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How to Grow CP 80-1743 Sugarcane

CP 80-1743 Sugarcane

Saccharum officinarum

grass

CP 80-1743 is a tropical sugarcane cultivar developed by the Canal Point breeding program, known for high sugar yield and disease resistance. This tall perennial grass produces thick stalks filled with sweet sap that is processed into sugar, molasses, and ethanol. It is widely grown in commercial sugarcane operations in warm climates.

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Example CP 80-1743 Sugarcane timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant CP 80-1743 Sugarcane

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest CP 80-1743 Sugarcane

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact CP 80-1743 Sugarcane dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily; requires intense sunlight for maximum sugar accumulation
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Water: Moderate to high water requirements; 40-60 inches of rainfall annually or equivalent irrigation; consistent moisture during growing season, slightly drier during dormancy
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Spacing: 36-48 inches
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Days to maturity: 330-400 days (11-13 months) from planting to first harvest
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Planting depth: 2-3 inches; plant cane pieces (setts) containing 2-3 buds

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to clay loam soil, deep and fertile
pH: 5.5-7.5
Amendments:
Organic matter/compost Nitrogen fertilizer Phosphorus Potassium Calcium (lime if pH is low)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in tropical and subtropical zones 10-11; requires frost-free conditions year-round

10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Sprouting

3-4 weeks

Buds on planted cane setts sprout and develop initial shoots; plants begin root development

Maintain consistent soil moisture; protect from pests; light nitrogen application; ensure good soil contact for setts

2

Tillering

4-8 weeks

Multiple shoots emerge from each sett and develop their own root systems; plants form clumps with 4-6 shoots per sett

Apply nitrogen fertilizer as shoots emerge; maintain moisture; thin to desired plant density if overcrowded; begin herbicide weed control

3

Vegetative Growth

4-5 months

Stalks elongate rapidly; leaves expand; plants reach substantial height (6-10+ feet); rapid biomass accumulation

Heavy nitrogen and potassium feeding; consistent irrigation; intensive weed management; monitor for pests and diseases; support plants if needed in windy areas

4

Maturation & Sugar Accumulation

2-3 months

Growth rate slows; stalk diameter increases; sugar concentration in juice builds up; leaves may senesce

Reduce nitrogen to minimize lodging; maintain adequate potassium; continue irrigation as needed; prepare for harvest; monitor maturity with field testing (Brix measurements)

5

Harvest Ready

Harvest window 2-4 weeks

Stalks are fully mature with maximum sugar content and stalk strength; plant is ready for mechanical or manual harvest

Time harvest when Brix is at peak (typically 18-22%); harvest before frost damage occurs; field trash is minimal; plan for crop residue management

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Rotation crops (legumes, corn, or pasture grasses) Cover crops (tropical grasses or legumes between ratoons)

Avoid planting near:

Sugarcane mosaic virus-infected plants Ratoon stunting disease-infected cane Fields with severe nematode populations

Common Pests

  • Crop rotation, resistant varieties, pheromone traps, biological controls with parasitic wasps, chemical insecticides if threshold exceeded

  • Insecticidal soaps, neem oil, systemic insecticides, beneficial predators, resistant varieties

  • Resistant varieties, nematicide treatments, crop rotation with non-host crops, soil solarization, resistant rootstock

  • Monitoring, irrigation stress avoidance, resistant varieties, insecticides during nymph stage

  • and

    Horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps, systemic insecticides, natural enemies, removal of infested plant material

Uses

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Sugar & Sweetener Production

Culinary

CP 80-1743 stalks are processed to extract juice, which is concentrated and crystallized to produce refined white sugar, muscovado, or other sugar products. The high sugar content makes it ideal for industrial sugar manufacturing. [source]

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Molasses & Byproducts

Culinary

The thick, dark molasses by-product from sugar processing is used in baking, brewing, and animal feed production, providing flavor and nutritional content. [source]

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Biofuel & Ethanol Production

Household

Sugarcane juice and bagasse (fibrous residue) are fermented to produce ethanol, a renewable fuel source that powers vehicles and reduces fossil fuel dependency. [source]

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Paper & Bagasse Products

Household

The crushed fiber residue (bagasse) left after juice extraction is used to produce paper products, cardboard, and biodegradable packaging materials. [source]

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Agricultural Habitat & Soil Health

Wildlife

Sugarcane fields support diverse arthropod communities and provide ground cover that prevents soil erosion. Crop residues enrich soil organic matter when incorporated. [source]

Harvest Tips

CP 80-1743 is typically harvested 11-13 months after planting at 330-400 days. Harvest when sugar content (Brix) reaches 18-22%. Time harvest to minimize frost exposure and maximize yield. Can be harvested mechanically or manually by cutting stalks 2-3 inches above ground. Use a brix refractometer or industry standards to determine optimal harvest window. Leave 3-4 inches of stubble for ratoon crop regrowth. Harvest in the morning when stalks are coolest for best results. CP 80-1743 produces multiple ratoon crops (2-5 ratoons possible) before replanting.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 CP 80-1743 was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture's sugarcane breeding program at Canal Point, Florida, and became a dominant commercial variety in the 1980s-1990s due to high yield potential.
  • 🌱 A single mature sugarcane plant can reach 10-12 feet tall and produce multiple ratoon crops from the same root system for 5-10 years before replanting is necessary, making it an efficient perennial crop.
  • 🌱 Sugarcane is one of the most efficient crops for converting solar energy into chemical energy (sucrose), with some studies showing 1.5-2% energy conversion efficiency—higher than most other crops.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Cultivar Full Sun Perennial
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