SASTA 2016 Congress Book

ABSTRACTS & EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY 16 - 18 AUGUST 2016

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association International Convention Centre Durban, South Africa

Visit us on Stand 40-41

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3

SASTA COUNCIL 2015 – 2016

President: Gavin Smith

Vice-President: Carolyn Baker

Treasurer: Adri van der Nest

COC Chair: Sumita Ramgareeb

Deborah Sweby

(Industry Support Manager, SMRI) Council portfolios: Chair of Council, Finance SubCommittee, Chair of FCAC Sub-Committee, Factory Industry Liaison, International Visitors’ Grant, Lab Manual

(Director, SASRI) Council portfolios: Finance Sub-Committee, Publicity, Agriculture Industry Liaison, International Visitors’ Grant

(Extension and Biosecurity Resource Manager, SASRI) Council portfolios: Treasurer, Chair of Finance Sub-Committee

(Resource Manager: Breeding and Field Services Resource Unit, SASRI).

Council portfolios: Congress Organising Committee Chair, Finance Sub-Committee

(Molecular Biologist, SASRI) Council portfolios: Congress Organising Committee – Head of Scientific portfolio, Agriculture Editor-inchief, Publicity

Warren Lawlor

Keith McFarlane

Steve Peacock

Paul Schorn

David Sutherland

(Senior Manager: Projects, RCL Foods) Council Portfolios: Finance Sub-Committee, Factory Industry Liaison, Congress Organising Committee - Head of Finance portfolio

(Crossing Officer, SASRI) Council Portfolios: Field Trips, Agriculture Industry Liaison, Congress Organizing Committee – delegate events

(Head of Operations Support – Sugar, Technology Group, THS) Council portfolios: Factory Industry Liaison, Website Manager, Congress Organising Committee – Scientific portfolio, Factory Editor

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

(Agricultural Manager SA MCP, Illovo Sugar Limited) Council portfolios: Agriculture Industry Liaison

Alana Patton

Shaun Madho

Kathy Hurly

Simphiwe Buthelezi

Natasha Sharma

Crop Scientist, Agronomy, SASRI Council Portfolios: Congress Organising Committee – Head of Delegate Events, media and promotions portfolio

(Group Leader of Adaptive Research, SMRI).

Council portfolios: Factory Industry Liaison, Publicity, Lab Manual

(CANEGROWERS’ Director Regional Services) Council portfolios: Agriculture Industry Liaison, International Visitors’ Grant

(Resource Manager, CBRC, SASRI) Council portfolios: Congress Organising Committee – Delegate Events portfolio, Publicity

(Production Manager, Maidstone, THS) Council portfolios: Congress Organising Committee - Scientific portfolio, Factory editorin-chief

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

5

CONTENTS SASTA Awards 1962 - 2015 Congress 2016 Abstracts and Speaker Biographies Exhibitor Floorplan and Directory SASTA Officers 1926 - 2016 Opening Session Watch this space: Expanding our Imagination and our World Showcasing the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Plenary Session Review of South African sugarcane production in the 2015/2016 season: testing times Ninety-first annual review of the milling season in Southern Africa (2015/2016) Strategies for monitoring energy consumption in sugarcane processing factories Ten years of area-wide integrated pest management with a push-pull component against Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in sugarcane in the Midlands North region of KwaZulu-Natal Drought Workshop Climate Proofing Sugarcane Agriculture: The SASRI Integrated Research, Development and Innovation Portfolio. (Poster presentation) Water shortage experiences at Amatikulu Mill: Drought. (Full paper presentation) Agriculture Session 1: Entomology: White Grub Control Evaluation of two Beauveria brongniartii isolates for pathogenicity against different life stages of white grub species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in South African sugarcane Sugarcane white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Africa and Indian Ocean islands: their pest status and the potential for fungal entomopathogenic control Understanding the biology and olfactory mechanism used in the detection of host plant volatiles by two important sugarcane pests in the KZN Midlands Agriculture Session 2: Agronomy: Improving Crop Growth Variable responses to mulching in 3 regions of the South African sugarcane industry Driving factors of crop residue layer effects on sugarcane development & water use Pot trial phenotyping to predict genotype field performance with the Canegro model Quantifying the negative impact of lodging on irrigated sugarcane productivity: a crop modelling assessment Improving nitrogen use efficiency in sugarcane via a genetic modification approach Practical measurement of granular Servian® for knapsack application to control Cyperus rotundus Agriculture Session 3: Soils Soil organic matter under sugarcane: levels, composition and dynamics Evaluation of the impact of a range of soil ameliorants on soil chemical and biological properties Rapid screening of soils for salt problems using 1:5 soil: water suspensions and midinfrared spectroscopy Site specific guidelines for vinasse and CMS disposal on irrigated sugarcane lands in southern Africa Agriculture Session 4: Socio-Economic Studies & Session 5: Agricultural Engineering Women in cane growing: case studies of rural women in the cane growing regions of the South African sugar industry Impact of accompanying measures for sugar protocol (AMSP) in Malawi: A case study of Kasinthula Cane Growers’ Association Precision Agriculture Information System based on wireless sensor networks: a proposal Payload determination for vehicle combinations Agriculture Session 6: Varieties & Breeding Location and crop-year effects on sugarcane genotype yield, quality and agronomic traits in the coastal short cycle breeding programmes Family versus individual genotype selection for sugarcane yield in Midlands breeding populations of South Africa Investigating sugarcane genotype x environment interactions in the northern area of the Swaziland sugar industry using variance components & biplot analysis Estimates of sugarcane cultivar genetic gains for the irrigated region of South Africa Agriculture Session 7: Nutrition Prediction of the potassium requirement factor for soils of the S.A. sugar industry Crop age effects on leaf nutrient concentrations: Implications for interpretive criteria Field evaluation of condensed molasses solubles as potassium fertiliser for sugarcane

Chair: Gavin Smith Guest Speaker: Dr Adriana Marais, “Mars One Candidate” Tim Murray Chair: Carolyn Baker Singels A, McFarlane SA, Way MJ, Nicholson R & Sithole P Smith GT, Davis SB, Madho S & Achary M Foxon KM, Loubser RC, Smith GT, Davis SB & Stolz HNP

7 - 14 15 - 80 81 - 90 91 - 92

15

16 17 18

Conlong DE, Webster T & Wilkinson D

19

Chair: Adey Wynne

Dr Derek Watt, (& van Heerden PDR) SASRI

20

Mr Nkanyiso Manqele, (Zuma S & Ninela M) Mike Way

21

Kheswa N, Laing M & Conlong DE

22

Conlong DE & Ganeshan S

23

Hlalele MA, Conlong DE & Shuttleworth A

24

Chair: Riekert van Heerden Nxumalo BNG & Ramburan S Olivier FC, Singels A & Savage MJ Hoffman N, Singels A, Patton A & Jones MR Paraskevopoulos AL, Singels A, Tweddle PB & van Heerden PDR Snyman SJ, Hajari E, Meyer GM, Maphalala K & Watt MP

25 26 27

29

Campbell PL, Paraskevopoulos AL & Huripurshad S

30

Chair: Adrean Naude N Miles, van Antwerpen R & Ramburan S

31

Elephant D, Miles N & Dlungele P

32

Miles N, Meyer JH, van Antwerpen R & Kanamugire A

33

Meyer JH, van Antwerpen R & McElligott DM

34

Chair: Kathy Hurly

King M & Nicholson RJ

35

28

Khembo M

36

Orozco OA, Lubo CM, Rodriguez LM, Abadia J, Lopez A & Llano G Tweddle P Chair: Sandy Snyman

38

Sengwayo S, Zhou M & Labuschagne M

39

Mbuma NW, Zhou MM & van der Merwe R

40

Dlamini NE & Ramburan S

41

Zhou M Chair: David Sutherland Elephant D & Miles N Poswa L & Miles N van Antwerpen R, Miles N & Meyer JH

42

43 44 45

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

37

6

CONTENTS

Agriculture Session 8: Entomology: Focus on Integrated Pest Management Eldana integrated pest management: The SASRI integrated research, development and innovation portfolio Variance components, broad sense heritabilities and predicted selection gains for Eldana saccharina borer damage among coastal long cycle sugarcane populations Development of handling and transport protocols for Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) for a Sterile Insect Technique Biological control of Chromolaena odorata: Parachaetes insulata spreads its wings Agriculture Session 9: Entomology: Focus on Integrated Pest Management Recent developments in the management of the invasive plant Parthenium hysterophorus using natural enemies Preliminary cellular automaton model for simulating Eldana saccharina infestation in sugarcane Design of an agent-based model for simulating the population dynamics of Eldana saccharina Factory Session 1: Energy and Design Initial study on solar process heat for South African sugar mills Sugarcane leaves and tops: their current use for energy and hurdles to be overcome, particularly in South Africa, for greater utilisation Design evaluation of the possibility of tube vibration in Tall Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers Use of design and design tools to extend equipment life safely Factory Session 2: Factory Posters Elucidating factory losses with NIRS predictions Optimisation of NIRS analysis of mill intermediate samples Water recovery from vinasse using gas hydrate technology Factory Session 3: Factory Performance Sucrose losses across the Gledhow evaporators determined using NIRS predictions How to increase industrial performance using the dry cleaning process on sugarcaneat the mill Vicious cycles in factory operations Factory Session 4: Engineering and Extraction Tracking dynamic hold-up of juice in a cane bed M19: a premium sugar mill roller shell material for better performance of conventional and high performance internal bleeding rollers Diffuser juice screening using fine woven mesh screens: Trial results & full scale design Factory Session 5: Commercial Energy performance contracting Lewatit® ion exchange resin for decolourisation of sugar syrups Selecting the proper generator Factory Session 6: Rawhouse Commercial & Laboratory Locally manufactured powder flocculants for juice clarification Chemical cleaning of evaporation systems The SMRI interlaboratory proficiency scheme - repeatability, reproducibility & more Factory Session 7: Refining Update on the operation and performance of the granular activated carbon plant at Nchalo - 15 years later 15-Day annual maintenance shut: Hulref’s journey from chaos to interdependence Factory Session 8: Ethanol & Commercial Spent wash/vinasse/stillage incineration technology Real time video monitoring benefits for on-line sugar colour analyser & pan microscope The misconception of vibrating motors and the application of “Grass Hopper” vibrating conveyors in the transporting of sugar Process perfection - cane mud Factory Session 9: Boilers and Modelling Four ways of improving boiler efficiency A coal classification method to evaluate boiler performance, using computational fluid dynamics and a fixed bed reactor MATLAB® modelling of a sugar mill: model development and validation

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

Chair: Des Conlong

Watt DA & Rutherford RS

46

Lichakane ML & Zhou MM

47

Serfontein AJ, Addison P & Conlong DE

48

Zachariades C, Uyi OO, Dube N, Strathie LW, Muir D, Conlong DE & Assefa Y Chair: Des Conlong Strathie LW, den Breeyen A, Sambo S, Chidawanyika F, & Gareeb M

49

50

de Wet PD & Potgieter L

51

van Vuuren BJ, Potgieter L & van Vuuren JH

52

Chair: Dave Love Hess S, Beukes H, Smith GT & Dinter F

53

Pierossi MA, Bernhardt HW & Funke T

54

Smith L

55

Naidoo RN & Smith L Chair: Kitty Foxon Madho S, Barker B & Ramaru R Walford SN Croeser N, Naidoo P, Ramjugernath D & Mohammadi AH Chair: Steve Davis Dairam N, Ramaru R, Ngema S, Sutar N & Madho S

56

57 58

60

Mesquita MA & Knihs VL

61

Dlamini EM Chair: Paul Schorn Loubser RC

62

63

Sabnis D & Shaikh M

64

Jensen P Chair: Leon Haggie Chidede M Hermsdorf N, Kotze M, Hardwick J & Hardwick E da Silva JJ & Thackray A Chair: Ntzapokazi Deppa Stevens MW Santos JA & De Lira PCE Walford SN & Pillay V Chair: Craig Jensen Mpesi P, Hardwick EK, Sibale S, Khoza E & Hardwick JG Moodley M, Rambukus Z & Pullock R Chair: Tony Nadasen Balasubramanian S & Kannan P Duc N

65

66 67 68

69 70 71

Nagel JH

76

Livesey I Haigh N & Grimwood GC Chair: Warren Lawlor Kotze C

77

78

van der Merwe SW & du Toit P

79

Starzak M & Davis SB

80

59

72 73

74 75

7

SASTA AWARDS 1962 - 2015 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 1962-2015 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

1962

Talbot-Crosbie

T COVAS

1972

Talbot-Crosbie

JP MURRAY

Kynoch

JR ANDERSON

Triomf

FE RICHARDSON

Talbot-Crosbie

EJ BUCHANAN, K DOUWES-

1963

1973

DEKKER and A VAN HENGEL Kynoch

GS BARLETT

Talbot-Crosbie

AE RABE

Kynoch

RT BISHOP

1974 1964

1975 1965

1966

Talbot-Crosbie

EJ BUCHANAN

Kynoch

JM GOSNELL and GD THOMPSON

Talbot-Crosbie

Prize shared by:

Talbot-Crosbie

B ST C MOOR

Triomf

H ROSTRON

Talbot-Crosbie

No Winner

Triomf

JPM DE ROBILLARD and GA IGGO

Talbot-Crosbie

EFA ROUILLARD

Triomf

1976

RC TURNER and

Talbot-Crosbie

LMSA JULLIENNE

Triomf

JR PILCHER and

RJ JENNINGS Kynoch

G VAN DER MERWE

AJM CARNEGIE 1977

1967

Talbot-Crosbie

A VAN HENGEL

Kynoch

J GLOVER

Talbot-Crosbie

J BRUIJN and RP JENNINGS

Kynoch

G ROTH

1978 1968

1969

1970

1971

PGC BRETT, RL HARDING and RH PAXTON

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

Talbot-Crosbie

RP SCOTT

Triomf

J BURROWS

Talbot-Crosbie

PG MOREL DU BOIL and K SCHAFFLER

Triomf 1979

1980

1981

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

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

8

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

1982

Talbot-Crosbie

LMSA JULLIENNE

1994

Talbot-Crosbie

VC STONE

Triomf

E MEYER and B WORLOCK

Kynoch

BL SCHROEDER, JB ROBINSON PET TURNER and M WALLACE

1983

1984

Talbot-Crosbie

BS PURCHASE

Triomf

TMC BOEVEY and TJ MURRAY

Talbot-Crosbie

GPN KRUGER

Kynoch

PET TURNER

1995

Talbot-Crosbie

PG MOREL DU BOIL

Kynoch

NB LEIBBRANDT

DC WALTHEW and LM TURNER

Kynoch

DB HELLMANN, GG PLATFORD and M WALLACE

1996 1985

Talbot-Crosbie

Talbot-Crosbie

DC WALTHEW and PW WHITELAW

Kynoch

R VAN ANTWERPEN, MG McGLINCHEY, NG INMANBAMBER and ATP BENNIE

1986

Talbot-Crosbie

GRE LIONNET

Kynoch

KM HARBORNE-RUTHERFORD,

1997

RA BAILEY and JB DA GRACA 1987

Talbot-Crosbie Kynoch

PW REIN, MGS COX and

1998

Talbot-Crosbie

KJ SCHAFFLER and MTD DE GAYE

Kynoch

M KEEPING

Talbot-Crosbie

Prize shared by:

