What factors determine the quality of sugarcane?

Soil

Sugarcane cultivation requires red volcanic soils & alluvial soils with a pH of 6.5-7.5. For example, soil acidity adversely affects sugarcane growth, yield, and quality. In sandy soils having a very low cation exchange capacity, lower concentrations of Al (nitrate) in the soil solution may cause toxicity problems.

Temperature

The temperature between 15 to 45°C in a warm & humid climate helps in the synthesis of sucrose in cane hence boosting the quality.

Rainfall

Average rainfall of 150 cm is required for cultivation otherwise lack of sufficient rainfall causes maturity of sugarcane while gradually withdrawal of irrigation/rainfall during the ripening phase is known to help in the accumulation of more sugar.

Planting time

Leaf area development is especially important because the rate of leaf area increase is relatively slow. The higher leaf area tiller-1 in early sowing throughout the growing season might be due to the presence of favorable environmental conditions for vegetative growth than that of late sowing.

Humidity

High humidity (80-85%) favors rapid cane elongation during the grand growth period. A moderate value of 45-65% coupled with limited water supply is favorable during the ripening phase hence if the conditions are not similar poor quality cane will be harvested.

Insects, pests, and diseases-susceptibility of the variety to the diseases and pests aggravates the situation and creates additive problems & damages sugarcanes hence affecting the quality.