Browsing by Author "Parfitt, R"

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Assessment of new soft cane varieties : final report 2015/081
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2016) Kent, G; Parfitt, R
The project objectives were to: experimentally determine whether extraneous matter affects the fibre quality parameters measured by SRA; experimentally determine whether the commercial cane preparation process affects the fibre quality parameters measured by SRA; experimentally compare the handle-ability properties of SRA1 andQC04-1411 to the major variety in the central and southern regions - Q208. In 2016, three new cane varieties, SRA1, SRA4 and QC04-1411, were either released or were proposed for release into the Bundaberg and Mackay districts. According to the pre-release fibre quality measurements undertaken by Sugar Research Australia, all three varieties were classified as a soft cane. This report documents a series of experiments undertaken to better define soft canes and to measure the effect that these three varieties had on factory operation and performance.
Effects of pachymetra root rot and nematodes on some elite sugarcane clones in Australia
(ASSCT, 2016) Bhuiyan, SA; Croft, BJ; Wong, E; Ogden-Brown, J; Turner, M; Parfitt, R; Magarey, RC; Bull, J; Cox, MC
PACHYMETRA ROOT ROT and nematodes are the two most important soil-borne pathogens of sugarcane in Australia. An experiment was established in Yandaran, Queensland in grey forest soil with high Pachymetra spore counts (>100 000 spores/kg). Fifteen elite varieties and one advanced clone, from pachymetra root rot susceptible, intermediate and resistant categories, were planted in the experiment. The experiment was maintained until the second ratoon crop and Pachymetra and nematode populations were assessed in each crop. In addition, the incidence of smut was recorded before harvesting. Cane yield (TCH), commercial cane sugar (CCS) and sugar yield (TSH) were also measured in each crop. Pachymetra spore counts remained significantly lower in resistant varieties compared to susceptible and intermediate varieties until the second ratoon. In intermediate and susceptible varieties Pachymetra spore counts increased substantially, in particular, in second ratoon. In intermediate varieties such as Q232A and Q208A Pachymetra spore counts increased more than three times from plant crop to second ratoon. Numbers of nematodes, in particular root-lesion nematode, more than doubled in the second ratoon crop compared to the plant and first ratoon crops. Only Q248A had significant levels of smut, with 25% and 30% infected plants in the first and second ratoon crops, respectively. Yield reduction was substantial in the second ratoon compared to the plant and first-ratoon crop. Sugar yield decreased by 45% in the second ratoon compared to the first ratoon. Mostly, poor or negative correlations were observed between both Pachymetra spore counts and nematode numbers and yield.
Field evaluation of selected introgression clones for their resistance to root-knot nematodes : ASSCT peer-reviewed paper
(ASSCT, 2019) Bhuiyan, SA; Piperidis, G; Hu, F; Parfitt, R; Garlick, K; Quinn, B; Jakins, A
Sugarcane nematodes, root-knot (RKN) and root-lesion (RLN), cause an estimated loss of over $80 million per year to the Australian sugar industry. In particular, RKN is a major problem if sugarcane is planted in sandy soil. No effective control method is available for sugarcane nematodes in Australia. Crop rotation and fallowing provide only short-term control and nematode populations usually bounce back within 12 months after these control methods. The use of nematicides is restricted due to inconsistent results, difficulty in application and the highly toxic nature of the chemicals to humans and the environment. No commercial cultivars are resistant to sugarcane nematodes. Recent glasshouse trials in Australia suggested that clones from introgression populations, originating from crossing between commercial canes and Saccharum spontaneum or Erianthus arundinaceus, possessed good resistance to root knot nematodes. Field trials were established to determine the reliability of glasshouse resistance-screening results. Eight introgression clones that showed resistance to RKN in glasshouse trials were evaluated in a field in Wallaville, north of Childers. Test clones were planted in plots with high and low nematode populations and maintained up to the second ratoon crop. Trial plots were assessed for nematodes each year 6 weeks after planting and ratooning. Three years of results showed that 7 of 8 introgression clones consistently maintained low numbers of RKN until the end of the trial period, and significantly (P
Maximising genetic gain from family and within family selection : final report 011/343
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2016) Parfitt, R; Wei, X; Stringer, J
The aim of this project is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of selection in progeny assessment trials (PATs). These improvements will result in increased rates of genetic gain and the release of more productive varieties for the Australian sugarcane industry.