G MONTOCCHIO

DM MEADOWS, GT SCHUMANN

TMC BOEVEY and JP FOURIE

and S SOJI; SB DAVIS, M MOODLEY, I SINGH

1988

Talbot-Crosbie

MJ REID

Kynoch

BRF GEORGE

and MW ADENDORFF

Talbot-Crosbie

GRE LIONNET

K McFARLANE;

Kynoch

JH MEYER, RA WOOD and

E MEYER

Kynoch

Prize shared by: CPR CRONJE, RA BAILEY and

1989

RL HARDING 1999 1990

Talbot-Crosbie

CMJ DAY-LEWIS and

Talbot-Crosbie

None

Kynoch

MJ PARSONS

KJ SCHAFFLER Kynoch

NG INMAN BAMBER and

2000

BA STEAD

Talbot-Crosbie

PG MOREL DU BOIL

Kynoch

EJ SCHMIDT, G NARCISO, P FROST and C GERS

1991

Talbot-Crosbie

SJ MADAREE, PW REIN and

Kynoch

RA BAILEY and SA TOUGH

Talbot-Crosbie

Prize shared by:

FC BOTHA and J ROHWER;

MGS COX and P SAHADEO;

MK BUTTERFIELD, A D'HONT and

D MEADOWS and S WADLEY

N BERDING

CM WENMAN

2001

Talbot-Crosbie Kynoch

1992

Kynoch

N MAGASINER, C VAN ALPHEN, M INKSON and B MISPLON Prize shared by:

SJ SNYMAN, KG BLACK BI HUCKETT and MP WATT

2002

Talbot-Crosbie

PB DEVNARAIN, DR ARNOLD and

Kynoch

Prize shared by:

SB DAVIS 1993

Talbot-Crosbie

M MOODLEY

Kynoch

NG INMAN-BAMBER,

E MEYER and N GOVENDER;

TL CULVERWELL and

PJ THORBURN, R VAN ANTWERPEN,

MG McGLINCHEY

JH MEYER and CN BEZUIDENHOUT

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

9

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2003

Talbot-Crosbie

BM SCHOONEES

2010

Talbot-Crosbie

V KOCHERGIN, C GAUDET and

Kynoch

S GUYON, JL VOGEL, J OMARJEE,

M ROBERT

T VAN ANTWERPEN, P CADET and

Kynoch

J BALANDREAU 2004

Talbot-Crosbie Kynoch

DJ LOVE, SD PEACOCK and GT SCHUMANN

O DE HAAS 2011

PJ THORBURN, HL HORAN, IM BIGGS

Talbot-Crosbie

Y NAIDOO and R SIMPSON

Kynoch

V HARRACA, J DU PISSANIE,

and SE PARK 2005

Talbot-Crosbie

L SMITH Prize shared by:

Kynoch

PWL LYNE, E MEYER and

S RAMBURAN, DM McELLIGOTT and

RS RUTHERFORD and DE CONLONG 2012

Talbot-Crosbie

PS JENSEN

Kynoch

S RAMBURAN, T WETTERGREEN,

R HERBERT;

SD BERRY and B SHONGWE

M VAN DEN BERG and MT SMITH 2013 2006

Talbot-Crosbie

PS JENSEN

Kynoch

Prize shared by:

Talbot-Crosbie

L ECHEVERRI and PW REIN

Kynoch

OL KVEDARAS, MG KEEPING,

S RAMBURAN;

F-R GOEBEL and MJ BYRNE

PV RAMOUTHAR, R RHODES, T WETTERGREEN, U PILLAY,

2007

Talbot-Crosbie

No Congress held

Kynoch

No Congress held

MR JONES and R VAN ANTWERPEN 2014

2008

Talbot-Crosbie

R SIMPSON and J OXLEY

Kynoch

SJ SNYMAN, GM MEYER,

Talbot-Crosbie

PS JENSEN, SB DAVIS, DJ LOVE and

Kynoch

PDR VAN HEERDEN, MW ADENDORFF,

A RASSOL

M BANASIAK, TL NICHOLSON,

G LAGERWALL, P BOTHA, CPR CRONJE

T VAN ANTWERPEN, P NAIDOO and

J VAN DER MERWE, N NEL, P SMITH,

JD ERASMUS

E HÖLL, G HYSLOP, V SMITH, A HARRIS, W HARRIS, JB MHLONGO, DM HARRIS,

2009

Talbot-Crosbie Kynoch

BM MUIR, G EGGLESTON and

J DHEOPURSAD, T MATTHEWS and

B BARKER

P NAIDOO

A SINGELS, MA SMIT, M BUTTERFIELD, PDR VAN HEERDEN and

2015

Talbot-Crosbie

RC LOUBSER and PS JENSEN

Kynoch

S RAMBURAN;

M VAN DEN BERG

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

10

ANNUAL CECIL RENAUD AWARDS 1977-2015 Year 1977

1978

1979

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year 1991

Factory

B ST C MOOR

Agricultural

RT BISHOP

Factory

RD ARCHIBALD and C MACK

Agricultural

OP LANDREY

Factory

GG ASHE

Agricultural

No Winner

1992

1993

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Factory

B ST C MOOR

Agricultural

PJB GARDINER and J CAZALET

Factory

RR SANDERS

Agricultural

CG SPALING

Factory

DJ TAYFIELD and EW ANDERSON

Agricultural

OP LANDREY, GG EICHLER and J CHEDZEY

1980

1981

Factory

DCM KEIR

Agricultural

AN MILLS and ER RINGELMAN

Factory

S NORTH-COOMBES, K TAYLER

Agricultural

JG HARDY

and K KOSTER

1982

1983

Factory

P GLAUM and A LANDMAN

Agricultural

PC WISE

1994

1995

1996

Factory

C CREBO, L BACHAN and V PILLAY

Agricultural

PC HENRY and W RHEBERGEN

Factory

M MacNAUGHTON

Agricultural

D McARTHUR and VW SPAULL

Factory

B MISPLON, H VERBANCK and P McINTYRE

Agricultural

PA DONOVAN

Factory

Prize shared by M MOODLEY,

Factory

RAH CHILVERS

Agricultural

JE LONSDALE

Factory

DJ CARLIELL

R PILLAY;

Agricultural

PG BRAITHWAITE

M MOODLEY and PM SCHORN;

1997

DJ BEKKER, PJ PIENAAR and 1984

I SINGH, NJ COETZEE and 1985

Factory

MA GETAZ

E BURMEISTER;

Agricultural

J CHEDZY and JBR FINDLAY

I SINGH, R RILEY and D SEILLIER

Factory

RAH CHILVERS and DJ LOVE

Agricultural

DJ NIXON, M WORKMAN and

Agricultural 1986

1998

PJ GLENDINNING 1987

Factory

GF MANN

Agricultural

CPM SWEET, PW WHITE and

1999

Factory

None

Agricultural

JB CHADWICK

Factory

T DALE and TD KNOETZE

Agricultural

HR ROSTRON, DWF BUTLER and

GH GODWORTH 1988

1989

Factory

RP SCOTT

Agricultural

DAG RALFE

Factory

PM SCHORN, J BECKETT and

Agricultural

TL PEARSE

Factory

DM VAN DEN BERG

Agricultural

RN STATHAM

MD ZWANE 2000

2001

WS GRAHAM 2002 1990

A PRINS, JJ BORNMANN and

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

Factory

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

11

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2003

Factory

Prize shared by:

2008

Factory

S RAMA and SS MUNSAMY

Agricultural

JJ MURRAY

Factory

PM SCHORN, L SMITH, SD PEACOCK,

LJ MELROSE; M MOODLEY, M PILLAY, PM SCHORN, G MITCHELL and

2009

R GELLING Agricultural

DJ LOVE and DJ MUZZELL

Prize shared by:

Agricultural

GW MAHER and L SCHULZ;

AT WYNNE, TJ MURRAY and AB GABRIEL

C PFOTENHAUER 2010 2004

Factory

None

Agricultural

D ARMSTRONG

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

2011 2005

2012 2006

Factory

Prize shared by :

Factory

DJ LOVE

Agricultural

JJ MURRAY

Factory

None

Agricultural

J DLAMINI

Factory

R GENT

Agricultural

KE MATHIAS

Factory

A RAGHUNANDAN, CRC JENSEN,

Agricultural

JJ MURRAY, HNP STOLZ and

M REIN, L SMITH, B STRACHAN and R WIRMINGHAUS;

2013

M NINELA and N RAJOO Agricultural

T MTEMBU and FEA AHMED

Prize shared by: MI LANGTON, JC SMITHERS,

JL BOUWER

CN BEZUIDENHOUT and PWL LYNE; RR FORTMANN, PG BRENCHLEY and

2014

Factory

AK MATHEW

Prize shared by: M NDLAZI, RI SINGH and S NDLOVU; M MBUYAZI and S MHLONGO

2007

Factory

None - No Congress held

Agricultural

None - No Congress held 2015

Agricultural

CPR CRONJE and P SAHADEO

Factory

A MDAKANE and T NDHLALA

Agricultural

None

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

12

SASTA POSTER AWARDS 2000-2015 Year 2000

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Factory

None

2009

Factory

Agricultural

SA McFARLANE and RA BAILEY

SN WALFORD, S EGLI and B MARTINCIGH

Agricultural 2001

Author(s)

PL CAMPBELL, GW LESLIE,

Factory

None

SA McFARLANE, SD BERRY,

Agricultural

SA McFARLANE

R RHODES, R VAN ANTWERPEN,

Factory

None

Agricultural

CN BEZUIDENHOUT and C GERS

RS RUTHERFORD, T VAN ANTWERPEN, 2002

DM McELLIGOTT and DE CONLONG 2010

2003

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Factory

Y NAIDOO and R SIMPSON

Agricultural

DJ NIXON

2011 2004

2012 2005

2006

Factory

None

Agricultural

MT SMITH, A SINGELS and J NEEN

Factory

None

Agricultural

M JONES and M VAN DEN BERG

Factory

None - No Congress held

Agricultural

None - No Congress held

Factory

None

Agricultural

A JUMMAN and NL LECLER

Factory

None

Agricultural

CN BEZUIDENHOUT

Factory

WK LAWLOR

Agricultural

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

2013

Factory

H du CLOU and SN WALFORD

Agricultural

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

2007

2008

2014

Factory

RC LOUBSER

Agricultural

SA McFARLANE, LA MARTIN,

Factory

B BARKER and J WESLEY-SMITH

D WILKINSON, AC KOCH,

Agricultural

SA McFARLANE, T VAN ANTWERPEN,

T VAN ANTWERPEN, N PILLAY and

P GOVENDER and GF BUCHANAN

RS RUTHERFORD 2015

Factory

WK LAWLOR

Agricultural

P SITHOLE and A PARASKEVOPOULOS

JUBILEE AWARDS 2000-2015 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2000

Factory

CRC JENSEN

2009

Factory

None

Agricultural

EJ SCHMIDT

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Factory

Y NAIDOO

Agricultural

None

Agricultural

V HARRACA

Factory

None

Factory

PS JENSEN

Agricultural

None

Agricultural

S RAMBURAN

2003

2006

2011

2015

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

13

INNOVATION AWARDS 2000-2013 Year 2000

2001

2002

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year 2007

Factory

L HELFRICH

Agriculture

D DINKLEMANN

Factory

B GOVENDER

Agricultural

None

Factory

S CHINSAMY

Agricultural

2008

2009

NOODSBERG CANEGROWERS’

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Factory

None

Agricultural

I HILLERMANN

Factory

None

Agricultural

A SINGELS

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

Factory

None

Agricultural

None

ASSOCIATION (Proposed by GW MAHER) 2003

2004

2005

2006

Factory

D DENNIS

Agricultural

None

2010

2011

Factory

None

Agricultural

WH REDINGER

Factory

None

Agricultural

C GARNETT

Factory

None

Agricultural

E ALBERTSE

2012

2013

ROBIN RENTON MEMORIAL AWARD (PGBI PRIZE) 2003-2015 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

2003

LJ MELROSE

2009

Z RAMBAKUS

2004

None

2010

A JUMMAN

2005

None

2011

T NDHLALA

2006

S RAMA

2012

PS JENSEN

2007

None - No Congress held

2013

S SHAH

2008

P SHARMA

2014

DN BOOTE

2015

None

SASTA STUDENT THESIS AWARD 2004-2007 Year

Prize/Award

Author(s)

Year

2004

Agricultural

MH GRAHAM

2006

None

None

2007

None

2005

Prize/Award

Author(s)

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

14

SASTA STUDENT AWARD 2008-2015 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

2012

Factory

SN RAHIMAN

Agricultural

TA GOBLE

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

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

Prize/Award

Author(s) B SKINNER

15

GUEST PRESENTATION

WATCH THIS SPACE: EXPANDING OUR IMAGINATIONS AND OUR WORLD DR ADRIANA MARAIS A presentation on how we are living in a new era of innovation in space exploration, and how the possibility of contributing to the discovery of evidence of extra-terrestrial life is what Adriana Marais finds most fascinating about the prospect of being amongst the first Earthlings to move to Mars. Adriana Marais went to school in Pietermaritzburg, and studied theoretical physics and philosophy at the University of Cape Town. She completed her MSc summa cum laude in quantum cryptography at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and was awarded her PhD in quantum biology at the same institute in 2015. She is a member of the Quantum Research Group established by Prof. Francesco Petruccione at UKZN, and plans to continue doing research in quantum biology, specifically studying quantum effects in photosynthesis as well as the origins of prebiotic molecules and life itself. In 2014 she was one of 200 Young South African achievers recognised by the Mail and Guardian. In 2015 she was one of 15 recipients worldwide of a L’Oreal-UNESCO International Rising Talent Grant for Women in Science for her research into the origins of life. This year she is the Royal Society of South Africa 2016 Meiring Naude Medal awardee for a young researcher, for fundamentally important high impact research in the field of quantum biology. Later this year she will attend the prestigious 66th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting as one of 400 most qualified young scientists selected worldwide.

Since childhood she has dreamed of living on another planet, and is currently one of the 100 Mars One Project astronaut candidates in the running to move to the red planet in 2026. She hopes one day to continue her research on Mars, and possibly even contribute to the discovery of evidence that life once existed there. Adriana believes that education comes with the responsibility to share knowledge, and while still on Earth, is actively involved in the promotion of science and space exploration. Adriana is the Special Project Coordinator for the Foundation for Space Development South Africa, an exciting initiative which includes the Africa2Moon project. She has given numerous talks since 2014, inspiring school children, teenagers and adults around South Africa and abroad to get excited about science. She encourages young and old to believe in their dreams and remember Nelson Mandela’s words “It always seems impossible until it’s done”.

See http://adrianamarais.org/ for more information.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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REFEREED PAPER

REVIEW OF SOUTH AFRICAN SUGARCANE PRODUCTION IN THE 2015/2016 SEASON: TESTING TIMES SINGELS A1, MCFARLANE SA1, WAY M1, NICHOLSON R 2 AND SITHOLE P1 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, RSA South African Cane Growers’ Association, 170 Flanders Drive, Mt Edgecombe, 4300, RSA abraham.singels@sugar.org.za 1

2

Abstract The objectives of this paper are to characterise South African sugarcane production for the 2015/16 milling season from an agricultural perspective. This is done 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. The 2015 season will be remembered for severely dry conditions in the rainfed production areas causing stunted growth and very low yields.

