SASTA 2019 Congress Book by Hein Jonker

ABSTRACTS & EXHIBITOR

DIRECTORY

The 92nd Congress of the South African Sugar Technologistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association

20 1

TA SAS CON

ESS GR

20 - 22 August 2019 International Convention Centre Durban, South Africa www.sastacongress.org.za

SASTA COUNCIL 2017 – 2019

President: Gavin Smith

(Process Specialist, Sugar and Milling Division, RCL Foods) Council portfolios: Chair of Council, Finance SubCommittee, Factory Industry Liaison, Special Projects Fund

Warren Lawlor

Vice-President: Carolyn Baker

(Director, SASRI) Council portfolios: Vice-Chair of Council, Finance Sub-Committee, Agriculture Industry Liaison, Special Projects Fund, SACNASP liaison, ISSCT liaison

Keith McFarlane

COC Chair: Sumita Ramgareeb (Resource Manager: Breeding and Field Services Resource Unit, SASRI). Council portfolios: Congress Organising Committee Chair, Finance SubCommittee

Paul Schorn

Deborah Sweby

(Resource Manager: Crop Biology Resource Unit, SASRI) Council portfolios: Congress Organising Committee – Head of Scientific portfolio, Agriculture Editor-inchief, Publicity

Shaun Madho

(Senior Manager: Projects, Sugar and Milling Division, RCL Foods) Council Portfolios: Finance SubCommittee, Factory Industry Liaison, Special Projects Fund, Congress Organising Committee Exhibition and Sponsorship portfolio, Head of Finance portfolio and Golf Day sub-committee

(Crossing Officer, SASRI) Council Portfolios: Workshops and Field Trips, Agriculture Industry Liaison

(Refinery Operations Executive, THS) Council portfolios: Factory Industry Liaison, Congress Organising Committee – Head of Exhibition and Sponsorship portfolio

(Group Leader of Adaptive Research, SMRI). Council portfolios: Factory Industry Liaison, Publicity, Lab Manual

Poovie Govender

Muhammad Kadwa

Brendon Small

Annegret Stark

(Knowledge Products Specialist, SASRI) Council portfolios: Website Manager

(Industrial Affairs Manager, SA Canegrowers) Council portfolios: Workshops, Congress Organising Committee Scientific portfolio (editorial team and programme)

(Manager: Cane Supply and Grower Support – Pongola Sugar, RCL Foods) Council portfolios: Workshops and Field Trips

(Discipline of Chemical Engineering, UKZN) Council portfolios: Academic Liaison

Gonaseelan Naidoo

(General Manager: Cane Testing Service, SASA) Council portfolios: FCAC liaison, Factory Industry Liaison, Lab Manual

Kerisha Raghunandan

(Publications Officer, SASRI) Council Portfolio: Media and Publicity

SASTA 2019 | 2

CONGRESS ORGANISING COMMITTEE 2019

Dr Sumita Ramgareeb

Dr Deborah Sweby

Kerisha Raghunandan

Mr Gavin Smith

Dr Muhammad Kadwa

Mr Paul Schorn

Mrs Natasha Sharma

Mr Warren Lawlor

Mrs Gill Slaughter

Mrs Catherine Taylor

Mrs Liezl Erasmus

Turners Conferences

CONGRESS EDITORIAL PANEL 2019

Dr Deborah Sweby (Editor: Agriculture)

Mrs Natasha Sharma (Editor: Factory)

Dr Muhammad Kadwa (Congress Programme)

Mrs Dorothy Carslow (Editor: Technical)

Ms Vasie Naidoo

(Administrative)

CONGRESS REFEREES AND REVIEWERS 2019 Barnard, Annelie Bindoff, Allan Booysen, Kim Davis, Steve Donaldson, Rob du Preez, Chris Essop, Reza Foxon, Katherine Gibbs, Kelvin Gorgens, Johann Gravois, Kenneth Hughes, Jeff Jensen, Craig

Jensen, Paul Joshi, Shailesh Jumman, Ashiel Kader, Mustakheem Kadwa, Muhammad Kennedy, Anthony Kimbeng, Collins Kruger, Charles Labuschagne, Maryke Lawlor, Warren Lewis, Fonda Madho, Shaun Mahlanza, Tendekai Materechera, Simeon McAdam, Gordan

Miles, Neil Mncube, Fred Mpofu, Leo Muchaonyerwa, Pardon Naidoo, Rishen Norris, Chris Paraskevopoulos, Aresti Peacock, Stephen Raghunandan, Ashveer Rambaram, Krish Reinders, Felix Rutherford, Stuart Sahadeo, Prem Schorn, Paul Sharma, Natasha

Simmonds, Nigel Simpson, Richard Singels, Abraham Small, Brendon Snyman, Sandy Stark, Anne Stolz, Nico Talanda, Rainer Thompson, Ingrid Thomson, Dave

SASTA 2019 | 3

CONTENTS

SASTA Council 2017 - 2019

SASTA Congress Organising Committee 2019

Editorial Panel 2019

Congress Reviewers and Referees 2019

SASTA Awards 1962 - 2018

Exhibition Floorplan

Exhibitor Key

Exhibitor Directory

SASTA Officers 1926 - 2019

Plenary Session A review of South African sugarcane production in the 2018/2019 season: Too much of a good thing? Ninety-fourth annual review of the milling season in Southern Africa (2018/2019) Response of selected South African coastal sugarcane varieties to chemical ripeners – Active ingredient effectiveness and associated impacts on grower and miller sustainability Potential economic benefit of additional transformation initiatives to small-scale growers in the South African sugar industry - 2018/2019 Consumer perceptions of sugar derived from genetically modified (GM) sugarcane Agriculture Poster Session Optimising the number of test sites, crop-years and replications to maximize post-release variety testing efficiencies Investigating the influence of moisture stress on the normalized difference vegetation index on the Entumeni sugar estate The SASRI Herbicide Guide goes digital! Usefulness of soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) as an indicator of soil properties in research trails Use of remote sensing to determine intra-field yield variability Use of genomics data to uncover herbivore-induced resistance mechanisms in sugarcane Calculators to assist with calibrations for herbicide application in the South African sugarcane industry Update on nematicide screening within the South African sugar industry Development of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect and quantify smut infection in sugarcane varieties Impact of EMS treatment on sugarcane callus growth, proline content and cell wall modification during osmotic stress Factory Poster Session

Chairperson: Gavin Smith Singels A, Mcfarlane SA, Basdew I, Keeping MG, Nicholson R, Pilusa T, Sithole P & Titshall LW

Madho S, & Bhyrodeyal L

Van Heerden PDR

Dlamini M, Nicholson RJ & Kadwa M

Vermeulen H & Gouse M

Chairperson: Michelle Binedell Duma S, Ramburan S, & Shimelis H

Khubeka PPN, Thompson IB & Gillespie D

Campbell PL & Govender P Thompson IB, Mchunu LN, Van Antwerpen R, Zhou M, Mchunu M, Jalisa M, Makhaye A, Velem T & Collings K Tweddle PB & Harris AJ

Jacob RM, Potier BAM, Keeping MG & Rutherford RS

Campbell PL & Tweddle P

Ramouthar PV & Pillay U

Gumede S, van Antwerpen T, Sweby D & Rutherford RS

Dlamini PJ, Ntuli NR & Schultz-Viljoen T

23 25

Chairperson: Dennis Walthew

Development of a juice preparation toolkit using SMRI-NIRS

Rahiman SN, Weyer S, Visram K & Davis SB

Sulphitation in refineries – An alternate to liquid sulphur dioxide Monitoring and managing losses across the C-station using the SMRI-NIRS technology An assessment of the desalination methods for the concentration of vinasse Identification of colourant types present in sugarcane processing streams Thermodynamic modelling of carbon dioxide hydrates in the presence of synthesised vinasse mixtures The SMRI-NIRS technology: Proficiency and quality assurance scheme Use of a time and motion study to identify a constraint in a sugar packing station

Sahadeo P & Mdakane A

Barker B & Madho S

Fakir T, Naidoo P, Babaee S & Ramjugernath D

Booysen K, Foxon KM & Walford SN

Babaee S, Naidoo P & Ramjugernath D

Nadar R & Walford SN

Essop R

SASTA 2019 | 5

Agriculture Session: Breeding I Genotype by environment interaction effect on genotype selection among regional variety trials in South Africa Using quantitative genetic parameters to determine sample size for sucrose content in sugarcane breeding Effect of genetic background on phenotypic correlations in sugarcane breeding Factory Session: Biorefineries and Modelling S-BEAT: extending the inventory of the sugarcane biorefinery economic analysis toolbox to other sugar mill feeds and products Sugarcane biorefinery techno-economic modelling: Comparing the economic potential of biochemicals from sugarcane lignocelluloses Sugarcane juice concentration using gas hydrate technology Development and verification of an Aspen Plus® model of a sugarcane biorefinery Agriculture Session: Sugarcane – Environmental Interactions Exploring process-level genotypic and environmental effects on sugarcane yield using a global growth analysis experimental dataset The effect of soil water deficit on primary shoot emergence of two sugarcane varieties grown on bare and mulched soil Factory Session: Diffusion

Chairperson: Moipei Lichakane

Development and validation of a pilot juice extractor Agriculture Session: Improving Soil Health and Site Evaluation Acid saturation status of soils in rainfed regions of the South african sugar industry with consideration of sampling intensity Effect of sugarcane residue retention and fertiliser application on soil microbial abundance and community structure Sulphur status of soils from Southern African sugarcane‑producing regions Comparing the effect of fertiliser with no fertiliser on soil properties to 600 mm depth after 79 years of sugarcane cultivation Verification of runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield simulated using the ACRU model for bare fallow and sugarcane fields Evaluation of a reduced extraction time to improve the efficiency of routine analysis of resin extractable phosphorus and sulphur Factory Session: Boilers and Energy

Balkissoon S, Barker B, Weyer S, Loubser RC & Davis SB

Thermal upgrading of injection water cooling towers

Rusch R

A new approach to secondary air in bagasse boilers The effects of bagasse moisture variations on the performance of a 105 TPH boiler Factory energy optimization potentials An evaporator station model for estimating exhaust steam conversion and consumption

Du Toit PC & van der Merwe S

Kotze C & Samsodien F

Morgenroth B, Pelster J, Singh Bola H & Voigt I

Foxon KM

Shinga N, Zhou M & Sibiya J

Mishasha T, Zhou MM & van der Merwe R

Shandu MN, Zhou MM & Sibiya J

Chairperson: Nico Stolz Naidoo P, Lokhat D & Stark A

Haigh K, Mandegari M, Farzad S & Görgens J

Doubra P, Naidoo P, Nelson W & Ramjugernath D

Guest KL, Stark A & Starzak M

Chairperson: Rian van Antwerpen Jones MR, Singels A, Chinorumba S, Patton A, Poser C, Singh M, Martine JF, Christine M, Shine J, Annandale J & Hammer G

Dube S & Singels A

Chairperson: Nico Stolz 46

Chairperson: David Sutherland Poswa LZ, Titshall LW & Elephant D

Mthimkhulu SS, Titshall LW, Lerch TZ, Podwojewski P & van Antwerpen R

Elephant DE, Titshall LW & Mthimkhulu S

van Antwerpen R & Mthimkhulu S

Otim D, Smithers J, Senzanje A & van Antwerpen R

Titshall LW, Elephant DE & Magagula N

Chairperson: Warren Lawlor

SASTA 2019 | 6

Agriculture Session: Agricultural Engineering and Economics Adoption and performance of cane cultivars in three regions of the Eston cane supply area Machinery, operations, costs and benefits of a new farming system piloted in Zimbabwe Small-scale growers and contractors: understanding the working relationship to improve the quality of sugarcane delivered Strategy of Felixton large-scale growers to promote small-scale grower access to new varieties The sensitivity of growers’ production decisions to changes in the bagasse price for the Eston Central Region A framework and methods to assess irrigation and drainage decisions Gross margin analysis of genetically modified insect resistant herbicide tolerant sugarcane in rainfed farms of KwaZulu-Natal Factory Session: Rawhouse

Chairperson: Glantine Mashile Mafunga WP, Ferrer S, Botha P & Stark A

Lecler NL

Dube S & Nicholson RJ

Radzilani TT & Mathew AK

Mafunga WP, Ferrer S & Stark A

Lecler NL & Harris AJ

Ntuli ZN, Mthimkhulu CB & Ferrer SRD

Colourant behaviour during sugarcane processing

Chairperson: Steve Davis Loubser RC, Fowkes N, Hennessy MG, Moyles I & Thomson S Booysen K & Davis SB

Strategies to optimize continuous pan performance

Moor B StC & du Plessis N

Mhlume factory expansion – the strategy and implementation

Myeni P & Ng Lung Kit H

Agriculture Session: Breeding II Family by environment interactions for sugarcane yield in South Africa Phenotypic correlations of leaf-shedding and fibre content with yield and quality traits of sugarcane Realised selection gains for Eldana saccharina borer resistance in the coastal long cycle regional breeding programme of South Africa Effect of tramline and continuous row spacing on cane yield traits and brix of sugarcane families Factory Session: Laboratory and Effluent Treatment Conversion of Felixton Mill laboratory from conventional to NIRS analysis Integrated management of the Simunye effluent plant system

Chairperson: Sandy Snyman

Agriculture Session: Crop Management Effects of plant density and fertiliser rates on sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) growth, sucrose yield and quality in Swaziland Evaluating the accuracy of satellite-derived sugarcane canopy cover estimates for two diverse production regions in South Africa for potential use in crop estimation Field performance of tissue culture propagated sugarcane under irrigated conditions Increasing sugarcane yields using the biostimulant Harpin αβ – the Brazilian experience Factory Session: Commercial The benefits of using wedge wire screens in a continuous centrifuge Monoachloramine: A novel approach to microbiological control in sugar mills and downstream processes Analysis of bagasse properties using inline infra-red spectroscopy (NIR) Dust tight PE packaging solutions for speciality sugars

Chairperson: Riekert van Heerden

Modelling of hard to boil massecuites

Mbuma N, Zhou MM & van der Merwe R

Nxumalo P & Zhou MM

Lichakane M & Zhou MM

Msani F & Zhou MM

Gounden T, Chili C, Nala S, Suliman M & Rambakus Z

Mabila D, Ng Lung Kit H & Myeni P

Dlamini M & Olaleye A

Sithole P, Muller SJ, Singels A & van Niekerk A

Dlamini NE & Ndlovu MV

Dillon A, Marin A, de Almeida, S, de Miranda R & Scaramucci L Chairperson: Shaun Madho

Schofield P

Palazzo A & Van Zyl M

Voigt I

Komitsch J

SASTA 2019 | 7

SASTA AWARDS 1962 - 2018 SASTA GOLD MEDALISTS 1968

AE RABE

2002

K SCHAFFLER

1970

CGM PERK

2002

AB RAVNO

1974

JL DU TOIT

2005

E MEYER

1977

PCG BRETT

2005

JH MEYER

1981

JB ALEXANDER

2005

PG MOREL DU BOIL

1988

IA BELL

2008

KM HURLY

1990

GD THOMPSON

2009

TG CLEASBY

1998

SW UPFOLD

2010

GRE LIONNET

2000

PW REIN

2012

BS PURCHASE

TALBOT-CROSBIE AND KYNOCH/TRIOMF PRIZEWINNERS 1962-2018 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

1962

Talbot-Crosbie

T COVAS

1976

Talbot-Crosbie

LMSA JULLIENNE

Kynoch

JR ANDERSON

1963

Talbot-Crosbie

EJ BUCHANAN, K DOUWESDEKKER and A VAN HENGEL

Kynoch

GS BARLETT

1964

Talbot-Crosbie

AE RABE

Kynoch

RT BISHOP

1965

Talbot-Crosbie

EJ BUCHANAN

Kynoch

JM GOSNELL and GD THOMPSON

Talbot-Crosbie

Prize shared by:

1966

RC TURNER and

Triomf 1977 1978

1968 1969 1970 1971

Kynoch

AJM CARNEGIE

Talbot-Crosbie

A VAN HENGEL

Kynoch

J GLOVER

Talbot-Crosbie

J BRUIJN and RP JENNINGS

Kynoch

G ROTH

Talbot-Crosbie

RCS ROBINSON and RP JENNINGS

Kynoch

PK MOBERLY

Talbot-Crosbie

IA SMITH

Kynoch

ME SUMNER

Talbot-Crosbie

GG ASHE

Kynoch

JM GOSNELL and AC LONG

1972

Talbot-Crosbie

JP MURRAY

Triomf

FE RICHARDSON

1973

Talbot-Crosbie

B ST C MOOR

Triomf

H ROSTRON

1974

Talbot-Crosbie

No Winner

Triomf

JPM DE ROBILLARD and GA IGGO

Talbot-Crosbie

EFA ROUILLARD

Triomf

PGC BRETT, RL HARDING and

1975

Talbot-Crosbie

RP SCOTT

Triomf

J BURROWS

Talbot-Crosbie

PG MOREL DU BOIL and

Triomf

DB HELLMANN

Talbot-Crosbie

MR KEDIAN

Triomf

PR ATKINSON

Talbot-Crosbie

A KOEN

Triomf

NG INMAN-BAMBER

Talbot-Crosbie

RG HOEKSTRA

Triomf

KE CACKETT and JJ RAMPF

Talbot-Crosbie

LMSA JULLIENNE

Triomf

E MEYER and B WORLOCK

Talbot-Crosbie

BS PURCHASE

Triomf

TMC BOEVEY and TJ MURRAY

Talbot-Crosbie

GPN KRUGER

Kynoch

PET TURNER

Talbot-Crosbie

PG MOREL DU BOIL

Kynoch

NB LEIBBRANDT

Talbot-Crosbie

GRE LIONNET

Kynoch

KM HARBORNE-RUTHERFORD,

K SCHAFFLER 1979 1980

RJ JENNINGS 1967

JR PILCHER and G VAN DER MERWE

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986

RA BAILEY and JB DA GRACA 1987

Talbot-Crosbie

PW REIN, MGS COX and

Kynoch

TMC BOEVEY and JP FOURIE

Talbot-Crosbie

MJ REID

Kynoch

BRF GEORGE

G MONTOCCHIO 1988

RH PAXTON

SASTA 2019 | 8

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

1987

Talbot-Crosbie

PW REIN, MGS COX and

1998

Talbot-Crosbie

Prize shared by:

G MONTOCCHIO

DM MEADOWS, GT SCHUMANN

Kynoch

TMC BOEVEY and JP FOURIE

and S SOJI;

1988 1989

1990

Talbot-Crosbie

MJ REID

SB DAVIS, M MOODLEY, I SINGH

Kynoch

BRF GEORGE

and MW ADENDORFF

Talbot-Crosbie

GRE LIONNET

Kynoch

JH MEYER, RA WOOD and

CPR CRONJE, RA BAILEY and

RL HARDING

K McFARLANE;

Talbot-Crosbie

CMJ DAY-LEWIS and KJ SCHAFFLER

Kynoch Talbot-Crosbie

2000

SJ MADAREE, PW REIN and

Talbot-Crosbie

None

Kynoch

MJ PARSONS

Talbot-Crosbie

PG MOREL DU BOIL

Kynoch

EJ SCHMIDT, G NARCISO,

CM WENMAN 1992

Kynoch

RA BAILEY and SA TOUGH

Talbot-Crosbie

Prize shared by:

P FROST and C GERS 2001

1993

Talbot-Crosbie Kynoch

FC BOTHA and J ROHWER;

SJ SNYMAN, KG BLACK

MK BUTTERFIELD, A D'HONT and

BI HUCKETT and MP WATT

N BERDING

Talbot-Crosbie

M MOODLEY

Kynoch

NG INMAN-BAMBER,

2002

Talbot-Crosbie Kynoch

E MEYER and N GOVENDER;

Talbot-Crosbie

VC STONE

PJ THORBURN, R VAN ANTWERPEN,

BL SCHROEDER, JB ROBINSON

JH MEYER and CN BEZUIDENHOUT

Talbot-Crosbie

DC WALTHEW and LM TURNER

Kynoch

DB HELLMANN, GG PLATFORD

Talbot-Crosbie

DC WALTHEW and PW WHITELAW

Kynoch

R VAN ANTWERPEN,

2003

Talbot-Crosbie

BM SCHOONEES

Kynoch

S GUYON, JL VOGEL, J OMARJEE, T VAN ANTWERPEN, P CADET and

and M WALLACE

J BALANDREAU 2004

Talbot-Crosbie

DJ LOVE, SD PEACOCK and GT SCHUMANN

Kynoch

PJ THORBURN, HL HORAN, IM BIGGS

MG McGLINCHEY, NG INMANBAMBER and ATP BENNIE 1997

Prize shared by:

Kynoch

PET TURNER and M WALLACE

1996

PB DEVNARAIN, DR ARNOLD and SB DAVIS

MG McGLINCHEY

1995

Prize shared by:

D MEADOWS and S WADLEY

TL CULVERWELL and 1994

N MAGASINER, C VAN ALPHEN, M INKSON and B MISPLON

MGS COX and P SAHADEO; Kynoch

Prize shared by:

E MEYER 1999

NG INMAN BAMBER and BA STEAD

1991

Kynoch

Talbot-Crosbie

KJ SCHAFFLER and MTD DE GAYE

Kynoch

M KEEPING

and SE PARK 2005

Talbot-Crosbie

L SMITH Prize shared by:

Kynoch

PWL LYNE, E MEYER and R HERBERT; M VAN DEN BERG and MT SMITH

SASTA 2019 | 9

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2006

Talbot-Crosbie

L ECHEVERRI and PW REIN

2014

Talbot-Crosbie

PS JENSEN, SB DAVIS, DJ LOVE and

Kynoch

OL KVEDARAS, MG KEEPING,

A RASSOL

F-R GOEBEL and MJ BYRNE 2007 2008

Kynoch

Talbot-Crosbie

No Congress held

G LAGERWALL, P BOTHA, CPR CRONJE

Kynoch

No Congress held

J VAN DER MERWE, N NEL, P SMITH,

Talbot-Crosbie

R SIMPSON and J OXLEY

E HÃ&#x2013;LL, G HYSLOP, V SMITH, A HARRIS,

Kynoch

SJ SNYMAN, GM MEYER,

W HARRIS, JB MHLONGO, DM HARRIS,

M BANASIAK, TL NICHOLSON,

J DHEOPURSAD, T MATTHEWS and

T VAN ANTWERPEN, P NAIDOO and JD ERASMUS 2009

Talbot-Crosbie Kynoch

P NAIDOO 2015

BM MUIR, G EGGLESTON and B BARKER

2016

A SINGELS, MA SMIT, M BUTTERFIELD,

2015

PDR VAN HEERDEN and 2010

Talbot-Crosbie

V KOCHERGIN, C GAUDET and M ROBERT

Kynoch

S RAMBURAN, DM McELLIGOTT and O DE HAAS

2011

Talbot-Crosbie

Y NAIDOO and R SIMPSON

Kynoch

V HARRACA, J DU PISSANIE,

Talbot-Crosbie

PS JENSEN

Kynoch

S RAMBURAN, T WETTERGREEN,

RS RUTHERFORD and DE CONLONG 2012

PDR VAN HEERDEN, MW ADENDORFF,

2016

2017 2018

Talbot-Crosbie

RC LOUBSER and PS JENSEN

Kynoch

S RAMBURAN;

Talbot-Crosbie

M STARZAK and SB DAVIS

Kynoch

D ELEPHANT and N MILES

Talbot-Crosbie

RC LOUBSER and PS JENSEN

Kynoch

S RAMBURAN;

Talbot-Crosbie

M STARZAK and SB DAVIS

Kynoch

D ELEPHANT and N MILES

Talbot-Crosbie

WK LAWLOR

Kynoch

N MILES, R RHODES and A WEIGEL

Talbot-Crosbie

PS JENSEN and L SMITH; KM FOXON and M STARZAK

Kynoch

S RAMBURAN

SD BERRY and B SHONGWE 2013

Talbot-Crosbie

PS JENSEN

Kynoch

Prize shared by: S RAMBURAN; PV RAMOUTHAR, R RHODES, T WETTERGREEN, U PILLAY, MR JONES and R VAN ANTWERPEN

SASTA 2019 | 10

ANNUAL CECIL RENAUD AWARDS 1977-2018 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

1977

Factory

B ST C MOOR

1996

Factory

Agricultural

RT BISHOP

1978 1979 1980 1981

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986

Factory

RD ARCHIBALD and C MACK

Agricultural

OP LANDREY

B MISPLON, H VERBANCK and P McINTYRE

1997

Agricultural

PA DONOVAN

Factory

Prize shared by M MOODLEY,

Factory

GG ASHE

DJ BEKKER, PJ PIENAAR and

Agricultural

No Winner

R PILLAY;

Factory

DCM KEIR

M MOODLEY and PM SCHORN;

Agricultural

AN MILLS and ER RINGELMAN

I SINGH, NJ COETZEE and

Factory

S NORTH-COOMBES, K TAYLER

E BURMEISTER;

and K KOSTER

I SINGH, R RILEY and D SEILLIER

Agricultural

JG HARDY

Factory

P GLAUM and A LANDMAN

Agricultural

PC WISE

Factory

RAH CHILVERS

Agricultural

JE LONSDALE

Factory

DJ CARLIELL

Agricultural

PG BRAITHWAITE

Factory

MA GETAZ

Agricultural

J CHEDZY and JBR FINDLAY

Factory

RAH CHILVERS and DJ LOVE

Agricultural

DJ NIXON, M WORKMAN and

Agricultural 1998 1999

A PRINS, JJ BORNMANN and

Factory

None

Agricultural

JB CHADWICK

Factory

T DALE and TD KNOETZE

Agricultural

HR ROSTRON, DWF BUTLER and MD ZWANE

2000 2001 2002

PJ GLENDINNING 1987

Author(s)

CRC JENSEN and G GOVENDER

Agricultural

N LECLER

Factory

M DEBWE

Agricultural

M HUMM

Factory

I SINGH, H JONES and S GAYAPERSAD

Agricultural

M ISYAGI and DMW WHITBREAD

Factory

GF MANN

Agricultural

CPM SWEET, PW WHITE and GH GODWORTH

M MOODLEY, M PILLAY,

Factory

RP SCOTT

PM SCHORN, G MITCHELL and R GELLING

Agricultural

DAG RALFE

Factory

PM SCHORN, J BECKETT and WS GRAHAM

GW MAHER and L SCHULZ

Agricultural

TL PEARSE

C PFOTENHAUER

Factory

DM VAN DEN BERG

Agricultural

RN STATHAM

Factory

B ST C MOOR

Agricultural

PJB GARDINER and J CAZALET

1992

Factory

RR SANDERS

Agricultural

CG SPALING

M REIN, L SMITH, B STRACHAN and

1993

Factory

DJ TAYFIELD and EW ANDERSON

R WIRMINGHAUS;

Agricultural

OP LANDREY, GG EICHLER and

1988

1989

1990 1991

J CHEDZEY 1994 1995

2003

Factory

Prize shared by: LJ MELROSE;

Agricultural

2004 2005 2006

Prize shared by:

Factory

None

Agricultural

D ARMSTRONG

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Factory

Prize shared by:

M NINELA and N RAJOO Agricultural

Prize shared by:

Factory

C CREBO, L BACHAN and V PILLAY

MI LANGTON, JC SMITHERS,

Agricultural

PC HENRY and W RHEBERGEN

CN BEZUIDENHOUT and PWL LYNE;

Factory

M MacNAUGHTON

RR FORTMANN, PG BRENCHLEY and

Agricultural

D McARTHUR and VW SPAULL

AK MATHEW

SASTA 2019 | 11

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2007

Factory

None - No Congress held

2014

Factory

Prize shared by:

Agricultural

None - No Congress held

M NDLAZI, RI SINGH and S NDLOVU;

2008

Factory

S RAMA and SS MUNSAMY

M MBUYAZI and S MHLONGO

Agricultural

JJ MURRAY

2009

Factory

PM SCHORN, L SMITH, SD PEACOCK,

2010

Factory

DJ LOVE

Agricultural

JJ MURRAY

2011

Factory

None

Agricultural

J DLAMINI

Factory

R GENT

Agricultural

KE MATHIAS

Factory

A RAGHUNANDAN, CRC JENSEN,

Agricultural

JJ MURRAY, HNP STOLZ and

2015

DJ LOVE and DJ MUZZELL

2012 2013

2016 2017

Agricultural

CPR CRONJE and P SAHADEO

Factory

A MDAKANE and T NDHLALA

Agricultural

None

Factory

EM DLAMINI

Agricultural

None

Factory

FS MNCUBE, DJ LOVE, P SIKHAKANE, D OGLE and T MTEMBU

Agricultural 2018

Factory

AJ HARRIS C MARAIS, R LAUBSCHER, Q ENGELBRECHT and P FRANCOIS

T MTEMBU and FEA AHMED

Agricultural

B SMALL

JL BOUWER

SASTA POSTER AWARDS 2000-2018 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2000

Factory

None

2010

Factory

None

Agricultural

SA McFARLANE and RA BAILEY

Agricultural

A JUMMAN and NL LECLER

2001

Factory

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

SA McFARLANE

Agricultural

CN BEZUIDENHOUT

2002

Factory

None

Factory

WK LAWLOR

Agricultural

CN BEZUIDENHOUT and C GERS

2003

Factory

None

2011 2012

Agricultural

WA GILLESPIE, FJ MITCHELL, MJ WAY, TM WEBSTER and JH WITTHOFT

Agricultural

None

2004

Factory

Y NAIDOO and R SIMPSON

Agricultural

DJ NIXON

2005

Factory

None

Agricultural

MT SMITH, A SINGELS and J NEEN

2006

Factory

None

D WILKINSON, AC KOCH,

Agricultural

M JONES and M VAN DEN BERG

T VAN ANTWERPEN, N PILLAY and

2007 2008

Factory

None - No Congress held

Agricultural

None - No Congress held

2013

H du CLOU and SN WALFORD

Agricultural

B BHENGU, T MASONDO, S HLELA, V DLAMINI and S MNOGOMEZULU

2014

Factory Agricultural

RC LOUBSER SA McFARLANE, LA MARTIN,

RS RUTHERFORD 2015

Factory

WK LAWLOR

Agricultural

P SITHOLE and A PARASKEVOPOULOS

Factory

SN WALFORD

Factory

B BARKER and J WESLEY-SMITH

Agricultural

SA McFARLANE, T VAN ANTWERPEN,

Factory

SN WALFORD, S EGLI and B MARTINCIGH

P TWEDDLE;

Agricultural

PL CAMPBELL, GW LESLIE,

PL CAMPBELL, A PARASKEVOPOULOS

SA McFARLANE, SD BERRY,

and S HURIPURSHAD

2016

P GOVENDER and GF BUCHANAN 2009

Factory

R RHODES, R VAN ANTWERPEN,

Agricultural

2017

RS RUTHERFORD, T VAN ANTWERPEN,

Prize shared by:

Factory

B BARKER, S MADHO and S RAHIMAN

Agricultural

Prize shared by:

DM McELLIGOTT and DE CONLONG

AB PATTON, ITR MAKHUBEDU and A WEIGEL; K MCFARLANE and AD WALTON 2018

Factory

K FOXON

Agricultural

P TWEDDLE

SASTA 2019 | 12

JUBILEE AWARDS 2000-2018 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

2000

Factory

CRC JENSEN

2011

Agricultural

EJ SCHMIDT

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

2003 2006 2009

2015 2018

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Factory

Y NAIDOO

Agricultural

V HARRACA

Factory

PS JENSEN

Agricultural

S RAMBURAN

Factory

W LAWLOR

Agricultural

N MILES

INNOVATION AWARDS 2000-2013 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2000

Factory

L HELFRICH

2007

Factory

None

Agriculture

D DINKLEMANN

Agricultural

I HILLERMANN

2001

Factory

B GOVENDER

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Agricultural

A SINGELS

2002

Factory

S CHINSAMY

Factory

None

Agricultural

NOODSBERG CANEGROWERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

ASSOCIATION

2008 2009 2010

(Proposed by GW MAHER) 2003 2004 2005 2006

Factory

D DENNIS

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

WH REDINGER

Factory

None

Agricultural

C GARNETT

Factory

None

Agricultural

E ALBERTSE

2011 2012 2013

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

ROBIN RENTON MEMORIAL AWARD (PGBI PRIZE/DRA GLOBAL) 2003-2018 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2003

LJ MELROSE

2011

T NDHLALA

2004

None

2012

PS JENSEN

2005

None

2013

S SHAH

2006

S RAMA

2014

DN BOOTE

2007

None - No Congress held

2015

None

2008

P SHARMA

2016

S HESS

2009

Z RAMBAKUS

2017

AJ HARRIS

2010

A JUMMAN

2018

P NAIDOO

SASTA 2019 | 13

SASTA STUDENT THESIS AWARD 2004-2007 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

2004

Agricultural

MH GRAHAM

2006

None

2007

None

2005

Prize/Award

Author(s)

SASTA STUDENT AWARD 2008-2018 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2008

Agricultural

A HARRIS

2013

Agricultural

RL ROSSLER

2009

Agricultural

G DITTRICH-SCHRODER

2014

Agricultural

MS SIBOMANA

2010

Factory

H DU CLOU

2015

Agricultural

BJ VAN VUUREN

2011

Agricultural

P MUDAVANHU

2016

Agricultural

AJ SERFONTEIN

Factory

SN RAHIMAN

2017

Agricultural

NW MBUMA

Agricultural

TA GOBLE

2018

Agricultural

NW MBUMA

2012

AGRICULTURE SUCCESS STORY AWARD 2010-2013 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2010

D SUTHERLAND

2012

None

2011

None

2013

None

FACTORY OPERATIONAL PAPER AWARD 2011-2013 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

2011

Q MASEKO

2013

2012

S GARTNER

Prize/Award

Author(s) B SKINNER

EXHIBITOR AWARD 2016-2018 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2016

Gold

BMG

2018

Gold

TURBINE GENERATOR SERVICES

2017

Gold

BEARING INTERNATIONAL

2018

Silver

DUBE AGRILAB

Silver

MECOSA (PTY) LTD

2018

Bronze

SEW EURODRIVE

Bronze

DUBE AGRILAB

2017

SASTA 2019 | 14

2019 ABSTRACTS AND SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES REFEREED PAPER

REVIEW OF SOUTH AFRICAN SUGARCANE PRODUCTION IN THE 2018/19 SEASON: TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING? SINGELS A1,4, McFARLANE SA1, BASDEW I1, KEEPING MG1, NICHOLSON R 2, PILUSA T3, SITHOLE P1, AND TITSHALL LW1,4. South African Sugarcane Research Institute, Private Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa South African Cane Growersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association, 170 Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 3 South African Farmers Development Association, 170 Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 4 School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa 1

abraham.singels@sugar.org.za Abstract This paper characterises the South African sugarcane production for the 2018/19 milling season from an agricultural perspective. This is to provide insight into successes and failures of recent production strategies, and identify priorities for improved efficiency in producing high quality sugarcane in South Africa. In the 2018/19 season, the industry produced 19.03 million tons of cane, harvested from an estimated 250 028 hectares, at a record-breaking industry average yield of 76 t/ha. Well distributed rainfall led to above average cane yields in rainfed areas, while much improved irrigation supplies resulted in excellent yields in most irrigated areas. Favourable harvesting conditions promoted good cane quality, especially in coastal regions where the dry winter allowed rapid sucrose accumulation. Generally the pest and disease situation was kept under control. Concerns remain for the lingering presence of the longhorn beetle, and the rising threat of yellow sugarcane aphid. High yields unfortunately did not translate into good profits. The cost of production for large and small-scale growers could not be recovered due to the very low product price caused by a low demand for locally produced sugar. The sustainability of many growers in rainfed and irrigated areas is under severe threat. The focus must be on increasing production efficiencies of higher potential farms. Keywords: cane quality, cane yield, diseases, profitability, pests, production, mill area Biography: Abraham Singels Dr Abraham Singels is a Principal Agronomist at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (joined in 1997) and holds honorary appointments at the Universities of Pretoria and KwazuluNatal. He obtained a Ph.D. in Agrometeorology from the University of the Free State where he also worked as researcher and lecturer for 15 years. He has been an active member of SASTA since 1997. His research interests are crop response to climate and water, crop physiology and modelling, and technology development for efficient crop production and crop improvement.

SASTA 2019 | 15

REFEREED PAPER

NINETY-FOURTH ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE MILLING SEASON IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (2018/19) MADHO S AND BHYRODEYAL L Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa smadho@smri.org lbhyrodeyal@smri.org Abstract Performance and throughput trends and other relevant aspects of the sugar industries in southern Africa for the 2018/19 milling season are to be presented and discussed at the SASTA Congress. The season will be considered in terms of tons cane harvested, cane quality, time efficiencies, recoveries and losses. Performance will be compared to previous seasons’ results for sugar mills in South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Keywords: sugarcane, sugar factories, cane quality, crop size, performance, recovery Biography: Shaun Madho Shaun Madho is the Head of the Factory Support division at the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI) and leads the areas of consulting, training, technology transfer and factory performance figures management. He aims for the southern African sugarcane processing industry to benefit from the SMRI’s initiatives in the short-to-medium term; this is primarily through continuously improving the industry’s level of performance. Shaun was previously employed as a Process Engineer with Illovo Sugar Ltd at the Gledhow, Eston and Noodsberg mills. He has attained a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kwazulu-Natal.

SASTA 2019 | 16

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

RESPONSE OF SELECTED SOUTH AFRICAN COASTAL SUGARCANE VARIETIES TO CHEMICAL RIPENERS: ACTIVE INGREDIENT EFFECTIVENESS AND ASSOCIATED IMPACTS ON GROWER AND MILLER SUSTAINABILITY VAN HEERDEN PDR1,2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa

riekert.vanheerden@sugar.org.za Abstract Evaluation of varietal responses to ripeners is a necessary sugarcane research function. This paper underlines this necessity through analyses of data from a rainfed trial conducted over two seasons. Ethephon®, Fusilade Forte® and their combination were ground-applied to replicated plots. At harvest, recoverable value per cent (RV%), juice purity (JP) and yields (cane and RV) were determined. Recommended input costs and applicable RV price were used to estimate gross margins (GMs). A Sugar-Juice-Molasses (SJM) balance calculation was used to estimate potential implications of JP-driven influences on factory sucrose recovery. Ethephon® failed to increase RV% in the varieties N55 and N56, and adversely affected JP in N55 as a consequence of too high maturity at spraying. Ethephon® increased GM in N58 by R4 196/ha, but this was considerably less than for other treatments. Fusilade Forte® increased GM by R5 093/ha (N55), R1 258/ha (N56) and R6 756/ha (N58). The combination treatment led to the largest increases in GM of R2 548/ha and R9 634/ha in N56 and N58, respectively. The combination treatment in N58 increased JP by 4 percentage units, which the SJM balance calculation estimated as potential (in absence of other factors limiting milling performance) revenue gain at mill level of R40-R64/t of ripened cane processed (approximately halved if export sugar prices are used). Conversely, adverse effects of Ethephon® on JP in N55 led to estimated potential revenue loss of R21-R33/t of cane processed. This study demonstrated large varietal differences in response to the different ripener treatments and associated economic benefits, which highlights the importance of informed matching of most profitable ripener treatments with variety. Keywords: cane quality, chemical ripening, coastal varieties, sucrose recovery, sugarcane, economics Biography: Riekert van Heerden Dr Riekert van Heerden (Pr. Sci. Nat.) is a senior scientist and manager of the Crop Performance and Management Programme at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from North-West University, South Africa. Dr van Heerden is a National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated scientist who has authored/co-authored 39 publications in ISIaccredited scientific journals. He also holds an honorary Professor position at the University of Pretoria. His main role at SASRI is to initiate and conduct research leading to best management practices for sugarcane cultivation with particular emphasis on cane quality management of irrigated and rainfed sugarcane. Research outcomes and cane quality management recommendations are annually shared with growers at several industry contact events and in the form of popular articles.

SASTA 2019 | 17

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

POTENTIAL ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF ADDITIONAL TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES TO SMALL SCALE GROWERS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR INDUSTRY – 2018/19 DLAMINI M, NICHOLSON RJ and KADWA M South African Cane Growers’ Association, 170 Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa Makhosazana. Dlamini@sacanegrowers.co.za, Richard.Nicholson@sacanegrowers.co.za, Muhammad.Kadwa@sacanegrowers.co.za Abstract Small-scale grower (SSG) sustainability continues to be under severe pressure due to low yields, increasing production costs and the lack of economies of scale. In a renewed effort to support the Small-scale and Land Reform growers, the sugar industry approved an immediate transformation fund worth R172 million for the 2018/19 season. This fund has eight key interventions to accelerate transformation in the sugar industry. Interventions 1, 3 and 5 of the interventions are to provide direct financial relief to SSGs within the sugar industry. Where intervention 1 is a grant cane payment, intervention 3 subsidises sugarcane transport costs and intervention 5 subsidises sugarcane grower levy costs. This paper aims to estimate the potential impact that these interventions have on SSGs. Using gross margin budgets, the potential benefit and financial impact of the transformation funding, specifically the direct cash benefits, are analysed for both rainfed and irrigated SSGs for the 2018/19 season. A comparison is made between the SSG budgets without transformation funding and after the intervention. The data used in this study are based on previous SA Canegrowers SSG cost surveys. The study can provide a starting point for the monitoring and evaluation of the transformation funds which are distributed to provide financial relief to SSGs. This initial study concludes that due to the low 2018/19 final RV price, the SSGs’ average rainfed loss is -R71.05 per ton cane; however, without the interventions the loss would have been -R112.15 per ton cane. The loss in irrigated areas, on average, is -R41.67 per ton cane and -R82 per ton cane without the interventions. This study can be further reviewed in the next few seasons after the longer-term transformation initiatives are implemented. Keywords: sugarcane, transformation initiatives, funding, potential benefit, rainfed, irrigated, South Africa Biography: Makhosazana Dlamini Ms Makhosazana Dlamini is currently the Development Manager at South African Canegrowers Association. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness majoring in Agricultural Economics and Animal Science from the University of KwaZulu Natal (2009). Makhosazana gained a range of experience working in the private sector playing an agricultural development role. Makhosazana has worked for Toyota as an Agribusiness Development Specialist, focusing in diversifying Toyota business into Agribusinesses in Sub-Sahara Africa. She is passionate about grower development with an aim to ensure sustainability that will deliver economic opportunities within the sugar industry.

SASTA 2019 | 18

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF SUGAR DERIVED FROM GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) SUGARCANE VERMEULEN H1 AND GOUSE M1,2 Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), c/o L&L Agricultural Services, The Grain Building Agri-hub, 477 Witherite Street, The Willows, Pretoria 1,2 University of Pretoria: Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, Agricultural Annex Building, University of Pretoria c/o Lynnwood Road and Roper Street, Hatfield Campus, Pretoria

hester@bfap.co.za, marnus.gouse@up.ac.za Abstract During October and November 2017, a consumer survey was conducted to shed light on South African consumers’ knowledge and perceptions regarding genetically modified crops and specifically sugar derived from genetically modified (GM) sugarcane. This study formed part of the South African Sugarcane Research Institute’s larger pre-commercial GM sugarcane project partially supported by the Technology Innovation Agency and Biosafety SA. A total of 267 consumers spread over low, middle and high income groups and racially demographically representative of South Africa, were surveyed through face-to-face interviews in Gauteng. Initially, 45.3% of the sample indicated a strong willingness to purchase sugar derived from GM cane (with a significantly larger willingness among low-income consumers). Even though a larger share of low income consumers revealed a willingness to purchase sugar from GM cane, all three the socio-economic sub-groups contained individuals feeling positive, negative and uncertain about this sugar. After presenting respondents with more information regarding sugar from GM cane a smaller share of low income consumers and a larger share of higher income consumers were willing to purchase GM sugarcane derived sugar. Consumer education marketing messages should aim to convince consumers that the quality of sugar from GM cane is the same as conventional sugar, of the environmental benefit (due to lower pesticide applications) and also of the potential benefit to the South African sugarcane industry – increased efficiency leading to sustained production and employment. Based on the survey results consumers demanded a small discount to accept sugar derived from GM cane. Keywords: genetically modified (GM), sugar, consumer, willingness-to-accept, perceptions, Gauteng Biography: Hester Vermeulen Hester Vermeulen is an agricultural economist and consumer analyst at the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) and has been involved with the consumer analysis division of BFAP for the past 15 years. She is currently conducting her PhD in nutrition at the University of Pretoria, working in the multi-disciplinary context of nutrition and agricultural economics to investigate food affordability and the cost of healthy eating in the South African context. Her career path has built upon a combination of an educational background combining training in food science with agricultural- and consumer economics, to specialise in consumer food- and nutrition economics. Fields of interest include aspects such socio-economic consumer dynamics, consumer behaviour and food choices, consumer trends, food consumption patterns, food affordability, food security and nutrition economics.

SASTA 2019 | 19

POSTER SUMMARY

OPTIMISING THE NUMBER OF TEST SITES, CROP YEARS AND REPLICATIONS TO MAXIMISE POST-RELEASE TESTING EFFICIENCIES DUMA S1, RAMBURAN S1,2 AND SHIMELIS H1 1

School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa 2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa Chillexor@gmail.com

Abstract The objective of this study was to identify the optimal number of testing sites, crop-years and replications needed to maximise efficiency of the post-release evaluation network in the South African sugar industry. Ten commercial sugarcane varieties and one control cultivar were evaluated in randomised block designs in five regions located at KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). The study was conducted at plant to third ratoon crops across the locations. Data analyses were performed using GenStat® Version 18 and General Linear Model (GLM) to estimate variance components. Genotype x location (GxL) interactions were significant (p≤0.01) for cane yield, estimated recoverable crystal, sugar yield and fibre. The trait of commercial interest (TERC) was highly influenced by GxL interaction, suggesting that evaluating genotypes across location is essential. Broad sense heritability (H2) was used to model the optimum number of replications, locations and crop cycles required. High broad sense heritability estimates were observed for cane yield (71.17%), estimated recoverable crystal (97.11%) and fibre (93.11%), implying that these traits were genetically controlled. The GxL and GxLxC variances were the largest source of variation in this study. This statement suggested that the evaluation of sugarcane genotypes across locations as opposed to crop cycles would be satisfactory. For TERC (the trait of commercial interest), the resource combination of four replications, five crop cycles and more than ten locations would provide an adequate level of discrimination among sugarcane varieties in the testing network and allow breeders to determine the best yielding and highest quality genotypes across the industry. Keywords: genotype x environment interaction, GEI, broad sense heritability, variance components, discriminating ability Biography: Sbongeleni Duma Sbongeleni Duma studied agricultural sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Graduated for Honors degree in science with research and technical background in crop production and plant breeding. Completed my MSc degree in Plant Breeding in 2018, where I evaluated genotype by environment interactions and resource allocation across mega-environments under South African Sugarcane Research Institute. I have developed a number of research papers and presented the results at the Southern African Plant Breeding Symposium in 2018, the 2018 South African Sugar Technologists’ Congress, UKZN’s 2018 Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium, and the 2019 Combined Congress. In 2019, I have registered for my PhD studies to pursue my career in the field of agriculture working with the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency. The PhD degree in Agronomy or/ Plant Breeding will expose my expertise to international standards, and I will be able to make positive development impacts in agronomy and in food security of the country at large. Seeking to build research skills and gain new insight that will broaden my experience in the research system, includes teaching, research, trial management responsibilities and developing breeding programs for future use.

SASTA 2019 | 20

POSTER SUMMARY

INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF MOISTURE STRESS ON THE NORMALIZED DIFFERENCE VEGETATION INDEX ON THE ENTUMENI SUGAR ESTATE KUBHEKA PPN, THOMPSON IB AND GILLESPIE D South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe 4300, South Africa philile.kubheka@sugar.org.za, ingrid.thompson@sugar.org.za, dave.gillespie@sugar.org.za

Abstract Remote sensing (RS) provides a means to gather spectral data at time intervals over large areas, which are useful in deriving spectral vegetation indices. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which is derived from red and near-infrared bands, is a good indicator of plant stress. The South African sugar industry spans two provinces, with much of the sugarcane grown on diverse soil types in KwaZulu-Natal, which is rainfed and therefore prone to moisture stress. Although the NDVI is useful for detecting plant stress, it does not provide information on the source of stress. The Moisture Stress Index (MSI) provides information about plant canopy stress. Moisture stress prevails mostly during dry seasons, when stressed crops may become susceptible to pests and diseases. However, the response and tolerance of crops to moisture stress conditions also differs based on the varieties and soil types. The MSI has been used to estimate soil moisture variability, to which a strong correlation was found to exist at a depth of 20 cm (R2=0.79, p<0.05) for average growing seasons. The aim of the project was to determine how much of the stress detected by the NDVI in the Entumeni Sugar Estate is accounted for by lack of moisture. The indices calculated for different months spanning across winter and summer were compared with each other using regression analysis. Results showed that there is a significant inverse relationship between the NDVI and the MSI on the estate, i.e. the minimum R2=0.01 in May 2015 and maximum R2=0.92 in October 2015. In this case, it can be concluded that where the R2 is at its maximum, stress is accounted for by lack of moisture. This study, therefore, demonstrates the possibility of RS to be utilised as a tool to geographically track and monitor crops which may be prone to moisture stress. Keywords: remote sensing, Entumeni, Landsat, normalized difference vegetation index, moisture stress index Biography: Philile Kubheka Philile Kubheka is currently a GIS Officer at SASRI. Prior to this, she worked as an intern at SASRI and later joined Mondi as a GIS Technician. She holds a BSoc Sc in Geography and Environmental Management from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and a Bsc (Hons) in Environmental Management from the University of South Africa. She has studied at Millersville University of Pennsylvania as an exchange student where she was first introduced to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She has co-authored a SASTA poster. She is passionate about keeping the sugar industry abreast using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques.

SASTA 2019 | 21

POSTER SUMMARY

THE SASRI HERBICIDE GUIDE GOES DIGITAL! CAMPBELL PL AND GOVENDER P South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mt Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa Peta.Campbell@sugar.org.za, Poovie.Govender@sugar.org.za

Abstract Weed control recommendations for the South African sugar industry have been presented in printed format for nearly 45 years. The earliest Herbicide Guide had recommendations for using only ten active ingredients. Over the next two decades, the number increased to 27 active ingredients and 50 available generic products. Today, there are 30 active ingredients with an explosion in the number of generics, currently sitting at around 330. With this increased number of available registered products, keeping track of the various treatment options becomes a complex and cumbersome exercise when using the printed version of the Herbicide Guide. To manage this process, a new electronic format has been developed, which allows for treatments to be filtered according to selected criteria. The Herbicide Selection Guide 2019 also provides notes for each active ingredient and lists the trade names of registered products, together with their formulation and herbicide resistance HRAC group. A printable version of the guide is also available for situations where computers may not be available. The guide is not intended to replace herbicide labels, but rather acts as a selection tool for available registered herbicides for the industry, with guidelines for their application. Herbicide labels must still be followed to ensure use of legal herbicide combinations and application rates for different soil types. The Herbicide Selection Guide will be updated twice per year and is available on the SASRI website: www.sasri.org.za/weed-control. Keywords: herbicide recommendations, sugarcane, active ingredients, South Africa Biography: Peta Campbell Peta Campbell is the Weed Specialist at the SA sugarcane Research Institute, and current research focuses on developing chemical and integrated control recommendations for problematic weeds; and technology exchange of basic and new weed control principles to assist commercial and emerging farmers.

SASTA 2019 | 22

POSTER SUMMARY

USEFULNESS OF SOIL APPARENT ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY (ECa) AS AN INDICATOR OF SOIL PROPERTIES IN RESEARCH TRIALS THOMPSON IB, MCHUNU LN, VAN ANTWERPEN R, ZHOU M, MCHUNU M, JALISA M; MAKHAYE A; VELEM T AND COLLINGS K South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe 4300, South Africa ingrid.thompson@sugar.org.za Abstract Soil variability has been shown to impact negatively on the outcomes of research trials at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). Due to cost and length of time required for intensive soil sampling, soil variability is normally not quantified before trials are established. Electromagnetic induction (EMI) is a technique that measures apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) of soils, which is influenced by many soil properties such as soil water, clay, electrical conductivity, total cations and organic matter content, and can thus be used to estimate these and other soil constituents. The aim of this research was to assess the accuracy of soil ECa in quantifying the variability in soil properties at field trial sites. EMI values of Field 163 on the SASRI Gingindlovu Research Station were obtained with an EM38-MK2 instrument linked to a GPS unit, with an accuracy of less than 0.3 m. The survey paths were 1.5 m apart on average and the data points were captured at one second intervals. Data from more than 3 000 points were collected from a 1.2 ha field. Soil samples were collected from 74 positions representing each plot, at 20- 80 cm depths and analysed for clay, silt, sand and water content. The resultant ECa data were used to develop an ECa variability map. This poster reports on the accuracy of estimating these parameters from ECa data mostly for the topsoil. A Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) was performed on the ECa and all laboratory determined soil data. The relationships between ECa and clay, silt, sand and soil water content (SWC) were significant at p<0.05 and with r2=0.71, r2=0.67, r2=0.59 and r2=0.58 respectively. The advantage of using GWR is that standard deviation and correlation maps could be produced. These maps indicate the degree of ECa correlation with each variable at each sampling point geographically. This study reinforces the case that EMI is a suitable technology, which can be used to detect soil variability which can be used in facilitating the randomisation of trials and interpretation of results. Keywords: apparent electrical conductivity, GIS, plant breeding, field trials, research station, soil properties, clay, silt, sand, soil water content (SWC) Biography: Ingrid Thompson Ingrid B Thompson is a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) specialist at SASRI. Ingrid has been with SASRI since 2007 providing a mapping service to Extension and Research; introducing a spatial dimension to data where it is deemed crucial. She has a Masters in Science from the University of KwaZulu Natal where she quantified forest biochemical and measured leaf area index using hyperspectral imagery and GIS. Ingrid has a BSoc Scie in Geographical Sciences majoring in GIS and RS and a BSc in Plant Biotechnology from UKZN. Ingrid previously worked for CSIR as a junior research officer where she was investigating the use of hyperspectral imagery for forest management.

SASTA 2019 | 23

POSTER SUMMARY

DEVELOPMENT OF A JUICE PREPARATION TOOLKIT USING SMRI-NIRS RAHIMAN SN, WEYER S, VISRAM K AND DAVIS SB Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa srahiman@smri.org, sarah.westergreen@gmail.com, kvisram@smri.org, sdavis@smri.org Abstract The combination of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology and SMRI-NIRS analyte prediction equations has provided a rapid and cost-effective measurement solution for a host of sugar factory analytes in the South African sugar industry. The SMRI-NIRS toolkits are spreadsheet-based calculators that are used to convert the SMRI-NIRS predicted analytical results to performance parameters that support factories in decision-making. One toolkit under development aims to identify contributors to high undetermined sucrose losses (UDL) in the juice preparation section. The outputs from the toolkit include estimations of: • • •

Sucrose inversion loss across juice heating and clarification Sucrose loss during mud handling Impact of mixed juice tank returns (diffuser sumps, floor-washings or refinery returns) on boiling house recovery.

A three-day study was conducted in 2018 at a sugar mill that recycles clarifier mud to the diffuser. Sucrose inversion loss results indicated that losses were negligible across juice heating and clarification. The clear juice minus mixed juice (MJ) purity difference (MJ sampled before the MJ tank) was found to be a poor indicator of sucrose loss in the juice preparation section as the differences are very sensitive to the quality of streams being returned to the MJ tank. Furthermore, a consequence of the return of low purity streams to the MJ tank was a 2.3 unit drop in MJ purity feeding the clarification process and a potential increase in sucrose loss to molasses of about 20% by sugar, juice and molasses (SJM) recovery. The toolkit will be further developed during 2019 and the SMRI intends releasing this toolkit to its members in the 2020 season. Keywords: juice preparation, sucrose, UDL, losses to molasses, inversion loss Biography: Sayed Rahiman Sayed Rahiman is a researcher employed at the Sugar Milling Research Institute. He graduated with cum laude for his B-Tech degree in chemical engineering at the Durban University of Technology in 2013, and in addition received the ‘Silver-Medallist’ award from the South African Institute of Chemical Engineers. Sayed is currently pursuing his Masters of Engineering degree and has a keen interest in computer programming. During his stay at the SMRI his areas of interest have grown to include continuous crystal seed preparation, pan boiling, continuous pan tracer testing as well as sucrose inversion loss surveys across evaporator stations. He has recently joined the SMRI-NIRS toolkit team and he is eager in developing impactful toolkits that will help sustain the sugar industry in the short-term.

SASTA 2019 | 24

POSTER SUMMARY

USE OF REMOTE SENSING TO DETERMINE INTRA-FIELD YIELD VARIABILITY TWEDDLE PB1 AND HARRIS, A 2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 Tongaat Hulett Limited, Amanzimnyama Hill Road, Tongaat, 4400, South Africa

peter.tweddle@sugar.org.za, alasdair.harris@tongaat.com Abstract Quantifying infield yield variability is essential to guide field investigations, remediation or adaptive treatments to enhance management of agronomic inputs towards achieving crop yield potentials. Stalk height measurements can be used as an indication of and to estimate cane yield prior to harvest. Analysis of trial data from the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) confirmed the relationship between cane stalk height and crop yield, with strongest association detected for crops of similar genetic, environmental and crop production factors. The analysis supported further investigation into the potential of drone mounted remote sensing using photogrammetry to determine intra-field yield variability. Two separate SASRI field trials containing various treatments and a wide range of yields were surveyed using photogrammetric mapping techniques. This was in addition to the standard SASRI field trial measurements which were used to test and compare the results obtained from photogrammetry against actual field- based yield measurements. In a third collaborative study conducted with Tongaat Hulett, a SASRI variety field trial was scanned with a dronemounted LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system to test the accuracy and suitability of LIDAR to map crop height variability. This study included intensive stalk height measurements acquired before and at time of harvest and correlations between these and the LIDAR derived measurements with the harvested mass of cane from each plot assessed. The results showed that photogrammetry and LIDAR surveys are potentially useful tools that may be used to identify intrafield variability using crop height as a proxy for yield. Limitations and potential application of the use of these technologies are also highlighted in this work. This research forms part of a SASRI project investigating yield variability mapping using various techniques across a range of commercial harvesting and loading practices. Keywords: precision agriculture, yield mapping, photogrammetry, LIDAR, drones Biography: Peter Tweddle Peter Tweddle is an Agricultural Engineer at SASRI specializing in research relating to Mechanization and Transport within the Sugarcane Industry. Peter has completed a PhD degree in Agricultural Engineering through the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is registered as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

SASTA 2019 | 25

POSTER SUMMARY

SULPHITATION IN REFINERIES: AN ALTERNATE TO LIQUID SULPHUR DIOXIDE SAHADEO P AND MDAKANE A RCL foods, Malalane mill, 1320 South Africa Prem.Sahadeo@rclfoods.com, Amanda.Mdakane@rclfoods.com Abstract Refineries using the sulphitation process for colour removal are primarily dependent on sulphur dioxide gas produced by sulphur burning, or the now more favoured liquid sulphur dioxide provided in one ton cylinders. Currently, five refineries in Southern Africa use liquid sulphur dioxide and are reliant on one supplier for this product. The safety aspects and guaranteed supply pose a high risk to these refineries. An alternative product which would mitigate this risk was investigated and shown to provide a reliable substitute for liquid sulphur dioxide. Although this product is also sulphur based, it is produced as a solvent which can merely be metered into the process via a positive displacement pump or by gravity feed. The handling of toxic gas is eliminated and is a huge advantage to safety and handling. The findings from Laboratory and plant trials are presented in this Poster. Keywords: sulphitation, liquid sulphur dioxide Biography: Prem Sahadeo Prem Sahadeo, after qualifying as a Sugar Technologist, I worked at Tongaat Hulett sugar as a Development Technologist in their Technical Management Department. Thereafter I worked at the Sugar Milling Research Institute as a Senior Research Officer. During this period I did consulting work at virtually all the Southern African mills. I then moved on to Line management at RCL foods where I am currently the Production Manager at Malalane Mill in Mpumalanga. I have presented numerous papers both at SASTA and internationally.

SASTA 2019 | 26

POSTER SUMMARY

USE OF GENOMICS DATA TO UNCOVER HERBIVORE-INDUCED RESISTANCE MECHANISMS IN SUGARCANE JACOB RM1, POTIER BAM 2, KEEPING MG3 AND RUTHERFORD RS4 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, Private Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa robyn.jacob@sugar.org.za, 2sugar.potier@gmail.com, 3malcolm.keeping@sugar.org.za, 4stuart.rutherford@sugar.org.za

Abstract The sugarcane industry is a substantial agricultural activity in South Africa. Economic loss due to the stem borer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) (eldana), is estimated to be R1 billion per annum. Commercial sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp. hybrids), have different susceptibility ratings to eldana, varying from low to high risk of economically damaging infestations. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in defence responses and resistance against eldana would be an important step towards targeted breeding of resistant sugarcane varieties. The South African Sugarcane Research Institute has utilised an approach involving RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and differential expression to identify the early and late response differentially expressed (DE) genes of two sugarcane cultivars by comparison of unchallenged and eldana-challenged samples. These DE gene lists and associated gene expression patterns have enabled the comparison of the early and late response mechanisms between susceptible (N11) and resistant (N33) sugarcane cultivars. This will allow the identification of candidate genes most likely to improve resistance against eldana and possibly other lepidopteran borers. The technology, along with the potential resistance mechanisms, is presented in this poster. Keywords: RNA-seq, eldana, resistance mechanisms, plant defence Biography: Robyn Jacob Robyn Jacob is a Molecular Biologist at SASRI with over 17 years of laboratory experience. She obtained a BSc (Genetics and Biochemistry) and a BSc Honours (Bioinformatics) from UKZN, Pietermaritzburg and an MSc (Bioinformatics) from Manchester University. Robyn has been a part of the Biotechnology Department at SASRI since 2006 and her research targets both the Variety Improvement Programme and the Crop Protection Programme. Robyn is an executive member of the South African Genetics Society.

SASTA 2019 | 27

POSTER SUMMARY

MONITORING AND MANAGING LOSSES ACROSS THE C-STATION USING THE SMRI- NIRS TECHNOLOGY BARKER B AND MADHO S Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban, 4041, South Africa bbarker@smri.org smadho@smri.org Abstract All of the South African (SA) sugar factory laboratories have adopted the use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) instruments with process stream analyte prediction equations supplied by the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI). The predictions include sucrose, fructose, glucose, pol, brix, conductivity ash, dry solids and most recently, colour. With the SMRI-NIRS analytical method having already replaced conventional analytical methods at some SA sugar factories, the SMRI is pioneering the use of the technology’s rapid and reliable predictions to assist with determining the root cause of factory processing inefficiencies and ultimately improving sucrose recoveries. The C-centrifuge station of a factory is certainly a focus area to improve recoveries as it presents a factory with the last attempt to recover sucrose. In doing so, however, the station has to be closely managed to minimise non-sucrose recirculation. This poster details an extension to the existing SMRI-NIRS C-centrifuge toolkit. The work conducted by the SMRI at a SA factory provides insights on how to use the SMRI-NIRS toolkit to identify inefficient centrifuges and poor practices. The work completed included: • Analysing the final molasses from individual C-centrifuges to calculate Target Purity Differences (TPD) • Performing sucrose-based Sugar-Juice-Molasses (SJM) recovery calculations for the C- station as a performance benchmark • Completing colour balances to assist in the development of colour management strategies • Quantifying the non-sucrose recycled to the boiling house and reporting on its impact on raw sugar quality and boiling house recovery • Using the centrifuge balances to validate assumptions of separation factors used in centrifuge models Keywords: NIRS, TPD, non-sucrose, colour, C-station, molasses Biography: Bryan Barker Bryan Barker is a Researcher in the process-engineering department at the Sugar Milling Research Institute. He has a National Diploma in Chemical Engineering and a BSc in Chemistry. He has been at the SMRI for over 20 years and in that time has been involved in research across all areas of sugar processing from cane to crystal. He still finds research one of the most rewarding careers around.

SASTA 2019 | 28

POSTER SUMMARY

CALCULATORS TO ASSIST WITH CALIBRATIONS FOR HERBICIDE APPLICATION IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUGARCANE INDUSTRY CAMPBELL PL AND TWEDDLE P South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa Peta.Campbell@sugar.org.za,Peter.Tweddle@sugar.org.za Abstract Calibration calculators were developed on spreadsheets, designed to complement the SASRI Herbicide Selector that is accessible on the SASRI website (www.sasri.org.za/weed-control). These calculators are available to all sugarcane farmers and Extension specialists and are designed to provide assistance in achieving the correct application of products, irrespective of the scale of operations for weed management. They are therefore suitable for both small- and large- scale sugarcane growing operations. The objective of this poster is to demonstrate the functionality of the tool. The tool consists of a collection of calculators for calibrating knapsack and boom sprayers, comprising: a) the amount of spray water, litres per sprayed hectare; b) the required product amounts per spray tank of each product (i.e. herbicide/ buffer/salt/surfactant) per selected chemical treatment, irrespective of tank size (15 to 1000 L); c) the area covered for different spray tank sizes; and d) the number of spray tanks required per field. Results can be saved in a printable report format. To assist emerging farmers to manage weeds in small, sometimes dispersed one hectare areas, a calculator is also available to calibrate standard-sized drums (210 and 220 L), suited to herbicide treatment of half hectare units. In addition, there is a calculator for revenue loss via estimated weed competition in the event of no weed control. The major advantages of automated calculations include: a) saving time; b) reducing errors; c) allowing flexibility to manage field operation/ equipment changes; and d) to provide an opportunity for more frequent calibrations during the season, with less reliance on agricultural consultants. Keywords: herbicide calculations, sugarcane, emerging farmers Biography: Peta Campbell Peta Campbell is the Weed Specialist at the SA sugarcane Research Institute, and current research focuses on developing chemical and integrated control recommendations for problematic weeds; and technology exchange of basic and new weed control principles to assist commercial and emerging farmers. â&#x20AC;&#x192;

SASTA 2019 | 29

POSTER SUMMARY

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DESALINATION METHODS FOR THE CONCENTRATION OF VINASSE FAKIR T, NAIDOO P, BABAEE S AND RAMJUGERNATH D Thermodynamics Research Unit, School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, King George V Avenue, Durban, South Africa, 4041 tauheedah.ahmed@yahoo.com, babaees@ukzn.ac.za, naidoop18@ukzn.ac.za ramjuger@ukzn.ac.za Abstract With the drive towards sustainable processing and adhering to environmental regulations, it is important to find economic and sustainable ways of dealing with the associated waste streams. Vinasse is an aqueous by-product of the sugar-bioethanol process, consisting mainly of water, organic solids and minerals. Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ are some of the main constituents of inorganic matter present in vinasse. Conventional techniques utilised to treat vinasse, such as evaporation and distillation are energy intensive. Hence it was proposed that desalination of vinasse using clathrate hydrate technology be investigated to recover organic salts and recover purified water, since the latent heat of fusion of water is significantly less than the latent heat of vaporisation. The aim of this study was to determine the kinetics of vinasse hydrates and thereafter perform an economic analysis by comparing it to another conventional competing technology which was identified as the multi-effect evaporation process. For any process design it is important to gain an understanding of the kinetics (hydrate formation). Such experiments were undertaken using synthesised vinasse in a benchtop rig (750 ml stainless steel rig). A multi-effect evaporation process was simulated using Aspen PlusÂŽ as a series of heat exchangers and flash vessels with a basis of 100 000 kg/h of the synthesised vinasse feed. Results showed that a three-effect evaporator would be sufficient to concentrate vinasse to a final brine concentration of ~50 wt % and yield of ~95% potable water. This method was evaluated and compared to the gas hydrate process. Keywords: vinasse, concentration, hydrate technology, multi-effect evaporation Biography: Tauheeda Fakir Older than she looks, short and sweet Tauheeda Fakir was born and raised in South Africa. She has a BSc. Eng. in Chemical engineering and is currently a final year MSc. Eng. student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her project focuses on the treatment of industrial effluent using has hydrate based desalination. Eager to learn and shares great interest in seeking sustainable solutions. She believes her purpose in life is to improve the lives of people by using smart engineering concepts that will later enable the upliftment of people and their communities through job creation, quality education and more businesses that would on day contribute to a more sustainable world.

SASTA 2019 | 30

POSTER SUMMARY

UPDATE ON NEMATICIDE SCREENING WITHIN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR INDUSTRY RAMOUTHAR PV AND PILLAY U South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe 4300, South Africa Prabashnie.Ramouthar@sugar.org.za Abstract Since its discovery in 1965, aldicarb has been the nematicide of choice worldwide on a number of crops. Although its withdrawal in 2011 left many growers disappointed, it did provide an opportunity for the revival of the nematicide industry with new active ingredients coming onto the market for the first time in 20 years. This has resulted in more options currently being available for growers. There has also been a shift in nematode management strategy with the movement away from highly toxic red and yellow label chemistries. Sustainable, integrated management systems including environmentally benign blue label chemistries and biological control options are now being encouraged. Screening of new nematicide chemistries at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute began in 2012 with a large number of products being tested in a series of both pot and field trials. A set of rainfed field trials, to test five different unregistered products was planted in 2016 at Umfolozi, the North Coast (Umhlali) and Midlands (Eston) regions of the South African sugar industry. Variety N23 was used in Umfolozi and N52 at Umhlali and Eston. RV yields obtained after treatment with the different products were compared with an untreated control and the current industry standards of VydateÂŽ GR and CuraterrÂŽ. Data were subjected to a REMYL of multiple experiments, and significant differences between treatments determined at the 5% significance level using the Sidak test. A significantly increased RV yield was recorded for one product compared with the untreated control and it was not significantly different to the industry standards. This product has since been registered for use in sugarcane. Factors affecting yield responses and product choice will be discussed in the poster. Keywords: nematicide screening, nematode management, new nematicides Biography: Prabashnie Ramouthar Prabashnie Ramouthar started at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute in 2009 and is currently employed as the Nematologist, a position she has held since 2012. She currently holds the position of newsletter editor on the executive board of the Nematology Society of Southern Africa and was symposium chairperson for the 2017 symposium. She recently completed a revision of the chapter Nematodes Parasites of Sugarcane in the third edition of the CABI book Plant Parasitic Nematodes Subtropical and Tropical Agriculture. Her research interests include integrated management of nematodes and she aims to reduce the reliance of the industry on chemical nematicides. She has authored three full papers at SASTA and has been either author or co-author on five short communications and six posters.

SASTA 2019 | 31

POSTER SUMMARY

IDENTIFICATION OF COLOURANT TYPES PRESENT IN SUGARCANE PROCESSING STREAMS BOOYSEN KC, FOXON KM, WALFORD SN Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban, 4041 South Africa kbooysen@smri.org kfoxon@smri.org swalford@smri.org Abstract One of the quality specifications of raw sugar is ICUMSA 420 colour, which is typically measured spectrophotometrically as the total absorbance of light at 420 nm wavelength by all compounds present in the sample. Although this measurement is useful for determining colour levels of different factory streams, it does not discriminate between the types of colourants contributing to the total colour measured. Over the past few decades, most of the sugarcane colour research conducted worldwide has been related to how the overall ICUMSA 420 colour of raw sugar can be reduced by applying decolourisation techniques. In contrast, identifying and characterising colourants, their effect on the ICUMSA 420 colour value and their mechanisms of formation and removal has been less well researched. The development and application of colourant analytical methods would contribute to a more robust understanding of the behaviour of colourants in sugarcane processing, which could assist factory personnel in understanding and devising strategies for managing and mitigating colour formation in sugarcane factories. This poster introduces an exploratory research project that is being undertaken by the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI) to provide fundamental knowledge and insight into the nature, origin and likely fate of colourants present in sugarcane factory streams. This project aims to develop rapid and economical methods for the analysis of colourant types. Spectroscopic techniques are being used to analyse a variety of raw factory streams and this poster presents the preliminary results obtained. The results suggest that there might be potential in using spectroscopy as a practical analysis method for determining the contributions of different classes of colourant compounds. Keywords: colour, colourant, flavonoids, melanoidins, caramels, hexose alkaline degradation products Biography: Kim Booysen Kim Booysen joined the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI) in 2013 as a Research Officer. She obtained her PhD degree in Inorganic Chemistry at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2012. Her research interests at the SMRI include exploring potential biorefinery products for the South African sugarcane industry and the investigation of colourant types present in sugarcane processing streams.

SASTA 2019 | 32

POSTER SUMMARY

DEVELOPMENT OF REAL-TIME QUANTITATIVE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION TO DETECT AND QUANTIFY SMUT INFECTION IN SUGARCANE VARIETIES GUMEDE S1,2, VAN ANTWERPEN T1, SWEBY D1 AND RUTHERFORD RS1,2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300 School of Agricultural, Earth and Environment Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209 1

Sfiso.Gumede@sugar.org.za, Tania.vanantwerpen@sugar.org.za, Deborah.Sweby@sugar.org.za, Stuart.Rutherford@sugar.org.za Abstract Sugarcane smut caused by the fungus Sporisorium scitamineum can reduce sugarcane yield significantly in susceptible varieties. The ability of TaqMan real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays (RT-qPCR) to detect and quantify smut in sugarcane varieties with different levels of susceptibility and resistance to smut was evaluated in a pot trial at SASRI. Nine local sugarcane varieties were inoculated with a smut spore suspension at a concentration of 5X108 spores/mL by injecting spores into swollen sugarcane buds. Genomic DNA was extracted after 14 days from germinated buds and the quantity of smut DNA present was determined by TaqMan qPCR assay. The target smut gene was detected in all inoculated varieties. However, the quantity of the gene (measured as gene copy number) varied between the varieties. All susceptible varieties had a significantly higher smut gene copy number (P<0.001) compared to resistant varieties. The TaqMan RT-qPCR assay is potentially a suitable diagnostic tool for the determination of resistance or susceptibility to smut in sugarcane. Keywords: sugarcane smut, Sporisorium scitamineum, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Biography: S’fiso Gumede S’fiso Gumede is a 26 years old master’s student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg campus. He is originally from Jozini and he completed his undergraduate and Honours degrees in Plant Pathology at UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus. Gumede received a number of accolades during his undergraduate studies, including the Rijkenberg, Incotec and Link Seeds awards for achieving top results in various second and third year Plant Pathology modules. The Master’s candidate is conducting his study on the topic of Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (Qpcr) and Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) in Screening for Resistance to Sugarcane Smut Disease Caused by the Fungus Sporisorium Scitamineum. After completing his Master’s study, Gumede plans to continue with PhD studies at UKZN.

SASTA 2019 | 33

POSTER SUMMARY

THERMODYNAMIC MODELLING OF CARBON DIOXIDE HYDRATES IN THE PRESENCE OF SYNTHESISED VINASSE MIXTURES BABAEE S, NAIDOO P AND RAMJUGERNATH D Thermodynamics Research Unit, School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, King George V Avenue, Durban 4041, South Africa. babaees@ukzn.ac.za, naidoop18@ukzn.ac.za, ramjuger@ukzn.ac.za Abstract One of the challenges associated with treating or disposing of vinasse, the by-product of bioethanol production, is the high concentration of dissolved solids, largely in the form of K+, SO2-, Mg2+, Ca2+ and Cl-. While traditional desalination technologies such as evaporation and distillation are employed in the concentration of salts to recover purified or potable water, these methods are energy intensive. The application of a novel technology known as gas hydrate technology can make the process of desalination less energy intensive, since the latent heat of fusion is much less than the heat of vaporisation for water. Developing a reliable thermodynamic model plays an essential role in the design of a hydrate-based process to treat vinasse. In this study, a thermodynamic model based on the solid solution theory of van der Waals and Platteeuw and the UNIQUAC model along with a Debye-Hückel term were used to calculate the carbon dioxide hydrate dissociation conditions in the presence of mixed salt and synthesised vinasse mixtures. The investigated systems in this study were based on the results of an extensive literature review conducted on the characterisation of vinasse for which the composition of the synthesised mixture was 5 wt % KCl + 1 wt % Na2SO4 + 0.5 wt % MgCl2 + 0.5 wt % CaCl2 + 2.2 wt % ethanol + 0.5 wt % propionic acid + 0.3 wt % acetic acid. New UNIQUAC interaction parameters were optimised in this study, and good agreement between the experimental data and predictive model results was achieved. Keywords: gas hydrate, inhibitor, vinasse, thermodynamic model Biography: Saeideh Babaee My name is Saeideh Babaee. I was born on 3th of June 1983 in Iran. I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Thermodynamic Research Group, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa. I performed my master of science in Shiraz University of Technology in Shiraz, Iran with the thesis entitled “Experimental Study and Thermodynamic Modelling of Methane Hydrate Formation Conditions in the Aqueous Solutions of Methanol and Ethylene glycol.” I have received my Ph.D. from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. My Ph.D. thesis covers “Hydrate Phase Equilibrium Studied for Xe, Ar, Kr and CF4 in the Presence of TBAB Aqueous Solutions”, which is novel research. Currently, I am a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of KwaZulu Natal with the research interest in the field of experimental measurements, thermodynamic modelling and phase equilibria, CO2 capture and storage, gas separation, gas hydrates, Waste water treatment. For the past ten years I have a good experience in chemical engineering. I am the project leader in the new project entitled “Carbon Capture, Storage and Conversion”. I am currently supervising three master students and one PhD student in the field of thermodynamic, gas hydrate, gas separations, water treatments and CO2 capture and conversions. I have published several ISI-ranked Journal articles and I have also participated in numerous scientific conferences in the field of gas hydrate, gas separation, water treatments, phase equilibria and thermodynamics, modelling and optimization. Teaching, both of graduate students and undergraduates, is a central part of my development as an academic. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a wide variety of teaching experiences at the University of KwaZulu Natal.

SASTA 2019 | 34

POSTER SUMMARY

THE SMRI-NIRS TECHNOLOGY: PROFICIENCY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE SCHEME NADAR R AND WALFORD SN Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban, 4041 rnadar@smri.org Abstract The Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI) provides the South African sugar factory laboratories with updated Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) prediction equations for analysis of juices, intermediates and final molasses on an annual basis. The SMRI-NIRS technology, based on transmission mode, has already been widely accepted in the sugar industry. To ensure continued confidence in the technology requires ongoing procedures to provide evidence of the reliability of the analytical results. A proficiency and quality assurance scheme has been developed and will be fully functional in the 2019 season. This poster describes the various elements and processes of the proficiency and quality assurance scheme and shows how the information will be used. The following components are discussed: • • • •

Quality control procedures are used to ensure the ability of the annually updated SMRI- NIRS prediction equations to predict correctly. Instrumental test information from the NIRS instrument weekly performance qualification (PQ) report will be collated from each instrument at every mill. This will be used as an indication of how well the instrument works. Scans of defined concentration sucrose solutions from each NIRS instrument will be used by the SMRI to establish where any abnormalities exist and take corrective action. A proficiency scheme will be used to evaluate the individual laboratories’ techniques and instrumentation. A random selection of previously analysed raw house samples will be supplied to each mill on a regular basis for analysis.

The scans and NIRS results will be returned to the SMRI for evaluation and, where problems exist, to identify the route cause. The SMRI-NIRS results will show whether the correct equations are being used by the analysts and whether the SMRI-NIRS equations are predicting correctly. Keywords: NIRS, equations, proficiency scheme, Quality control Biography: Rowena Nadar Rowena Nadar holds a B Tech degree in Chemistry and currently pursuing a MSc in the same field. She started her career at the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI) as an in-service trainee in 2011 returning in 2013 as a laboratory analyst. She is currently employed at the SMRI as the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Applied Analyst within the Analytical Quality, Method and Development department. She has a particular interest in analytical techniques and instrumentation and its role in providing quality assurance in any processing environment. She has been actively involved in the development of the SMRI NIRS within the sugar industry and is excited for the many future prospects it will provide.

SASTA 2019 | 35

POSTER SUMMARY

IMPACT OF EMS TREATMENT ON SUGARCANE CALLUS GROWTH, PROLINE CONTENT AND CELL WALL MODIFICATION DURING OSMOTIC STRESS DLAMINI PJ1,2, NTULI NR3 AND SCHULTZ-VILJOEN T1 Department of Agriculture, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa Agricultural Research Council-Vegetable and Ornamental Plants (ARC-VOP), Pretoria, 0002, South Africa 3 Department of Botany, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa 1

pjdlamin@gmail.com, NtuliN@unizulu.ac.za

Abstract Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) can enhance genetic variability on the sugarcane genome resulting in the induction of advantageous traits such as drought tolerance. The present study was undertaken to gain detailed information on the effect of EMS treatment and osmotic stress on the growth, proline content, water content and cell wall modification in sugarcane callus. Results indicated that EMS treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the number of callus clumps and callus fresh weight. Furthermore, EMS treatment induced hydrogen peroxide and proline content production. Callus water content and dry weight were positively correlated to cellulose biosynthesis. The EMS treated callus showed enhanced hemicellulose biosynthesis under osmotic stress when compared to the control. An increase in hemicellulose might be a response to cellular component damage due to EMS treatment. These results suggest that cell wall modification is important for maintaining cell water content during osmotic stress, however, further work will be conducted to confirm the results at whole plant. Keywords: ethyl methanesulfonate, dry weight, callus water content, cellulose, hemicellulose Biography: Philani Dlamini Philani Dlamini received a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Agriculture (Agronomy) and a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Agriculture (Plant Science) from the University of Zululand. He is currently an NRF-DST intern at the Agricultural Research Council, Plant Biotechnology department doing molecular marker screening and virus diagnostics. He is also part of the research team working on CRISPR gene editing technology to establish resistant banana lines to the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) in the ARC-Plant health and protection unity.

SASTA 2019 | 36

POSTER SUMMARY

USE OF A TIME AND MOTION STUDY TO IDENTIFY A CONSTRAINT IN A SUGAR PACKING STATION ESSOP R Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa ressop@smri.org Abstract A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The Theory of Constraints, which comprises of five steps, serves to identify and then strengthen this link. The five steps are generally considered to be: (1) identify the constraint, (2) develop a plan for overcoming the constraint, (3) focus resources on Step 2, (4) reduce the effect of the constraint by expanding capability or reducing work load and (5) repeat the process. This poster focusses on the first step of the Theory of Constraints, which aims to identify the rate limiting step (constraint) using a technique known as a Time and Motion study. The work was carried out for a back-end sugar packing station. A Time and Motion study is a useful tool that can be used for continuous improvement to increase productivity by systematic observation, analysis and measurement of the separate steps for a specific job. The objective of the time and motion study was to determine the bottleneck in achieving the design capacity of a 25 kg packing line. The poster details the methodology employed and the interpretation of the results obtained in order to meet the objective. The Time and Motion study identified the scale cycle time (filling and dispensing of sugar into the weighing hopper and product bag, respectively) as the initial constraint. Recommendations were also made in line with Steps two to five of the Theory of Constraints. Keywords: Theory of Constraints, bottleneck, Time and Motion Study, packing station, productivity, continuous improvement Biography: Reza Essop Reza Essop is a Sugar Process Consultant at the Sugar Milling Research Institute (NPC). He holds a BSc degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry and an MBA. He has 25 years industrial experience having worked in Manufacturing, Research and Development and Quality Assurance and says while work is great, nothing compares to being a father to 3 young children where he has to innovate the truth daily to keep up with their logic.

