Cropping Techniques department
Established in 2007, the Cropping Techniques Department has gradually broadened its areas of expertise by developing diverse research and innovation programs and enhancing knowledge transfer through a dedicated demonstration plot network. This enables the department to promote environmentally sound, sustainable, and economically efficient farming practices for sugarcane growers.
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Weed control, through the TROPH project (Tests for the Reduction and Optimisation of Herbicide Products), which aims to maintain effective weed control solutions in a context of evolving herbicide regulations, and the IDECAS project (Innovations and Knowledge for Sugarcane Weed Management), led by eRcane under the PARSADA programme, which develops alternative solutions based on agronomic, mechanical and agroecological approaches;
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Sugarcane fertilization and soil fertility, addressed through three complementary areas: optimising the use of mineral fertilizers and soil amendments in partnership with CTICS; agronomic assessment of residual organic fertilising materials within the TERO project to promote their use as partial substitutes for imported fertilisers; and improving fertilisation strategies through the updating of the TypTerres soil reference system and the development of the Amenda decision-support tool;
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Optimising planting operations and advancing the mechanisation of crop management practices, through the evaluation of innovative planting techniques, reduced tillage approaches, the valorisation of harvest residues, and the development of innovative equipment adapted to the production conditions of Réunion Island;
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Dissemination of innovations and technical support for growers, based on the production of technical references, the development of communication tools, and the RITA Sugarcane demonstration plot network. Established on commercial farms and coordinated by a dedicated eRcane team, these demonstration plots make it possible to validate innovations under real farming conditions, encourage their adoption by growers, and strengthen exchanges between farmers, technical advisors and industry stakeholders.
Weed Control unit
Fertilization & soil fertility unit
With yields exceeding 80 tons per hectare in many production areas, sugarcane cultivation requires substantial amounts of nutrients. Maintaining soil fertility is therefore a major challenge for ensuring the long-term productivity of farms, improving crop resilience to climatic stresses, and safeguarding the competitiveness of the sugar industry. To address these challenges while minimizing environmental impacts, eRcane conducts research aimed at optimizing sugarcane fertilization practices.
This work focuses on mineral fertilizers, organic residual fertilizers and amendments, biostimulants, and integrated organo-mineral fertilization strategies. The objective is to improve understanding of their agronomic, economic, and environmental performance, promote the use of local resources within a circular economy framework, and enhance the efficiency of nitrogen and other nutrient use.
Knowledge and references generated through the TERO and Optiti projects, together with research on nitrogen losses and soil fertility, support the development of the Amenda fertilization decision-support tool. This tool tailors fertilizer recommendations to soil characteristics, agro-climatic conditions, and production goals, helping growers adopt fertilization strategies that are more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable.
Planting & mechanization
The team conducts research aimed at developing and evaluating innovative crop management practices, from planting through the first harvest, with a particular focus on reduced tillage, direct planting, and the mechanization of field operations.
In addition to projects on weed management and fertilization, the team evaluates a range of solutions for mechanical weed control, crop residue management, and cover crop establishment to reduce reliance on herbicides and improve the sustainability of production systems. Research is also being conducted on the localized placement of mineral and organic fertilizers beneath the sugarcane mulch layer to improve nutrient-use efficiency and reduce environmental losses.
Several tools and pieces of equipment are being tested, adapted, or developed as part of this work, including:
- equipment for stool destruction and reduced-tillage soil preparation;
- machinery for direct or semi-direct sugarcane planting;
- mechanical weed control tools adapted to different soil and climatic conditions;
- equipment for cover crop seeding and crop residue management;
- machinery for the localized application and incorporation of organic and mineral fertilizers;
- precision agriculture technologies for seeding, fertilizer application, and targeted spraying.
Mechanization represents a key lever for addressing labor shortages, reducing production costs, and improving working conditions. These activities are carried out in partnership with growers, equipment manufacturers, and stakeholders across the sugar industry. The resulting innovations are transferred to industry professionals through field demonstrations, training programs, and support provided to the RITA Sugarcane Demonstration Plot Network.
Dissemination of techniques and advice
To disseminate research-validated innovations, techno-economic references, and experimental results, eRcane relies on a network of local advisors together with a range of extension, communication, and technical support tools. The objective is to help sugarcane growers improve their farming practices, optimize crop management strategies, and adopt agroecological solutions tailored to the diverse agricultural regions of Réunion Island.
Through field demonstrations, technical outreach activities, and personalized support, eRcane facilitates the transfer of knowledge and innovation from research to practice, helping growers enhance the sustainability, productivity, and resilience of their farming systems.
Among these initiatives, the RITA Cane demonstration plot network, coordinated by eRcane, serves as a major vehicle for the transfer of innovation. Distributed across the island’s different sugarcane-growing regions and supported by a dedicated team of technicians and engineers, these demonstration plots make it possible to evaluate farming practices under real production conditions, generate locally relevant references, and encourage knowledge exchange among growers.
As true technical showcases, the plots regularly host field visits, live demonstrations, training sessions, and on-farm discussion meetings, bringing together sugarcane growers as well as stakeholders from across the industry, including research, extension, and agricultural education organizations.
A wide range of communication materials are developed and distributed through the Sugarcane Service Centers as well as on several online platforms, including eRcane, COATIS, and ECOPHYTOPIC. These materials include technical factsheets, trial reports, scientific papers, posters, and videos produced both internally and in partnership with Terres d’ici.
These communication tools are complemented by numerous outreach and knowledge-transfer activities, such as field trial visits; participation in technical extension events (including Agrofert’îles, Fertisol, Karfour Canne, and the Bras-Panon Agricultural Fair); contributions to agricultural education and training programs (agricultural high schools, two-year agricultural technology degrees, BPREA programs, and MFR training centers); as well as participation in the publication of the Caro Canne journal.