Eldana incidence and damage increased, especially on the coast. Although irrigated yields were good, water supplies became limited toward the end of the season and have dwindled further into 2016. Cane quality was negatively affected in 2015, with frosted and droughted cane being carried over from 2014 in the Midlands, and by unseasonal July rainfall in rainfed areas. Although average smut levels in the industry continued to decline, incidence in the irrigated areas remained problematic and will require rigorous control measures in 2016. Mosaic levels rose sharply in Malelane and were also high in the Midlands and North Coast regions. There will be a serious shortage of certified and approved seedcane for new plantings in 2016, which will impact on disease levels and management in coming seasons. The profitability of rainfed sugarcane farming declined further, despite an increase in the product price, with declining net farm income per ton of cane and very low yields. The profitability of irrigated sugarcane production increased somewhat, but rapidly diminishing water supplies hold a serious risk for 2016 production. The review showed that Canesim yield forecasts could aid planning and managing sugarcane production operations by providing early warning of yield loss due to drought. Maximising water use efficiency through good agronomic practices and optimal use of limited irrigation water remain key for surviving, and recovering from the worst drought in decades. Increased Eldana and disease pressures will require intensified management and control to limit the damage to 2016 crops.

Keywords: cane quality, cane yield, diseases, modelling, profitability, pests, production Biography: Dr. Abraham Singels Dr Singels is a Principal Agronomist at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (joined in 1997), a fellow of the SA Society of Crop Production and holds honorary appointments at the Department of Plant Production at UP and the School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the UKZ-N. He obtained a Ph.D. in Agrometerology from the UOFS, where he also worked as researcher and lecturer for 15 years. His interests are crop response to climate, crop modelling and crop decision support systems. He has co-authored 100 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals and conference proceedings.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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REFEREED PAPER

NINETY-FIRST ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE MILLING SEASON IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (2015/16) SMITH GT, DAVIS SB, MADHO S and ACHARY Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa gsmith@smri.org sdavis@smri.org smadho@smri.org sachary@smri.org Abstract Performance, throughput and other relevant aspects of the sugar industries in southern Africa for the 2015/16 milling season are presented and discussed in this paper. Data from sugar mills in South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe are included.

The 2015/16 season in South Africa was affected by the severe drought experienced in southern Africa. The season was extremely poor in terms of tonnes of cane harvested, which decreased by 16% from 2014/15 and 26% from 2013/14.

This resulted in two factories, namely Darnall and Umzimkulu, not crushing any cane while a number of other factories operated well below their capacities. Cane quality also deteriorated from the previous season in terms of Recoverable Value % cane and mixed juice purity. The Overall Time Efficiency decreased slightly as a result of small increases in no-cane stops and Lost Time % Available. Extraction and boiling house recoveries decreased from 2014/15. Losses to molasses and Undetermined Losses both increased.

Regarding the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI) Affiliate Member mills in neighbouring countries, the effect of the drought was also seen in the 6% decrease in tonnes cane crushed. Extraction was similar to 2014/15, while boiling house recoveries were generally lower, mainly due to increases in undetermined losses.

Keywords: sugarcane, sugar factories, cane quality, crop size, performance, recovery Biography: Gavin Smith Gavin Smith is Industry Support Manager at the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC in Durban.

He received his Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Natal in Durban in 1983. His work history includes the nuclear energy field, before moving into the sugar industry in 1987. He has worked for Tongaat-Hulett Sugar and Illovo Sugar, including the downstream alcohol plant where he managed both the distillery and pharmaceutical plants. After a brief stint in project management, he moved to the SMRI where he now heads the Industry Support Division which is responsible for training, consulting, routine analytical services and the factory performance figures of the SMRI’s Member and Affiliate Member mills. Gavin has been a SASTA member since 1990, has been on the SASTA Council for 6 years and President for the past 5 years.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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REFEREED PAPER

STRATEGIES FOR MONITORING ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN SUGARCANE PROCESSING FACTORIES FOXON KM1, LOUBSER RC1, SMITH GT1, DAVIS SB1 AND STOLZ HNP2 Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, PO Box 59181, Umbilo, 4075 2 RCL Foods Tsb Head Office, PO Box 47, Malelane, 1320 kfoxon@smri.org rloubser@smri.org gsmith@smri.org sdavis@smri.org stolzn@tsb.co.za 1

Abstract Sugarcane processing facilities throughout the world are attempting to improve energy efficiency for cost-saving and/or fibre recovery. Other industries have shown that significant savings can be made by monitoring energy consumption within the process and using this information to reduce unnecessary consumption. Energy use measurements before and after capital upgrades also provide metrics for assessing the effectiveness of the investment.

This paper reviews the energy monitoring literature both within the sugarcane processing industry and in other industries to establish best practice principles for energy monitoring. Two clear principles emerge: firstly, emphasis should be on monitoring energy consumption that is influenced by controllable factors, and secondly, information on energy use should be made available to the individuals who are responsible for the decisions that influence energy consumption.

Preliminary experiences with obtaining energy monitoring data from a local factory are presented.

This work is part of an SMRI research project to develop energy benchmarking indices in sugarcane processing factories.

Keywords: Energy monitoring, energy benchmarking, instrumentation Biography: Katherine Foxon Kitty Foxon has a BSc Chemical Engineering from UND and a PhD from UKZN. She was a postgraduate student and researcher with the Pollution Research Group from 1998 and lecturer and senior lecturer at UKZN from 2006 to 2013. She joined the SMRI as Group Leader: Strategic Research in July 2013. She has spent the intervening years trying to work out what happens in sugar factories.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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REFEREED PAPER

TEN YEARS OF AREA-WIDE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT WITH A PUSH-PULL COMPONENT AGAINST ELDANA SACCHARINA (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) IN SUGARCANE IN THE MIDLANDS NORTH REGION OF KWAZULU-NATAL CONLONG DE1, 2, WEBSTER T1 AND WILKINSON D1 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3210, South Africa Des.conlong@sugar.org.za Tom.Webster@sugar.org.za David.Wilkinson@sugar.org.za

1

Abstract In 1988, Eldana saccharina was found for the first time on six sugarcane farms in the Midlands North area. By 1994, the borer had spread to 32 farms, with a peak of 115 E. saccharina (e) per 100 stalks. In 2004, a further 14 farms were affected, the worst showing a level of 129 e/100 stalks. This prompted the region in 2005 to embark on an area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) approach against E. saccharina. This included promoting already known management practices, resistant varieties, and a habitat management system (push-pull) to manage E. saccharina in sugarcane. However, uptake of AW-IPM was initially slow, and by 2009, a further 29 farms were affected. Where appropriate, growers were made aware of their incorrect varietal disposition, and were advised on planting recommended varieties on different soil types in the area to minimise plant stress. In addition, areas of high infestation risk were identified for preventive control measures. The Midlands North Local Pest, Disease and Variety Control Committee (MNLPD&VCC) continually expanded the push-pull approach by establishing nurseries for natural host plants of E. saccharina for distribution, and increased E. saccharina monitoring. Also, the principles of healthy sugarcane, community engagement, managing sugarcane according to climatic vagaries, and forward planning were emphasised. The proactive, well-informed and ecologically based areawide approach that the region has taken in controlling E. saccharina since 2005 reflects that, despite extensive droughts and frosts in the past three years, the mean level of this pest in 2015 was 0.17 e/100 stalks, with a maximum of 52 e/100 stalks found in only one field.

Keywords: push-pull, community engagement, varietal disposition, agro-ecosystem, plant health, soil health Biography: Tom Webster Tom Webster comes from a Sugar cane farming background, and joined the Midlands North Pest, Disease & Variety Control Committee in September 2000 to manage the P&D for Midlands North. In 2004 with the supervision from Dr. Conlong the Integrated Pest Management was launched in Midlands North P&D and they are proud to present this 3rd paper at SASTA 2016.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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REFEREED PAPER

CLIMATE PROOFING SUGARCANE AGRICULTURE: THE SASRI INTEGRATED RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION PORTFOLIO WATT DA1 AND VAN HEERDEN PDR1,2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, University of Pretoria, P/Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa Derek.Watt@sugar.org.za Riekert.VanHeerden@sugar.org.za

1

Abstract The South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) undertakes research, development and innovation (RDI) on behalf of the South African sugar industry to ensure the sustainability of sugarcane production into the future. Of particular relevance are investigations that seek to determine the potential impacts of mid- and late-century climate change scenarios on production and to formulate appropriate resources, technologies, recommendations and best management practices to enable mitigation and adaptation. As such, the SASRI portfolio is strongly multi-disciplinary and integrated, spanning climate change, drought adaptation, crop management, water management and bio-energy RDI that aims to deliver outcomes for application to strategic and tactical decision-making at industry, regional, farm and field levels. The purpose of this poster paper is to outline the SASRI RDI project portfolios that address outcomes in four specific areas related to climate change adaptation: (a) best management adaptations to maximise yield and profitability under the expected mid-century climate; (b) adaptable, drought-tolerant sugarcane varieties to sustain the Industry into the future; (c) systems for sustainable crop management under conditions of reduced water availability and quality, as well as the anticipated increased frequency of extreme climatic events; and (d) support of a prosperous grower cohort that deploys effective water management practices for sustainable sugarcane farming. In addition, RDI addressing climate change mitigation strategies is described, particularly with regard to increasing on-farm energy- and irrigation water use efficiencies and the development of resources and technologies in support of biomass deployment to future bio-energy applications. Strategic collaborations and partnerships in these RDI endeavours will be acknowledged, particularly the invaluable contributions from university partners, funding agencies and non-profit organisations.

Keywords: climate change, adaptation, mitigation, water management, sustainability, drought Biography: Derek Watt Derek Watt is the Research Manager at SASRI, a position he assumed in 2011 after 13 years of service to SASRI as a Senior Scientist in Biotechnology and six concurrent years as manager of the SASRI Variety Improvement Programme. Derek has a PhD in plant molecular physiology and a post-graduate qualification in education. Prior to joining SASRI in 1998, he held academic positions in Education and in Plant Sciences at UKZN. In his current role, he is particularly enthusiastic about the robust balance that is achievable between scientific excellence and the delivery of outcomes and innovations with direct positive impact on Industry sustainability.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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REFEREED PAPER

WATER SHORTAGE EXPERIENCES AT AMATIKULU MILL: DROUGHT MANQELE NA, ZUMA S AND NINELA M Tongaat Hulett Sugar Amatikulu Mill, PO Box 279, Amatikulu, 3801 nkanyiso.manqele@tongaat.com sifiso.zuma@tongaat.com muzi.ninela@tongaat.com Abstract A sugar mill can be a net producer of water under normal conditions. This is evident from the excess condensate generated during factory operations and, to a lesser extent, the blow down from the boilers. The water supply into a sugar mill comes in as raw water from a river or a commercial supplier and also as moisture from sugarcane. During drought periods, the moisture in cane drops and the raw water is in short supply. In the case of the Amatikulu Mill, the river supplying water to the mill dried up completely. This disturbance in the water balance for the mill then prompted better ways of managing water within the mill. Some of the water management strategies employed at Amatikulu Mill were to recycle as much effluent as possible, and purchase water from the neighbouring farms and the local municipality.

This paper focuses on the challenges posed by a shortage of water and the interventions that Amatikulu Mill implemented during the drought that has persisted for the past two seasons between 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. This paper will also focus on the gains and the downstream challenges experienced during this drought period.

Keywords: drought, boiler feed water, condensate, rainfall, effluent, cost.

Biography: Nkanyiso Manqele Nkanyiso Manqele graduated with a BSc in Chemical Engineering at Wits University in 2008. He then joined Tongaat Hulett Sugar in 2009 as a Process EIT (Engineer In Training) at Felixton Mill and qualified as a Process Engineer in 2011. Immediately after my qualification, he spent a year at Maidstone Mill and then moved to Amatikulu Mill in 2013 as a Process Engineer responsible for Front End Operations, Laboratory and Waterworks. Nkanyiso is also currently doing his 2nd year of an MBA with UKZN on a part-time basis.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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REFEREED PAPER

EVALUATION OF TWO BEAUVERIA BRONGNIARTII ISOLATES FOR PATHOGENICITY AGAINST DIFFERENT LIFE STAGES OF WHITE GRUB SPECIES (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE) IN SOUTH AFRICAN SUGARCANE KHESWA N1,3, LAING M2 AND CONLONG DE1,3 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3201, South Africa 3 School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa 1

2

Nozipho.Kheswa@sugar.org.za Nozi123k@gmail.com Laing@ukzn.ac.za Des.Conlong@sugar.org.za Abstract Two formulated isolates of Beauveria brongniartii (HHWG1 and C17) obtained from the white grub species Pegylis sommeri and Schyzonycha affinis in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, were used to test their pathogenicity on larvae and adults of Heteronychus licas, Asthenopholis minor and H. tristis, and larvae of Temnorhynchus clypeatus and Schizonycha neglecta.

Conidial suspensions of each isolate (10 µl) at a concentration of 1x109 conidia/ml were used to inoculate these white grub species life stages. Larvae were kept at a temperature of 23°C for 35 days and the adults at 23-35°C for eight days after inoculation. Larvae were checked for mortality every fifth day and adults were checked once on the eighth day. Dead specimens were disinfected with 70% ethanol and plated onto a Sabouraud dextrose agar medium to assess the cause of death. Schizonycha neglecta, H. tristis and T. clypeatus larvae inoculated with HHWG1 had 80-90% mortality, compared to 5-60% mortality when treated with C17. Adults of H. licas, A. minor and H. tristis were highly susceptible to C17 (60-80% mortality) compared to HHWG1 (10-45% mortality). It was concluded that both B. brongniartii isolates, C17 and HHWG1 have potential as bioinsecticides against adults and larvae, respectively, as they have a wider host range than just the species from which they were collected. However, both isolates still need to be tested in replicated field trials.

Keywords: biological control agent, entomopathogenic fungi, laboratory bioassays, white grubs Biography: Nozipho Kheswa Nozipho is currently in her second year of an MSc degree which is sponsored by the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI), and is registered at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. SASRI provides excellent opportunities and she has gained great experience both academically and professionally, including experience with oral presentations, discussions, team work, attending congresses and symposiums.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

SUGARCANE WHITE GRUBS (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE) IN AFRICA AND INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS: THEIR PEST STATUS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR FUNGAL ENTOMOPATHOGENIC CONTROL CONLONG DE1,2 AND GANESHAN S3 1

South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 3 Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute, Mauritius Cane Industry Authority, Reduit 80835, Mauritius Des.conlong@sugar.org.za seelavarn.ganeshan@msiri.mu

Abstract White grubs are predominant sugarcane soil pests. Several species are recorded from Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.

The most widespread is Heteronychus licas, reported from 15 countries, probably also present but unreported in more sugarcane growing countries. Damage by H. licas in sugarcane in Mauritius caused 100% loss, and led to costly replant programmes. Promising indigenous entomopathogenic strains of Metarhizium anisopliae were isolated from H. licas in Mauritius and Zimbabwe. In Tanzania, Cochliothis melolonthoides caused 70% loss in ratoon sugarcane, and in Somalia, another melolonthine, Brachylepis werneri La Croix, is a pest. An effective fungal entomopathogen, Ophiocordyceps barnesii, has been isolated from both species. In southern and eastern African countries Schizonycha affinis and Pegylis (=Hypopholis) sommeri are sugarcane pests. Virulent strains of Beauveria brongniartii have been isolated from them in South Africa. Hoplochelus marginalis Fairmaire (Melolonthinae), exotic to, but a major pest in Reunion, is the only white grub species in the region controlled with a commercial formulation of B. brongniartii (BETELÂŽ). Rutelines such as Anomala spp. and Adoretus spp. occur in several countries but do not reach major pest status. Biological and ecological differences between melolonthines, rutelines and dynastines render their management difficult. However, indigenous fungal entomopathogens offering novel control options are discussed.