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SASTA 2019 | 37

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

GENOTYPE BY ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION EFFECT ON GENOTYPE SELECTION AMONG REGIONAL VARIETY TRIALS IN SOUTH AFRICA SHINGA N1,2, ZHOU M1,2,3 AND SIBIYA J2 1

South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/BagX02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa 3 University of Free State, PO box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa Nomfundoshinga@sugar.org.za, Marvellous.Zhou@sugar.org.za

Abstract Genotype x Environment interactions (GxE) alters phenotype response of genotypes when exposed to a range of environments. Understanding the effect of GxE on selection of genotypes and populations guides breeding and variety testing strategies. The objectives of this study were to determine magnitudes of GxE interaction effects and Identify important GxE effects among regional advanced variety trials and evaluate implication of breeding and selection. Data were analysed using a mixed procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Genotype by location interaction (GL) for cane and sugar yield was significant (P<0.01) across irrigated, coastal long and midlands trials and significant (P<0.05) for Estimable Recoverable Crystal (ERC%) cane across all regions, suggesting genotypes producing high traits were different at each location. Genotype by crop year interaction (GC) for cane and sugar yield was significant across regions, suggesting that ratooning of genotypes was different. The GC for ERC was significant for irrigated, coastal long and midlands regions. Genotype by location by crop year interaction (GLC) for cane yield was significant for irrigated, coastal short and midlands indicating the ratooning of genotypes could be location specific. GLC for ERC% cane was significant across irrigated, coastal long and midlands, while that for sugar yield was significant across irrigated and midlands. GL was largest for irrigated compared to other regions, probably due to confounding seasonal effects. GC effects were highest among coastal long and midlands regions where ratooning ability is expected to be more important. Keywords: genotype by location, genotype by crop-year, cane yield, sugar yield, ERC% Biography: Nomfundo Shinga Nomfundo Shinga holds a BSc Agronomy degree in Agriculture from University of Zululand obtained in 2017. She is currently an MSc student in plant breeding at SASRI and is registered at the University of KwaZulu Natal. Her research is based on genotype by environment among SASRI regional breeding programmes.

SASTA 2019 | 38

REFEREED PAPER

S-BEAT: EXTENDING THE INVENTORY OF THE SUGARCANE BIOREFINERY ECONOMIC ANALYSIS TOOLBOX TO OTHER SUGAR MILL FEEDS AND PRODUCTS NAIDOO P1,2, LOKHAT D1 AND STARK A1 University of KwaZulu-Natal, Discipline of Chemical Engineering, King George V Avenue, Durban, 4041, South Africa 2 Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban, 4041, South Africa

pnaidoo@smri.org, lokhat@ukzn.ac.za, starka@ukzn.ac.za Abstract The methodology of the Sugarcane Biorefinery Economic Analysis Toolbox (S-BEAT) was presented at SASTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018 Annual Congress. S-BEAT provides both a cost estimation and economic analysis of potential biorefinery downstream products of a sugar mill, at a preliminary design state. A previous paper described the methodology used for appending biorefinery downstream processes to a generic South African sugar mill model. Although the application of S-BEAT was demonstrated for the economic assessment of the production of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polylactic acid (PLA), at that stage of development, the toolbox was limited to the diversion of clear juice to the biorefinery. This paper firstly addresses how the methodology was extended to now include draft juice, clear juice, syrup, A-sugar and A-molasses as potential feed streams to the downstream biorefinery. Secondly, S-BEAT was extended to include an economic analysis of the production of succinic acid, 1,4-butanediol, lysine, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, ethanol, ethylene, monoethylene glycol, lactic acid and polylactic acid from various sugar mill streams. The results are described and compared in terms of the Internal Rate of Return, Net Present Value and the pay-back period for each product and hence provide support for decision making regarding the choice of biorefinery processes to be annexed to South African sugar mills. Keywords: S-BEAT, biorefinery products, economics, sugar mill, feedstock costing Biography: Prelene Naidoo Prelene Naidoo is a young researcher who has an immense interest in the techno-economics of the sugarcane industry. She holds a BSc Honours degree in Chemical Engineering (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) and is currently pursuing her MSc in Chemical Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is also a researcher at the Sugar Milling Research Institute (SMRI). Her focus in this study is to demonstrate the usefulness of the Sugarcane Biorefinery Economic Analysis Toolbox (S-BEAT) with an analysis of the feasibility of a number of potential biorefinery products for the South African sugar industry.

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SASTA 2019 | 39

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

USING QUANTITATIVE GENETIC PARAMETERS TO DETERMINE SAMPLE SIZE FOR SUCROSE CONTENT IN SUGARCANE BREEDING MISHASHA T1,2, ZHOU MM1,2,3 AND VAN DER MERWE R2 1

South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa 3 University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa

Tondani.Mishasha@sugar.org.za, VanDerMerweR@ufs.ac.za, Corresponding: Marvellous.Zhou@sugar.org.za Abstract Sample size is important for optimising resource allocation in plant breeding trials. An optimum sample size produces accurate estimates of breeding parameters, reduces experimental error and provides adequate discriminating ability among genotypes and populations. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum number of replications and genotype sample size within family plots for sucrose content. The trials were laid out in a randomised complete block design with families planted to three replications and family plots made up of several individual genotypes. Data for hand refractometer brix (sucrose content) were collected from 20 genotypes within each family plot for irrigated, coastal short cycle and midlands trials. The data were analysed to estimate variance components that were in turn used to calculate broad sense heritability (H). The optimum sample size using combinations was determined using response surface graphs, and these ranged from 1-5 replications and 1-20 genotypes. Family variance for all trials was significant (P<0.01), indicating the existence of family genetic variability. Family by replication and residual variance were highly significant (P<0.001). H values ranged from 0.74 to 0.77, suggesting higher precision of identifying superior families. Simulations using response surface graphs showed four replications, and 10 genotypes produced H values of 0.77-0.80 compared with 0.74-0.77 using a sample size of three replications and 20 genotypes. Reducing the sample size from 20 to 10 genotypes will reduce resources and data collection costs by 33%. Keywords: sample size, sugarcane, resource allocation, broad-sense heritability Biography: Tondani Mishasha Tondani Mishasha holds a BSc (Botany and Plant Breeding), BSc Agric honours (Plant Breeding and MSc Plant Breeding (awarded with Distinction) all obtained from the University of the Free State. Tondani carried out her MSc studies at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute. Her research focused on using family evaluation for improving breeding of sugarcane quality traits. Part of the work she did will be presented at this congress.

SASTA 2019 | 40

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

SUGARCANE BIOREFINERY TECHNO-ECONOMIC MODELLING: COMPARING THE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF BIOCHEMICALS FROM SUGARCANE LIGNOCELLULOSES HAIGH KF, MANDEGARI M, FARZAD S, PETERSEN AM AND GÖRGENS JF Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Stellenbosch University, South Africa jgorgens@sun.ac.za Abstract The Sugarcane Technology Enabling Programme – Bioenergy (STEP-Bio) recognised that, among the strategies to improve the viability of the sugarcane industry, was the establishment of integrated biorefineries, offering an opportunity to create new revenue streams for the industry. The authors proposed biorefineries using low value lignocellulosic biomass (sugarcane bagasse and leaves) annexed to existing sugar mills, producing a spectrum of high value biochemicals along with bioenergy. Using appropriate data from literature, a series of biorefinery scenarios has been simulated using Aspen Plus® software and subsequently used to assess the economic potential of the proposed scenarios. In this way a wide range of biorefinery scenarios, such as production of glutamic acid, xylitol, citric acid, glucaric acid, sorbitol, polyethylene, levulinic acid, itaconic acid, succinic acid and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), have been focused through the STEP-Bio project. For this study, annexed biorefinery into a sugar mill was considered to minimise the cost. The economic evaluation was carried out using a real term approach and agreed economic parameters such as plant lifetime of 25 years, depreciation of five years straight line and salvage value of zero by SMRI, to reflect the South African economic context. The economic potential has been assessed by calculating the internal rate of return (IRR) as a key economic indicator. This provided a means to rank scenarios in terms of economic potential with itaconic acid, PHB and polyethylene biorefineries predicted to operate at a loss. In contrast, high rates of return were predicted for the production of levulinic acid (IRR=47%), succinic acid (IRR=36.4%) and glutamic acid (IRR=31.2%). Keywords: lignocellulose, multi-product biorefinery, sugarcane, investment viability Biography: Johann Görgens Johann Görgens holds the NRF-funded research chair in Sugarcane-Biorefineries at Stellenbosch University, and holds PhD (Chemical Engineering) and MBA degrees. He the research group focusses in sustainable process engineering, for the development and assessment of biomass valourisation opportunities in the context of the sugarcane industry. He has collaborated with various international and industrial partners during research projects.

SASTA 2019 | 41

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

EFFECT OF GENETIC BACKGROUND ON PHENOTYPIC CORRELATIONS IN SUGARCANE BREEDING SHANDU NM1,2, ZHOU MM1,2,3 AND SIBIYA J2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa 3 University pf the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

Nqobile.Shandu@sugar.org.za, Marvellous.Zhou@sugar.org.za, Sibiyaj@ukzn.ac.za Abstract Phenotypic correlations are used to measure the interrelationships among traits within an environment. While the relationship among sugarcane yield and quality traits is generally known, there is limited knowledge of the effects of the environment and genetics or breeding background on phenotypic correlations in sugarcane breeding. The objectives of this study were to determine phenotypic correlations for yield and quality traits for midlands and coastal short cycle unselected populations, and compare the correlations between the breeding backgrounds from the midlands and coastal short cycle. Data were collected in stage 1 (mini- lines) trials, BML10 (midlands humic soils: MHS) and TML11 (costal short cycle high potential: CSCHP) for yield and quality traits. Phenotypic correlation analyses at plot and family levels were performed using the Proc CORR function of the Statistical Analysis System. Cane yield was significantly (P<0.0001) correlated with stalk numbers, height and diameter for CSCHP, while for MHS it was significantly correlated with stalk number and stalk height, indicating the differences in phenotypic correlations among genetic backgrounds. Stalk diameter was significantly (P<0.05) negatively correlated with stalk number for CSCHP while for MHS it was negatively correlated with stalk number and stalk height. Cane yield traits (except diameter) for CSCHP produced negative correlations with quality traits. For the MHS, cane yield, stalk numbers and stalk height produced positive correlations with all except Brix DM. The different phenotypic correlations between CSCHP and MHS highlights evolution of breeding populations as influenced by breeding and selection strategies. Keywords: phenotypic correlations, yield and quality traits, genetic background Biography: Nqobile Shandu Nqobile Shandu has a BSc Agriculture in Plant Science from the University of KwaZulu Natal. She is currently a second year MSc student at SASRI and is registered with UKZN. Her research focuses on the effect of genetic background on phenotypic and genotypic correlations of yield and quality traits across the stages of Midlands and Coastal short cycle sugarcane breeding programmes in South Africa.

SASTA 2019 | 42

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

SUGARCANE JUICE CONCENTRATION USING GAS HYDRATE TECHNOLOGY DOUBRA P, NAIDOO P, NELSON W AND RAMJUGERNATH D Thermodynamics Research Unit, School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, King George V Avenue, Durban, 4041, South Africa parisa.dobra@gmail.com, naidoop18@ukzn.ac.za, nelsonw@ukzn.ac.za ramjuger@ukzn.ac.za Abstract Evaporation, membrane filtration, and freezing are some of the different technologies used to concentrate sugarcane juice. Evaporation is the traditional and most commonly used method; however, the juice is very sensitive to heat, which can alter the colour and flavour. In this study, gas hydrate technology was investigated for the concentration of sugar cane juice of 12°Brix feed concentration. Gas hydrate technology is an emerging method to separate mixtures, in this case using the formation of hydrate clathrate (ice-like structures) to concentrate the juice. Hydrate concentration experiments were performed on a newly commissioned 750 ml stainless steel hydrate reactor. The novel feature of the apparatus is a sampling mechanism to remove the concentrated liquid once the hydrate has formed. The parameters affecting hydrate concentration were studied and included temperature, pressure, induction time, and mixer speed. The final product concentration of the withdrawn sample was analyzed. The hydrate concentration results showed that, from an initial concentration of 12°Brix (cane juice), approximately 55-60°Brix can be achieved in a four- stage process, with operating conditions at 37 bar, temperatures of 1.5°C and a stirring speed of 130 rpm. Promising results from this study reveal a significant concentration from 12 to approximately 30°Brix over the first stage at the stated conditions within four hours. An assessment of the viability of the technology along with a comparison between the first few stages of the multi-effect evaporation and gas hydrate technology will be presented. Keywords: sugarcane juice concentration, hydrate technology, energy comparison Biography: Parisa Doubra Parisa Doubra is currently a PhD student in the Thermodynamics Research Unit (TRU) in the School of Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). She has started her PhD studies on sugar cane juice concentration with new emerging hydrate technology in early 2016. She has BSc. Eng. in petrochemical engineering from Urmia University of Technology (UUT) class of 2013, MSc. Eng. from the University of Science and Technology of Mazandaran (USTM), class of 2015. She is a researcher on both experimental and modelling fields of chemical engineering related systems.

SASTA 2019 | 43

REFEREED PAPER

DEVELOPMENT AND VERIFICATION OF AN ASPEN PLUS® MODEL OF A SUGARCANE BIOREFINERY GUEST K1, STARK A1 AND STARZAK M2 SMRI/NRF SARChI Research Chair for Sugarcane Biorefining, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Discipline of Chemical Engineering, Mazisi Kunene Rd, Durban, 4001, South Africa. 2 Formerly, Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa.

kylanguest@gmail.com, starka@ukzn.ac.za, maciej.durban@gmail.com Abstract One of the current research needs in the South African sugar industry is to look at what other products can be made from sugarcane besides sugar, molasses and bagasse. In order to assess the economics of potential biorefinery products, the entire sugar mill needs to be modelled. Sugar mills have been modelled in the past using various computer software. This paper describes a model of a ‘generic’ South African raw sugar mill using the Aspen Plus® software. The configuration of the sugar mill includes a diffuser, mud filtration, an evaporation station consisting of five effects and a boiling house which uses a three-boiling partial remelt scheme. An existing MATLABTM model was converted into Aspen Plus®. One advantage of using Aspen Plus® is the graphical user interface whereby changes in sugar mill layout and operation can be quickly achieved. Another benefit of having a sugarcane biorefinery model in Aspen Plus® is that expansion to model different products can be easily handled, due to the comprehensive physical properties database. Initially, the Aspen Plus® model was verified for a cane throughput of 244 t/h against the results of an SMRI-developed MATLABTM model. The stream results showed a good comparison between Aspen Plus®, MATLABTM and real sugar mill data. Diversion of a portion of an intermediate stream (a potential biorefinery feedstock) after the clarifiers was modelled and the effects on the rest of the sugar mill were quantified. This generic South African sugar mill Aspen Plus® model now serves as the foundation for downstream biorefinery process models for the economic assessment of potential products. Keywords: sugar mill model, MATLAB, Aspen, model validation, modelling, biorefinery Biography: Kylan Guest Kylan Guest studied a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering at the University of KwaZulu Natal. He spent some time doing vacation work for the SMRI and later was offered a Masters bursary to create an Aspen Plus model of a sugar mill under the supervision of Prof. Anne Stark and Prof Maciej Starzak. He completed his Masters in Chemical Engineering in 2018 and has now authored a paper on this work.

SASTA 2019 | 44

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

EXPLORING PROCESS-LEVEL GENOTYPIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON SUGARCANE YIELD USING A GLOBAL GROWTH ANALYSIS EXPERIMENTAL DATASET JONES MR1,2, SINGELS A1,2, CHINORUMBA S3, PATTON A1, POSER C4, SINGH M5, MARTINÉ JF4, CHRISTINA M 4, SHINE J5, ANNANDALE J2 AND HAMMER G6 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa 3 Zimbabwe Sugar Association Experiment Station (ZSAES), Chiredzi, Zimbabwe 4 Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), Messagerie Cedex 9, La Réunion (France) 5 Sugarcane Growers’ Cooperative of Florida, Belle Glade, Florida 33430, USA 6 ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia 1

matthew.jones@sugar.org.za, Abraham.singels@sugar.org.za, schinorumba@zsaes.org.zw, alana.patton@ltsa.co.za, poser@cirad.fr, msingh@msu.edu, jean-francois.martine@cirad.fr, mathias.christina@cirad.fr, jmshine@scgc.org, john. annandale@up.ac.za, g.hammer@uq.edu.au Abstract Crop improvement aims to exploit genotypic (G) and environmental (E) effects to maximise yield. As crop models simulate these effects, they could possibly be used to aid sugarcane breeding by identifying desirable traits for target Es. The objective was to evaluate existing concepts of G and E control of plant processes for explaining crop development, growth and yield using a global growth analysis dataset. Crop development, growth and yield were monitored for three cultivars (N41, R570 and CP88- 1762) grown under wellwatered conditions at La Mare (Reunion Island, France), Pongola (South Africa), Chiredzi (Zimbabwe) and Belle Glade (Florida, USA). Final yields showed significant E variation, highest in La Mare and lowest in Pongola. Cultivar rankings in yield varied between Es. Significant G variation was found for germination rate, leaf appearance rate and canopy development rate (all per unit thermal time (TT)), and maximum photosynthetic conversion efficiency, indicating strong G control of these processes. Soil temperature is proposed as a more realistic driver of germination than air temperature. Solar radiation was found to influence tillering rate per unit TT and TT to onset of stalk growth, challenging the current theory of TT as the sole driver of these processes. This study has identified opportunities for improved model concepts that have the potential to explain more E variation, and hence support the definition and evaluation of more stable and accurate G-specific model parameters. This is anticipated to lead to less GxE confounding of modelled processes, and hence crop models that are better equipped for supporting sugarcane crop improvement. Keywords: crop model, thermal time, tillering, canopy development, environment, genotype, growth Biography: Matthew Jones Matthew Jones is an Agricultural Systems Modeller based in Durban. His current research interests include climate change impacts assessment and adaptation, modelling genotypic differences, and improving spatial modelling frameworks. He holds degrees in Computer Science, Economics and Agrometeorology, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Agronomy at the University of Pretoria. Matthew is the lead developer of the Canegro sugarcane module in the DSSAT Cropping System Model.

SASTA 2019 | 45

REFEREED PAPER

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A PILOT JUICE EXTRACTOR BALKISSOON S, BARKER B, WEYER S, LOUBSER RC AND DAVIS SB Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa sbalkissoon@smri.org, bbarker@smri.org, rloubser@smri.org, sdavis@smri.org Abstract It is necessary to explore more sustainable ways of processing sugarcane to reduce the environmental impact of burning sugarcane before harvesting. The processing of green (unburnt) sugarcane may affect the quality of the juice exiting the diffuser. Under normal operating conditions of a diffuser, the variety and quantity of brown leaf and sugarcane entering the diffuser would be highly variable and the variations may occur on a much shorter timescale than the average juice and fibre residence times in a diffuser. For this reason, evaluating the impact of the harvesting method as well as the impact of brown leaf addition to the full-scale diffuser process will be rather complex. A pilot juice extractor would enable the evaluation of different feedstock scenarios and their relative expected impact on the juice quality of a commercial diffuser. The pilot extractor design presented in this study is based on an upward forced-flow, submerged column with a steam jacket and electrical heating. The pilot extractor was developed to mimic trends in juice quality obtained from a commercial diffuser, and the recommended operating conditions are 80Â°C for 30 minutes. The pilot extractor performance was validated against a South African commercial diffuser for 16 different consignments of sugarcane of different varieties and included both green and burnt cane. The diffuser draft juice was compared to the juice obtained from the pilot extractor, cold digestion and press processes, respectively. The respective juice samples were analysed for colour, non- sucrose, reducing sugars, gravity purity (sucrose/brix x 100) and conductivity ash. The pilot extractor juice compared more favourably with the draft juice for the tested analytes than for the juice from the cold digestion and pressing methods. The validated pilot extractor will be used in future studies to assess combinations of sugarcane varieties and brown leaf in a diffuser in an effort to understand any potential factory processing impacts should factories be required to process green harvested sugarcane. Keywords: diffuser, validation, pilot, extractor, juice quality Biography: Simiksha Balkissoon My journey began in the world of sugar in 2013 when I was appointed as a Research assistant in the Research and development department at the SMRI in fulfilment of my in-service training. My role as a Research assistant continued during 2014 where I worked on a pilot scale simulated moving bed plant and once again in 2017-2018 where I was involved in work relating to the SMRI- NIRS toolkit and the factory figures. In 2016, I graduated with my Btech degree in Chemical engineering at the Durban University of technology. My passion for Research and development led me to pursue a Mastersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; degree in chemical engineering which I am currently completing at the Durban University of technology.

SASTA 2019 | 46

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

THE EFFECT OF SOIL WATER DEFICIT ON PRIMARY SHOOT EMERGENCE OF TWO SUGARCANE VARIETIES GROWN ON BARE AND MULCHED SOIL DUBE S AND SINGELS A South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa abraham.singels@sugar.org.za Abstract Rainfed sugarcane production in South Africa frequently experiences drought that may affect ratooning. Knowledge about how ratooning is affected by severe drought in the preceding crop can help growers plan plough-out and replanting. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of severe soil water deficit in the preceding crop on primary shoot emergence in the subsequent ratoon crop, with and without a mulch cover. The experiment, conducted at the SASRI rainshelter facility at Mount Edgecombe, consisted of four plots with varieties NCo376 and N19 that each experienced no (‘wet’) or severe water stress (‘dry’) leading up to harvest. Half of each plot was then covered with a 14 cm thick sugarcane residue layer, while the other half was left bare. Ratooning plots received no water for 51 days after harvest, after which all plots were irrigated to field capacity. At the end of the dry period, bare dry plots had significantly lower shoot population (SP) than bare wet plots, while NCo376 produced significantly more shoots than N19 (4 and 19 shoots/m2 for NCo376; 0 and 12 shoots/m2 for N19). The mulch layer reduced SP in dry and wet plots for both varieties (0 and 11 shoot/m2 for NCo376; 0 and 2 shoots/m2 for N19, respectively). After receiving water, the bare dry plots all produced additional shoots reaching SP of 39 and 17 shoots/m2 for NCo376 and N19, respectively, at 93 days after harvest. The study showed that severe soil water deficit leading up to harvest can hamper ratooning of sensitive varieties, while robust varieties can fully recover when water is applied even after a lengthy dry period. Mulch layers tend to reduce primary shoot emergence under wet and dry conditions. The impact on yield was not tested. Keywords: shoot emergence, mulch, soil water deficit, variety, shoot population Biography: S’nethemba Dube S’nethemba Dube is a first year PhD student at the University of KwaZulu Natal. Her Doctoral research investigates the impact of independent smallholder irrigation on rural livelihoods at Msinga Local Municipality. The main question to be answered by this research is whether independent smallholder irrigators can provide an appropriate alternative option for irrigation development in South Africa? She holds a Masters’ degree (Cum Laude) in Agriculture from the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria that investigated the livelihoods of independent irrigators in Thulamela Local Municipality of the Limpopo Province. The main aim was to provide a detailed description of the overlooked irrigation sector in South Africa. She was under the supervision of Prof. Wim Van Averbeke. Her master’s research was part of the Water Research Commission project led by Umhlaba consulting group. Hence, while doing her masters, she worked as a graduate researcher for the Umhlaba consulting group. She co-authored a research report titled “Smallholder irrigation entrepreneurial development pathways and livelihoods in two districts in Limpopo province”. She has also worked at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute as a research intern, under the supervision of Dr Abraham Singels, as part of the National Research Foundation internship programme.

SASTA 2019 | 47

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

ACID SATURATION STATUS OF SOILS IN RAINFED REGIONS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR INDUSTRY WITH CONSIDERATION OF SAMPLING INTENSITY POSWA LZ1, TITSHALL LW1,2 AND ELEPHANT D1 1

South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa lwazi.poswa@sugar.org.za

Abstract Excessive soil acidity limits the productivity of many sugarcane growing soils in South Africa. Inhibited root growth and restricted nutrient and water availability and/or uptake are considered the key constraints to better production on acid soils. The ratio of exchangeable acidity to total cations (acid saturation, AS%), is used to assess the acidity status of soils. This survey examined the status of AS levels of topsoil (0-20 cm) and subsoil (20-40, 40-60 and >60 cm) samples submitted to the Fertiliser Advisory Service (FAS) for fertility testing from all South African rainfed sugarcane-producing regions during 2018. All regions had topsoil median AS levels below 10% while third quartile levels were close to the permissible AS level of 20%. Some extreme AS levels (70-80%) were noted for all regions. The median AS levels from subsoils across all the regions were also nearly all â&#x2030;¤20% (and several below 10%), with the notable exception of the >60 cm samples from Zululand South (about 35%). Third quartile values for subsoils, however, indicate that most regions had occurrences of subsoil AS levels exceeding 30% and with several sites exceeding 60%. The decline in AS levels in comparison with previous surveys suggests that growers are adopting soil acidity ameliorative strategies that could be resulting in reduced levels of AS in the industry, although exceptions remain. While most regions had moderately high topsoil sample submissions, sample numbers for subsoil analysis decline sharply, particularly at depths of >40 cm. This raises concern that the AS distributions are not adequately represented for subsoil depths. Consideration is given to the possible impacts and causes for this decline. Keywords: soil acidity, acid saturation, lime and gypsum, root growth, subsoil sampling Biography: Lwazi Poswa Lwazi Poswa is an Assistant Soil Scientist at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). He joined SASRI in 2013 from Cedara where he worked as a Research Assistant. His MSc in Soil Science, through the University of KwaZulu-Natal, focused on phosphorus requirements in the sugar industry. He has been involved in a number which nitrogen and phosphorus and currently involved in a number of projects ranging from micronutrients to soil potential and health.

SASTA 2019 | 48

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

(PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED)

THERMAL UPGRADING OF INJECTION WATER COOLING TOWERS RUSCH R Industrial Water Cooling (Pty) Ltd, 33 Brewery Street, Isando, 1600, South Africa roger@iwc.co.za Abstract Cooling towers play a major role in sugar factories, particularly for the cooling of injection water. The design of many older cooling towers is such that significant improvements in thermal performance are possible. For many factories, a significant limiting factor to production throughput is the injection water temperatures exiting from the cooling towers. Lower injection water temperatures equate to better vacuums and higher heat rejection rates. This simple yet often overlooked device can therefore directly contribute to higher production output and lower operating costs. This paper explores the various elements of cooling towers and how these can be optimised to improve cooling tower thermal performance. Keywords: thermal upgrading, cooling towers, fan, fill Biography: Roger Rusch National Diploma in Mech Engineering Registered Professional Construction Manager (SACPCMP) I have more than 25 years of experience in the cooling tower industry, my experience ranges from tendering through to project execution, commissioning and handover. I have extensive knowledge of the entire value chain from small packaged cooling towers (low flow rate, factory assembled units) all the way through to large turnkey packages for large cooling water plant. This experience includes project management including overseeing engineering disciplines, construction activities, acceptance testing etc.

SASTA 2019 | 49

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

EFFECT OF SUGARCANE RESIDUE RETENTION AND FERTILISER APPLICATION ON SOIL MICROBIAL ABUNDANCE AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURE MTHIMKHULU S1, TITSHALL LW1,2, LERCH TZ3, PODWOJEWSKI P4,5, AND VAN ANTWERPEN R1,6 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa 3 UPEC, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (UMR 7618), 61 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil, France 4 IRD, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (UMR 7618), 32 avenue Henri Varagnat 93143, Bondy, France 5 Hydrology, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa 6 Department of Soil, Crops and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa 1

sandilemthimkhulus@gmail.com Abstract This study, carried out in a long-term sugarcane trial, investigated changes in selected soil microbiological properties induced by continuous crop residue burning or mulching, with and without fertiliser application. The sugarcane residue treatments are: a) burned with tops removed (Bto); b) burned with tops scattered (Bt); and c) green harvested and mulched (M). These treatments were either fertilised (F) or unfertilised (Fo). The amount of double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA), used in this study as an indicator of soil microbial biomass, increased with increasing crop residue levels (Bto: 10.4 µg g-1, Bt: 12.2 µg g-1, M:14.4 µg g-1) in Fo treatments, suggesting that high soil organic matter levels in M treatments serves as the major energy and carbon source for microorganisms. However, significant differences (p<0.01) were only observed between Bto and M treatments. In F treatments the dsDNA amount was similar across all crop residue treatments but significantly (p<0.01) lower than in Fo plots. The significantly low dsDNA amount found in the F treatment was attributed to high soil acidity levels measured in this treatment compared with Fo. In both Fo and F plots, M treatments significantly (p<0.01) increased in the bacterial abundance. In contrast, the M treatment showed a significant (p<0.01) decrease in fungal abundance in comparison with Bto and Bt. Bacterial and fungal richness increased with increase in crop residues and decreased with fertiliser application. These results highlight the value of greencane harvesting and the negative impact of continuous blanket application of fertiliser on soil quality. Keywords: sugarcane, crop residues, dsDNA, fertiliser application, bacteria, fungi Biography: Sandile Mthimkhulu Sandile Mthimkhulu obtained his PhD in Soil Science from UKZN in 2017. While completing his PhD he worked as a lecturer for Soil Science in various institutions of higher learning and joined SASRI as a Soil Scientist in January 2016. At SASRI, Sandile was involved in developing and refining soil fertility and crop nutrition recommendations and supporting FAS in the improvement of their service offering. Currently, Sandile is employed by Sol Plaatje University (SPU) as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Natural and Applied Sciences.

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FT-NIR Spectroscopy for the Sugar Industry

TANGO for Sugar Refinery Process Analysis of raw sugar, and products like crystal sugar, syrups etc. of Pol, Moisture, Reducing Sugars, Ash and Color (ICUMSA).

MPA II for Sugar Factory Operations Analysis of various factory products such as Juices, Molasses and Massecuites of Brix, Pol, Sucrose, Fructose, Glucose and Ash.

MATRIX-CPS for Cane Reception and Milling Operations Analysis of disintegrated Sugar Cane and Bagasse of Brix, Fiber, Moisture, Pol. Producing sugar from sugar cane or beet is a process with multiple steps. Along the complete production chain a tight quality control is important to ensure optimized yield and quality. FT-NIR offers a fast and effective tool for controlling the critical QC parameters of raw materials, products and byproducts in all production steps: disintegrated cane, different types of juices, molasses, massecuites, raw sugar and syrups up to side products like bagasse and bioethanol.

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Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Homestead Office Park Block B 65 Homestead Avenue Bryanston - 2021 Tel: +27 11 463-6040 Fax: +27 11 463-6289 Email: info.za@bruker.com

FT-NIR

NOTES

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REFEREED PAPER

A NEW APPROACH TO SECONDARY AIR IN BAGASSE BOILERS DU TOIT PC AND VAN DER MERWE S John Thompson a division of Actom (Pty) Ltd, Sacks Circle, Bellville South, 7530, South Africa philipd@johnthompson.co.za Abstract This paper describes a new methodology to the standard approach in secondary air systems, i.e. high-pressure fan and small-bore nozzles. The benefits of high temperature air introduced at the lower bagasse chutes are described with both computational fluid dynamics and site data. The computational fluid dynamics results indicated increased turbulence in the furnace leading to higher and more uniform combustion rates. An improvement in furnace heat flux was also seen. Site data of two seasons operation with and without the new secondary air system indicated a decrease in fuel burnt on average. Operation with lower excess air was confirmed with measurements during tests on site. An improvement of combustion stability was also visually confirmed with a thermal camera and furnace pressure readings. Therefore, the safety aspect of bagasse combustion was improved due to less puffing. Keywords: CFD, secondary air, lower bagasse chute Biography: Philip du Toit Dr Philip du Toit, Pr Eng is a Senior Development Engineer in the Industrial Watertube Boiler Business Unit of John Thompson, a Division of ACTOM (Pty) Ltd. He joined John Thompson in 2001. During his career, he has been the technical team leader for John Thompson on projects in the southern African sugar industry involving boilers and cogeneration. Currently he is focusing on research and development and completed his PhD involving artificial intelligence and combustion modelling recently.

SASTA 2019 | 55

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

SULPHUR STATUS OF SOILS FROM SOUTHERN AFRICAN SUGARCANEPRODUCING REGIONS ELEPHANT DE1, TITSHALL LW1,2 AND MTHIMKHULU S1 1

South Africa Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe. 4300, South Africa 2 School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa dimelv@gmail.com

Abstract Sulphur (S) is an essential plant nutrient required for the synthesis of amino acids, proteins and vitamins and is measured in soil samples for fertiliser advisory purposes. In April 2018, the South African Sugarcane Research Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (SASRI) Fertiliser Advisory Service (FAS) introduced routine measurement of available S using the anion-exchange resin method. This study interrogated the FAS topsoil and subsoil data generated between April and December 2018 to assess S status in the southern African regions. All regions showed wide ranges in S levels. Most regions were generally S deficient (except Midlands North, Malawi and Mozambique) with many regions having 50% of the samples with S levels below the threshold of 15 mg/L. In the case of the South Coast, Lower South Coast, Umfolozi and Swaziland, more than 80% of the samples were deficient in S. In Midlands North, Malawi and Mozambique, samples with adequate S levels constituted 57, 67 and 89%, respectively, and is likely a consequence of the high organic matter and anion exchange capacity of these soils. The distribution of S down the soil profile varied. There were instances of increased, decreased, and no change in S levels down the profile and these warrant further investigations. This study revealed S deficiencies in the investigated regions and emphasised the importance of regular soil testing to identify soils deficient in S, which when addressed could help raise this nutrient level in soils and, consequently, improve yields. Keywords: anion-exchange resin, bioavailability, sugarcane, sulphur, crop nutrition, soil testing Biography: Dimpho Elephant Dimpho Elephant has a strong chemistry background and holds a PhD in Soil Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His Honours and MSc research projects focused on extraction techniques used as a risk assessment tool for waste management and contaminated soils. His PhD research project was on potassium dynamics in sugarcane soils where investigated means of including them in routine soil testing. He has worked at the University of KwaZulu-Natal as a Developmental Lecturer and at SASRI as a Soil Scientist. He is currently working at the North- West University as a Senior Lecturer.

SASTA 2019 | 56

REFEREED PAPER

THE EFFECTS OF BAGASSE MOISTURE VARIATIONS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF A 105 TPH BOILER KOTZE C John Thompson, Sacks Circle, Bellville South, 7530, South Africa christofk@johnthompson.co.za Abstract This paper introduces the effects of bagasse moisture content on a 105 tph 31 bar dual fired boiler. Multiple thermal models were developed to calculate the effects of the bagasse moisture content on boiler efficiency, steam temperature, fan absorbed power, erosion rate and unburned carbon loss. Practical ways to reduce the bagasse moisture content are also discussed. Biography: Christof Kotze Christof Kotze, Pr Eng is a Design Engineer& Commissioning Manager in the Industrial Watertube Boiler Business Unit of John Thompson, a Division of ACTOM (Pty) Ltd. He joined John Thompson in 2008 after graduating with a BEng Mechatronic from Stellenbosch University. During his career, he has been part of the design and commissioning team of a number of projects, mostly in the sugar industry.

SASTA 2019 | 57

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

COMPARING THE EFFECT OF FERTILISER WITH NO FERTILISER ON SOIL PROPERTIES TO 600 MM DEPTH AFTER 79 YEARS OF SUGARCANE CULTIVATION VAN ANTWERPEN R1,2 AND MTHIMKHULU S1 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe 4300, South Africa Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa 1

Rianto.van.antwerpen@sugar.org.za Abstract The oldest sugarcane trial in the world is BT1 that was established in 1939 at Mount Edgecombe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Following harvesting in September 2018 the trial site was scanned using electromagnetic induction (EMI) and the resulting maps showed treatment-related differences to a depth of 600 mm. The objective of this short paper was to determine the depth to which soil properties were affected as a result of applying the same treatments continuously for 79 years. Data revealed that the most significant changes were for the most acid treatment (mulched and fertilised) and that the changes appear to a depth of about 200 mm. Keywords: electromagnetic induction, roots, soil depth, subsoil properties, total cations Biography: Rianto van Antwerpen Dr Rianto van Antwerpen is a soil physicist by trade and in his career he has worked on projects which covered soil tillage, root growth, soil health, irrigation scheduling, the use of residue from various sources and soil management. Rianto is a Senior Soil Scientist and Programme Manager at SASRI, and holds an honorary appointment at the Department of Soil, Crops and Climate Sciences at University of the Free State.

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REFEREED PAPER

FACTORY ENERGY OPTIMISATION POTENTIALS MORGENROTH B1, PELSTER J1, SINGH BOLA H2 AND VOIGT I3 IPRO Industrieprojekt GmbH, Celler Strasse 67, 38114 Braunschweig, Germany 2 IPRO India Pvt Ltd, SCO 236, 1st and 2nd floor, Sector 40 D, Chandigarh, 160036, India 3 Voitechnik Pty Ltd, 44 Kiaat Rd, White River, 1240, South Africa 1

Morgenroth@ipro-bs.de, Pelster@ipro-bs.de, harjeet.singh@ipro-india.com, ivan@voitechnik.com Abstract Process energy saving has so far not been a priority in South Africa as power export is not lucrative and often no alternative use of bagasse is available. However, many mills are still burning coal, which offers an operation cost optimisation potential. Most SA mills operate 22-32 bar boilers limiting the steam saving potential in order to balance the steam and power demand. In countries such as Brazil, India, Mauritius, Pakistan and Reunion Island, high pressure boilers operate at 110 bar pressure and 540Â°C steam temperature in order to maximise the power export to the national grid. Best practise allows power export levels between 100-145 kWh/t cane at process steam consumption levels between 26-34% steam on cane. For South Africa power export by sugar factories is not yet high on the agenda. Hence, the main focus is on optimisation concepts which allow power saving on one hand and reasonable process steam saving on the other, to bring coal consumption down to zero. There are several technical measures which can allow power and steam saving at reasonable investment cost with attractive paybacks. Employing modern open nozzle barometric condensers with approach temperatures between 2- 7 K allow considerable power savings between 0,5-1,5 kWh/t cane. Cold diffuser juice, direct contact heaters, condensate heaters, pan automation systems and efficient heating schemes lead to steam economy improvements. Case studies that have been worked out are summarised in this paper. Keywords: energy saving, zero coal consumption, steam and power balance, modern condensers, diffuser energy optimisation, power saving Biography: Boris Morgenroth Dr Boris Morgenroth, born 1968 in Berlin, Germany, read Sugar Technology at the Berlin Sugar Institute, Technical University Berlin, Department Food Process Technology, and finished his master thesis in 1993. Already during his time at University, he worked for the German and Swiss sugar industry as laboratory assistant and shift manager as well as for special factory improvement projects. After his master thesis, he founded his own company Austmeyer & Morgenroth Engineering and also worked for the company Balcke-Duerr on the development and market introduction of the falling film plate evaporator technology. In addition, he worked for the Suedzucker Central Office ZAFES with regard to his PhD thesis on evaporator technology, which he completed in 2001. In 1997, he became Manager Projects at Balcke-Duerr. Since 2002 he is working for IPRO Industrieprojekt GmbH, Germany, rendering engineering services for beet and cane sugar factories and refineries worldwide. Since 2014 he is Director of IPRO India Pvt Ltd. Dr. Boris Morgenroth is member of the ISSCT Engineering Section since 1996 and its Chairman since 2013.

SASTA 2019 | 59

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

VERIFICATION OF RUNOFF VOLUME, PEAK DISCHARGE AND SEDIMENT YIELD SIMULATED USING THE ACRU MODEL FOR BARE FALLOW AND SUGARCANE FIELDS OTIM D1,5, SMITHERS J1,3, SENZANJE A1 AND VAN ANTWERPEN R2,4 Agricultural Engineering, School of Engineering, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZuluNatal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 3 National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia 4 Department of Soil, Crops and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa 5 Department of Agricultural Mechanisation and Irrigation Engineering, Busitema University, PO Box 236, Tororo, Uganda 1

216076594@stu.ukzn.ac.za, Smithers@ukzn.ac.za, Senzanjea@ukzn.ac.za, Rianto.Van.Antwerpen@sugar.org.za Abstract The Agricultural Catchments Research Unit (ACRU) model is a daily time step physical- conceptual agrohydrological model with various applications, with design hydrology being one of them. Model verification is a measure of the model’s performance. Streamflow, soil water content and sediment yield simulated by the ACRU model have been extensively verified against observed data in southern Africa and internationally. The primary objective of this study was to verify simulated runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield against observed data from small catchments, under both bare fallow conditions and sugarcane production, which were located at SASRI’s La Mercy farm, which is now the site of King Shaka International Airport. The observed data comprised of daily rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature, A-pan evaporation and runoff for the period 1978-1995, and peak discharge and sediment yield for the period 1984-1995. The data were checked for errors and inconsistencies and inconsistent records were excluded from analysis. Runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield were simulated with the ACRU model and verified against the respective observed data. In general, the correlations between observed and simulated daily runoff volumes and peak discharge were acceptable (i.e. slopes of regression lines close to unity and R2≥0.6). Similarly, the correlation between observed and simulated sediment yield was also good. Therefore, it is concluded that the ACRU model is suitable for the simulation of runoff volume, peak discharge and sediment yield from catchments under both bare fallow and sugarcane land cover conditions in South Africa. Keywords: ACRU, La Mercy, peak discharge, sediment yield, streamflow, sugarcane Biography: Daniel Otim Daniel Otim is a Civil Engineer by training with specific expertise in water resources engineering, hydrology and drainage engineering. Daniel is professionally registered with the Engineers Registration Board of Uganda and as a Candidate Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa. He has a MSc Engineering degree in Irrigation Engineering obtained in 2009 from University of Florence, Italy and a BSc Engineering degree in Civil Engineering which he obtained in 2006 from Makerere University, Uganda. He has designed and managed a multitude of civil engineering projects, he is an emerging researcher and lectures courses in soil and water engineering, applied hydrology and irrigation system design and management in Busitema University located in Uganda. Currently, Daniel is pursuing a PhD at the University of KwaZulu- Natal. His research topic is “Development of Updated Design Norms for Soil and Water Conservation Structures in the Sugar Industry of South Africa”.

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REFEREED PAPER

AN EVAPORATOR STATION MODEL FOR ESTIMATING EXHAUST STEAM CONVERSION AND CONSUMPTION FOXON KM Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa kfoxon@smri.org Abstract The two largest categories of energy consumption in a sugar factory, after the boilers, are concentration of clear juice to syrup and process heating duties serviced using evaporator vapour bleeds. These cannot be measured directly, since both are supplied by the same exhaust steam fed to the evaporator station. In this study, an algorithm was developed to separate the evaporator exhaust steam demand into the amount required to concentrate clear juice to syrup and the amount that is required for raising vapours for downstream process heating duties. The algorithm was generalised for different evaporator station configurations, different exhaust steam conditions, and varying clear juice and syrup concentrations and temperatures. The algorithm was applied to factory data to demonstrate its application for investigating the cost of combined downstream process heating demand on the factory energy bill. Keywords: energy, process heat, monitoring, evaporator station Biography: Kitty Foxon Kitty Foxon is the Strategic Research Group Leader at the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC. She holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering (Natal) and a PhD (Chemical Engineering) from UKZN. Before joining the SMRI, she was a senior lecturer at UKZN specialising in wastewater treatment, process modelling and reactor theory. She joined the sugar industry in 2013 and has been involved in a variety of projects in both established sugar technology and new products from sugarcane. Currently, her main research areas are energy management in sugar mills and using data science to drive sugar factory efficiency within the SMRI STEP-SF4.0 Programme. The single biggest lesson she has learned in life is that the more you learn, the more you realise how little you know!

SASTA 2019 | 61

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

EVALUATION OF A REDUCED EXTRACTION TIME TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF ROUTINE ANALYSIS OF RESIN EXTRACTABLE PHOSPHORUS AND SULPHUR TITSHALL LW1,2, ELEPHANT DE1 AND MAGAGULA N1 South Africa Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe. 4300, South Africa School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa 1

louis.titshall@sugar.org.za Abstract Phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) are essential plant nutrients that are routinely measured for plant available levels in soil samples for fertiliser advisory purposes. The resin extraction method is an excellent estimator of plant available P and S because it simulates the root environment better than other chemical extractions. However, the method requires a 16-hour extraction time which limits sample turnover for routine analysis. This study tested a 2-hour extraction time against the standard 16 h extraction time in 134 soil samples from various sugarcane growing soils in South Africa. The 2 h extraction P values ranged from 1.1 to 164 mg/L while the 16 h extraction ranged from 3.7 to 268 mg/L. A significant linear relationship (16 h P=2.1 (2 h P) + 2.9; R2=0.93; p<0.001, one high value outlier excluded) was found between the two and 16-hour extraction times. In the case of S, the two and 16-hour extraction values ranged from 2.0 to 172 and 6.7 to 164 mg/L, respectively. A significant linear relationship was found between the extraction times for S (16 h S=1.04 (2 h S) + 4.9; R2=0.98, p<0.001, one anomalous outlier removed). Of concern though was that the accuracy of the P model was poorer at values near those used for determining fertiliser application rates, potentially constraining its value for recommendations purposes. Grouping of data according to texture (sand (<15% clay) and clay (>15% clay)) marginally improved the P- model predictive ability below 16 h values of 30 mg/L. No meaningful groupings with total carbon content or pH(CaCl2) were found for P and no improvements were found for S. Keywords: anion-exchange resin, bioavailability, desorption, nutrient, sorption, soil testing Biography: Louis Titshall Louis Titshall is a Senior Soil Scientist at SASRI. He is primarily involved in developing and refining soil fertility and crop nutrition recommendations and working with FAS to enhance their service offering. His interest extends to the development of rapid diagnostic tools that can aid growers and advisors to more readily monitor and understand their soils. He has a keen interest in soil resource conservation and sustainable agricultural practice, so will play an active role in researching and developing soil health guidelines.

SASTA 2019 | 62

REFEREED PAPER

ADOPTION AND PERFORMANCE OF CANE CULTIVARS IN THREE REGIONS OF THE ESTON CANE SUPPLY AREA MAFUNGA WP1, FERRER S1, BOTHA P2 AND STARK A3 Discipline of Agricultural Economics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus, Scottsville 3209, South Africa 2 170 Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 3 Discipline of Chemical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa

wadzamafunga@gmail.com, ferrer@ukzn.ac.za paul.botha@sugar.org.za, starka@ukzn.ac.za Abstract Research within the South African sugarcane supply chain probing into issues that can enhance sustainability of the sugar industry is vital in these trying economic times. The South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) makes its contribution through research initiatives, including monitoring crop performance and focusing on cane cultivar improvement. Cultivar selection at the farm level is an important management decision that can influence the success of agricultural business enterprises. This paper aims to provide feedback to sugarcane crop researchers and growers through an overview of cane cultivar adoption and performance for the Eston cane supply area. Three regions in the Eston cane supply area were analysed, namely, Eston Central, Mid-Illovo and Richmond. Grower delivery data from Cane Testing Services (CTS) for the years 2011/12 to 2017/18 for a sample of 33 large scale growers was used to compare performance of different cane cultivars in the region. Out of the 68 sugarcane cultivars in South Africa released since 1987, records show that 16 have been grown in the Eston cane supply area from 2012 to date. Cultivar N12 continues to be the popular cane cultivar in Eston Central and Mid-Illovo despite a noted reduction in percentage deliveries from 2011/12 to 2017/18. In Richmond, N12 has steadily declined and N37 and N48 are currently popular, with an average percentage delivery of approximately 25% each. New cultivars such as N50, N52 and N54 showed an increase in total deliveries made with each subsequent year since their release in the area. Cane yield, disease resistance and length of the cane cycle emerged as influencers of cultivar selection. Keywords: adoption, cane cultivar, cane tonnage, variety performance, recoverable value, cane yield Biography: Wadzanai Penelope Mafunga Wadzanai Penelope Mafunga, an Agricultural Economics Doctoral candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, has a passion for research driven by the mission to make a difference. Her interests are in applying her skills in finding solutions to problems that hamper economic, socio- economic and environmental sustainability. She has conducted research during the tenure of her postgraduate studies on the South African sugar industry since 2014. Currently, her study investigates the likely outcome of millersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; biorefinery investment decisions and the on-farm implications thereof for sugarcane production on representative farms for selected biorefinery options under a range of different cane payment scenarios.

SASTA 2019 | 63

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

MODELLING OF HARD-TO-BOIL MASSECUITES LOUBSER RC1, FOWKES N2, HENNESSY MG3, MOYLES IR4 AND THOMSON S5 Sugar Milling Research Institute, c/o UKZN, Durban, South Africa 2 Mathematics Department, University of Western Australia 3 Centre de Recerca MatemĂ tica, Campus de Bellaterra, Edifci C, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain 4 MACSI, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland 5 Dept of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139-4307, USA 1

rloubser@smri.org, neville.fowkes@uwa.edu.au Abstract The sugar crystallisation pan boiling process normally works smoothly. However, at the end of the South African harvesting season (the wet season) the massecuite sometimes appears not to boil and crystallisation is significantly slowed. The problem is thought to be due to the presence of impurities (specifically polysaccharides) which change the rheological properties of the massecuite. A range of mathematical models was produced to model the effects of changes in massecuite properties on the operation of the pan and the boiling process itself. The results suggest that the primary cause of hard-to-boil massecuites is suppression of bubble formation through visco-elastic effects, although other mechanisms may also be involved. Keywords: pan, boiling, polysaccharide, hard-to-boil Biography: Richard Loubser Dr Richard Loubser completed his MSc and started his career in freight damage protection in the transport industry. He joined the Sugar Milling Research Institute in 2000. He has worked in various areas of mechanical engineering and fluid dynamics within the SMRI. He is now a Chief Research Officer in the Process Engineering division. He has been involved in both original research and providing engineering support to the research initiatives of the SMRI. He has authored and coauthored several papers since he joined SASTA in 2000.

SASTA 2019 | 64

REFEREED PAPER

MACHINERY, OPERATIONS, COSTS AND BENEFITS OF A NEW FARMING SYSTEM PILOTED IN ZIMBABWE LECLER NL1,2 Tongaat Hulett, Technology Group, Private Bag 3, Glenashley, 4022, South Africa 2 School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa

Neil.Lecler@tongaat.com Abstract A new controlled traffic farming system (CTFS) was piloted in Zimbabwe starting in 2011. The CTFS required new implements and operations for land preparation, planting, weed control, harvesting and a new replanting schedule. The machinery, implements, work-rates, costs and benefits of the operations and the replanting strategy used in the CTFS are described in this paper. It is shown that there was a reduction in operating costs, which, coupled with the substantial increase in crop yields resulted in a considerable improvement in profit margins, which essentially doubled. The new farming system can contribute to vertical growth in the irrigated sugarcane industry in southern Africa. Keywords: sugarcane, farming systems, machinery, economics, compaction, controlled traffic Biography: Neil Lecler In the last 30 years I have spent nearly equal amounts of time working in South Africa and Zimbabwe, developing, synthesising and applying systems, models, equipment and information to support more effective use of resources, especially water, soil and energy. Most recently I have been championing improved farming systems and a novel synergistic irrigation and drainage system. Professionally, I am a Fellow of the South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE), serve on the committee of the KwaZulu-Natal Branch of South African Irrigation Institute, Chair the Agricultural Engineering Section of the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT) and am an Honorary Associate Professor of the University of KwaZulu- Natal, where I earned my PhD.

SASTA 2019 | 65

REFEREED PAPER

COLOURANT BEHAVIOUR DURING SUGARCANE PROCESSING BOOYSEN KC AND DAVIS SB Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban, 4041, South Africa kbooysen@smri.org, sdavis@smri.org Abstract Colour is considered to be one of the most important quality parameters of raw sugar. Sugarcane colourants fall into two main categories: sugarcane plant-derived colour precursors and colourants and factory-produced colourants. The quality, variety and physical condition of the cane received by the miller influences the levels of the sugarcane plant- derived colourants and colour precursors in factory streams. Although colourant formation in the factory cannot be totally avoided, the extent of formation can be minimised through adequate control and management of sugar production processes. An understanding of the main types of colourants typically present in processing streams and the conditions under which colourants are formed during processing could assist factory operators with optimising processing conditions to mitigate the formation of colourants so that minimal increases in colour occurs across raw factory processing units. Refiners prefer processing raw sugar having colour levels that are as low as possible. Refining raw sugar with colour levels higher than the acceptable limit impacts throughput and requires a higher energy demand and chemical cost than those required for low colour raw sugar and this results in increased refinery costs. An understanding of the chemical composition of the colourants present in raw sugar would be valuable for developing a targeted approach for their effective removal in a refinery. This paper discusses the behaviour of colourants throughout sugarcane processing, focusing on the major operating units (extraction, clarification, evaporation and crystallisation). A review of the literature relating to possible process control options that can be implemented for the minimisation of colour formation during sugar production is included. Keywords: colour, colourants, processing, melanoidins, caramels, hexose alkaline degradation products Biography: Kim Booysen Kim Booysen joined the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI) in 2013 as a Research Officer. She obtained her PhD degree in Inorganic Chemistry at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2012. Her research interests at the SMRI include exploring potential biorefinery products for the South African sugarcane industry and the investigation of colourant types present in sugarcane processing streams.

SASTA 2019 | 66

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

SMALL-SCALE GROWERS AND CONTRACTORS: UNDERSTANDING THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SUGARCANE DELIVERED DUBE S AND NICHOLSON RJ South African Cane Growersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association, 170 Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa sinothando.dube@sacanegrowers.co.za, richard.nicholson@sacanegrowers.co.za Abstract Small-scale sugarcane growers (SSGs) have significant challenges affecting their production, such as low yields, rising costs and poor quality sugarcane delivered. SSGs in most cases rely on contractors for planting, ratoon management, harvesting and haulage of sugarcane. The relationship between the two parties is therefore critical to ensure that quality sugarcane is delivered to the mill. The purpose of this research was to understand the dynamics of SSG contracting systems in certain mill areas, to highlight issues in contractor services and provide recommendations for solutions to challenges highlighted by growers and contractors. SSGs and contractor meetings were held in three mill areas including Sezela, Amatikulu and Mpumalanga. Common issues in the three mill areas were identified, such as the non- existence of formalised contracts that are signed by both contractors and growers; the lack of accountability with regards to contractor work, also low levels of competition between contractors forcing growers to be dependent on fewer contractors. The unification of SSGs is critical to improving their bargaining power when addressing contractor matters at local mill areas. Key suggestions from interviews include formalisation of contractor structures in local mill areas. Greater monitoring of contractor performance through various arrangements will contribute to improving the quality of sugarcane delivered by SSGs. The findings of this paper are aimed at providing strategic guidance towards the review of contractor and grower working relations within the industry. Keywords: small scale grower, SSG, contractor, competition Biography: Sinothando Dube Ms Sinothando Dube is a Research Economist at South Africa Canegrowers Association. She holds a Mastersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Degree in Economics (UKZN 2018), that produced a thesis on Energy Economics analysing the Relationship between Economic Growth and Electricity Consumption in South Africa. Sinothando is passionate about undertaking research on issues affecting sustainability of growers in the sugar industry and undertaking new areas of research and aspires to continue contributing in the body of agricultural research in her career going forward. Thus far she has produced a SASTA paper on; Youth in Agriculture: Securing the future of Sugarcane Farming in South Africa, and continues to be involved in youth development initiatives within SA Canegrowers Association.

SASTA 2019 | 67

REFEREED PAPER

STRATEGIES TO OPTIMISE CONTINUOUS PAN PERFORMANCE MOOR B STC AND DU PLESSIS N Bosch Projects, PO Box 2009, Durban, 4000, South Africa moorb@boschprojects.co.za, 2duplessisn@boschprojects.co.za Abstract Continuous pans (CVPs) operate for the most part at constant conditions which are readily controlled by instrumentation. Unlike batch pans, they therefore require minimal operator intervention once started. Their status varies little and is usually recorded and adjusted remotely from a control room. For this reason, CVPs are often neglected by the operators, other than for routine probe cleaning and occasional adjustments. At many factories, pan boiling staff tend to regard the CVPs as ‘fixed’ equipment to be operated at the supplier’s recommended settings. So, when circumstances change, pan station requirements such as throughput rate, juice quality, steam shortage, and sugar quality problems, are managed mainly by changes in the batch pan boilings. However, in many pan stations the continuous pans perform most of the crystallization, and these are an operationally flexible resource that should be the first turned to in order to meet changing priorities. Key requirements such as throughput, recoveries, sugar quality, energy efficiency and plant availability, vary between factories and often change within a season. This paper reviews CVP operating strategies and equipment that can be used to meet various objectives, some of which may be conflicting (e.g. throughput vs exhaustion). The effects of seed quality and quantity, feed conditioning, Brix and shape of Brix curves (convex, linear or concave) and boiling pressure (and hence temperature) are discussed with reference to pan boiling theory and sucrose solubility characteristics. The importance of good Brix control, vigorous circulation and good plug flow are emphasized. Techniques and equipment to achieve these are discussed. Keywords: CVP operation, crystallization theory, brix profile, brix control, exhaustion, sugar quality, energy efficiency. Biography: Bruce StClair Moor Bruce is a registered Professional Engineer. He has a BSc Mechanical Engineering degree from Natal University and a BA (Economics) from Cambridge. He joined the sugar industry as a pupil engineer with Tongaat in 1964 and progressed to Technical Director of Tongaat Hulett Sugar before opting for early retirement in 1998. Served on the Board of Control of the SMRI and as a member of SASTA Council for 14 years. Since retiring from full time employment, does part time sugar consulting through his own CC and for Bosch Projects. Over the past 54 years he has authored approximately 50 papers for SASTA, ISSCT and several other associations. Has had articles published in the International Sugar Journal, Zuckerindustrie and other technical journals and authored two chapters of Dr. Peter Rein’s Cane Sugar Engineering.

SASTA 2019 | 68

SUCCESS STORY

STRATEGY OF FELIXTON LARGE-SCALE GROWERS TO PROMOTE SMALLSCALE GROWER ACCESS TO NEW VARIETIES RADZILANI TT AND MATHEW AK South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa Tshifhiwa.radzilani@sugar.org.za, Aaron.mathew@sugar.org.za Abstract In 2000, the Felixton Canegrowers’ Association identified the need to support local small- scale grower (SSG) projects. To facilitate this, the Felixton Outreach Committee (FOC) was established, comprising both grower and miller members, whose aim was to assist SSGs to improve their sugarcane husbandry practices. By doing this, the long term sustainability and the general upliftment of the SSG community as a whole would be improved. One of the FOC’s major projects was to assist SSGs to obtain quicker access to good quality seedcane of new varieties from the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). In 2000, it was estimated that NCo376 made up approximately 80% of all SSG fields. This resulted in the SSG sector being vulnerable to diseases, such as smut and mosaic, to which NCo376 is highly susceptible. Furthermore, SSGs did not always have the benefit of access to the newer, high yielding, disease resistant varieties due to the relatively high cost of good quality seedcane and the distant location of seedcane sources relative to SSG areas, often resulting in prohibitively high transport costs. At that time the limited amount of good quality seedcane being used by some SSGs was obtained from large- scale growers farming in close proximity to them. However, this supply was insufficient to benefit the wider SSG community. Addressing this problem through the FOC, large-scale growers who supply cane to the Felixton mill agreed to contribute a percentage of the Felixton Canegrowers levy to the development of accessible and affordable sources of good quality seedcane for SSGs. To date, the estimate shows that NCo376 constitutes only 5% of the area under cane, whereas N27 accounts for about 60% and the newer, high yielding varieties make up the remaining 35%. This paper demonstrates the value of the FOC and how it has assisted the rapid adoption of new SASRI varieties by Felixton SSGs. Keywords: FOC, SSG, seedcane, Felixton, disease Biography: Tshifhiwa Radzilani Tshifhiwa Radzilani is currently employed by the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) as an Extension Specialist. He joined SASRI in 2013 after spending over 5 years with South African Subtropical Growers’ Associations, where he held the position of Technical advisor. His work involved giving advice to Avocado, Macadamia, Mango and Litchi farmers in the Limpopo Province. He currently holds a M.Tech degree in Agriculture.

SASTA 2019 | 69

REFEREED PAPER

MHLUME FACTORY EXPANSION: THE STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION MYENI P AND NG LUNG KIT H Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation, Simunye patrickm@rssc.co.sz, hlungkit@rssc.co.sz Abstract The expansion of Mhlume factory is one of the major strategic initiatives of Simama 20/20, which aims at reducing costs by 20% by the year 2020. The expansion will be undertaken in four phases so as not to disrupt the normal annual crop operations. The throughput will increase from 350 tons per hour (tch) to 440 tch, and cane crush will increase gradually from 1.6 to 2.2 million tons per annum, with the crushing season increasing from 32 to 36 weeks. The expansion was planned within the capability of the existing boilers, as the limited capital expenditure will not permit expensive modifications to boilers or the installation of a new boiler. The 35 tons per hour back end refinery will operate normally and the hourly throughput will not be increased. The reduction of steam to cane ratio will be achieved by converting the three sets of quadruple effects to one quintuple and making full use of vapour bleeding for juice heating, pan boiling and replacement of mill tandem to diffuser. Phase one was successfully completed in time for the 2018 crop and saw the conversion of the three sets of quadruple effects into one quintuple effect with spare vessels to allow for cleaning on the run. A Direct Contact Heater (DCH) was installed to use third vapour. Phase two is currently underway and will enhance the benefits of vapour bleeding from the quintuple effect with improvement in the boiling house with clarifier modification, clear juice heating, the installation of a C-massecuite continuous pan, A-massecuite batch pan and up- rated crystallisation, centrifugal stations and sugar dryer. Phases three and four will focus on the front end with cane preparation and increased throughput by replacing the 150 tch mill tandem with a 290 tch diffuser. The new control philosophy of evaporator, the safe switching of vessels for cleaning, the use of DCH and the training and difficulties encountered for implementation are highlighted. Keywords: unit cost, direct contact heater, quintuple effect, factory expansion Biography: Patrick Myeni Patrick Myeni joined RSSC as a trainee in 1981. He has been appointed into different ranks since then to General Manager Operations in 2014. He is responsible for all Agricultural and Factories Operations. He holds a BSc (Eswatini), MBL (SA), MSC Agric Mechanisation at Silsoe College, England. He is an Executive Committee Member at RSSC. He serves in a number of Boards and committees in Eswatini.

SASTA 2019 | 70

REFEREED PAPER

THE SENSITIVITY OF GROWERS’ PRODUCTION DECISIONS TO CHANGES IN THE BAGASSE PRICE FOR THE ESTON CENTRAL REGION MAFUNGA WP1, FERRER S1 AND STARK A 2 Discipline of Agricultural Economics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus, Scottsville 3209, South Africa 2 SMRI/NRF SARChI Research Chair in Sugarcane Biorefining, Discipline of Chemical Engineering, University of KwaZuluNatal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa

wadzamafunga@gmail.com, srdferrer@gmail.com, starka@ukzn.ac.za Abstract The cane payment system and the profitability of producing sugarcane relative to its opportunity cost are important determinants of sugarcane growers’ production decisions. In South Africa, growers are currently paid for sugarcane based primarily on its sucrose and molasses content; bagasse is treated as a by-product of sugarcane milling and is not paid for. The SA sugar industry is currently looking into product diversification by adding downstream biorefinery operations to the mills with bagasse as one of the potential feedstocks. In a biorefinery scenario, bagasse becomes a primary product of sugarcane production and may be priced to incentivise its production. This study reports the findings of a normative economic analysis of the sensitivity of growers’ production decisions (e.g. choice of cane cultivars, production methods and harvesting times) to changes in the price paid for bagasse. It is based on a representative mathematical programming model of a ‘typical’ sugarcane farm in the Eston Central Region that allows for heterogeneity of farmland productivity and a range of sugarcane cultivars including high fibre cane (energy cane). Data used to compile the model was obtained from CTS, SASRI, SACGA and growers, and Baumol’s criterion accounted for income risk and growers’ risk preferences. The model was verified using a ‘current scenario’ baseline. A sensitivity analysis was then performed to analyse changes to the optimal solution as the price paid to growers for bagasse increased. Two scenarios, Scenario 1 (S1) showing bagasse price changes without energy cane and Scenario 2 (S2) with energy cane, were analysed. As the prices for bagasse altered for both scenarios, there were notable increases in revenue, variations in enterprises and cane cultivars grown showing that grower decisions are sensitive to bagasse price changes. Keywords: bagasse, Eston, energy cane, linear programming, representative farm model Biography: Wadzanai Penelope Mafunga Wadzanai Penelope Mafunga, an Agricultural Economics Doctoral candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, has a passion for research driven by the mission to make a difference. Her interests are in applying her skills in finding solutions to problems that hamper economic, socio- economic and environmental sustainability. She has conducted research during the tenure of her postgraduate studies on the South African sugar industry since 2014. Currently, her study investigates the likely outcome of millers’ biorefinery investment decisions and the on-farm implications thereof for sugarcane production on representative farms for selected biorefinery options under a range of different cane payment scenarios.

SASTA 2019 | 71

REFEREED PAPER

A FRAMEWORK AND METHODS TO ASSESS IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE DECISIONS LECLER NL1,2 AND HARRIS AJ1 1

Tongaat Hulett, Technology Group, Private Bag 3 Glenashley, 4022, South Africa School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa

Neil.Lecler@tongaat.com, Alasdair.harris@tongaat.com Abstract Decisions on proposed irrigation and drainage changes or investments should be based on some financial and environmental indicators of predicted performance. Methods and models to predict implications of various irrigation and/or drainage interventions on, among other things, crop yields, water and energy usage are described in this paper. A novel method using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems to provide spatially referenced crop canopy height and ponding data, is proposed to help substantiate yield predictions. A discounted-cash-flow framework was used to assess sensitivities and compare options from a financial standpoint. A case study application showed that where fields have surface and subsurface drainage issues, there was strong evidence that improvements, facilitated by state-of-the-art GPS technologies for land forming and drain pipe installation, are likely to be very worthwhile. Additional improvements accrue when drainage enhancements are combined with a change to the irrigation system to address specific local issues, such as high energy costs, poor application uniformities, inappropriate water application amounts and excessive maintenance costs or short lifespans of critical components. Addressing drainage issues should be prioritised, especially when modern design and implementation technologies facilitate financial benefits in addition to the many environmental benefits likely to accrue. A well-drained field is relatively forgiving and is likely to result in benefits even when the irrigation system and/or associated water management is not ideal. Keywords: sugarcane, irrigation, drainage, financial analysis, LiDAR Biography: Neil Lecler In the last 30 years I have spent nearly equal amounts of time working in South Africa and Zimbabwe, developing, synthesising and applying systems, models, equipment and information to support more effective use of resources, especially water, soil and energy. Most recently I have been championing improved farming systems and a novel synergistic irrigation and drainage system. Professionally, I am a Fellow of the South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE), serve on the committee of the KwaZulu-Natal Branch of South African Irrigation Institute, Chair the Agricultural Engineering Section of the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT) and am an Honorary Associate Professor of the University of KwaZulu- Natal, where I earned my PhD.

SASTA 2019 | 72

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

GROSS MARGIN ANALYSIS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED INSECT RESISTANT HERBICIDE TOLERANT SUGARCANE IN RAINFED FARMS OF KWAZULU-NATAL NTULI ZN, MTHIMKHULU CB AND FERRER SRD University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Pietermaritzburg Campus, 3201, South Africa zamanntuli@gmail.com, celumusa92@gmail.com, srdferrer@gmail.com Abstract The South African sugar industry is currently facing a number of challenges that directly or indirectly threaten the profitability of sugarcane farming relative to its opportunity costs, and hence also threaten the long-term sustainability of the industry. The South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) is currently developing insect resistant (IR) and herbicide tolerant (HT) genetically modified (GM) sugarcane cultivar to counter these threats. The study was conducted in the North Coast and Midlands regions of KwaZulu-Natal where cynodon and eldana are most prevalent. In these regions, five representative farms were selected based on different climatic conditions, cane cutting cycles, yields and soil types. Data were collected through focus group discussions with SASRI experts and commercial farmers. A Microsoft Excel model was used to compile enterprise budgets of GM cane and conventional cane under different cutting cycles to determine whether or not sugarcane farmers are likely to adopt GM sugarcane. Analyses show that major savings are made on weed control at planting and ratoon management, and costs of eldana chemical control where GM cane is adopted. An annualised gross margin of GM cane outcompeted 14-16 month and 18-month cane by R6849/ha and R6489/ha, respectively. Additionally, farmers in the shorter cutting cycle would have the most to benefit as they can extend their cutting cycle owing to cane resistance to eldana. Farmers in the longer cutting cycle will also benefit by moving to a shorter cutting cycle because they could avoid problems caused by severe lodging on a 24- month cutting cycle. Keywords: eldana, cynodon, genetically modified, insect resistant, herbicide tolerant, gross margin analysis Biography: Zamandlela Ntuli Zamandlela (Zama) Ntuli is a Masters student in Agricultural Management at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is doing research titled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;An ex-ante Assessment of the Socio-Economic Impacts of Genetically Modified Sugarcane in the ILembe District of KwaZulu-Natal,â&#x20AC;? which she enjoys very much. In her primary degree she studied Agribusiness with Agricultural Economics and Animal and Poultry Science as Majors. She tutors and conducts extra Supplementary Instruction (SI) classes for second year students in Agricultural Economics (2017-2019). Her love for agriculture encouraged her to take part in the UKZN steers project on 2015 and she was handling a steer that took second place in the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg. In her free time she likes reading, and spending time outdoors camping and taking hiking.

SASTA 2019 | 73

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

FAMILY BY ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS FOR SUGARCANE YIELD IN SOUTH AFRICA MBUMA NW1,2, ZHOU MM1,2,3 AND VAN DER MERWE R2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa 3 School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UKZN, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Ntombi.Mbuma@sugar.org.za, Marvellous.Zhou@sugar.org.za, VanDerMerweR@ufs.ac.za Abstract In sugarcane breeding, knowledge of the progenies and their traits controlling adaptability is expected to increase crossing and selection efficiency. Family evaluation uses progeny data to determine family trait values. With family evaluation, families with high trait values are identified and individual genotypes with high trait values are selected from these families. Families were planted in several locations and over years to evaluate family by environment interactions (FE). The objectives were to determine FE breeding parameters, family values across locations and traits controlling adaptability to different environments. Data were collected from the plant, first and second ratoon crops of family evaluation trials planted using randomised complete block design with three replications at five different locations, representing the major agro-climatic regions where sugarcane is grown in South Africa. Cane yield was estimated from stalk numbers, and height and diameter were measured from the first 20 plants per family plot and analysed using SAS mixed models. Significant (P<0.01) family (F) variance for cane yield traits indicated genetic variability among the families. Significant (P<0.01) family by location (FL) variance for cane yield, stalk number and diameter indicated that the magnitude of genetic variability among families was different across locations. The non-significant (P>0.05) family by crop years (FC) and family by location by crop years (FLC) variances indicated similar genetic variability across crop-years. Therefore, testing families in multi-locations was more important than across ratoons. Best Linear Unbiased Predictors (BLUPs) estimates identified families TT1051, UU0332 and UU0312 with significantly higher cane yield across locations, indicating broad adaptability. Families VV0701 (irrigated), VV0390 (Midlands) and UU0198 (Midlands) produced higher cane yield and showed specific adaptability to those particular locations. The irrigated, coastal and midlands populations showed the most specific adaptability for cane yield and stalk height. Keywords: family by environment interactions, progenies, cane yield traits, adaptability Biography: Ntombokulunga Mbuma Ntombokulunga â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ntombiâ&#x20AC;? Mbuma has a BSc Biochemistry, BSc Agriculture honours in Plant Breeding, MSc Agriculture in Plant Breeding from University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa. She is currently a full-time doctoral student at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) and registered with the UFS, where she is developing statistical methods to improve the efficiency of sugarcane variety breeding for the South African sugar industry.

SASTA 2019 | 74

REFEREED PAPER

CONVERSION OF THE FELIXTON MILL LABORATORY FROM CONVENTIONAL TO NIRS ANALYSIS GOUNDEN T, CHILI C, NALA S, SULIMAN M AND RAMBAKUS Z Tongaat Hulett Sugar, PO Box 3, Tongaat, 4400, South Africa Tanya.Gounden@tongaat.com Abstract Following encouraging Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) results reported in the 2017 season at Tongaat Hulettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Maidstone Mill, NIRS has become an increasingly attractive analytical instrument. Felixton Mill decided to adopt NIRS technology with the aim of increasing lab efficiencies, improving process control through increased sampling and minimising the use of chemicals including lead acetate. Some front-end and all boiling house products from clear juice to final molasses were analysed by NIRS for brix, pol, fructose, glucose, sucrose and conductivity ash concentrations, and colour. The mill laboratory used NIRS together with the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to accomplish standardised monitoring and reporting results, indicating factory performance, recoveries and stock on a daily and weekly basis. This paper highlights the steps necessary for the implementation of NIRS as an analytical tool and the lessons learnt. Felixton Mill ended the 2018 season running successfully on NIRS only. Keywords: NIRS, brix, pol, factory performance, recoveries, lead acetate Biography: Tanya Gounden Tanya Gounden joined Tongaat Hulett Voermol Feeds in 2011 as student Trainee where she worked in the Animal Feed Laboratory assisting in internal feed trials and projects. She holds a BSC in Microbiology and Cell Biology. After graduating, she was appointed as a NIRS Technician. She implemented and ran the NIR Project from 2013 to 2017. She was responsible for developing and upgrading calibration equations, maintenance of NIRS systems and Quality testing. In May 2017, Tanya joined Tongaat Hulett Technology Group as a Junior Chemist. Her specialist focus is on NIRS at all the Tongaat Hulett Raw Sugar Mills and Refinery as well as technical support- laboratory based.

SASTA 2019 | 75

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

PHENOTYPIC CORRELATIONS OF LEAF-SHEDDING AND FIBRE CONTENT WITH YIELD AND QUALITY TRAITS IN SUGARCANE GENOTYPES NXUMALO PD1 AND ZHOU M1,2,3 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe 4300, South Africa University of the Free State, Plant Sciences Department, Breeding Division, PO Box 399, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa 3 University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville 3290, South Africa 1

Phumla.Nxumalo@sugar.org.za, Marvellous.Zhou@sugar.org.za Abstract In sugarcane, yield, quality and resistance traits are influenced by several characters which directly and indirectly contribute to the success of a variety. Therefore, understanding trait interrelationships is of great significance in breeding and selection. The present study aims to estimate phenotypic correlations among leaf-shedding, fibre content (traits associated with Eldana saccharina resistance), yield and quality traits. Data were collected from a stage II trial (TSL) planted at the SASRI Empangeni Research Station. Data for leaf-shedding, fibre content, per cent bored stalks [PBS], yield and quality traits were measured from 12 stalks per genotype. Leaf-shedding showed significant (P<0.05) positive correlations with stalk height (r=0.21), Tons Cane per Hectare [TCH] (r=0.11), Tons Sugar per Hectare [TSH] (r=0.12), DM (dry matter) % cane (r=0.13) and Brix% cane (r=0.06). This suggests an increase in yield and sugar components with an increase in leafshedding. Leaf-shedding showed significant (P<0.05) negative correlations with PBS (r=-0.08), suggesting a decrease in PBS with an increase in leaf- shedding. Fibre had significant (P<0.05) negative correlations with PBS (r=-0.20), stalk diameter (r=-0.35), TCH (r=-0.06), TSH (r=-0.06), Brix% cane (r=- 0.28), Brix DM% cane (r=-0.83) and Pol% cane (r=-0.09), indicating that an increase in fibre would decrease PBS, stalk diameter, TCH, TSH, Brix% cane, Brix DM% cane and Pol% cane. Fibre showed significant (P<0.05) positive correlations with stalk numbers (r=0.13), stalk height (r=0.16) and Purity% (r=0.38), indicating a positive association between yield components and fibre. Results obtained indicated that both leaf-shedding and fibre could be of significance in breeding of high yielding and eldana- resistant varieties. Keywords: leaf-shedding, fibre content, yield, quality traits, stalk borer resistance, breeding Biography: Phumla Nxumalo Phumla Nxumalo is a Selection Officer at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). Prior to this, she has worked as a Crossing Officer in the Plant Breeding Department and Research Assistant within the South African Sugarcane Research Institute. Phumla received both her BSc (Biological Sciences) and MSc (Biology) degrees from the University of KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa (UKZN). During this period, she has also had a chance to do an internship and masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thesis at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute.

SASTA 2019 | 76

REFEREED PAPER

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF THE SIMUNYE EFFLUENT PLANT SYSTEM MABILA D, NG LUNG KIT H AND MYENI P Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation, Box 1, Simunye dumsilem@rssc.co.sz, Hlungkit@rssc.co.sz, PatrickM@rssc.co.sz Abstract Environmental hazards are of concern worldwide due to waste water pollution which is putting aquatic life in danger. The Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC) uses an integrated management system to treat effluent in order to comply with the legal requirements. Simunye factory has a backend distillery, and the effluent produced is sent to the effluent treatment plant (ETP).The concentrated molasses stillage (CMS) is blended with additional chemicals and applied as liquid fertiliser to the cane fields. The waste water from the effluent plant is treated and used for sprinkling and flood irrigation at a COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) of about Âą1 000 mg/L. Simunye factory waste water volumes have increased due to expansions and this has negatively impacted on the ETP capacity and hence in meeting the effluent wastewater legal limits. The 2016/17 season recorded an average of 456,6mg/L COD in the Final dam. This paper discusses investigations to determine the reason for the high COD in the ETP and the final dam, and action plans to address the situation. Keywords: sugar mill, COD, waste water, effluent treatment, effluent management, environment Biography: Dumsile Mabila Miss Dumsile Ophelia Mabila is Process Engineer in Royal Swaziland Sugar Company (RSSC). She got her Bsc Chemical Engineering degree and MBA from the University of KwaZulu Natal. She is currently doing her Masters in Project Management with the University of Pretoria. She did her Engineering in Training (EIT) in RSSC and has worked as An Area Production Manager for a period of 9 years in the factories and Distillery. She has mentored and coached EIT in RSSC.

SASTA 2019 | 77

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

REALISED SELECTION GAINS FOR ELDANA SACCHARINA BORER RESISTANCE IN THE COASTAL LONG CYCLE REGIONAL BREEDING PROGRAMME OF SOUTH AFRICA LICHAKANE M AND ZHOU MM South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa Moipei.Lichakane@sugar.org.za, Marvellous.Zhou@sugar.org.za Abstract Eldana saccharina (eldana) resistance breeding started in the 1980s when the eldana borer was recognised as an economic pest of sugarcane. Realised selection gains refer to the potential gains that will be attained over time from several cycles of breeding and selections. The objective of this study was to determine realised selection gains for percent bored internodes (PBI) and percent bored stalks (PBS). Data for PBI and PBS were collected from the coastal long cycle variety trial series planted from 2008 to 2012. PBI and PBS data were subjected to analysis of variance. The means of each genotype were expressed as a percentage of NCo376 and used as the response variable, while the year of selection of planting the series of the trial was used as the predictor variable to perform simple linear regression analysis. Genotype effects were highly significant (P<0.0001) in all the series indicating differences among genotypes for PBI and PBS. Results also indicated the ability to discriminate and select for genotypes with less damage in each series. Simple linear regression showed nonsignificant reduction for PBI (2.87%; P>0.076) and PBS (0.53%; P>0.54) per series, which suggested that there was no significant increase or decrease in eldana damage in the populations. The result might be due to narrow genetic diversity in the populations, highlighting the need to broaden the genetic diversity in the breeding populations. The result also suggests the need to actively breed for resistance based on the genetic control of eldana resistance. However, some progress could still be achieved because of the ability to select for less damage due to high genotype effects. Biography: Moipei Lichakane Miss Moipei Lichakane is a Plant Breeder at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute. Before joining SASRI in 2011 she worked as a Researcher in maize for the Agricultural Research Council and Monsanto. She graduated from the University of Free State with MSc Agric (Plant Breeding).

SASTA 2019 | 78

SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

EFFECT OF TRAMLINE AND CONTINUOUS ROW SPACING ON CANE YIELD TRAITS AND BRIX OF SUGARCANE FAMILIES MSANI F1 AND ZHOU M1,2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

Fanele.msani@sugar.org.za, Marvellous.Zhou@sugar.org.za Abstract In South Africa, Stage 1 sugarcane breeding trials are planted to tramline spacing, where two planted rows spaced at 1.2 m are followed by unplanted row equivalent to 2.4 m. Subsequent stages and commercial crops are planted to continuous row spacing of 1.2 m resulting in potential confounding. Significant genotype by row spacing interaction was reported in previous studies. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of tramline and continuous row spacing on cane yield, stalk traits, brix and eldana damage of families in Stage I breeding trials. Data for number of tillers, canopy height, stalk numbers, stalk height, stalk diameter, brix % and eldana damage were collected from Stage I trials laid out using a strip plot design, 20 families and three replications established in 2017 at the SASRI Gingindlovu and Empangeni research stations. Spacing had significant (P<0.05) F values for cane yield and stalk numbers at Empangeni. Tramline plots produced consistently higher cane yield (13-27%), more tiller (4-7%), more stalks (16%) that were shorter (4-5%) and thicker (1-6%) with higher brix (4%) than those from continuous row spacing. There were significant (P<0.01) family effects for all traits across trials, suggesting elite families can be selected. The interaction between family by spacing was nonsignificant (P>0.05) across locations. Spacing by family interaction was significant (P<0.10) for stalk height at Empangeni, suggesting potential confounding of spacing to visual selection where height is an important trait. Tramline spacing altered trait values compared with continuous row spacing. Effect of spacing on breeding parameters needs further investigation. Keywords: tramline, continuous row spacing, sugarcane families Biography: Fanele Msani Fanele Msani has a BSc Agriculture in Agronomy obtained from University of Zululand. She is currently a full time mastersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; student at South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) and registered with the University of Free State, where she is focusing on the effect of row spacing in the first stage of filed evaluation.

SASTA 2019 | 79

REFEREED PAPER

EFFECTS OF PLANT DENSITY AND FERTILISER RATES ON SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM L) GROWTH, SUCROSE YIELD AND QUALITY IN SWAZILAND DLAMINI MM1 AND OLALEYE AO2 Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation, PO Box 1, Simunye, Swaziland 2 University of Swaziland, P/Bag Kwaluseni, Swaziland

muzidl@rssc.co.sz Abstract Sugarcane growers are currently having difficulties producing and maintaining high sugarcane yields due to poor crop stand establishment in their plant cane and subsequent ratoons. One of the strategies is to increase the number of sugarcane plants per unit area using three lines in a single row as opposed to the conventional (i.e. single or tram line) method. A field experiment was established at Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC), Simunye Estate in the 2017/2018 season. The aim was to evaluate effects of plant density (i.e. tram line and three line planting) and fertiliser rates (i.e. 80%, 100%, 120% and 140% of recommended rates) on cane yield and yield components. Trials used a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Data collected were analysed using: (i) summary statistics (mean, max, min and cv) using PROC MEANS, (ii) ANOVA used General Linear Model Procedure (Proc. GLM) and means of treatments were separated using the Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) at 5%. Results showed that two plant densities were not significantly different for most yield parameters (i.e. brix, fibre, moisture, purity, tons sucrose per hectare), except for tons cane per hectare (TCH) where three line treatments were better than tram lines. Also, no significant differences in all yield parameters except tons sucrose/ha where treatments at 100% recommended fertiliser rate were higher than others. In conclusion, results showed it is better to adopt a three line planting method for increased cane yields. Furthermore, increasing fertiliser rates may not result in increased cane yield and components. Keywords: Sugarcane, fertiliser rates, plant density, sugarcane quality, tram line, three line Biography: Muzi Dlamini Muzi Dlamini is a Farm Manager at Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (Eswatini) who holds a diploma (distinction), BSc. in Agronomy (Second class, first division) and is currently doing his MSc. in Crop Science. His research interest is on sugarcane yield improvement.

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COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

THE BENEFITS OF USING WEDGE WIRE SCREENS IN A CONTINUOUS CENTRIFUGE SCHOFIELD P Andritz Euroslot, ZA Les Priedons/CS60050, Scorbe Clairvaux, France Philip.Schofield@andritz.com Abstract Wedge wire screens that match the percentage open area of current foil technology used in continuous centrifuges; have been available to the market for more than 10 years. The author has become aware of the benefits that customers have observed when using wedge wire screens, and would like to share the identified benefits, so that you may consider the suitability of the product for your processes. Keywords: wedge wire; screens; continuous centrifuge; benefits Biography: Philip Schofield Area Sales manager and Business Applications Manager Employer - ANDRITZ Wedge wire and Perforation Technologies. I am an ex-employee of Johnson Screens and now an employee of ANDRITZ Wedge Wire and Perforation Technologies. Responsible for assisting customers to improve the efficiency of their manufacturing processes by developing new products that overcome operational issues and to increase their profitability. Main business applications â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Filtration and separation for Centrifuge technology in Sugar, Starch and other Food and Beverage applications. Geographic territory â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Europe, Middle East, Africa and Far East including ASEAN region and China. Electro Mechanical Engineer with 45 years + Sales, Marketing and General Management experience in an Engineered Products environment. 25 year experience of Filtration and Separation primarily with wedge wire, perforated, drilled and wire mesh materials. 20 years + in Tier 1 Automotive component supply chain and Industrial Precious metals. Previous employers - Johnson Screens, Potter & Soar / Screen Systems, Engelhard and Lucas Industries.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

EVALUATING THE ACCURACY OF SATELLITE-DERIVED SUGARCANE CANOPY COVER ESTIMATES FOR TWO DIVERSE PRODUCTION REGIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR POTENTIAL USE IN CROP ESTIMATION SITHOLE P1, MULLER SJ2, SINGELS A1,3,4 AND VAN NIEKERK A 2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, South Africa Dept of Geography and Environmental Studies, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa 3 School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 4 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa 1

phillemon.sithole@sugar.org.za, mullersj@sun.ac.za, abraham.singels@sugar.org.za, avn@sun.ac.za Abstract Accurate crop estimates provide essential information for planning and effectively managing the sugar supply chain from sugarcane production to sugar delivery. Studies have shown that incorporating remote sensing (RS) data into crop models can improve the accuracy of yield predictions. For example, RS vegetation indices such as the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) can be used to correct simulated canopy cover in process-based yield prediction models. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of RS derived canopy cover estimates for two diverse sugarcane production regions in South Africa. A total of 20 sugarcane fields in the Pongola (irrigated) and Sezela (rainfed) mill supply areas were selected for monthly field measurements of green canopy cover, using line quantum sensors, from July 2015 to October 2016, while Landsat 8 imagery was used to derive various vegetation indices for the same fields over the study period. Results showed that sugarcane canopy development can be estimated accurately from the normalised difference moisture index (NDMI), the aerosol free vegetation index (AFRI) and NDVI. NDVI estimates of canopy cover were more accurate for Pongola (R2=0.94; RMSE=0.084) than for Sezela (R2=0.75; RMSE=0.17) due to the presence of larger fields in Pongola. Two linear regressions models, one based on NDVI and the other on AFRI, were subsequently selected for testing the impact of RS canopy cover correction in the operational Canesim® crop forecasting system. Keywords: remote sensing, canopy cover, crop forecast, crop model, FIPAR Biography: Phillemon Sithole Phillemon Sithole is an Agrometeorologist with the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). He holds a Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Meteorology from the University of Zimbabwe. One of his key duties at SASRI is to use the Canesim® crop forecasting system to estimate sugarcane yields at zone, mill and industry levels and relate to the climatic factors over the growth cycle. He also oversees SASRI’s network of weather stations and the processing of weather data into key decision support products.

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COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

MONOACHLORAMINE: A NOVEL APPROACH TO MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTROL IN SUGAR MILLS AND DOWNSTREAM PROCESSES PALAZZO A AND VAN ZYL M 1 Buckman Boulevard, Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, RSA a_palazzo@buckman.com, mjvanzyl@buckman.com Abstract The risk of microbiological growth due to bacteria, yeast, and moulds is not unfamiliar to the sugar industry. The adverse effects of microbiological infestations in nutrient rich environments such as in sugar production and storage inevitably leads to degradation of the sugar. This results in sugar loss, gas production, more intensely coloured syrup, and increased production of lower grade products. Mitigating these problems with Oxamine® technology, by relying on the on-site generation of monochloramine, is yielding enormous benefits to sugar mills in Europe and Brazil. Additional advantages of this novel technology include reduced cleaning costs, increased productivity, reduced product losses, decreased chemical usage, reduced corrosion and energy savings. Sugar mills are replacing highly toxic biocides due to more stringent regulations, and monochloramine has not presented any new health and safety issues or concerns at the sugar plants where it was introduced. Several case histories are presented to highlight the features, advantages and benefits of this newly applied technology. Keywords: Oxamine®, monochloramine, microbiological control, sugar degradation, sugar losses, lactic acid production Biography: Alfonso Palazzo Dr Alfonso Palazzo, Pr.Sci.Nat, joned Buckman Africa (Pty) Ltd in 1991 and is currently the Industry Specialist for Industrial Water Treatment. Alfonso’s main areas of water treatment expertise are in: oil and gas, metals and mining, sugar and ethanol production, paint and coatings, food and beverage, and public sector water purification and waste water treatment. He also holds a BSc Hon in Water Utilization (University of Pretoria) and an MDP (Unisa).

SASTA 2019 | 83

REFEREED PAPER

FIELD PERFORMANCE OF TISSUE CULTURE PROPAGATED SUGARCANE UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITIONS DLAMINI NE AND NDLOVU MV Eswatini Sugar Association, PO Box 367, Simunye L301, Swaziland Njabulod@esa.co.sz, Mphumelelo@esa.co.sz Abstract The tissue culture biotechnology accelerates the multiplication of healthy planting material at a faster rate than the conventional vegetative method, especially for crop species with low multiplication ratio such as sugarcane. The objective of this study was to investigate the field performance of tissue culture cane under irrigated conditions at Eswatini. A trial was established comprising both conventional propagated and tissue culture cane - each with six industry varieties (NCo376, N19, N23, N25, N36 and N46) in a split-plot randomised block design. Agronomic data were collected over four harvests. The first two crop-years represented the seedcane phase while the last two crop-years represented the commercial phase. These data were analysed using analysis of variance. For the seedcane phase, the conventional propagated cane had significantly (p<0.05) higher cane and sucrose yield than the tissue culture cane, suggesting that tissue culture cane yield estimates should be reduced relative to conventional cane in this phase. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between propagation methods in all the other yield (stalk mass, stalk dry mass, stalk pol mass) and quality traits (sucrose content, fibre content, moisture content, juice purity, pol % dry matter). For the commercial phase, conventional cane had significantly (p<0.05) higher stalk mass and sucrose stalk mass than the tissue culture cane. These differences, however, did not translate to significantly (p>0.05) higher cane and sucrose yield for the conventional cane. Propagation method by variety interactions were not significant (p>0.05) for all the character traits, implying that for both growth phases, variety performance was not dependent on propagation method. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences in Eldana saccharina stalk damage and Sporisorium scitamineum infection between the two propagation methods across all four test crop-years. These findings indicate that the tissue culture technique can be adopted by the Eswatini industry to produce seed material for the primary seedcane scheme. Keywords: tissue culture, seedcane, propagation method, sugarcane, varieties Biography: Njabulo Dlamini Njabulo Dlamini works for the Eswatini Sugar Association (ESA) as an Agronomist. He has also worked for the Royal Swaziland Sugar Association (RSSC), Tongaat Hulett (Xinavane) and Omnia Fertilizer. His research interests include crop performance evaluation, chemical ripening and crop nutrition. He holds an MBA from the Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA) and an MSc Crop Science (Plant Breeding) programme from the University of the Free State.

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COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

ANALYSIS OF BAGASSE PROPERTIES USING INLINE NEAR INFRA RED SPECTROSCOPY (NIR) VOIGT I Voitechnik (Pty) Ltd ivan@voitechnik.com Abstract The way in which data is captured, analysed and solved to provide new business solutions using techniques such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence, robotics and internet communications has been termed the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Industry worldwide, and more recently the South African sugar industry, is taking an interest in 4IR. For analytics to be applied, sensors and instruments are needed to collect data. The sugar industry captures a lot of process data online, however much of the data used for process analysis and control is still sourced from samples of the products which are analysed in sugar factory laboratories. The latter method introduces time delays between sampling, analysis and reporting; and usually provides very few data points over any period of time. Online, real-time product analysis is the preferred method of supplying data needed in 4IR. The analysis of bagasse is used to control the extraction process and to ensure that bagasse is suitable to combust in boilers. Online analysis of bagasse using NIR was introduced in Australia over 10 years ago, and has been adopted in Brazil and other cane sugar-producing countries, using FOSS NIR equipment. The ProFOSS online NIR instrument is now available in South Africa. This paper describes the technology used, the experiences of other users and explores the benefits that may accrue to South African sugar mills who adopt this technique. Keywords: online NIR, bagasse moisture, bagasse pol Biography: Ivan Voigt Ivan Voigt is the director of Voitechnik, a company providing services to the sugar industry in Southern Africa. He has a BSc in mechanical engineering from the University of Natal and an MBA from the University of Stellenbosch. Between 2015 and 2018, a served as the Head of Factory Operations at Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation. Prior to that, he was Director: Sugar Equipment at Bosch Projects (Pty) Ltd. His introduction into the sugar industry was in 1994 at the Huletts Refinery. He worked for the Royal Swazi Sugar Corporation as from 1995 to 2003, first at Simunye and then at the Mhlume factory. He authored a number of technical papers for the SASTA and ISSCT Congresses.

SASTA 2019 | 85

COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

DUST TIGHT PE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS FOR SPECIALITY SUGARS KOMITSCH J Haver Southern Africa, Unit 3 Cranberry Industrial Park, Cranberry Street, Honeydew, 2170, South Africa j.komitsch@haverboecker.com Abstract Product packaging is one of the most important marketing factors for sugar producers. Clients trust the quality of the sugar and its production based on the packaging they see in the supermarkets. Bag cleanliness, bag shape and bag print are the most important aspects. Thus, the packaging, and corresponding marketing, provide differentiation and assist the customer with their product choice. A higher degree of bag cleanliness, food safety and the best quality prints can be achieved with polyethelene (PE) bags. These bags can be stored outside, and can be transported from the packaging plants to the supermarkets or customer manufacturing plants without rain being able to penetrate the packaging, and affecting the shelf life of the product. In South Africa for bags bigger than 10 kg, PE packaging is mostly used for specialty sugars, such as castor and icing sugar. In packaging plants, these products provide problems due to air being bound by the sugar. This requires long de-aeration times and therefore reduces the packaging speed. At Behn + Bates, a member of the globally active Haver & Boecker Company, with its subsidiary Haver Southern Africa in Johannesburg, machines have been developed for optimum packaging of PE bags, focusing strongly on the compaction of the product while keeping a high filling capacity. The result is a block-shaped bag that can be palletised easily and that looks good in the supermarket, thus providing the required differentiation from competitors. Keywords: packaging, PE bags, compaction, palletising, food safety, marketing Biography: Jonas Komitsch • • • • •

Sales and Project Manager. Studied International Management with Engineering. Working for Haver & Boecker since 2013. Before moving to South Africa, he was responsible for the food market in South East Asia and Oceania within Haver & Boecker’s food division Behn + Bates. Living in South Africa and working at the South African subsidiary Haver Southern Africa since July 2017.

SASTA 2019 | 86

COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

INCREASING SUGARCANE YIELDS USING THE BIOSTIMULANT HARPIN αβ: THE BRAZILIAN EXPERIENCE DILLON A1, MARIN A 2, DE ALMEIDA S3, DE MIRANDA R3 AND SCARAMUCCI L3 Plant Health Care, UK, Plant Health Care, Espana, 3 Plant Health Care, Brazil 1

adillon@planthealthcare.com, 2amarin@planthealthcare.com, 3rdemiranda@planthealthcare.com, 3 sdealmeida@planthealthcare.com, 3lscaramucci@planthealthcare.com

Abstract Harpin αβ proteins are biostimulants which activate plant growth and stress-defence pathways. When applied as a foliar spray, the Harpin proteins bind to plant receptors, initiating a set of complex signalling pathways (jasmonic acid/ethylene dependent pathways). The effects on plant vigour can include increases in photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, root development, plant growth and tolerance to abiotic stress. In 2016, 1.9 billion tons of sugarcane was produced globally, with 41% of this grown in Brazil. To investigate the extent to which Harpin αβ proteins (ProAct®) increased yields in sugarcane, field trials were run in the Sao Paulo region in 2016 and 2017. In the first year, Harpin αβ was delivered as a foliar spray across nine locations. Yield increased in all Harpin αβ treated plots, averaging 18.4% (= an additional 17.1 M t/ha). In 2017, Harpin αβ was tested across a further 30 sites, applied either in-furrow or as a foliar spray. Yield increases were again observed in all Harpin αβ treated plots, with the biostimulant increasing yield by 22.3% (21.8 M t/ha). At a rate of 100 g/ha, yields increased by 23.2% when Harpin αβ was sprayed onto the plant and by 14.1% when Harpin αβ was applied in-furrow. At this rate, the average benefit to the grower ranged from US$822/ha (in-furrow) to US$974/ha (foliar spray), delivering a more than 20-fold Return on Investment (ROI). Keywords: biostimulant, peptide, growth promoter, biofertiliser, sustainable agriculture Biography: Aoife Dillon Dr Aoife Dillon has been with Plant Health Care for 2 years as Technical Director for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Plant Health Care is a leading provider of scientifically proven biological products for the agricultural industry. The Company offers biostimulants to improve nutrient use efficiency, enhance crop quality and reduce abiotic stress across a range of crops, including Citrus, Table Grapes, Rice, Sugar Cane and Potatoes. Aoife came to Plant Health Care with 25 years’ experience in technical roles across academia, the public sector, and private industry. Aoife works with distributors and regulators to ensure growers are equipped with the tools they need to grow our food in the most sustainable way possible. Her previous roles include Chief Technical Officer at Exosect (an AgChem formulations company), Technical Specialist for Bioinsecticides at BASF and Programme Manager at the Horticultural Development Council, UK.

SASTA 2019 | 87

EXHIBITION FLOORPLAN

SASTA 2019 | 88

EXHIBITOR KEY EXHIBITOR (ALPHABETICAL) Adapt IT (Pty) Ltd Altra Industrial Motion SA (Pty) Ltd Anton Paar API Solutions International (Pty) Lrd Bearings international Bell Equipment Company BMA / Sucrotech BMG Bonfiglioli Bosch Projects (Pty) Ltd Brenley Engineering Sales CC Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd Buckman Afrika CMG Pumps DMR Stainless Steel Suppliers Emineo Ltd Hanna Instruments (Pty) Ltd HAVER Southern Africa Industrial Water Cooling (IWC) John King Chains John Thompson a Division of Actom (Pty ) Ltd Kelvion Services (Pty) Ltd Kirton Mechanical Equipment Klüber Lubrication Lakeside Equipment Lindsay Africa / Zimmatic Maintenance Engineering Services CC MAN Energy Solutions South Africa (Pty) Ltd Matech- Greenhills Technology Mecosa (Pty) Ltd. Netafim SA (Pty) Ltd Privilege Biksons Boilers PVT. LTD. Rheochem Rossi Gearmotors (Pty) Ltd Rotating Technologies and Services SASTA S. B. Reshellers Pvt. Ltd & Fortek (Mauritius) Ltd Schauenburg Systems Sew-Eurodrive Sonkor Engineering SQR Software Sugarequip Sustainable Sugar (Bonsucro, SASRI, Solidaridad, Fairtrade) Techno-Quip 2000 Timken South Africa Topcon Agriculture Trillium Flow Technologies Turbine Generator Services Universal Water Solutions cc Verder Pumps & The Pumpsmith Voitechnik Zest Weg Group Zungu-Elgin Engineering

STAND NO

STAND NO EXHIBITOR (NUMERICAL)

50 33 31 61 59 & 60 39 48 34 & 35 16 47 25 5 62 20 57 18 26 27 7 37 19 56 30 24 22 29 36 45 44 21 58

1 2 5 6 7 8&9 10 & 11 12 & 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 & 35 36 37

23 10 & 11 40 2 54 & 55 41 52 & 53 12 & 13 28 15

39 40 41 42 & 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

8&9 14 1 32 49 17 63 42 & 43 51 46

51 52 & 53 54 & 55 56 57 58 59 & 60 61 62 63

Topcon Agriculture SASTA Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd Privilege Biksons Boilers PVT. LTD. Industrial Water Cooling (IWC) Techno-Quip 2000 Rossi Gearmotors (Pty) Ltd Sonkor Engineering Timken South Africa Sugarequip Bonfiglioli Universal Water Solutions cc Emineo Ltd John Thompson a Division of Actom (Pty ) Ltd CMG Pumps Mecosa (Pty) Ltd. Lakeside Equipment Rheochem Klüber Lubrication Brenley Engineering Sales CC Hanna Instruments (Pty) Ltd HAVER Southern Africa SQR Software Lindsay Africa / Zimmatic Kirton Mechanical Equipment Anton Paar Trillium Flow Technologies Altra Industrial Motion SA (Pty) Ltd BMG Maintenance Engineering Services CC John King Chains Sustainable Sugar Sustainable Sugar (Bonsucro, SASRI, Solidaridad, Fairtrade) Bell Equipment Company Rotating Technologies and Services Schauenburg Systems Voitechnik Matech- Greenhills Technology MAN Energy Solutions South Africa (Pty) Ltd Zungu-Elgin Engineering Bosch Projects (Pty) Ltd BMA / Sucrotech Turbine Generator Services Adapt IT (Pty) Ltd Zest Weg Group Sew-Eurodrive S. B. Reshellers Pvt. Ltd & Fortek (Mauritius) Ltd Kelvion Services (Pty) Ltd DMR Stainless Steel Suppliers Netafim SA (Pty) Ltd Bearings international API Solutions International (Pty) Lrd Buckman Afrika Verder Pumps & The Pumpsmith

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EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY ADAPT IT (PTY) LTD

API SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL (PTY) LTD

Stand Number 50 Telephone +27 (0)31 514 7300 Website www.adaptit.co.za

Stand Number 61 Telephone +27 (0)31 579 1502 Website www.apisolutions.co.za

Adapt IT is a strategic ICT partner for clients in agroprocessing (sugar), process manufacturing, mining, and utilities sectors. We understand your sector challenges and create innovative ICT solutions to address them. Adapt IT has over 1000 employees and customers in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, South America and North America. For more information, visit our website.

We are a provider to the sugar milling industry whose expertise is in Batch and Continuous centrifugation and evaporator de-scaling. A host of products related to these areas is stocked at our Durban office. Services include Centrifugal basket refurbishments, Centrifugal sub-assembly maintenance and de-scaling equipment refurbishment at our Durban workshop backed by highly competent mechanical and process support from our staff.

ALTRA INDUSTRIAL MOTION SA (PTY) LTD Stand Number 33 Telephone +27 (0)11 918 4270 Website www.altramotion.co.za Altra is a leading multinational designer, producer and marketer of a wide range of mechanical power transmission products. Products include the most diverse range of couplings, industrial clutches and brake systems. Supported by world-class engineering. Brands include: Armerigear, Bibby Turboflex, Stieber, Stromag, Svendborg, TB Woods, Marland. ANTON PAAR SOUTHERN AFRICA (PTY) LTD Stand Number 31 Telephone +27 (0)10 443 0950 Website www.anton-paar.com Anton Paar develops, produces and distributes highly accurate laboratory instruments and process measuring systems and provides custom-tailored automation and robotic solutions. It is the world leader in the measurement of density, concentration and CO2 and in the field of rheometry. Our analytical solutions also include viscometry, refractometry, polarimetry, sample preparation, synthesis, particle size and surface analysis, Raman spectroscopy and microscopy as well as instruments for determination of petroleum properties.

BEARINGS INTERNATIONAL Stand Number 59 & 60 Telephone +27 (0)31 480 2100 Website www.bearings.co.za We are committed to delivering quality, with value, to all our clients. Bearings international, is a member of the hudaco group and is a leading distributor of bearings and power transmission products in southern africa. With our customerfocused approach, we are committed to delivering value to all our stakeholders, and quality solutions that make a real difference to optimising plant availability and turnaround time. BELL EQUIPMENT Stand Number 39 Telephone +27 (0)11 928 9700 Website www.bellequipment.com Bell, serving the sugar industry for 65 years Bell Equipment provides purpose-built, innovative solutions for the sugar industry and enhances aftermarket support to its customers. Our tri-wheeled Cane Loaders, Haulage Tractors, Trailers, Matriarch Slew Loaders and other complementary products are the preferred choices on sugar estates around the world for their robust engineering and low cost per tonne value proposition.

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BMG

BOSCH PROJECTS (PTY) LTD

Stand Number 34 & 35 Telephone +27 (0)11 620 1500 Website www.bmgworld.net

Stand Number 47 Telephone +27 (0) 31 535 6000 Website www.boschprojects.co.za

BMG plays a pivotal role in supporting the productivity and production targets of all Industrial, Manufacturing, Mining and Agricultural sectors of the economies in the countries it serves. With an enviable reputation as Africa’s largest distributor, manufacturer and service provider of the highest quality engineering consumables and components, including: Bearings & Seals; Power Transmission Components; Drives, Motors and Controllers; Hydraulics, Pneumatics and Filtration; Heavy and Light Duty Materials Handling; Valves and Lubrication, and Fasteners, Gaskets and Tools.

Project and Construction Management, Engineering Services and Equipment Supply in the Sugar, Agricultural and Industrial Sectors: • Feasibility Studies • Complete Sugar Factories and Refineries • Co-Generation • Sugar Equipment Design and Supply • Agriculture

BONFIGLIOLI SOUTH AFRICA

Stand Number 25 Telephone +27 (0)83 448 7396 Website www.brenley.co.za

Stand Number 16 Telephone +27 (0)31 701 4150 Website www.bonfiglioli.com Bonfiglioli is a benchmark in the sugar processing industry for the supply of high quality power transmission equipment. This versatile range of industrial gearboxes provides solutions across a full spectrum sugar processing applications and has earned it an unrivalled reputation for performance quality and reliability.

BRENLEY ENGINEERING SALES CC

Official partner for Festo equipment and agents in Africa for proMtec Microwave and Neltec colour monitor. BRUKER SOUTH AFRICA Stand Number 5 Telephone +27 (0)11 463 6040 Website www.bruker.com

Bruker South Africa PTY LTD is one of the main suppliers of analytical equipment to the sugar industry. This includes laboratory and process systems for the analysis of various Stand Number 38 factory and final products. The FT-NIR systems are used for Telephone +28 (0)78 290 4034 the analysis of POL, BRIX, moisture etc. Website www.bonsucro.com www.sasri.org.za www.solidaridadnetwork.org www.fairtrade.org.za BUCKMAN AFRICA BONSUCRO, SASRI, SOLIDARIDAD, FAIRTRADE

Producers are facing mounting pressure from the ecological, social and global economic landscape. This has called for increased focus on sustainable practices. To learn more, come and chat to us about how to including sustainable practices in your operation can add value to your business and secure your future market access.

Stand Number 62 Telephone +27 (0)31 736 8800 Website www.buckman.com Buckman’s purpose is to be your trusted advisor, creating innovative solutions that help you succeed. For us to do that, we must follow our Fundamentals, putting 100% of our focus on you to make sure your customer experience is nothing less than superior. With quality communication at our core, and a deep understanding of your business, your needs and your goals, we are committed to connecting you with the best team, chemistries, innovation and results.

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CMG PUMPS

HAVER SOUTHERN AFRICA

Stand Number 20 Telephone +27 (0)31 305 2400 Website www.cmgpumps.com

Stand Number 27 Telephone +27 (0)11 794 3841 Website www.haversouthernafrica.co.za

Pump manufacturer and Agents for Western States Centrifugal.

HAVER SOUTHERN AFRICA a is a wholly owned subsidiary of HAVER & BOECKER, a leading global developer and manufacturer of high performance processing and packing technologies.

DMR STAINLESS STEEL SUPPLIES Stand Number 57 Telephone +27 (0)31 461 3120 Website www.dmrsss.co.za Suppliers of Stainless Steel, Alloy Metals, Duplex/Super Duplex, Mild Steel & Special Metals (SAF2205, SAF2304, 904L, 310, 253MA, Copper Nickel) Sugar Tube, Evaporator Tubes, Juice Heater Tubes, Pan Tubes, Screwed & Buttweld Fittings, Piping, Flanges, Valves, Mesh, Grating, Sheet & Plate, Round, Flat & Hex Bar, Angles, as well High Definition Plasma Cutting, Laser Cutting, Rolling, Punching, Perferation and Bending Facilities. EMINEO LTD Stand Number 18 Telephone +23 06988200 Website www.emineo.mu Emineo Ltd is an engineering company based in Mauritius which provides engineering solutions and project realisation services to the sugar industry since 2007. The company has a dedicated team of engineers, technicians and project managers who have a long experience of delivering projects on the African Continent. Emineo provides process design, engineering, procurement, project management, construction and equipment supply services. HANNA INSTRUMENTS (PTY) LTD Stand Number 26 Telephone +27 (0)31 701 2711 Website www.hanna.co.za

Founded in 1887, HAVER & BOECKER has more than 130 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in supplying innovative solutions worldwide for the processing, storage, mixing, packing, filling, palletising and loading of dry, liquid or pasty bulk materials. INDUSTRIAL WATER COOLING Stand Number 7 Telephone +27 (0)11 466 0699 Website www.iwc.co.za Industrial Water Cooling provides engineered cooling solutions to the sugar industry. Core products include cooling towers, heat exchangers and chillers along with their allied spares and services. IWC undertakes off-crop cooling tower refurbishments and repacks as well as conducting complete cooling system audits and inspections. JOHN KING CHAINS SOUTH AFRICA Stand Number 37 Telephone +27 (0)11 894 3570 Website www.johnkingchains.com The John King Company was established in Leeds, England in 1926. Today JOHN KING offer the widest range of conveyor chains of any manufacturer this makes them unique in being able to offer an infinite number of chain types in a variety of materials and constructions for a multiplicity of industrial mechanical handling applications.

