HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lingle, S. E. Articles by Irvine, J. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Lingle, S. E. Articles by Irvine, J. E. Agricola Articles by Lingle, S. E. Articles by Irvine, J. E.

Sucrose Synthase and Natural Ripening in Sugarcane

USDA-ARS, Subtropical Agric. Res. Lab., 2413 E. Highway 83, Welasco TX 78596
Texas A&M Univ., Agric. Exp. Stn, Welasco, TX 78596

^* Corresponding author.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) cultivars vary in the timing and extent of natural ripening, an increase in the sucrose concentration of stalk juice that increases sucrose recovery in the sugar industry. The present study was conducted to determine (i) what changes sugar accumulation occur in individual internodes during ripening, and (ii) if changes in sucrose synthase (SS) activity accompany natural ripening in sugarcane. Sugar concentrations and SS activities were determined in elongating and sucrose-storing internodes of two sugarcane cultivars sampled at monthly intervals during the 1989–1990 and 1990–1991 harvest seasons in South Texas. Ripening was indicated by a decrease in elongation rate, increase in total sugar concentration, and increase in sucrose percent of total sugar over successive sampling dates. These changes occurred earlier and to a greater extent in ‘CP 70-321’, an early ripening cultivar, than in ‘LCP 81-10’, which ripens later in the season. The specific activity of SS did not change significantly during this same period. In this study, changes in SS activity did not appear to be related to ripening.

Received for publication September 7, 1993.