Registration of ‘Ho 13-739’ sugarcane

Abstract

‘Ho 13-739’ (Reg. no. CV-214, PI 703499) sugarcane (a Saccharum spp. complex polyploid) was selected and evaluated by scientists at the USDA-ARS in Houma, LA, in cooperation with the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and the American Sugar Cane League, Inc. It was released to growers in Louisiana in 2020. Results from evaluations in plant-cane and first- and second-ratoon crops at 13 field locations revealed that sucrose content and stalk weight of Ho 13-739 were significantly greater than ‘L 01-299’ in every crop and across the crop cycle. Sucrose yield was not significantly different than L 01-299 for all crops evaluated and across the crop cycle. Ho 13-739 is an early-maturing cultivar with poor mature-stalk cold tolerance. The cultivar is resistant to smut (Sporisorium scitamineum) and Sorghum mosaic virus and moderately suspectable to brown rust (caused by Puccinia melanocephala) and leaf scald (caused by Xanthomonas albilineans). It was also moderately susceptible to the sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis F). Ho 13-739 has important traits for producers such as high sucrose content, early maturity, and adequate disease resistance.