results indicating units for each parameter and calculation methods. Documents can be sent in both PDF and Excel formats.

✓ Type and amount (L/ha) of ripener used in the plot.

8. Toma de muestras

  • Production: for each sampling point, canes will be cut at 2 linear meters, as close to the ground as possible, and topped at the natural breaking point (this point coincides with the apical tip where we have the bud with leaves). Leaves, roots, soil, and other impurities will be removed. With the prepared canes, we will record the required fields in AFOROS.

  • Calidad: para cada punto de muestreo, se cortarán un mínimo de 10 cañas, lo más cerca al suelo, y se despuntarán en el punto de quiebre natural (este punto coincide con la punta apical donde tenemos el cogollo con hojas). Se eliminarán las hojas, raíces, tierra, y otras impurezas, y se atarán las cañas con hilo/cuerda formando un paquete. Se recomienda mandar la muestra el mismo día del corte para evitar la pérdida de calidad. Al mandar al laboratorio, cada paquete se identificará correctamente con el ID del aforo generado por la APP.

Zona de caña a muestrear

9. Valores de referencia para los aforos

The range of average values over which our capacity levels will fluctuate will be, more or less, as follows:

Type

Parameter

Unit

Minimum value

Maximum value

Production

Weight in canes in 2 ml

kg

14,6

21,9

Weight 1 rod

kg

0,72

0,96

Number of straws in 2 ml

16

28

Number of suctions in 2 ml

1

4

Quality

ATR

kg/

148

161

Humidity

Since you haven

69

70

Chicken in broth

Since you haven

17,38

19,08

Brix

Since you haven

20

22

Fiber

Since you haven

10,99

11,82

1. Capacity value ranges

It is suggested to verify that the values entered in the app do not differ significantly from these indicated reference values.

9. Referencias

LARRAHONDO, J. E., & VILLEGAS, F. (1995). Control and Maturation Characteristics. CENICAÑA. The Cultivation of Sugarcane in the Sugar Zone of Colombia, Cali, 297-313.

Larrahondo, J. E. (2013). Definition and scope of alcochemistry: the quality of raw materials and their impact on the alcochemical process. III AETA Congress.

Melgar Mario, Meneses Adlai, Orozco Héctor, Pérez Ovidio, E. R. (2014). The Cultivation of Sugarcane in Guatemala.