Keywords: biopesticides, biological control, SADC, biodiversity, integrated pest management, EU-ACP Biography: Des Conlong Dr Des Conlong is a senior researcher in the Crop Biology Resource Centre of SASRI. He holds Honorary Professor and senior lecturer posts in the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology at Stellenbosch University and School of Life Sciences at UKZ-N respectively, and has an NRF rating. His MSc encompassed large mammal/grassland ecology. His PhD was in plant/ insect/parasitoid ecology. His primary research focus is based on Integrated Pest Management, covering conservation biological control, habitat management, plant and arthropod ecological and biological studies and sterile insect and insect rearing technology to minimise pest (both insect and plant) incursions. He is the author/co-author of more than 50 SASTA papers and 60 peer reviewed international journal publications. In addition, he has contributed chapters to five internationally reviewed books, and has supervised fourteen MSc and eight PhD graduates.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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POSTER SUMMARY

UNDERSTANDING THE BIOLOGY AND OLFACTORY MECHANISM USED IN THE DETECTION OF HOST PLANT VOLATILES BY TWO IMPORTANT SUGARCANE PESTS IN THE KZN MIDLANDS HLALELE MA1,2, CONLONG DE1,2 AND SHUTTLEWORTH A1 School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa 2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa tshidi.hlalele@gmail.com des.conlong@sugar.org.za shuttleworthadam@gmail.com 1

Abstract Production of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) and black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) in the Midlands North area of KwaZulu-Natal is threatened by two melolonthid beetle species, Pegylis sommeri Burm and Schizonycha affinis Boh (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Damage is caused by larval feeding on sugarcane and wattle roots, and adults defoliating wattle trees. This study investigates the olfactory mechanism involved in locating host plants in both the larval and adult stages. Morphological characteristics of the beetles’ (both adult and larvae) antennae were examined with Scanning Electron Microscopy to explore the diversity and distribution of olfactory receptors responsible for detecting plant volatiles.

Results showed that adults are sexually dimorphic in lamellar length and in the number of antennal sensilla. This could be an indication of variation in volatile sensitivity between sexes. Behavioural assays with larval white grubs and host plant sugarcane roots suggest that grubs are attracted by belowground volatiles. Studies of particular compounds which may be attractive to grubs belowground are ongoing. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of headspace samples from wattle leaves identified various compounds, including 3-hexen-1-ol and linalool, which are known to be attractive to other species of melolonthid beetles. In future studies, the authors will use a combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-electroantennographic detection (GC-MS-EAD) experiments and behavioural assays to identify compounds that attract adult beetles to wattle plants. Identification of plant volatiles that mediate attraction of these beetles to host plants and understanding of the mechanism employed in host location, may help develop strategies to interrupt host location by these pests.

Keywords: sugarcane, plant volatiles, olfactory receptors, chemical ecology Biography: Tshidi Hlalele Tshidi is fascinated by the underlying role that chemical ecology plays in insect-plant interactions.

Her particular interest is in the role that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play in mediating attraction of white grub (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) sugarcane pests to their host plants, both above ground and below ground in the soil.

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REFEREED PAPER

VARIABLE RESPONSES TO MULCHING IN THREE REGIONS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUGARCANE INDUSTRY NXUMALO BNG AND RAMBURAN S South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa nathi.nxumalo@sugar.org.za Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and yield responses of sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) varieties to mulching in three major sugarcane production regions in South Africa. Three regional field trials were established in October 2008 at Pongola (irrigated), Empangeni (coastal rainfed) and Glenside (midlands). At each site, a factorial strip-plot design was used (burnt vs mulched as whole plots and varieties as sub-plots). Cane and estimated recoverable crystal (ERC) yields and yield components were determined at each harvest. Soil water content and soil temperature were monitored in each season along with relevant growth parameters. The coastal and irrigated trials were harvested annually and late in the season for three ‘summer’ ratoon crops and two early season ‘winter’ crops, while the midlands trial was harvested at 24 months of age for one summer and one winter ratoon crop.

For all three sites, ERC yield was driven mainly by cane yield responses to mulching rather than by ERC%. At Empangeni, the improvements in ERC yield under mulching ranged from a 0.24-fold in the second ratoon crop to a 4.55-fold in the sixth ratoon crop when averaged over all varieties. In contrast, mulching significantly reduced ERC yields at Glenside by 11 and 16% in the first and third crops, respectively. At Pongola, mulching had no significant effects on cane and ERC yields across varieties and crops. There, ERC yields were comparable for the two treatments in three summer crops and the 5% average ERC yield reduction observed in the two winter crops was not significant. At Empangeni, the ERC yield improvements were attributed to higher soil water content due to mulching. This effect was largely dependent on the amount of rainfall received in that season. The cane yield improvements were largely due to enhanced stalk height in the summer crops, whereas both stalk height and population contributed to the increase of cane yield in the winter crops. Yield losses at Pongola and Glenside were due to depressed stalk populations and lower soil temperatures. In all three trial sites, mulching reduced emergence and initial stalk population for all varieties across all crops. However, these differences were reduced after canopy closure. The results from this study will be used to provide recommendations for mulching in the different regions of the South African sugarcane industry.

Keywords: crops, burning, mulching, sugarcane, varieties, ERC yield Biography: BNG Nxumalo Braveman Nkosinathi Nxumalo is an assistant research officer working with Dr Sanesh Ramburan at the South African Sugarcane Research Institution. He obtained his under graduate degree majoring in crop science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and his MSc degree in agronomy at the University of Pretoria.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

DRIVING FACTORS OF CROP RESIDUE LAYER EFFECTS ON SUGARCANE DEVELOPMENT AND WATER USE OLIVIER FC1, SINGELS A1,2 AND SAVAGE MJ2 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 francois.olivier@sugar.org.za abraham.singels@sugar.org.za savage@ukzn.ac.za 1

2

Abstract Our understanding of how the surface energy balance and microclimate are changed by the presence of a residue layer and the effect thereof on crop development and water use, is limited. A drip irrigated field trial was conducted in Komatipoort with and without a residue layer in order to quantify the components of the energy balance, soil and growing point temperatures, crop development and water use. In the presence of a residue layer, less energy was partitioned to heat the soil and more of the available energy flux was partitioned to heat the air and less to evaporate water. Crop responses (initial reduction in tiller emergence rate followed by accelerated tiller production and reduced crop water use, CWU) could be explained by the changes brought about to the microclimate (lower soil temperature and higher growing point temperature). Using growing point temperature, instead of air temperature, will eliminate over-estimation by the Canesim model of the delay in canopy development due to a residue layer. Reduction in CWU due to a residue layer was simulated reasonably well when the simulation of canopy development was corrected. The proposed refinements to modelling of crop response to residue layers could improve the accuracy of CWU prediction for crops grown with residue layers.

Keywords: soil temperature, surface renewal, energy balance, irrigation, crop modelling, residue layer Biography: Francois Cornelius Olivier Francois joined the South African Sugarcane Research Institute in 2000 and is employed as an Irrigation Scientist. He is based at the Mpumalanga Research Station situated close to the town of Komatipoort. His role is to conduct irrigation and water balance research to increase the water use efficiency of sugarcane by optimising agronomic aspects of water management. These aspects include irrigation scheduling, drying off, row spacing, variety choice and trash management. His expertise includes soil-plant-atmosphere relationships with special interest in instrumentation and crop modelling.  

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

POT TRIAL PHENOTYPING TO PREDICT GENOTYPE FIELD PERFORMANCE WITH THE CANEGRO MODEL HOFFMAN N1,2, SINGELS A1,2, PATTON A1 AND JONES MR1 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa Natalie.Hoffman@sugar.org.za 1

2

Abstract The Canegro model has the potential to aid plant breeding by predicting genotype response to environmental (E), management (M) and genetic (G) factors. Genetic information is represented in the model by genetic trait parameters (TPs), and accurate TP values are required for numerous genotypes, to realise this potential. This study tested the hypothesis that the Canegro model can accurately predict GxE interactions observed in field trials using TP values estimated from pot trial measurements.

Fourteen sugarcane genotypes were grown under reference conditions in a fully-irrigated pot trial in Mount Edgecombe.

Measurements included leaf appearance and size (monthly), leaf-level photosynthesis (on two occasions) and biomass yield (at harvest). TP values were estimated directly from observed data or from data expressed relative to the reference genotype NCo376, and were used in a simulated field trial with nine genotypes grown in Pongola. Simulated and observed values and rankings of fractional interception, stalk and sucrose yield were evaluated to test the hypothesis.

Significant differences between genotypes were found for all TPs that could be statistically analysed, and large genetic variation was found for maximum leaf size and number, phyllochron interval no. 2 and maximum radiation use efficiency.

The model was not able to simulate canopy formation accurately using the estimated leaf parameters. Genotype rankings of stalk yield were predicted well (r=0.80) while sucrose yield values and rankings could not be accurately predicted.

The hypothesis was proven to be true, and maximum radiation use efficiency in particular appeared to be the most significant determinant of yield, and shows promise as a potential screening tool in breeding.

Keywords: phenotyping, Canegro, radiation use efficiency, genetic trait parameter, thermal time, plant breeding Biography: Natalie Hoffman Natalie Hoffman joined SASRI in 2013 as a research intern in agronomy, and has been completing her M.Sc. studies in crop physiology and modelling. She is currently employed as an Assistant Research Officer in agronomy: chemical ripeners. Her research interests include the development of high-throughput phenotyping and crop modelling related to GxE interactions.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

QUANTIFYING THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF LODGING ON IRRIGATED SUGARCANE PRODUCTIVITY: A CROP MODELLING ASSESSMENT PARASKEVOPOULOS AL1, SINGELS A1,2, TWEDDLE PB1 AND VAN HEERDEN PDR1,2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa aresti.paraskevopoulos@sugar.org.za abraham.singels@sugar.org.za peter.tweddle@sugar.org.za riekert.vanheerden@sugar.org.za 1

Abstract Lodging of cane stalks often takes place during stormy weather in varieties with low tolerance that are tall and heavy.

Lodging causes yield loss and increases harvest and transport costs. Quantitative information is required to support lodging-related crop management and crop improvement decisions. The objective of the study was to develop and implement a new simulation approach to quantify the impacts of genotype, crop cycle and climate on the extent of lodging (LE, the fraction of stalks lodged), and the impacts of lodging on cane yield and profitability.

The Canesim® sugarcane model and weather data were used to simulate yield and lodging for 12-month irrigated crops started in different months of the year (April to December) at Pongola and Mhlati (Malelane). Simulations were conducted for three standard varieties: N14 (medium yield, high lodging tolerance), N25 (high yield, medium lodging tolerance), N41 (medium yield, low lodging tolerance), and two high yielding hypothetical varieties. Harvest and transport costs, as well as gross margins, were calculated from long term average yield and LE. Long term average simulated yields and LE increased as crops started later in the season and were higher for Malelane than for Pongola. Yields were highest for N25, while the LE was highest for N41. Lodging had minor impacts on yields (maximum reduction of 1.5 t/ha), but significant impacts on harvest and transport costs and hence gross margins (maximum loss of R2800/ha).

Results suggest that varieties with low tolerance to lodging should not be grown late season. Lodging resistance could, however, be a desirable trait to improve profitability of irrigated cane production. The method developed here can be applied to other agro-climatic situations.

Keywords: lodging, Canesim®, variety, crop cycle, yield, gross margin, harvest cost Biography: Aresti Paraskevopoulos Aresti has been a scientific programmer at SASRI for nine years. He works on SASRI’s websites, the MyCanesim system and their Crop Forecasting system. He received his BscHons in applied Mathematics with Computer Science at UKZ-N in 2002 and a teaching degree from UNISA in 2004. He recently passed his MSc in BioResources Sciences and will graduate in April 2017.

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POSTER SUMMARY

IMPROVING NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY IN SUGARCANEVIA A GENETIC MODIFICATION APPROACH SNYMAN SJ1,2, HAJARI E1,2,3, MEYER GM1, MAPHALALA K1 AND WATT MP2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 University of KwaZulu Natal, School of Life Sciences, Westville Campus, P/Bag X54001, Durban, 4000.

3 Current address: Agricultural Research Council, Institute for Tropical and Sub-Tropical Crops, Private Bag X11708, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa sandy.snyman@sugar.org.za 1

Abstract Plant nitrogen (N) nutrition has been a focus of recent efforts in crop improvement via genetic engineering. Notably, improved N use efficiency (NUE) by overexpression of a barley alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT) gene in canola and rice increased biomass and grain yield when plants were supplied with low N in pot-based hydroponic trials and in the field.

The South African Sugarcane Research Institute entered into a licence agreement with Arcadia Biosciences (USA) that will ultimately enable the Industry to commercialise a genetically modified (GM) sugarcane plant with improved NUE using a construct containing the AlaAT transgene. Initial proof-of-concept genetic transformation of NCo376, a low NUE-type cultivar, demonstrated significant increases in biomass (38-93%), plant N content and overall NUE in a 4 month screening pot trial under low N (1.2 mM) compared with non-transgenic controls. N41, the recipient cultivar of the AlaAT gene for possible commercialisation, is being assessed for transgene copy number and expression. The phenotypic response of these transformed lines is being screened in pot trials with low N. Ultimately, NUE will have to be considered under field conditions and different N regimes, where general agronomic attributes and yield parameters such as sucrose in a mature crop (12-18 months old) can be determined. This work is ongoing and it is anticipated that modifications in NUE may result in a lower input system for sustainable agriculture into the future.

Keywords: pot trials, alanine aminotransferase, N utilisation, N uptake, phenotypic assessment Biography: Sandy Snyman Dr Sandy Snyman is a Principal Researcher in the Biotechnology facility at SASRI. She has been with SASRI for 29 years and during that time she has initiated and implemented several tissue culture protocols for application in different aspects of the business. For example, NovaCaneÂŽ as a means to produce seedcane that is disease-free and true-to-type as well as in vitro conservation of valuable germplasm. In addition, she has produced and field tested genetically modified sugarcane and is confident that one day the industry will benefit commercially from these novel genetic interventions. Sandy is a NRF-rated scientist, holds an Honorary position at the University of KwaZulu Natal and is involved with post-graduate student training.

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POSTER SUMMARY

PRACTICAL MEASUREMENT OF GRANULAR SERVIAN® FOR KNAPSACK APPLICATION TO CONTROL CYPERUS ROTUNDUS CAMPBELL PL, PARASKEVOPOULOS AL AND HURIPURSHAD S South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa peta.campbell@sugar.org.za aresti.paraskevopoulos@sugar.org.za surashna.huripurshad@sugar.org.za Abstract Servian® (active ingredient 750 g/kg WDG halosulfuron) is available in 50 g pack sizes, suitable for a per hectare boom sprayer application for Cyperus rotundus control but not for smaller spray units. If small patches of weed are missed during the first application, then a second application using knapsacks is desirable, and would require that the knapsacks are correctly calibrated. Neglecting such patches will allow prolific underground tuber formation that takes longer to deplete, involving competition in more ratoons. However, for granular products such as Servian®, growers do not have access to balances sufficiently accurate to weigh the small amount of product required for application to small patches. Hence, this research aimed at devising a simple volume-based method that would enable growers to use disposable syringes, available from pharmacies, to measure small amounts of Servian®.

Results revealed a linear relationship between mass (grams) and volume (millilitres) of the granular product, when disposable syringes were used to determine volume. In addition, the most practical sized syringe for growers was identified as 10 ml, the use of which also resulted in a strong linear relationship between product mass and volume (r2=0.98).

