(07/17/25) ST. GABRIEL, La. — The announcement of a new variety and the arrival of a potentially troublesome weed highlighted the LSU AgCenter’s annual Sugar Research Station field day.

AgCenter breeder Michael Pontif announced a new U.S. Department of Agriculture variety release, HoCP 18-803. After 12 years of testing and more than 200 samples brought to the lab, 803 was determined to exhibit good tonnage, stalk size and sugar — doing statistically better than L 01-299, the leading variety in the state for the past several years.

“It’s got a good disease package resistant to borers,” Pontif said. “It’s a fast-growing stalk, faster than 299. It does drop off a little bit in the second and third stubbles, but it is a nice commercial variety.”

While 803 is slightly more susceptible to rust and mosaic disease, Pontif said, it was determined that the positives outweighed the negatives, thus making it approved for release to the industry. There also are promising new varieties in the pipeline that could be released in the next two or three years.

The positive news about 803 was tempered by weed scientist Matt Foster revealing that a new invasive weed was discovered in St. John the Baptist Parish late last year. Luffa quinquefida — part of the cucurbit family — is native to Central America and could potentially cause nightmares for producers come harvest time.

“It wraps around the cane, clogging the machine,” Foster said. “So, we’re trying to make growers aware and are currently evaluating management options, looking at the biology of the weed and going from there.”

Soil fertility specialist Brenda Tubaña, sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois and postdoctoral researcher Bruno Nicchio discussed conservation practices and soil health. Nicchio spoke about the importance of residue management to soil health, water quality and yield.

“When we harvest sugarcane, we disturb the soil structure, which can increase runoff, nutrient losses and erosion,” he said. “Retaining the residue in the field acts as a protective layer, reducing compaction and holding the soil in place.”

Tubaña discussed biochar, a carbon-rich, charcoal-like material that she said has a long list of benefits, including retaining nutrients, moisture and carbon in the soil, thus improving soil structure.

“All of this together facilitates microbial activity and, in return, helps out with nutrient recycling,” she said. “This vital application is one of the things we encourage when it comes to conservation practices.”

Entomologist Blake Wilson discussed insects harmful to sugarcane, including the West Indian canefly. Historically, it has been a sporadic pest in the region. But it has produced four outbreak years since 2016, requiring his team to get Section 18 emergency exemption labels for the use of effective insecticides.

“While we have pyrethroids registered and they can provide effective control of West Indian caneflies, it’s complicated by the presence of sugarcane aphids in the same fields,” he said. “Applying a pyrethroid in a field where you have both will tend to exacerbate sugarcane aphid infestation.”

At the outset of the day, Gravois — who later would be named endowed chair by the American Sugar Cane League — said that early indications suggest a continuing acreage increase for Louisiana sugarcane based on a recent USDA acreage report.

He added that, despite grower concerns about two hard freezes in January and February affecting yield, the sugarcane crop rebounded nicely because of improved varieties with better freeze tolerances.

Gravois said the crop has entered its grand growth phase earlier than normal.

“The grand growth phase is a time where the sugarcane plant can grow 6 to 10 inches per week,” Gravois said. “Our acreage in the more northern parishes will need some rain soon, and elsewhere rainfall has been timelier. The crop has good height, and we expect some folks will begin planting by late July.”

The day concluded with updates from Matt Lee, interim LSU president; Michael Salassi, interim vice president for agriculture and dean of the College of Agriculture; Jim Simon, general manager of the American Sugar Cane League; Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; and Brayden Blanchard, assistant professor at the Sugar Research Station.

Lee said that in every field of endeavor, LSU builds teams that win, especially in the realm of agriculture.

“We drive economic growth at the local level, drive prosperity, improve human health outcomes and continue to give producers, farmers, growers the tools they need to be successful,” Lee said.

Salassi thanked everyone involved with the field day for their hard work, presented Gravois with his endowed chair certificate and read the Louisiana Senate proclamation declaring it.

Both Simon and Strain touted recent state and national legislative wins for the industry while Blanchard wrapped up the proceedings by speaking about the history of the AgCenter sugarcane breeding program and the importance of continued innovation for future success.

For the second year in a row, the field day broke attendance records, with Sugar Research Station coordinator Al Orgeron estimating that more than 300 attendees took part in the event.

“The past two years have been the most successful on record,” Orgeron said.

A new USDA variety release, HoCP 18-803, was announced at the LSU AgCenter sugarcane field day held July 16, 2025. Breeding specialist Michael Pontiff said it exhibits good tonnage, stalk size and sugar. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

AgCenter weed scientist Matt Foster displays a new invasive species found in St. John the Baptist Parish late last year to the gathered attendees at the LSU AgCenter sugarcane field day held July 16, 2025. Luffa quinquefida grows rapidly and can clog harvesters. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

LSU AgCenter soil fertility specialist Brenda Tubaña touted the benefits of biochar at the LSU AgCenter sugarcane field day held July 16, 2025. It’s a carbon-rich, charcoal-like material that she said helps retain nutrients, moisture and carbon in the soil, improving soil structure. Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter