GROWER-EXTENSIONIST-RESEARCHER PARTNERSHIPS: ON-FARM DEMONSTRATION TRIALS TO FACILITATE ADOPTION OF CHEMICAL RIPENING

In the South African sugarcane industry chemical ripeners are used to increase cane quality in vigorously growing crops. Replicated research trials are conducted at several locations to develop variety-specific ripener recommendations. Since 2010, these trials have been supplemented by on-farm demonstration trials through the formation of grower-extensionistresearcher partnerships. The objectives of this paper are to elaborate on these partnerships and to showcase outcomes in terms of demonstrating on-farm economic benefit and grower adoption. Twelve demonstration trials were conducted on farms in Komatipoort, Pongola, Melmoth and Eston on irrigated annual and rainfed long cutting-cycle crops. Fields were identified through inspection to ensure that all logistical considerations were met and that the crops displayed in-field uniformity. Fields were demarcated into strips that acted as unsprayed controls or ripener treatments. Ripeners (Ethephon TM , Fusilade Forte TM and Volley TM ) were administered by fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters at registered application rates. At harvest all cane deliveries from control and treatment strips were analysed by the Cane Testing Service at the respective sugar mills. These demonstration trials showed that ripeners increased relative value (RV) yields by 0.83-2.11 t/ha in annual cutting-cycle crops and by 0.51-2.15 t/ha in vigorously growing longer cutting-cycle crops, except for one trial at Melmoth where a negative response was observed in variety N16. Evidence supporting increased adoption of chemical ripening following communication of trial outcomes to growers in the Mpumalanga region is presented. In addition, areas requiring further research are revealed for purposes of establishing similar grower-extensionist-researcher partnerships in the future.