However, it was observed that the use of this linear relationship resulted in an error that could give an under-dose which might be only sub-lethal to C. rotundus. Hence, a correction factor was determined and introduced to account for the inherent error. The correction requires that a slightly higher volume of product be measured with the syringe, than was predicted by the calibration parameters. The use of the syringe-based volume determination of product has been found to result consistently in application rates of between 50.2 and 51.2 g/ha, which is very close to the recommended Servian® dosage of 50 g/ha, and does not result in a possible sub-lethal dosage. This method has been incorporated in knapsack calibration tables developed at SASRI and could be extended to generic formulations.

Keywords: sugarcane, calibration, mass conversion, granule, Cyperus rotundus Biography: Peta Campbell Peta 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.

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REFEREED PAPER

SOIL ORGANIC MATTER UNDER SUGARCANE: LEVELS, COMPOSITION AND DYNAMICS MILES N1,2, VAN ANTWERPEN R1,3 AND RAMBURAN, S1 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 3610, South Africa 3 Department of Soil, Crops and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa neil.miles@sugar.org.za

Abstract Soil organic matter influences numerous soil properties and processes, including bulk density, structure, temperature, water relations, nutrient availability and biological activity. This paper presents information on soil organic matter levels, composition and dynamics in sugarcane topsoils in the South African sugar industry. Major factors accounting for variations in soil organic matter levels are climate, management practices and soil texture. Soils in the hot, dry areas of the industry were found to have the lowest organic matter levels, with there being a strong positive relationship (R2=0.81) between rainfall and organic matter content. The close relationships between total carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) concentrations in soils are indicative of the importance of organic matter as a reservoir for these nutrients, with humic topsoils containing up to 6 t/ha of N in their organic matter. The mean C:N ratio for all samples included in the current study was 15.0, which is at the upper end of the reported range for arable soils. Furthermore, in sugarcane soils, C:N ratios widen with increasing soil organic matter contents, raising the possibility that the proportions of total N that become plant-available may decrease with increasing organic matter levels. In terms of the effects of management practices such as burning and green cane harvesting on organic carbon levels, total C measurements were found to be largely insensitive to management, while short-term (3-day) carbon dioxide release consistently reflected differences in management. These findings should contribute to a better understanding of the role and management of organic matter in sugarcane production, and provide a more informed basis for the interpretation of organic matter data.

Keywords: soil organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, C:N ratio, short-term carbon dioxide release Biography: Neil Miles Neil Miles is currently a senior scientist with the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI).

Prior to his position with SASRI, he spent 28 years with the KZN Department of Agriculture, as a research scientist and research manager. His PhD, through the University of Natal, focused on the nutrition of intensive pastures. Dr Miles played a leading role in the development of the Cedara Fertilizer Advisory Service, which he also managed for some 20 years. At SASRI, Dr Miles is the technical manager of the Fertiliser Advisory Service and he carries out research relating to the optimization of soil health and the nutrient requirements of sugarcane. He is an Honorary Research Fellow with the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

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REFEREED PAPER

EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF A RANGE OF SOIL AMELIORANTS ON SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES ELEPHANT D1, MILES N1,2 AND DLUNGELE P1 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 Dimpho.Elephant@sugar.org.za 1

2

Abstract Crop yields in southern African sugar industries are frequently limited by unfavourable chemical and biological conditions in soils. In addressing these problems, growers make use of various organic and inorganic products, depending on the nature of the limitation. However, the efficacies of numerous products currently in use remain untested. This investigation involved the evaluation of 12 products in a short-term (8 weeks) pot incubation study using a sandy, acid Cartref topsoil.

The organic products included were chicken litter (CL), mushroom compost substrate (SMS), flyash, filterpress, vermicast, liquid CMS (CMS_L), and granular CMS (CMS_G). Inorganic products were the liming agents, dolomitic lime and Calmasil, and gypsum, Langfos, and quarry dust. Short term (3-day) CO2 release, a sensitive indicator of biological activity, increased significantly with the application of the liming agents, filterpress, CL and flyash. Mineral N levels were increased significantly by liming agents, CL and CMS_G. Potassium levels were unaffected by inorganic products but increased with the application of CL and CMS_L. Resin-extractable P levels increased with CL, filterpress and CMS_G; Calmasil, too, increased resin P levels, with this being probably due to the Si in the product promoting P release from soil colloids. Of all the products tested, only lime and Calmasil increased pH significantly. Acid saturation was decreased by liming agents, gypsum and quarry dust, while CMS_G increased acid saturation, probably due to nitrification of the ammoniacal N in the product. It is concluded that short-term incubation studies of this kind provide a useful alternative to more costly field trials for characterising the efficacies and modes of action of various soil ameliorants.

Keywords: soil ameliorants, soil testing, CO2 release, mineral N, pH Biography: Dimpho Elephant Dimpho has a chemistry background and holds an MSc in Soil Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His BSc Honours and MSc research projects focused on extraction techniques used as a risk assessment tool for waste management and contaminated soils. On completion of his Master’s degree, he lectured in soil science at UKZN for two and a half years. In April 2015, Dimpho joined SASRI as an Assistant Research Officer. His responsibilities include providing specialist analytical support to FAS, developing calibrations for leaf analysis using XRF, improving methods for fertiliser and soil analysis, method validations, ensuring quality of analysis, and crop nutrition research. Dimpho is currently working on a PhD involving potassium dynamics in soils and ways of accounting for these in routine soil testing and in the development of fertilizer recommendations.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

RAPID SCREENING OF SOILS FOR SALT PROBLEMS USING 1:5 SOIL: WATER SUSPENSIONS AND MID-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY MILES N1,2, MEYER JH3, VAN ANTWERPEN R1,4 AND KANAMUGIRE A1 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, RSA School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3610, South Africa 3 Consultant, 16 Delaware Ave, Durban North, 4051, South Africa 4 Department of Soil, Crops and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa neil.miles@sugar.org.za 1

2

Abstract Soil sodicity and salinity frequently limit yields in the production of sugarcane in irrigated areas. Diagnosis and effective management of these problems are contingent on the accurate analysis of samples submitted to soil testing services. The traditional saturated paste method of analysis, although reliable, is particularly time consuming and laborious. In this study, we investigated the possibility of ‘screening’ soil samples for salt problems on the basis of electrical conductivity in a 1:5 soil:water extract (1 hour shaking; termed EC1:5), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) determined from the exchangeable cation suite, and by predictions based on mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy. The EC1:5 study was based on 699 samples drawn from batches submitted to the Fertiliser Advisory Service at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute, from southern and central Africa. Saturated paste electrical conductivity (ECe) and EC1:5 were closely related (R2=0.82), as was sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and ESP (R2=0.86). A subset (n=160) of the samples was used in the development of MIR calibrations. Predictions of ECe, EC1:5, SAR and ESP were excellent, with R2 values of ≥0.90. These findings indicate that samples submitted for salinity analyses may be reliably screened for salt problems using either 1:5 soil:water analysis or MIR spectroscopy. This approach offers significant advantages in terms of convenience and speed in a high throughput service such as the FAS. Keywords: soil salinity, sodicity, sodium, electrical conductivity, EC1:5, mid-infrared spectroscopy Biography: Neil Miles Neil Miles is currently a senior scientist with the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI).

Prior to his position with SASRI, he spent 28 years with the KZN Department of Agriculture, as a research scientist and research manager. His PhD, through the University of Natal, focused on the nutrition of intensive pastures. Dr Miles played a leading role in the development of the Cedara Fertilizer Advisory Service, which he also managed for some 20 years. At SASRI, Dr Miles is the technical manager of the Fertiliser Advisory Service and he carries out research relating to the optimization of soil health and the nutrient requirements of sugarcane. He is an Honorary Research Fellow with the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

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REFEREED PAPER

SITE-SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR VINASSE AND CMS DISPOSAL ON IRRIGATED SUGARCANE LANDS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA MEYER JH1, VAN ANTWERPEN R2,3 AND MCELLIGOTT DM4 16 Delaware Ave, Durban, 4001, South Africa South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 3 Department of Soil, Crops and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa 4 Illovo Sugar Limited, 1 Nokwe Ave. Ridgeside, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban, 4001, South Africa jmeyer@netactive.co.za Rianto.Van.Antwerpen@sugar.org.za dmmcelligott@illovo.co.za 1

2

Abstract The upsurge in alcohol production from sugarcane products and the resultant availability of vast amounts of distillery stillage, known as vinasse in the dilute form, or condensed molasses solubles (CMS) in the concentrated form, has challenged both factory and field management to reap the benefits of these co-products as a source of potassium (K) fertiliser, while at the same time minimising any potential off-site negative environmental effects. Current guidelines allow estate management and growers to make reasonably informed decisions about how much of these products to use in the short term as a K source; however, the criteria available for field application of these products are generally not comprehensive enough to ensure long-term soil, crop and environmental health.

This paper reviews some of the past research of the reported advantages and disadvantages of vinasse application to the crop, the soil and the environment, and describes the development of a soil property matrix that can be used to classify the potential suitability of soils for the disposal of vinasse on irrigated estates in Southern, East and Central Africa.

Keywords: vinasse, CMS, distillery slops, K fertiliser guidelines, soil specific fertiliser recommendations Biography: Jan Meyer Jan holds an MSc degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. He joined SASRI as a Soil Chemist in 1967 and was involved in many industry wide, coordinated research projects over a forty-year period, aimed at improving soil and crop health, and fertilizer use efficiency. He retired from SASRI as a Principal Researcher in 2006. Jan and his team’s research contributions, spread over 150 authored and coauthored papers, has been recognized both nationally and internationally, with a number of awards that includes SASTA as well as other societies. Jan has been active since 2007 as a consultant, in improving the efficiency of sugarcane production systems, through the application of soil specific, best management practices.

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REFEREED PAPER

WOMEN IN CANE GROWING: CASE STUDIES OF RURAL WOMEN IN THE CANE GROWINGREGIONS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR INDUSTRY KING M AND NICHOLSON RJ South African Cane Growers’ Association, 170 Flanders Drive, Mount Edgecome, 4300, South Africa Meghan.king@canegrowers.co.za Richard.nicholson@canegrowers.co.za Abstract For progress against rural poverty to be made, development planners, policy makers and agribusinesses need to make a fundamental shift in thinking about women and their roles in the agricultural sector. The South African sugar industry is comprised of 48% women growers; however, female and male growers are often blanketed together despite their differing roles and responsibilities, incentives and returns due to gender norms and other factors. Gender differences vary regionally and locally and change continuously due to economic, social and cultural factors. This paper, through an in-depth analysis, investigates special cases of women’s involvement in sugarcane production and the triumphs of these female growers against adversity. The paper highlights their complex socio-economic circumstances and their contribution to the industry, production and innovation. The industry supports female farmers and has indicated a desire to see more women graduate to becoming farm owners and ultimately taking up leadership positions within industry structures.

Despite this, female representation in grower leadership structures does not correspond with the gender demographics of the industry. Despite the opportunities for female growers within the industry, social and cultural values entrenched within the rural community means that transformation has been slow. It is also believed that women spread themselves thinly, assuming a variety of roles in the home along with their agricultural businesses. The industry needs to understand the social, economic and cultural realities within which female growers operate in order to best design programmes and incentive schemes that empower women, who are often the most vulnerable and marginalised persons within the industry.

Keywords: sugarcane, gender, women, case study, livelihoods Biography: Meghan King Meghan King is currently working as a Research Economist at the South African Cane Growers’ Association (CANEGROWERS). Meghan King completed her Master of Science (cum laude) in the field of Economic Geography in 2012 through the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Her undergraduate studies were completed with distinction through Rhodes University. After working as an Economic Development Consultant for two years, Meghan joined CANEGROWERS Economic Research Department in 2014. Since working for CANEGROWERS, Meghan has been involved in a number of research projects pertaining to the sustainability of South African large-scale and small-scale sugarcane growers and also other sugar industry affairs. Completed research has included a land-reform grower sustainability study, research on the economics of growing sugarcane on a small scale and also the annual CANEGROWERS Large-Scale Grower Cost and Labour Surveys.

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POSTER SUMMARY

IMPACT OF ACCOMPANYING MEASURES FOR SUGAR PROTOCOL (AMSP) IN MALAWI: A CASE STUDY OF KASINTHULA CANE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION KHEMBO M PO Box 138, Chikwawa, Malawi mkhembo.kcgl@kasinthula.mw Abstract Malawi is a beneficiary of the Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol (AMSP), a programme (2007-13) which was set up following the reform in 2006 of the European Union’s sugar regime. Kasinthula Cane Growers’ Association (KCGA) benefitted through two grants of €4.95m provided through the Shire Valley Cane Growers’ Trust (SVCGT) for the development of 680 hectares of irrigated cane. The intervention had two main objectives: (i) to enhance competitiveness (especially after removal of the EU sugar production quota in 2007), and (ii) to reduce poverty through expansion of the sugar sector.

A case study was carried out on Kasinthula to find out whether the objectives were met with the two projects conducted between 2009 and 2012. KCGA expanded from 755 hectares to 1435 hectares. The number of farmers increased from 282 to 762, and the intervention moved them from low subsistence levels (farming crops such as cotton, maize and sorghum) to semi-commercial operators with some related social benefits of belonging to a community and association.

Annual income of the beneficiaries increased by 156% through sugarcane sales and an associated Fairtrade premium.

In real terms, the cost of producing a ton of sugar decreased by 10.8% over the duration of the intervention. This means that KCGA has not benefitted much through economies of scale due to the expansion.

Forty-four farmers were surveyed to evaluate the benefit of the projects. Of these, 86% reported that their livelihoods had changed, but 84% believed that the KCGA would not be sustainable after the end of the AMSP. Keywords: sugarcane, grants, beneficiary, livelihoods, production, AMSP Biography: Masauko Khembo Masauko Khembo holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from the University of Malawi, obtained in 1997 and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Eastern and Southern Africa Institute of Management (ESAMI), obtained in 2012. Masauko worked for Illovo Sugar (Nchalo Estate) from 1998 and left as an Agronomist in September 2010. Since October 2010, he has worked as a General Manager for Kasinthula Cane Growers Limited, an outgrower company with 1,435 hectares and 762 farmers.

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POSTER SUMMARY

PRECISION AGRICULTURE INFORMATION SYSTEM BASED ON WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS: A PROPOSAL OROZCO OA, LUBO CM, RODRÍGUEZ LM, ABADÍA J, LÓPEZ A AND LLANO G Universidad Icesi, 18th Street # 122-135, Cali, Colombia, 760031 oaorozco@icesi.edu.co cmlubo@icesi.edu.co lmrodriguez@icesi.edu.co julieth.abadia@correo.icesi.edu.co alopez@icesi.edu.co gllano@icesi.edu.co Abstract In Colombia, sugarcane represents one of the main agricultural crops, with about 226,000 hectares cultivated. This crop is therefore essential to the development of the country, and general improvements in cultivation processes are needed to achieve cleaner production processes. Presented here is a novel prototype of an information system based on wireless sensor networks (WSN) to measure climatic variables such as temperature, and soil and air moisture. Also measured are soil pH and the most relevant greenhouse gases (GHG), which are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (NH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). These gas levels will be measured and quantified in a sugarcane field trial located in the Valle del Cauca state, by pursuing a characterisation of the carbon footprint of the crop. These measurements will be carried out with the aim of comparing the results with those obtained from a parallel process, where the closed chamber technique was used to measure the GHG. The climatic variables are measured also to keep a record of the conditions where the gases are measured. This is done to present a correct comparison between the data obtained from the sensors and that obtained manually from the closed chamber technique. These measurements will be performed on a 1 hectare plot, in order to assess the potential of the presented prototype. The WSN is based on the Arduino platform for gathering data from the sensors, and uses XBee modules to transmit the data into the farm’s computer where it is displayed. The device is powered by solar energy and its main purpose is to supply information on the actual crop status and variable levels to reduce the carbon footprint of the cultivation process of the crop. The people in charge of the farm can then consider the data collected by the sensors to make improvements in the use of fertilisers and irrigation water. It is expected that the implementation of the WSN prototype will take place in an organic sugarcane plot with features of conservation agriculture (CA) (i.e. minimal mechanical soil tillage, use of organic fertilisers, avoidance of soil degradation, and presence of sugarcane leaves as mulch) to compare the greenhouse gas emissions obtained from the parallel project with those obtained from the sensors.

