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HoCP 96-540 was derived from a cross made between LCP 86-454 as the female parent and LCP 85-384 as the male parent. HoCP 96-540 is a variety that has a moderate population of medium-sized stalks with good stubbling ability. HoCP 96-540 is a midmaturing variety with excellent stalk density that provides for superior sugar and cane yields (Tew et al., 2005). The following pictures will show eight different characteristics to help in identifying HoCP 96-540.
1. Canopy – Moderately erect with leaf tips making a right angle at the top.
2. Stalk wax – Slight to moderate.
3. Stalk color under the wax layer – Green stalks with a yellow color under the leaf sheath.
4. Leaf sheath – Heavy wax layer with no pubescence (hair); with prolonged exposure to the sun the leaf sheaths become reddish pink in color.
5. Leaf sheath margin – Non-necrotic with purple edges on occasion.
6. Dewlap – Light olive green.
7. Auricle – Slight to moderate in length.
8. Distinguishing characteristics – The heavy wax layer and non-necrotic leaf margin help to distinguish this variety from HoCP 04-838. HoCP 96-540 tends to have reddish-pink leaf sheaths.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture
