Registration of ‘CP 15-2516’ sugarcane for organic soils in Florida

Abstract

‘CP 15-2516’ (Reg. no. CV-215, PI 703029) sugarcane cultivar, a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp., was developed jointly by USDA-ARS, the University of Florida, and the Florida Sugar Cane League. CP 15-2516 was released in June 2022 for commercial cultivation on the Florida organic (muck) soils due to its high cane and sucrose yields, commercial recoverable sucrose (CRS), and economic index (EI). CP 15-2516 originated from CPX13-1630, a cross between a female parent (CP 95-1039) and a male parent (‘CP 06-2400’). CP 15-2516 is resistant to brown rust, orange rust, and Sugarcane mosaic virus strain E. CP 15-2516 harbors the Bru1 marker associated with brown rust resistance. CP 15-2516 is moderately resistant to leaf scald and ratoon stunt disease, smut, and yellow leaf. Based on the results of three harvest cycles over five locations in Stage 4 on muck soils, cane and sucrose yields of CP 15-2516 were 10.48% (181.31 Mg ha⁻¹) and 11.49% (18.62 Mg ha⁻¹) respectively, higher (P < .05) than those of the reference cultivar ‘CP 96-1252’. Compared with CP 96-1252, the EI of CP 15-2516 was significantly (P < .05) higher by 15% (3233 ha⁻¹). The mean cane fiber content of CP 15-2516 was 138.7 kg Mg⁻¹ and was 1% to 8% higher than the reference cultivars (‘CP 00-1101’, CP 96-1252, and ‘CPCL 05-1201’). CP 15-2516 flowers intermittently during January in Florida's climate. CP 15-2516 has a better freeze tolerance than commercial reference cultivars CP 00-1101 and CP 96-1252. CP 15-2516 is expected to positively contribute to the profitability and sustainability of the Florida sugarcane industry.