Keywords: Arduino, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas, information system, sugarcane, wireless sensor networks Biography: Oscar Orozco Oscar Arley Orozco received an Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from the Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia, in 2013, and is a M.Sc. student in computer science and telecommunications in the Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia in the Research Group in Informatics and Telecommunications (i2t). His current research interests are precision agriculture systems, wireless sensor networks, vehicular ad hoc networks, network engineering, and wireless communications.

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POSTER SUMMARY

PAYLOAD DETERMINATION FOR VEHICLE COMBINATIONS TWEDDLE PB South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa peter.tweddle@sugar.org.za Abstract The South African National Road Traffic Act (93/1996) contains a number of regulations governing loading criteria for goods transport vehicles. An understanding of these rules will help guide optimal vehicle or vehicle combination choices.

These rules are viewed individually and in combination with the most restrictive rule(s) applied to determine the legal payload for a given vehicle combination. The loading criteria relate to tyre ratings, type and number of axles, engine power, load distribution requirements for traction, steering and bridge safety and mass load limits of the vehicle or vehicle combination. This poster aims to highlight these rules in a concise and methodical approach, and provides a quick reference on what criteria are used to limit maximum legal payload. Examples of some typical combinations are provided to assist with practical application of the rules. By following the same principles, one is able to apply the principles for alternative vehicle combinations. The relevant regulations are referenced should further details or clarity be required.

Examples of estimating payload distributions for particular vehicle dimensions are also provided. Applying the same principles and methodology, a theoretical appreciation on how to best load a vehicle to prevent both overloading and under-loading from occurring can be determined.

Keywords: loading, regulations, transport Biography: Peter Tweddle Peter Tweddle is an Agricultural Engineer at SASRI specializing in research relating to Mechanization and Transport within the Sugarcane Industry. He has a BSc Engineering degree in Bioresources Engineering which he obtained from the University of Natal. Peter is registered as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Peter has recently completed his MSc Engineering degree through the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

 

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

LOCATION AND CROP-YEAR EFFECTS ON SUGARCANE GENOTYPE YIELD, QUALITY AND AGRONOMIC TRAITS IN THE COASTAL SHORT CYCLE BREEDING PROGRAMMES SENGWAYO S1,2, ZHOU M1,2 AND LABUSCHAGNE M2 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 Marvellous.Zhou@sugar.org.za

Abstract Advanced variety trials are planted at several locations and harvested in plant and ratoon crops to evaluate for genotype by environment interactions. The objectives of this study were to determine location and crop-year effects and their implications on coastal short cycle breeding programmes. Data for yield, quality and agronomic traits were collected from five series each planted to two trials at Gingindlovu and three at Empangeni, and harvested in the plant, first and second ratoon crops. Genotype effects were highly significant (P<0.0001) for all traits, indicating that differences in genetic values were detectable. Genotype by location interaction was largely non-significant (P>0.05) in most series indicating that genotype differences were similar across locations. Genotype by crop-year (GC) was significant (P<0.05) in all series for TCH, TSH and ERC% cane, indicating differences on genotype values across the crop-years. Significant GC suggested that genotype performance is strongly influenced by the confounding effect of ratoon cycles and seasonal variation.

Genotype by location by crop-year was non-significant for all traits. Crop-year effects had a greater influence on genotype performance than location effects. Therefore testing genotypes across more ratoons would be more important than across locations.

Keywords: locations, crop-years, costal short cycle, sugarcane breeding Biography: Sphamandla Sengwayo Sphamandla Sengwayo, holds a BSc Honours degree in Agronomy obtained in 2014 at the University of Zululand. He is currently doing his MSc in plant breeding (2nd year) at SASRI registered with the University of Free State. His research is based on effects of genotype by environment interactions on the costal short cycle breeding programs.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

FAMILY VERSUS INDIVIDUAL GENOTYPE SELECTION FOR SUGARCANE YIELD IN MIDLANDS BREEDING POPULATIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA MBUMA NW1,2, ZHOU MM1,2 AND VAN DER MERWE R 2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mt Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa Marvellous.Zhou@sugar.org.za

1

Abstract Family selection in sugarcane occurs when whole units are selected or rejected based on family mean value and is applied to traits with low heritability. The objective of this study was to compare family with individual genotype selection (IGS) for cane yield in humic and sandy soils breeding populations for the Midlands region of South Africa. Data for stalk numbers, height and diameter collected from seedling progenies were used to estimate cane yield. Both family and individual genotype effects for all traits produced significant (P<0.001) variance components. Family variance was 1.2 to 1.5 times larger than that of individual genotypes, indicating larger variability among families than individual progenies. Families produced larger broad-sense heritability (25 to 78%) than individual genotypes (1.6 to 9.8%) suggesting that selecting superior families would be more accurate than selecting superior individual genotypes. Populations grown on humic soils produced higher family heritability (58 to 78%) than sandy soils populations (25 to 55%), indicating a higher precision of family selection in humic soils. Families produced higher predicted selection gains (18 to 55.4%) compared with individual genotypes (2 to 12.3%), indicating higher efficiency associated with family selection. Humic soil populations produced higher average family % predicted gains (44%) than sandy soils (24%) suggesting superior populations and expected higher genetic gains. Significant family and individual genotype variances indicated family selection followed by individual genotype selection within selected families will increase selection efficiencies in the first stage of sugarcane breeding. The larger family variance, higher heritability and higher % predicted gains indicated the value of family selection compared with IGS in sugarcane breeding.

Keywords: family selection, variance components, broad sense heritability, selection gains Biography: Ntombokulunga Wedy Mbuma Ntombokulunga Mbuma started her tertiary career at the University of the Free State in 2010. She obtained the degrees: BSc Biochemistry in 2013 and BSc Agricultural Honours in Plant Breeding in 2014. Currently, she is completing a MSc degree with the research project entitled “Family evaluation in sugarcane breeding” in Plant Breeding at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) and is registered with the University of the Free State (UFS). During her MSc studies, she has attended and presented an oral contribution at one international conference.

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REFEREED PAPER

INVESTIGATING SUGARCANE GENOTYPE X ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS IN THE NORTHERN AREA OF THE SWAZILAND SUGAR INDUSTRY USING VARIANCE COMPONENTS AND BIPLOT ANALYSIS DLAMINI NE1 AND RAMBURAN S2 Swaziland Sugar Association, PO Box 367, Simunye L301, Swaziland South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa Njabulod@ssa.co.sz Sanesh.Ramburan@sugar.org.za 1

2

Abstract The Mhlume (poor draining soils) and Simunye (good draining soils) variety testing sites represent the northern area of the Swaziland sugar industry. Sugarcane varieties are evaluated for yield performance in these sites at two harvesting seasons (early and late) over multiple ratoons/crop years. The genotype by environment interactions (GEI) and site discriminating abilities of the two sites and seasons are unclear, and were investigated in this study. Tons sucrose per ha (TSH), tons cane per ha (TCH) and sucrose content (Suc%) data of nine varieties collected from 20 environments (soil type x season x cropyear combinations) harvested between 2005 and 2010 were analysed using variance components, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype and genotype x environment (GGE) biplot analyses. Genotype (G) x location (L) was more important for TSH than genotype (G) x crop-years (C); however, since both were highly significant, testing across years in many locations is recommended for this trait. Environments accounted for the majority of the variation in all the traits, namely: TSH (72.0%), TCH (76.4%), and Suc% (85.9%). Varietal differences were smaller than that explained by GEI for TSH and Suc%, but not for TCH. The GGE biplots showed that the environments tended to group according to harvesting seasons for Suc% and for TCH, the varieties showed stable performances across environments.

However, for TSH, the GGE biplots showed no distinct and repeatable mega-environments. Based on these responses of the set of varieties tested, and the seasons experienced during the testing period, it is concluded that variety testing across sites (Mhlume and Simunye) and seasons (early and late) should continue in the northern area of the Swaziland sugar industry.

Keywords: AMMI, genotype x environment, GGE, ratooning ability, varieties Biography: Njabulo Dlamini Njabulo Dlamini works for the Swaziland Sugar Association (SSA) 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). He is currently finalising an MSc Crop Science (Plant Breeding) programme with the University of the Free State.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

ESTIMATES OF SUGARCANE CULTIVAR GENETIC GAINS FOR THE IRRIGATED REGION OF SOUTH AFRICA ZHOU M1,2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mt Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa Marvellous.Zhou@sugar.org.za

1

Abstract Cultivar genetic gains provide a measure of benefits to growers of sugarcane breeding programmes. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic gains for cane yield, per cent estimated recoverable crystal (ERC%) cane and sugar yield of cultivars grown in the irrigated regions of South Africa. Data for cane yield and ERC% cane and sugar yield were derived from variety trials planted in early and late season at Pongola and Mpumalanga locations. There were significant (P<0.01) cultivar differences for cane and sugar yield and ERC% cane. There were non-significant season effects for cane and sugar yield and non-significant cultivar by season interaction for cane yield. There were significant (P<0.05) season effects for ERC% cane and significant (P<0.01) season by cultivar effects for ERC% cane and sugar yield suggesting seasonal adaptation of cultivars. There were 0.26 t/ha/year cultivar genetic gain for cane yield, 0.03 t/ha/year for sugar yield and 0.06% per year for ERC% cane. Genetic gains by sequence of release were 0.31 t/ha/cultivar for cane yield, 0.09 t/ha/cultivar for sugar yield and 0.06% per cultivar for ERC% cane. Cultivars released after 2000 produced genetic gains equivalent to 6% increase in sugar yield and 9% increase in ERC% cane compared to those released before 1990. ERC% achieved the highest genetic gains while cane yield produced the least. Planting recently released cultivars is expected to increase ERC% cane and sugar yield for the irrigated region.

Keywords: sugarcane, cultivar, genetic gains, early season, late season Biography: Marvellous Zhou Marvellous Zhou is a Senior Plant Breeder and Plant Breeding Project Manager at SASRI and Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Breeding, University of the Free State. He is the Vice President of Southern Africa Plant Breeders Association (SAPBA) Executive Committee. He is NRF rated C1 level scientist. Before joining SASRI, he was a Plant Breeder at the Zimbabwe Sugar Association Experiment Station and later PhD Research Fellow in the Sugarcane Genetics Laboratory at Louisiana State University. He graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a BSc Agriculture Honours, MSc Agriculture from the University of Natal, Masters in Applied Statistics and PhD (Plant Breeding and Genetics) from Louisiana State University. He has published extensively in peer reviewed journals, refereed conference proceedings, book chapters and presented at several conferences including CSSA, SASTA, ISSCT, ASSCT, ASA, SAPBA, SAGS, and EUCARPIA. His research interest includes optimising plant breeding programmes, Plant Breeding methodology, Quantitative genetics and Applied statistics. He mentors MSc and PhD students as well as Plant Breeders.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

PREDICTION OF THE POTASSIUM REQUIREMENT FACTOR FOR SOILS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR INDUSTRY ELEPHANT D1 AND MILES N1,2 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 Dimpho.Elephant@sugar.org.za 1

2

Abstract In the South African sugar industry, wide variations in soil properties present challenges in terms of developing recommendations for fertiliser potassium (K). Current recommendations are based on the soil test exchangeable K reading, coupled with a ‘potassium requirement factor’ (KRF) to determine the amount of K required to correct any deficit in the soil test relative to the determined threshold. The KRF is thus the amount of fertiliser K required to raise exchangeable K by a single unit; currently a constant KRF (based on a 20 cm sampling depth) of 3.0 kg K/ha/unit soil test is used by the Fertiliser Advisory Service (FAS) at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute. In this study, laboratory incubations were used to quantify the KRF values of 132 topsoil samples varying widely in their physical and chemical properties. Soils were treated with three levels of K, taken through five wetting and drying cycles over a six-week period, and exchangeable K measured at the end of the incubation. The determined KRF values varied from 1.56 to 7.73 kg K/ha/per unit soil test. Calculations showed that fertiliser K requirements based on the current constant factor of 3.0 would be under-estimated for 27% of the samples and over-estimated for 21%. Since the KRF determination is laborious and time consuming, the challenge is to develop a method of predicting this factor for use in the FAS. There was a poor correlation between KRF and routinely measured soil parameters, largely because KRF is closely linked to mineralogy, mainly vermiculites and weathered micas.

Prediction of KRF using MIR met with limited success, and requires further investigation.

Keywords: Potassium requirement factor, potassium fertiliser, potassium fixation, mid-infrared spectroscopy Biography: Dimpho Elephant Dimpho has a chemistry background and holds an MSc in Soil Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His BSc Honours and MSc research projects focused on extraction techniques used as a risk assessment tool for waste management and contaminated soils. On completion of his Master’s degree, he lectured in soil science at UKZN for two and a half years. In April 2015, Dimpho joined SASRI as an Assistant Research Officer. His responsibilities include providing specialist analytical support to FAS, developing calibrations for leaf analysis using XRF, improving methods for fertiliser and soil analysis, method validations, ensuring quality of analysis, and crop nutrition research. Dimpho is currently working on a PhD involving potassium dynamics in soils and ways of accounting for these in routine soil testing and in the development of fertilizer recommendations.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

CROP AGE EFFECTS ON LEAF NUTRIENT CONCENTRATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERPRETIVE CRITERIA POSWA L1 AND MILES N1,2 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, 3610, South Africa lwazi.poswa@sugar.org.za 1

2

Abstract Leaf analysis is a widely used diagnostic tool in the management of the nutrition of sugarcane, with the critical nutrient concentration (CNC) approach being the most commonly used method of interpreting the nutrient data. In this short paper, data from multi-year nitrogen (N) response trials in KwaZulu-Natal are used to highlight the impacts of crop age on leaf macronutrient concentrations. Leaf concentrations of N, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S) decreased significantly at all three sites with advancing crop age from 3-7 months. Potassium (K) concentrations, on the other hand, generally increased or remained constant with crop age, while effects of age on silicon (Si) were variable. Relationships between leaf N concentrations and final crop yields indicate that the critical N concentration for yield optimisation varies markedly with crop age, and may range from >2.1% at an age of 3-4 months, to <1.7% at 7 months. It is suggested that these findings imply shortcomings in the current approach to the interpretation of leaf nutrient data. In particular, given the pivotal role of N in yield optimisation, there is a requirement to take into account decreases in the critical N concentration with increasing biomass (crop age), as has been done successfully for a range of other crops.

This aspect is the focus of on-going research.

Keywords: sugarcane, leaf analysis, critical nutrient concentrations, nitrogen, macronutrients Biography: Lwazi Poswa Mr Lwazi Zukisa Poswa is an Assistant Research Officer (Soils) at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute who started as an employee of SASRI in 2013 from Cedara. He studied his BSc. Agric and Honours in Soil Science at the University of Fort Hare and recently completed his MSc in Soil Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Lwazi enjoys sport, if not watching sport he goes cycling and swimming.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

FIELD EVALUATION OF CONDENSED MOLASSES SOLUBLES AS A POTASSIUM FERTILISER FOR SUGARCANE VAN ANTWERPEN R1,2, MILES N1,3 AND MEYER JH4 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa Department of Soil, Crops and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa 3 School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa 4 16 Delaware Ave, Durban North, 4051, South Africa Rianto.van.antwerpen@sugar.org.za 1

2

Abstract Condensed Molasses Solubles (CMS), produced in the distillation of alcohol from molasses, is widely used as a potassium (K) fertiliser. However, questions exist regarding its efficacy when compared with KCl, and also when applied over a mulch blanket. The objective of this paper is to report on the performance of CMS as K fertiliser in field trials. The hypothesis is that K from CMS and from KCl is equally available to the growing crop. Trials, established in October 2011 near Eston, were sited on a high potential Shortlands form soil (46.6% clay; 19.2% silt) and a lower potential Glenrosa form soil (15.6% clay; 13.3% silt). Treatments (five replicates) comprised T1 control (no fertiliser), T2 low inorganic K (KCl) and high inorganic N (LAN), T3 low organic K and high inorganic N (CMS fortified with urea), T4 high inorganic K (KCl) and low inorganic N (LAN) and T5 high organic K and low organic N (as CMS). Additional treatments included were burning and green-cane harvesting (‘mulched’). Soil samples, taken at depth intervals of 0-2.5, 2.5-10 and 10-20 cm, revealed that K levels in the 0-2.5 cm layer were almost two-fold higher than those in the 2.5-10 cm layer, irrespective of the fertiliser source. On the Shortlands site, treatments had no effect on yield while a significant yield response, relative to the control treatment, was obtained to K on the poorer K deficient Glenrosa soil, irrespective of the source. Conclusions from the study are that (i) there is no difference between CMS and KCl as K sources and (ii) mulching is not a factor limiting the uptake of K applied as CMS or KCl. Keywords: CMS, mulching, fertiliser, soil potassium, sugarcane Biography: Rianto van Antwerpen Rianto has been a soil scientist at SASRI since 1990. He has been involved in many projects over the years of which some are modelling of root growth, vertical mulching and ridging, soil compaction, green manuring and the development of a soil health analysis package for the sugar industry. He is currently a senior soil scientist and manager of the Systems Design and Optimisation programme at SASRI.

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POSTER SUMMARY

ELDANA INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT: THE SASRI INTEGRATED RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION PORTFOLIO WATT DA1 AND RUTHERFORD RS1,2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa Derek.Watt@sugar.org.za Stuart.Rutherford@sugar.org.za 1

2

Abstract Research outcomes accumulated over three decades and the experiences of growers, extension and biosecurity specialists and researchers alike indicate that effective and sustainable Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) (eldana) management is contingent on the implementation of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach on an area-wide basis. To develop the tools necessary for eldana integrated pest management (IPM), the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) conducts multi-disciplinary research, development and innovation (RDI) that aims to meet and integrate six specific eldana IPM strategic objectives: (a) to develop technologies that enable the reduction or avoidance of plant stress and the priming of plant stress resistance such that plant innate resistance to eldana is potentially enhanced; (b) to harness native and foreign genetic sources of resistance to eldana and implement technologies to increase the efficiency of eldana resistance breeding; (c) to develop cost-effective technologies that permit the establishment of agro-ecological environments in which eldana populations are suppressed to low levels by benign biological means; (d) to develop a suite of effective insecticidal eldana control agents and responsible application tactics that are agriculturally, environmentally, ecologically and economically sustainable; (e) to implement digital spatial mapping that facilitates the collation and interpretation of environmental and biological data that are central to effective and proactive eldana management; and (f) to enhance adoption of eldana IPM through practical demonstration of efficacy and promote the approach as an integral component of sustainable sugarcane farming practice. The purpose of this poster paper is to outline the multidisciplinary portfolio of projects currently addressing the objectives of the SASRI eldana IPM RDI programme and indicate future directions for the programme, including the placement of two specific technologies believed to hold considerable potential as components of the eldana IPM technology tool-kit, viz. genetically modified insect resistance and the sterile insect technique.

Keywords: crop stress management, eldana resistance, habitat management, chemical control, sterile insect technique, genetic modification Biography: Derek Watt Derek Watt is the Research Manager at SASRI, a position he assumed in 2011 after 13 years of service to SASRI as a Senior Scientist in Biotechnology and six concurrent years as manager of the SASRI Variety Improvement Programme. Derek has a PhD in plant molecular physiology and a post-graduate qualification in education. Prior to joining SASRI in 1998, he held academic positions in Education and in Plant Sciences at UKZN. In his current role, he is particularly enthusiastic about the robust balance that is achievable between scientific excellence and the delivery of outcomes and innovations with direct positive impact on Industry sustainability.

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REFEREED PAPER

VARIANCE COMPONENTS, BROAD SENSE HERITABILITIES AND PREDICTED SELECTION GAINS FOR ELDANA SACCHARINA BORER DAMAGE AMONG COASTAL LONG CYCLE SUGARCANE POPULATIONS LICHAKANE ML 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 The stem borer, Eldana saccharina (eldana) is widespread and causes approximately R744 million loss in sugar per annum in South Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate genotype by environment interactions (GxE), broad sense heritabilities (H) and predicted selection gains (%Gs) and their implications in breeding for eldana resistance. Percentage bored stalks (PBS) and percentage bored internodes (PBI) data were collected from the 2003 to 2011 trial series. Genotype variance was highest and highly significant (P<0.001) suggesting high genetic differences for eldana damage. Genotype by crop-year interaction (GxC) was significant in at least three series, genotype by location interaction (GxL) in at least five series and genotype by location by crop year interaction (GxLxC) in at least eight series, indicating the presence of complex GxE interactions. The significant GxL suggested the importance of suitable screening locations and eldana specific location screening. PBI had more complex GxE interactions (higher GxL and GxLxC) compared with PBS, suggesting PBI represented complex genotype interactions with eldana damage. H was higher for PBS than PBI suggesting higher genotype variability for PBS and possibly a higher discriminating ability for eldana damage. PBI produced higher %Gs indicating a high probability of achieving high realised selection gains. R2 were high for both measurements, indicating that the statistical model adequately represented data. The study revealed the presence of complex GxE interaction for eldana damage. PBI is more expensive to measure but would be a more accurate assessment of genotype damage than PBS in advanced variety trials while early stage and large populations can be screened using PBS. Keywords: Genotype by environment, broad sense heritability, predicted selection gains, percentage stalks bored, PBI 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).

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

DEVELOPMENT OF HANDLING AND TRANSPORT PROTOCOLS FOR ELDANA SACCHARINA (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) FOR A STERILE INSECT TECHNIQUE SERFONTEIN AJ1,2, ADDISON P2 AND CONLONG DE1,2 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X01, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa Department of Conservation, Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa adriaan.serfontein@sugar.org.za Des.Conlong@sugar.org.za pia@sun.ac.za 1

2

Abstract A 200 Gy radiation dosage produces competitive, partially sterile Eldana saccharina males for use in a Sterile Insect Release programme. In planning pilot field releases, it is essential to consider delivery of quality, competitive sterile males from the radiation facility to the release sites in sugarcane fields. Previous trials have shown that this is difficult without proper cold chain management.

Cooling reared moths to 5°C during handling, storage and transport was shown to minimise quality degradation, whilst avoiding detrimental effects caused below the critical minimum temperature (CTmin) (4.4±0.4°C). A low temperature of 5°C did not negatively affect male E. saccharina’s mating ability or longevity over periods of up to 48 hours, but for periods longer than this, mating frequency significantly decreased.

In addition, bran proved to be the best insulating agent compared to coarse and fine vermiculite, in that it gained and lost heat at the slowest rate compared to other substrates. The effect of using bran on moth quality will be further investigated to determine its impact during transport of moths to field sites. It is important to maintain a rigorous cold chain from collection after radiation to release, in order to retain good moth quality.

Keywords: Area Wide Integrated Pest Management (AW-IPM), cold chain, handling, transport, moths, mating frequency (MF) Biography: Adriaan Serfontein Adriaan grew up in Tzaneen, Limpopo where he was surrounded by both beautiful nature and a lot of agricultural activity. Having parents that are plant pathologists, his interest in biology stems from a young age. In school, he had Agricultural Sciences as a subject and decided to further his studies in agriculture after passing Matric in 2010. He completed his BSc Agric degree in Horticulture and Entomology at Stellenbosch University in 2014. There he developed an interest for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) on an area wide scale. His MSc project was thus very inviting to him due to the important role the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) can play in an IPM project. He is excited for the future of this and other SIT projects in South Africa and hopes he can play a role in its success.

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REFEREED PAPER

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF CHROMOLAENA ODORATA: PAREUCHAETES INSULATA SPREADS ITS WINGS ZACHARIADES C1,2, UYI OO3,4, DUBE N1, STRATHIE LW1, MUIR D5, CONLONG DE6,2 AND ASSEFA Y7 1

Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X6006, Hilton, 3245, South Africa zachariadesc@arc.agric.za duben@arc.agric.za strathiel@arc.agric.za osariyekemwen.uyi@uniben.edu dsharp@environment.gov.za des.conlong@sugar.org.za yosepharm@yahoo.com

Abstract Populations of the leaf-feeding moth Pareuchaetes insulata from Florida (USA), Jamaica and Cuba were mass-reared by the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) and released extensively in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa from 2001-2009 for biological control of the invasive shrub Chromolaena odorata. Establishment was first confirmed in 2004, at only a single site, near Umkomaas just south of Durban, at which the Florida population had been last released nearly two years earlier. A population outbreak and range expansion occurred during 2006, followed by a decline to a much lower level. Annual monitoring from 2006-2013, along a 100 km coastal stretch and slightly inland from the original established site, indicated gradual further spread within this range with time, although populations were generally low. In 2014 and 2015, additional populations and outbreaks were recorded further north in KZN, well beyond the area that had been regularly monitored, in a region that had been previously considered to be climatically unsuitable for the moth. In late 2015 and early 2016, surveys located the moth even further afield, in Swaziland and south-eastern Mpumalanga, having probably spread from KZN. To better understand the highly variable establishment and performance of P. insulata, various aspects of the moth’s biology have been examined. The cross-breeding and molecular analysis of the Cuban, Jamaican and Floridian populations indicated the lack of a mating barrier between them. Studies on the moth’s performance on C. odorata from South Africa and Florida showed that it is not affected by variation in host plant genotype. However, studies on the nutritional ecology and thermal physiology of P. insulata demonstrated that multiple factors, including low temperatures and spatio-temporal variations in the physical and phytochemical characteristics of C. odorata leaves, may cause variable performance of the moth. This paper discusses the results of monitoring and research activities on the moth, which has been established on C. odorata in South Africa for more than a decade, and the implications of these for the biocontrol of the weed in southern Africa.

Keywords: agent dispersal, biocontrol, mass-rearing, South Africa, Swaziland, triffid weed Biography: Costas Zachariades Costas obtained a PhD in Entomology (Rhodes) in 1994, investigating indirect mutualisms between a species of wild fig tree and some of its associated insects. After a two-year postdoctoral position at UCT looking at plant-insect interactions in the fynbos biome, he joined ARC-Plant Protection Research, to research the biological control of Chromolaena odorata. This has been his main research focus ever since, with some measure of success; he has also worked on biocontrol of mesquite and has a current project on Litsea glutinosa. He was convenor of the International Organization for Biological Control’s Chromolaena Working Group from 2006-2014 and is currently Vice-President of the IOBC’s Afrotropical Regional Section. Since 2004 he has been Officer-in-Charge at ARC-PPR Cedara.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE INVASIVE PLANT PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS USING NATURAL ENEMIES STRATHIE LW1, DEN BREEYEN A 2, SAMBO S1, CHIDAWANYIKA F1 AND GAREEB M1 Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research Institute, 1 Private Bag X6006, Hilton, 3245, South Africa 2 Private Bag X 5017, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa StrathieL@arc.agric.za SamboS@arc.agric.za ChidawanyikaF@arc.agric.za GareebM@arc.agric.za DenBreeyenA@arc.agric.za Abstract The rampant spread of the invasive alien plant Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in subtropical South Africa prompted research into biological control methods more than a decade ago. Parthenium impacts broadly on agriculture, biodiversity conservation and health. Elsewhere, significant control has been achieved over time, using a combination of biological control agents. In South Africa, four host-specific biocontrol agents affecting the leaves, stems or seeds of parthenium have been introduced sequentially since 2010, after evaluation of their suitability. Mass-rearing, releases and post-release evaluation of these agents are undertaken to assist widespread establishment. Variable establishment and spread of the agents has occurred. Biocontrol has the potential to contribute significantly to management of the weed, but greater awareness, understanding, and adoption is required in all sectors, including the sugarcane industry.

Keywords: parthenium, weed management, biological control agents Biography of Lorraine Strathie Ms Lorraine Strathie has been employed since 1995 as a Researcher at the Agricultural Research Council – Plant Protection Research Institute, based at ARC-PPRI Cedara near Pietermaritzburg.

Prior to that she completed a BSc (Zoology and Botany) in 1991, BSc (Hons) in 1992, and MSc with distinction in 1995, at UCT. Her postgraduate research investigated aspects of the biological control of the invasive alien plants Sesbania punicea and Prosopis spp. At ARC-PPRI, Ms Strathie has conducted research on the biological control of Chromolaena odorata and, since 2004, Parthenium hysterophorus, of which she is the project manager. Both plants are severe invaders in Africa, Asia and Australia. Research activities have included overseas surveys for natural enemies of invasive alien plants, native field host range studies, research in quarantine facilities on the biology, impact and host specificity of various introduced biological control agents, mass-rearing of approved agents, field releases, and post-release research. Overseas activities have been undertaken in Central and South America, Australia, and Ethiopia. Since 2005, Ms Strathie has been involved in the USAID-funded Integrated Pest Management Innovation Lab’s projects on managing Parthenium hysterophorus in East Africa, facilitating biological control of parthenium in the region. Ms Strathie has authored and co-authored scientific publications in international journals and conference proceedings, and book chapters, edited international workshop proceedings, and has presented many papers. She has supervised students and trained international researchers, and has been involved with the organization of several national and international workshops and conferences. Currently, Ms Strathie is the Chair of the International Organisation of Biological Control’s (IOBC) Global Parthenium Working Group.

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SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER

PRELIMINARY CELLULAR AUTOMATON MODEL FOR SIMULATING ELDANA SACCHARINA INFESTATION IN SUGARCANE DE WET PD AND POTGIETER L Department of Logistics, Stellenbosch University, P/Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa 15691640@sun.ac.za lpotgieter@sun.ac.za Abstract The South African Sugarcane Research Institute has performed substantial research on the establishment of an effective IPM system, with the current IPM system including a number of good farming practices. The approach of habitat management is, however, not yet included. In this study, a cellular automaton model is developed with which a number of different field configurations may be compared in terms of their corresponding infestation of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The cellular automaton model simulates E. saccharina growth and dispersal within a heterogeneous sugarcane environment, and simulations are performed for large spatial areas containing irregular shaped sugarcane fields. GIS shapefiles are employed in the model to define the underlying structure of the agricultural landscape. The model yields results similar to a previous model developed for the pest species’ growth and dispersal in sugarcane, but with the advantage of shorter execution time on large spatial areas. Further validation of the model is still in progress, and a number of additional complexities are considered for inclusion as possible future work.

