ECONOMIC STUDY ON SUGAR CANE INJUREDBY RODENTS IN UPPER EGYPT

Two field experiments were conducted during 1998/99 and 1999/2000
seasons in the Experimental Station of Mattana (Qena Governorate). In the studied
crop cycle of sugarcane (the plant cane, t", 2^nd and 3'd ratoon crops), damage caused
by rodents to the top of cane stalks was comparatively higher than that of base Pi1rt of
stalks. Top damage was higher in plant cane crop and the 1^st ratoon than that in the
2^nd and 3'd ones. Damaged stalks showed lower density, purity, brix (total soluble
solids) values and sucrose content than non-damaged stalks. The average loss in
cane yield for the four sugarcane crops (plant cane, 1^St. 2^nd and 3'd ratoon) was LE.
915.04, while the loss in sugar production averaged LE. 1353.5 for the same crops.