Being a world leading designer & manufacturer of analytical instrumentation, we supply customers with practical affordable solutions for their testing needs. Our products include benchtop, portable, in-line process control instruments that test parameters such as: pH, ORP, EC, ISE, Turbidity, Chlorine & DO in solutions. We have a wide range of titratorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, chemical metering pumps, colorimeters, test kits, reagents and accessories.

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JOHN THOMPSON A DIVISION OF ACTOM (PTY) LTD

KLÜBER LUBRICATION

Stand Number 19 Telephone +27 (0)31 408 9700 Website www.johnthompson.co.za

Stand Number 24 Telephone +27 (0)11 908 2457 Website www.klueber.com

John Thompson is a leading designer and manufacturer of industrial boilers and associated plant with a name synonymous with well-engineered boilers. As well as related products incorporating heat transfer technology, we also design, supply, install and retrofit new and existing environmental equipment and provide boiler service and maintenance for Eskom’s coal-fired power stations.

Speciality lubricants are at the core of our business. We offer our customers expert tribological solutions by supplying tailormade speciality lubricants directly to customers in almost all branches of industry and regional markets. Our customers include producers of components, modules, machines and systems as well as companies using this equipment for their own production or processing activities.

The company comprises five business units, namely: Package Boilers, Industrial Watertube Boilers, Utility Boilers & Environmental, Manufacturing and Air Pollution Control.

Klüber Lubrication offers approximately 2000 different speciality lubricants, many of them developed and manufactured to specific customer requirements. With competent and customer - oriented consulting and wideranging services, our employees have established Klüber Lubrication’s excellent reputation as a partner to industry and trade.

KELVION SERVICE (PTY) LTD Stand Number 56 Telephone +27 (0)11 866 4000 Website www.kelvion.com Kelvion is experts in heat exchange since 1920, and heat exchange is our passion! Kelvion is your best solution to all your heat exchanger needs. From the supply from cooling towers, air coolers, condensers, tubular heat exchangers, PHE’s and evaporators all the way through to sound knowledge and advise on “PER”, services and cleaning, Kelvion can provide it all. KIRTON MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT Stand Number 30 Telephone +27 (0)31 561 8002 Website www.kme.co.za Silver Weibull Centrifuges Manufacturer of the Mascual range of elliptical lobe and scraper pumps for Massecuite and Magma Duties, Turbines, reconditioned as well as spares, and Vacuum Pumps. New, Spares & Repairs • Roots Type Blowers • Compressor Spares & Service Kits • Food Grade Pumps & Homogenizers • Wedge Wire Screens & Sieve Bends

Kluber Lubrication Head Office operates from Johannesburg, South Africa and branch offices in Cape Town and Durban. LAKESIDE EQUIPMENT Stand Number 22 Telephone +27 (0)31 700 2137 Website www.lakesidequipment.com Manufacturer and servicer of industrial pumps. Manufactured pumps include Magmaflo, Slurry-Busta, LSP Hose Pumps and Trapper Basket Strainer. LINDSAY AFRICA / ZIMMATIC Stand Number 29 Telephone +27 (0)21 986 8900 Website www.lindsay.com As one of the world’s leading providers of irrigation and water management, Zimmatic systems are operating in more than 90 countries. The “Lindsay solution” provides an integrated array of products, systems and services to add value for every grower’s needs. Our product lines include center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems, hose reel travelers, integrated pumping stations, tracking solutions, chemical injection systems, water filtration systems, remote monitoring and control technology, and in-field broadband communication.

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MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING SERVICES CC

MECOSA (PTY) LTD

Stand Number 36 Telephone +27 (0)31 569 5615 Website www.mescc.co.za

Stand Number 21 Telephone +27 (0)11 257 6100 Website www.mecosa.co.za

Maintenance Engineering Services CC was established in 1996, with its core activity being the design, supply and maintenance of the equipment used by SASA Cane Testing Service as well as sampling equipment of other factory products. This comprises the equipment used to sample and analyse consignments of cane delivered to the cane factory, for payment to the cane suppliers.

Mecosa (Pty) Ltd is a leading supplier of Process Instrumentation in Southern Africa. In the sugar industry Mecosa (Pty) Ltd specializes in Brix concentration, density, moisture, flow, level, pressure, pH and conductivity measurement. Mecosa (Pty) Ltd has been serving the industry for more than 35 years and continues to grow from strength to strength.

MAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD Stand Number 45 Telephone +27 (0)11 842 0700 Website www.man-es.com Your partner - MAN Energy Solutions, future in the making. We work in close partnership with our customers and swiftly guide them towards optimum solutions based on superior business, operational and technical expertise. We use digitization as an enabler to expand and integrate our offerings and to improve the way we operate. MAN Energy Solutions is a global organization with a regional approach. Our strong After Sales Service for Diesel & Turbo 24 hour / 7 day support with our world class blade and parts manufacturing based in Johannesburg supports our objectives of being closer to the customers in Africa.

NETAFIM SA Stand Number 58 Telephone +27 (0)21 987 0477 Website www.netafim.co.za Netafim is the global leader in smart irrigation solutions. It has 29 subsidiaries across the globe, one of which is Netafim South Africa, housed in Kraaifontein in the Western Cape. Driven by our slogan, ‘Grow more with less™’, our offer includes a wide range of leading irrigation and complementary solutions across all crops, conditions and terrains. Our success is built on 3 pillars, its quality products, the expertise of its employees and the years of accumulated knowledge and experience with which the products are applied.

MATECH-GREENHILLS TECHNOLOGY

PRIVILEGE BIKSONS BOILERS PVT LTD / INDO PUMP & INDO SEALS

Stand Number 44 Telephone +27 (0)82 775 6560 Website www.vogler.nl

Stand Number 6 Telephone +91 20 41241096 / +91 9822840173 Website www.privilegeboilers.co.in

Greenhills Technology developed and produces Seed Crystal Fondant (SCF), a ready-to-use very stable sucrose seeding slurry. It offers an excellent particle size distribution and can optimize the first and most important step of your crystallization process.

We are pleased to introduce ourselves as the Manufacturer of New Boilers, Boiler Modification, Pressure parts Supply, Spent wash Boiler, Boiler Repair.

SCF comes in a version with IPA, and a non-hazardous version without IPA. Matech distributes SCF in South Africa.

We undertake entire Boiler Modification / Up-gradation work, we supply Boiler Tubes, Economiser Coils, Super Heater Coils, Air Pre heater Tubes, PRDSH, Steam Piping, Dust Collectors, etc. We manufacture Spent wash Boilers with Bagasse as support fuel. We supply an EPC Co-Gen project with Spent wash Incineration boiler with coal as support fuel and Steam turbine with all its accessories.

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RHEOCHEM

SASTA (South African Sugar Technologists’ Association)

Stand Number 23 Telephone +27 (0)31 700 3700 Website www.rheochem.com

Stand Number 2 Telephone +27 (0)31 508 7543 Website www.sasta.co.za

Rheochem specialises in application technology relating to chemicals used during the production of sugar. We offer a full range of speciality chemicals including flocculants, decolorisation aids, evaporator scale inhibitors, enzymes (both amylase and dextranase), defoamers, biocides and drinking water and effluent treatment chemicals.

SASTA, founded in 1926, is an association of people interested in the technical aspects of the SA sugar industry. SASTA operates under the aegis of the South African Sugar Association, but is governed under its own constitution by a Council, elected by its members. SASTA organises the annual SASTA Congress, 2017 being the 90th! Workshops, visits to factories, farms and sites of interest are periodically arranged around topical issues. SASTA publishes the annual Congress Proceedings and the official methods SASTA Laboratory Manual.

ROSSI GEARMOTORS PTY LTD Stand Number 10 & 11 Telephone +27 (0)32 815 0380 Website www.rossi.com/southafrica Rossi Southern Africa is fast becoming the local leader for driving all sugar manufacturing applications. Due to our geographical location, Rossi SA is the only industrial gearbox OEM HQ operating out of KZN at the Dube Trade Port. Rossi SA is a fully capable company able to design, manufacture, assemble and repair gear-boxes in excess of 3 million Nm for all sugar applications.

Benefits of SASTA membership: • opportunity for the sharing of scientific and technical knowledge at SASTA Congress • member rates for SASTA Congresses and other SASTA events • member prices for SASTA publications • access to participation at SASTA Congress trade exhibitions • email notifications and newsletters regarding Congress, Field Days, Workshops, AGM etc.

ROTATING TECHNOLOGIES & SERVICES

Contact: SASTA Secretariat SASTA.Secretariat@sugar.org.za

Stand Number 40 Telephone +27 (0)11 421 5904 / +27 (0)76 548 6002 Website www.rtserv.co.za RTS is a leading specialist Engineering Services provider dedicated to the installation, maintenance and repair of steam turbine plant, compressors, gear boxes and their control systems. Work is carried out throughout Africa in all major industries. We have a modern well equipped factory with in-house white metal bearing manufacture and mobile workshops that facilitate on-site tooling for major projects.

S. B. RESHELLERS & FORTEK (MAURITIUS) LTD Stand Number 54 & 55 Telephone +91 231 2658297 Website www.sbreshellers.com www.forgestardieu.com SB Reshellers is the leading manufacturer of Sugar Mill rollers, Mill spares and Mill Tandems. We have state of art foundry and machining facilities at Kolhapur, India. With multiple patented products, we export to over 23 countries worldwide. Our partners Fortek (Mauritius) Ltd are a wholly owned subsidiary of Forges Tardieu Ltd, an established brand in the sugar market known for their quality and innovations. SCHAUENBURG SYSTEMS Stand Number 41 Telephone +27 (0)11 974 0006 Website www.schauenburg.co.za Schauenburg Systems is the original equipment manufacturer of Gas Detection Instrumentation, Fire Detection and Environmental equipment as well as Collision Awareness Systems/Proximity Detection and Tracking systems for both mining and industrial markets.

SASTA 2019 | 95

SEW-EURODRIVE

SUCROTECH

Stand Number 52 & 53 Telephone +27 (0)31 902 3815 Website www.sew-eurodrive.co.za

Stand Number 48 Telephone +27 (0)31 579 2211 Website www.sucrotech.co.za

The importance of the sugar industry in KwaZulu-Natal to SEW-EURODRIVE (Pty) Ltd. as a key growth area for its complete drive solutions will be underscored when it exhibits at the 92nd SASTA congress. Here it will showcase its robust drive engineering solutions, which are ideal for sugar production. Its geared motors are ideal for horizontal crystallisers, filters, clarifiers, conveyors, batch pans and mixers, and packaging. SONKOR ENGINEERING (PTY) LTD Stand Number 12 & 13 Telephone +27 (0)32 946 5904 Website www.sonkor.co.za www.spec-cast.co.za Sonkor Engineering, in association with Qadbros Engineering & Fives, bring to the sugar industry, an array of world recognised equipment and spares. Together with our technology partners, we are able to offer sugar factories, within the African continent, full turnkey solutions, from the design to final manufacture, supply and commissioning of preparation, milling and processing equipment. The service, commitment and strength of Sonkor is to fully assist and proactively help its clients maximize the performance of their equipment during operation. In addition, we pride ourselves in offering, on time deliveries of high quality, cost effective equipment and spares to our customers. SQR SOFTWARE Stand Number 28 Telephone +27 (0)33 347 5491 Website www.sqrsoftware.com

SUGAREQUIP Stand Number 15 Telephone +27 (0)31 201 0285 Website www.sugarequip.com At Sugarequip, we believe in finding a better way of doing things, by exploring, experimenting, and innovating. We support the local and international sugar industry in the development, design and manufacture of processing and laboratory equipment, stocking various strategic spares, screens and replacement parts as well as providing technical support and consulting on equipment performance as well as capital projects. TECHNO-QUIP 2000 Stand Number 8 & 9 Telephone +27 (0)82 855 7619 Website www.technoquip2000.com Techno-Quip 2000, a techno-commercial business established in 1994, markets, sells and distributes industrial goods to process industries underpinned by world-class supplier partnerships which include, but not limited to: Cordoba Industrials (horizontal vacuum press filtration systems), LEMASA (high-pressure water cleaning systems), Goudsmit Magnetics (magnetic systems) and Barriquand Technologies Thermiques (Platular Heat Exchangers). Furthermore, a strategic alliance covering the entire African continent with Forges Tardieu, Mauritius, an Engineering Group offering specialised services, allows us to provide custom-designed turnkey solutions.

SQR Software provides a range of comprehensive agricultural management tools for the sugarcane industry, for both independent farmers and corporates alike. CanePro provides insights into potential problems, supports decision making and offers expert guidance for effective problem solving.

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TIMKEN SOUTH AFRICA

TURBINE GENERATOR SERVICES

Stand Number 14 Telephone +27 (0)11 741 3800 Website www.timken.com

Stand Number 49 Telephone +27 (0)31 705 3800 Website www.tgs.co.za

The Timken Company engineers, manufactures and markets bearings, gear drives, belts, chain, couplings, lubrication systems and related products, and offers a spectrum of powertrain rebuild/repair services.

Turbine Generator Services offers a full range of specialist services to satisfy our customers power generation needs, from routine maintenance to major overhauls and comprehensive co-generation up-grades.

The leading authority on tapered roller bearings.

These services are enhanced by our principals, NG Allen, Baker Hughes, a GE company encompassing Lufkin and Allen Gears as well as Heinzmann with their wide range digital governors and co-generation control systems.

Timken applies its knowledge of metallurgy, tribology and mechanical power transmission across a variety of bearings and related systems to improve the reliability and efficiency of machinery and equipment all around the world. TOPCON AGRICULTURE Stand Number 1 Telephone +27 (0)83 233 5497 Website www.topconpositioning.com/agriculture Topcon Agricultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing portfolio bring the power of precision to farming operations around the World. Topcon Agriculture serves agribusinesses, professional farmers and agricultural contractors with leading edge, innovative technology that is easy-to-learn and easy-to-use. The Topcon family of brands has enabled us to reach across all phases of precision farming. Topcon precision agriculture technology helps you increase productivity, reduce inputs and maximize yield potential.

UNIVERSAL WATER SOLUTIONS CC Stand Number 17 Telephone +27 (0)31 312 3307 Website www.uws.co.za Universal Water Solutions is a supplier of water quality monitoring equipment in the Kwa-Zulu Natal area. We have partnered with one of the leading names in water analysis, an American company called Hach Company, to offer customers a wide variety of quality and dependable products for lab, process, field analysis and on line monitoring. Universal Water Solutions serves the paper & pulp, sugar, municipal drinking & waste water and other industrial markets.

TRILLIUM FLOW TECHNOLOGIES

VERDER PUMPS & THE PUMPSMITH

Stand Number 31 Telephone +27 (0)10 822 6911 Website www.trilliumflow.com

Stand Number 63 Telephone +27 (0)11 704 7500 Website www.verder.co.za

Trillium Flow Technologies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ex: Weir Flow Control has been founded on a legacy of premier products and service and will continue to provide mission critical valves, pumps and aftermarket services. Our innovative approach will deliver the support you need through design, installation and operation, providing continuity and confidence in your flow control.

Verder Pumps South Africa (Pty) Ltd was established in 2002 and over the past 16 years has become a leading pump supplier throughout South Africa and Africa with a reputation for providing reliable, cost-effective and durable pumping solutions. Verder Pumps offers a wide range of industrial pumps including; Peristaltic, Double Diaphragm, Hygienic Stainless Steel, Rotary Lobe, Piston, Twin-Screw and Mag Drive Pumps.

SASTA 2019 | 97

VOITECHNIK

ZUNGU-ELGIN ENGINEERING

Stand Number 42 & 43 Telephone +27 (0)73 230 4984 Website www.voitechnik.com

Stand Number 46 Telephone +27 (0)82 851 9281 Website www.zungu-elgin.co.za

Representing the following international companies: • IPRO: German consultants to the cane and beet sugar industry. • Airpower: High quality valves from Germany, designed for the sugar industry. • Rhine Ruhr, agents for FOSS: Online NIR for cane and bagasse analysis. • Marrari: online bagasse moisture and volume measurement. Woodchip moisture analysis instruments. • DropWise: Non-stick coatings for heat exchangers and evaporators.

The Zungu-Elgin Engineering business has been established for over 70 years and is one of the leading Engineering Design and Manufacturing companies in South Africa offering innovative engineering solutions to the Sugar, Petrochemical, Pulp and Paper, Chemical, Energy, Mining and Minerals, Maritime, and Steel industries.

ZEST WEG GROUP Stand Number 51 Telephone +27 (0)11 723 6000 Website www.zestweg.com Zest WEG Group provides complete electrical solutions for sugar and ethanol plants. Highly competent engineers assess customer requirements and recommend power and energy efficient fit-for-purpose solutions that will meet all operational parameters.

Zungu-Elgin Engineering is a world class company providing safe, quality, turnkey solutions for manufacturing and installation of equipment throughout Africa. We are wellknown for the manufacturing of Pressure Vessels, Heat Exchangers, Columns, Sugar Factory Process Equipment, complete Sugar Crushing Mills and Mill Rollers, Foundry Castings and various mechanical equipment. We have a 25000m² facility under roof which is serviced by overhead cranes for material preparation, heavy fabrication and welding, foundry, medium to heavy machining, CNC drilling and machining, dished end forming, heat treatment, and industrial painting. We have a logistical advantage of being placed in the Port of Durban, which makes ease of access to shipping. Our manufacturing expertise are backed by in-house, front-end design and drawing, planning and a quality management system to ISO 9001:2008.

SASTA 2019 | 98

SASTA OFFICERS 1926 – 2019 COUNCIL OF THE ASSOCIATION 2017 – 2019 Patron: S NAIDOO CM BAKER (Vice-President)

P GOVENDER

M KADWA

WK LAWLOR

S MADHO

K McFARLANE

G NAIDOO

K RAGHUNANDAN

S RAMGAREEB (Congress Chair)

PM SCHORN

B SMALL

GT SMITH (President)

A STARK

DL SWEBY

FORMER PRESIDENTS 1926-27

M MCMASTER

1957-58

JPN BENTLEY

1988-89

PK MOBERLY

1927-28

M MCMASTER

1958-59

JPN BENTLEY

1989-90

PK MOBERLY

1928-29

HH DODDS

1959-60

JPN BENTLEY

1990-91

PW REIN

1929-30

HH DODDS

1960-61

JL DU TOIT

1991-92

PW REIN

1930-31

GS MOBERLY

1961-62

JL DU TOIT

1992-93

PW REIN

1931-32

GC DYMOND

1962-63

JL DU TOIT

1993-94

PW REIN

1932-33

GC DYMOND

1963-64

JR GUNN

1994-95

PH HEWITT

1933-34

BED PEARCE

1964-65

JR GUNN

1995-96

PH HEWITT

1934-35

E CAMDEN-SMITH

1965-66

JR GUNN

1996-97

GB O'REILLY

1935-36

GC WILSON

1966-67

LF CHIAZZARI

1997-98

GB O'REILLY

1936-37

GC WILSON

1967-68

LF CHIAZZARI

1998-99

TJ MURRAY

1937-38

J RAULT

1968-69

TG CLEASBY

1999-00

TJ MURRAY

1938-39

P MURRAY

1969-70

TG CLEASBY

2000-01

TJ MURRAY

1939-40

P MURRAY

1970-71

TG CLEASBY

2001-02

TJ MURRAY

1940-41

EP HEDLEY

1971-72

TG CLEASBY

2002-03

MS GREENFIELD

1941-42

FW HAYES

1972-73

J WILSON

2003-04

MS GREENFIELD

1942-43

A MCMARTIN

1973-74

J WILSON

2004-05

KM HURLY

1943-44

G BOOTH

1974-75

J WILSON

2005-06

SS MUNSAMY

1944-45

GS MOBERLY

1975-76

JB ALEXANDER

2006-07

PM SCHORN

1945-46

GS MOBERLY

1976-77

JB ALEXANDER

2007-08

PM SCHORN

1946-47

W BUCHANAN

1977-78

GD THOMPSON

2008-09

PM SCHORN

1947-48

W BUCHANAN

1978-79

GD THOMPSON

2009-10

PM SCHORN

1948-49

JL DU TOIT

1979-80

GD THOMPSON

2010-11

GT SMITH

1949-50

HH DODDS

1980-81

GD THOMPSON

2011-12

GT SMITH

1950-51

A MCMARTIN

1981-82

GW SHUKER

2012-13

GT SMITH

1951-52

GC DYMOND

1982-83

GW SHUKER

2013-14

GT SMITH

1952-53

GC DYMOND

1983-84

AB RAVNO

2014-15

GT SMITH

1953-54

GC DYMOND

1984-85

AB RAVNO

2015-16

GT SMITH

1954-55

GC DYMOND

1985-86

AB RAVNO

2016-17

GT SMITH

1955-56

JB GRANT

1986-87

AB RAVNO

2017-19

GT SMITH

1956-57

JB GRANT

1987-88

PK MOBERLY

SASTA 2019 | 99

FORMER VICE-PRESIDENTS 1926-27

LE ROUILLARD

1956-57

WG GALBRATH

1988-89

PW REIN

1927-28

HH DODDS

1957-58

JL DU TOIT

1989-90

PW REIN

1928-29

GS MOBERLY

1958-59

JL DU TOIT

1990-91

GW SHUKER

1929-30

GS MOBERLY

1959-60

JL DU TOIT

1991-92

PH HEWITT

1930-31

GC DYMOND

1960-61

J DICK

1992-93

PH HEWITT

1931-32

AC WATSON

1961-62

JPN BENTLEY

1993-94

PH HEWITT

1932-33

AC WATSON

1962-63

JPN BENTLEY

1994-95

GB O'REILLY

1933-34

GC DYMOND

1963-64

LF CHIAZZARI

1995-96

GB O'REILLY

E CAMDEN-SMITH

1964-65

LF CHIAZZARI

1996-97

TJ MURRAY

1934-35

BED PEARCE

1965-66

LF CHIAZZARI

1997-98

TJ MURRAY

1935-36

E CAMDEN-SMITH

1966-67

TG CLEASBY

1998-99

BS PURCHASE

1936-37

J RAULT

1967-68

TG CLEASBY

1999-00

BS PURCHASE

1937-38

P MURRAY

1968-69

JB ALEXANDER

2000-01

BS PURCHASE

1938-39

EP HENDLEY

1969-70

JB ALEXANDER

2001-02

MS GREENFIELD

1939-40

EP HENDLEY

1970-71

JB ALEXANDER

2002-03

KM HURLY

1940-41

FW HAYES

1971-72

JB ALEXANDER

2003-04

KM HURLY

1941-42

A MCMARTIN

1972-73

M MATIC

2004-05

SS MUNSAMY

1942-43

G BOOTH

1973-74

M MATIC

2005-06

RA BAILEY

1943-44

FB MACBETH

1974-75

M MATIC

2006-07

DL SWEBY

1944-45

G BOOTH

1975-76

GW SHUKER

2007-08

DL SWEBY

1945-46

W BUCHANAN

1976-77

GW SHUKER

2008-09

DL SWEBY

1946-47

GC DYMOND

1977-78

GW SHUKER

2009-10

DL SWEBY

1947-48

GC DYMOND

1978-79

GW SHUKER

2010-11

BM MUIR

1948-49

GC DYMOND

1979-80

GW SHUKER

1949-50

JL DU TOIT

1980-81

GW SHUKER

KA REDSHAW 2011-12

KA REDSHAW

1950-51

OWM PEARCE

1981-82

AB RAVNO

2012-13

KA REDSHAW

1951-52

OWM PEARCE

1982-83

AB RAVNO

2013-14

KA REDSHAW

1952-53

K DOUWES-DEKKER

1983-84

PK MOBERLY

2014-15

KA REDSHAW

1953-54

JB GRANT

1984-85

PK MOBERLY

2015-16

CM BAKER

1954-55

K DOUWES-DEKKER

1985-86

PK MOBERLY

2016-17

CM BAKER

1955-56

GC DYMOND

1986-87

PK MOBERLY

2017-18

CM BAKER

WG GALBRATH

1987-88

PW REIN

FORMER CONGRESS ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRS 2013-14

DL SWEBY

2015-16

S RAMGAREEB

2014-15

S RAMGAREEB

2016-17

S RAMGAREEB

2017-18

S RAMGAREEB

2017-18

A VAN DER NEST

FORMER TREASURERS 2013-14

A VAN DER NEST

2015-16

A VAN DER NEST

2014-15

A VAN DER NEST

2016-17

A VAN DER NEST

SASTA 2019 | 100

2019 EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS Adapt IT (Pty) Ltd

Altra Industrial Motion SA (Pty) Ltd

Anton Paar Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd

API Solutions International (Pty) Ltd

Bearings International

Bell Equipment

BMA / Sucrotech

BMG

Bonfiglioli SA

Bosch Projects (Pty) Ltd

Brenley Engineering Sales CC

Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Buckman Africa

CMG Pumps

DMR Stainless Steel Suppliers

Dux Agri (Pty) Ltd

HAVER & BOECKER

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Emineo Ltd

Hanna Instruments (Pty) Ltd

HAVER Southern Africa

Industrial Water Cooling (IWC)

John King Chains SA

John Thompson (Pty) Ltd

Kelvion Services (Pty) Ltd

Kirton Mechanical Equipment S

S S

Klüber Lubrication

Lakeside Equipment

Lindsay Africa / Zimmatic

Maintenance Engineering Services cc

MAN Energy Solutions (Pty) Ltd

Matech-Greenhills Technology

Mecosa (Pty) Ltd

Netafim SA (Pty) Ltd

Privilege Biksons Boilers PVT. LTD.

Publishing Powerhouse

Rheochem

Rossi Gearmotors (Pty) Ltd

Rotating Technologies & Services

Sew Eurodrive

S. B. Reshellers Pvt. Ltd & Fortek (Mauritius) Ltd

Sonkor Engineering (Pty) Ltd

SASTA

SQR Software

Schauenburg Systems

Sugarequip

SOUTH AFRICAN SUGARCANE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Sustainable Sugar (Bonsucro, SASRI, Solidaridad, Fairtrade)

Trillium Flow Technologies

Techno-Quip 2000

Timken

Topcon Agriculture

Turbine Generator Services

Universal Water Solutions cc

Verder Pumps & The Pumpsmith

Voitechnik

Zest Weg Group

Zungu-Elgin Engineering

SASTA 2019 | 101

SEW-EURODRIVE–Driving the world

Quality. Innovation. Efficiency. Sugar industry solutions from SEW-EURODRIVE (Pty) Ltd. In harsh, wet and demanding processing environments, only the tough survive. Maintaining 24/7 productivity and stringent hygienic standards is critical. That’s why SEW-EURODRIVE offers a rugged and reliable range of products and integrated solutions that stand up to the rigorous uptime demands and high wash-down pressures of the Food and Beverage industry. From bakeries to bottling to meat and poultry processing, SEW-EURODRIVE has solutions tailored to meet specific application challenges in hygiene, performance and price. SEW-EURODRIVE – Driving the world

Cape Town Branch Tel: +27 21 528 7600

Johannesburg Branch Tel: +27 11 248 7000

Nelspruit Branch Tel: +27 13 752 8007

Port Elizabeth Branch Tel: +27 41 372 2244/6

SEW-EURODRIVE (Pty) Ltd Durban Branch 48 Prospecton Road, Isipingo, 4133 Durban P.O. Box 10433, Ashwood 3605 Tel: +27 31 902 3815 Fax: +27 31 902 3826 www.sew-eurodrive.co.za