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- Sugarcane Variety Cold Tolerance
Sugarcane has been bred to be adapted to Louisiana's temperate climate. The varieties grown in Louisiana differ in their ability to withstand sub-freezing temperatures that can occur prior to the end of the harvest and processing season.
Scientists at the USDA-ARS plant a variety trial each year that, in the event of sub-freezing temperatures, can be harvested to assess the rate of deterioration of a sugarcane variety after a freeze event. Indicators of juice deterioration include a drop in juice pH, a rise in titratable acidity, juice purity drop, and an increase in polysaccharides and dextran, which ultimately lead to a drop in sucrose content and the inability to crystallize sucrose at the factory. The following table categorizes Louisiana sugarcane varieties' ability to withstand sub-freezing temperatures and subsequent sucrose deterioration.
| Resistant | Intermediate | Susceptible |
| HoCP 96-540 | HoCP 00-950 | L 99-226 |
| L 01-283 | Ho 05-961 | L 99-233 |
| L 01-299 | HoCP 09-804 | L 03-371 |
| HoCP 04-838 | Ho 07-613 | |
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture