Review of current and future investments in high density planting : SRDC Final report

Abstract

The BSES is presently confronting the issue of how to facilitate the adoption of HOP as a commercially productive system. Relevant preliminary project proposals have been submitted for SRDC funding. This consultancy assesses these proposals in the light of identified uncertainties and views developed on the best strategy for implementation.A review of international literature established a general positive yield response for close rows over 1.4-1.8m single row which are clearly a suboptimal compromise for yields of biomass and millable cane. No change in CCS is associated with the close row response.This knowledge has been available since the 1960's in the USA, Australia and South Africa. However the industry has been unable to successfully exploit the potential for higher yields due to its failure to mechanize close row, husbandry and harvesting operations.