Effect of breaks on sugarcane growth: relations between glasshouse and field studies

The effects of varying types and duration of breaks (other crops, pastures or bare fallows) and soil fumigation on subsequent growth of sugar cane crops were investigated in a series of five field experiments. Results from the first series of test plantings have shown breaks can produce significant effects on sugar cane growth and yield – at least as large as those from soil fumigation. These responses have generally been characterised by marked differences in shoot establishment and early growth in the first 70-90 days. Glasshouse studies conducted using soil from the same sites showed significant (P