Keywords: sugarcane, eldana, cellular automaton, agricultural landscape, habitat management, modelling Biography: Pieter de Wet Pieter de Wet is currently a Masters student as Stellenbosch University. He is currently working on a SASRI project for his Master’s thesis in fulfilment of his MCom (Operations Research) degree.

He completed all of his previous studies at Stellenbosch University, where he obtained a BCom Mathematical Sciences degree and followed on to complete his BComHons (Operations Research).

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DESIGN OF AN AGENT-BASED MODEL FOR SIMULATING THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF ELDANA SACCHARINA VAN VUUREN BJ1, POTGIETER L 2 AND VAN VUUREN JH1 Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa 2 Department of Logistics, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa brianvv@sun.ac.za lpotgieter@sun.ac.za vuuren@sun.ac.za

1

Abstract Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) continues to plague the sugarcane industry in South Africa. In an attempt to advance understanding of the pest and assist in the ongoing development of an integrated pest management (IPM) system to combat its infestation, an agent-based simulation model has been designed which simulates the behaviour of individual members within a population. This is in contrast to previously developed models which were founded upon approximations on a population level without taking in to account the local interactions between individual moths. In particular, two novel algorithms are proposed for simulating the process followed by female E. saccharina moths when selecting suitable oviposition sites. This is deemed important as there exists limited knowledge pertaining to this process, and a means for generating a spread of eggs consistent with that which is observed in nature is paramount to predicting resulting dispersal and dynamics of an E. saccharina population. The manner in which this process is simulated, as well as incorporated into the agent-based model, is discussed in this paper.

Keywords: Eldana saccharina, sugarcane pest infestation, agent-based simulation, oviposition site selection, integrated pest management Biography: Brian van Vuuren Brian van Vuuren completed his Master’s degree at the end of 2015 and, in early 2016, was offered the option to upgrade his research to PhD status. He thus hopes to complete his PhD at the end of this year, continuing with his research in the design of an agent-based simulation model of Eldana saccharina Walker. He also began work at the Industrial Engineering faculty of Stellenbosch University this year. Working as a researcher and lecturer in his field of speciality, simulation modelling.

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REFEREED PAPER

INITIAL STUDY ON SOLAR PROCESS HEAT FOR SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR MILLS HESS S1, BEUKES H2, SMITH G3 AND DINTER F1 1

Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa, 2MBB Consulting Engineers, Trumali Road, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa, 3SMRI, c/o University of KZN, Durban 4041, South Africa stefanhess@sun.ac.za frankdinter@sun.ac.za htb@mbb.co.za gsmith@smri.org

Abstract The South African (SA) sugar milling industry is seeking to improve energy efficiency and cost-competitiveness. On-site solar thermal (ST) systems have the potential to reduce coal consumption in the boiler and to partly replace bagasse as a heating fuel.

This paper, based on the heat and mass balance of a representative sugar mill with limited energy efficiency measures, identifies the most promising solar heat integration points and pre-ranks them according to their potential energetic and economic benefits. Hydraulic schemes to integrate solar heat into the processes are presented, system operation is discussed, and solar gains are calculated.

The investigated opportunities for solar process heat (SPH) integration are the generation of live steam and exhaust steam, the pre-heating of boiler feed water, the drying of bagasse and raw sugar, and the heating of clear juice. Without additional thermal storage, ST systems can supply between 12 and 27 % of the heat demand of these processes. The estimated levelised costs of heat (LCOH) for the SPH systems range from 2.57 Eurocent/kWh (0.42 ZAR/kWh) for solar drying of raw sugar during the crushing season (CS) to 4.57 Eurocent/kWh (0.75 ZAR/kWh) for all-year solar live steam generation with concentrated solar power parabolic troughs.

This study assumes that SPH has to compete with coal, which is the cheapest energy source, to replace bagasse. Using current coal prices and past price increase rates, the estimated achievable internal rate of return (IRR) for solar live steam generation is 4.6 % if the steam can be used during the whole year, e.g. for electricity export. The highest IRR of 9.1 % is expected for sugar drying during the crushing season, followed closely by solar drying of bagasse.

Keywords: solar process heat, energy efficiency, sugar production, electricity export, feasibility Biography: Stefan Hess Dr. Stefan Hess is an expert in solar heat for industrial processes, with more than 10 years of research and work experience in this field. He developed solar thermal collectors and systems for industrial applications, and he conducted feasibility studies, for example on solar process heat for laundries. He holds a German Diploma in Environmental and Process Engineering, and a PhD in Energy Engineering from DMU Leicester in the UK. Currently, Stefan works at Stellenbosch University in the Solar Thermal Energy Research Group.

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SUGARCANE LEAVES AND TOPS: THEIR CURRENT USE FOR ENERGY AND HURDLES TO BE OVERCOME, PARTICULARLY IN SOUTH AFRICA, FOR GREATER UTILISATION PIEROSSI MA, 2BERNHARDT HW AND 3FUNKE T

1

AgroPerforma Agricultural Consulting – Campinas – SP - Brazil, marcelo@agroperforma.com.br 2 University of KwaZulu-Natal, bernhardth@ukzn.ac.za 3 SA Canegrowers, Thomas.Funke@Canegrowers.co.za

1

Abstract Sugarcane tops and leaves, which are becoming more available in the fields due to mechanical harvesting, could be an extra source for the sugarcane industry to produce more energy or alternative products in the form of electrical power using cogeneration, or as cellulosic ethanol. One ton of sugarcane, after harvesting, leaves a residue of around 140 kg of trash in the field. This amount of biomass has the same energy content of dry bagasse from the same ton of cane. However, the logistics of trash collection should be addressed before trash utilisation projects are developed. The experience in countries such as Brazil and India in recent years provides a good overview of trash collection and processing methods. In this paper, operational and capital costs, the type of agricultural machinery and factory equipment used, as well as obstacles to effective use of trash in agricultural and factory operations, are discussed. The authors also consider the obstacles, presented by the current situation in the South African sugar industry, which would require effective solutions to make extensive use of cane trash for energy purposes a reality.

Keywords: sugarcane, trash, baling, cost, renewable energy, harvesting, electricity generation, leaves, tops Biography: Thomas Funke Dr Thomas Funke is currently the Commercial Executive at the South African Cane Growers’ Association. He completed his PhD in Agricultural Economics in 2011 at the University of Pretoria in collaboration with the University of Missouri in the USA. His specialisation included a critical look at the South African biofuels sector and possible solutions to promote its development in the future. He is currently in charge of analysing all possible future value addition opportunities in the sugar industry, which include sugar operations, biofuels, bioenergy and various other structural changes.

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DESIGN EVALUATION OF THE POSSIBILITY OF TUBE VIBRATION IN TALL SHELLAND TUBE HEAT EXCHANGERS SMITH L Tongaat Hulett, Technology Group, Tongaat, South Africa, 4399 leon.smith@tongaat.com Abstract This paper looks at the use of baffles in the vapour space of a calandria to reduce the likelihood of tube vibrations due to the inlet vapour velocity. It also considers the theory around the generation of vibration excitation forces due to shedding vortices, the fluid stream properties that are most likely to pose a risk, and the spacing of baffles to shift the natural frequencies of the tubes away from the possible exciting frequencies from the fluid entering the calandria. It will also look at the natural damping that exists on the tubes in the calandria as well as the role of the selection of the material of construction of the vessel and tubes. This investigation was initiated when Falling Film Evaporators (FFE) were designed for one of the Tongaat Hulett Starch factories with a distance of 12 000 mm between tube sheets in the calandria. This distance is much greater than tube bundles that we are accustomed to work with on Kestners and Vertical Juice Heaters, which have a distance of 7 270 mm over tube sheets. This information now allows us to design Falling Film Evaporators for the sugar industry with tubes that are much longer that the conventional tube length used in Kestners and Vertical Juice Heaters.

Keywords: tubes, vibration, material of construction, excitation forces, vortices, baffles Biography: Leon Smith Leon Smith (Pr. Eng.) obtained a M.Eng (Mechanical) from Stellenbosch University in 1994. He has since worked in the sawmilling and sugar industries. He was involved in management and maintenance in both these industries. He was a Plant engineer at Union Co-op sugar mill for 1 year and then joined Tongaat-Hulett Sugar in 1998 as Mechanical Design Engineer. Some major projects of his include mechanical design of Kestner Evaporators for Malelane Sugar Mill, mechanical design of Roberts Evaporators for Simunye, Mhlume & Xinavane Sugar Mills, mechanical design of a Cane Knife for Simunye Sugar Mill and mechanical design of cane prepline upgrades for Triangle Ltd, which included cane knives and a shredder. Leonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specialisations include mechanical design of BS5500 coded vessels, mechanical design of sugar mill extraction and process plant, equipment and systems, Finite Element Analysis, improvement of diffuser mechanical design, diffuser headshaft design using FEA, and mechanical design of batch and continuous pans, condensers, vertical crystallisers, sugar driers and flue gas scrubbers for various clients using FEA techniques and design codes.

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USE OF DESIGN AND DESIGN TOOLS TO EXTEND EQUIPMENT LIFE SAFELY NAIDOO R N1 AND SMITH L 2 Tongaat Hulett, Technology Group, Tongaat, South Africa, 4399 rishen.naidoo@tongaat.com leon.smith@tongaat.com Abstract This paper reviews the use of mechanical equipment design methodologies as a tool to extend equipment life in the sugar industry. Traditionally, equipment is either replaced or repaired in a like-for-like manner once certain conditions, such as minimum thickness for a pressure vessel shell, have been reached. Design tools, such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), design codes, new materials, conditioning monitoring, load trending, wear and corrosion rate trending offer the designer the opportunity to review the design assumptions to evaluate possible alternative life extension strategies.

A few examples will be described to show how this has been implemented safely by using different techniques on different types of equipment.

This includes: • Extending the life of Batch Pans after general corrosion indicated that the shell thickness has reduced to below the minimum original design specification; • A design recalculation on a worn diffuser chain to calculate its actual strength compared to actual load, which resulted in the chain remaining serviceable for at least five years past the normal replacement date; and • The option of using additional sacrificial material in the Felixton Continuous Pans where there are high corrosion rates due to Acetic Acid Corrosion.

Keywords: equipment, extending life, design, materials, corrosion, sacrificial material Biography: Rishen Naidoo Rishen has a BSc. Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Natal (2000). He is a Professional Engineer who is currently employed at Tongaat Hulett’s Technology Group as a Mechanical Design Engineer. He has served at several leading heavy industrial companies including Eskom, Toyota and Engen where he has gained diverse operational experience.

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POSTER SUMMARY

ELUCIDATING FACTORY LOSSES WITH NIRS PREDICTIONS MADHO S, BARKER B AND RAMARU R Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa smadho@smri.org bbarker@smri.org rramaru@smri.org Abstract All South African sugar mill laboratories have access to Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) instruments with process stream calibrations supplied by the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI). The calibrations include sucrose, fructose, glucose, pol and brix predictions for mixed juice, clear juice, syrup, and all the various grades of molasses and massecuites. Dry solids can also be predicted on C-molasses, and conductivity ash on mixed juice and C-molasses. All samples, other than mixed and clear juices, are diluted and measured using transmission spectroscopy.

The rapid and reliable predictions by NIRS can be used by factories to improve recoveries and report factory performance figures. This paper elucidates on some approaches to achieve this.

Below are further details of how the SMRI-NIRS predictions can be used: • Inversion loss determinations. Factory tests across evaporator stations are specifically reported on, as well as the method developed for these tests; • Weekly sucrose-based factory stock-takes. The SMRI-NIRS predictions make direct sucrose results possible for the weekly stock-takes instead of having to perform pol-based stock-takes and then applying a pol/sucrose ratio for conversion of recoveries to a sucrose base; • Losses around the extraction plant. The SMRI-NIRS prediction equations were used to investigate purity differences between mixed juice and juice from the direct-analysis-of-cane (DAC).

• Mill determination of the C-molasses Target Purity Difference (TPD) from each centrifugal. These can be performed on a shift-basis as a check for where sucrose may be lost. At present ‘purity rise’ across the centrifugals aims to do this but, at best, only one centrifugal is tested per shift due to lack of personnel and the limited number of Nutsch filters (not required for SMRI-NIRS TPD predictions).

Keywords: NIRS, laboratory, Undetermined Losses (UDL), TPD, inversion, sucrose Biography: Shaun Madho Shaun Madho is the Group Leader of Adaptive Research at the Sugar Milling Research Institute (SMRI). His chief duty is to employ best practices and innovative technologies to reduce the costs associated with sugar production. He was previously employed as a Process Engineer with Illovo Sugar Ltd at the Gledhow, Eston and Noodsberg mills and is a UKZN chemical engineering graduate who is currently completing his Master’s degree.

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OPTIMISATION OF NIRS ANALYSIS OF MILL INTERMEDIATE SAMPLES WALFORD SN Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041 Abstract The analysis of factory intermediate streams (clear juice, syrup, A-, B- C-massecuites, A-, B molasses) using transmission Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) simultaneously for brix, pol, sucrose, glucose and fructose in a mill environment has many advantages. The most important is the almost immediate reporting of results which can be used for process control, and the ability to analyse many samples over a short period for troubleshooting purposes.

Successful implementation of the NIRS technology requires the development and on-going maintenance of appropriate prediction equations. A set of initial intermediate stream prediction equations had been previously developed for each analyte. The use of these prediction equations proved problematic as each product required a different sample dilution in the range of 14 to 16 g diluted to 100 g. This is not ideal in a mill laboratory environment where simplified, robust procedures are required. It was also realised that long-term prediction equation maintenance and updating of 35 equations would prove to be problematic.

Two changes were made to simplify development, analysis and maintenance: • making a single dilution for all products (15 g to 100 g); and • combining all individual production predictions into a single prediction equation for each analyte, resulting in only five individual analyte prediction equations, viz. brix, pol, sucrose, glucose and fructose.

This poster describes this process and the results achieved following these changes.

Keywords: NIRS, calibrations, predictions, factory streams Biography: Stephen Walford Stephen manages the Analytical Quality & Development group at the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI). He is the nominated representative for the SMRI ISO17025 quality system and responsible for the management and on-going development of the system. It is in this role that he is excited about the potential of proficiency schemes to help improve and maintain the quality of analytical techniques within the mill environment. Stephen has a research interest in analytical techniques and instrumentation, is the chairman of the South African National Committee for ICUMSA and presented at both local and international conferences. Outside of work, he has interests in woodwork and music.

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WATER RECOVERY FROM VINASSE USING GAS HYDRATE TECHNOLOGY CROESER N, NAIDOO P, RAMJUGERNATH D AND MOHAMMADI AH Thermodynamics Research Unit, School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, King George V Avenue, Durban, South Africa, 4041 nadia_croeser@yahoo.com naidoop18@ukzn.ac.za ramjuger@ukzn.ac.za amir_h_mohammadi@yahoo.com Abstract A key hurdle limiting the potential of South African sugar companies from taking advantage of the bioethanol opportunity is the safe and cost-effective handling and disposal of vinasse. One of the challenges associated with vinasse is the very high concentration of dissolved solids, largely in the form of potassium salts. During the sugar extraction and recovery, and ethanol production processes, the majority of salts present in the cane juice are eventually carried through to the vinasse stream. Taking into account that South Africa spends approximately R 0.5 billion per annum on importing potassium fertiliser for sugarcane cultivation, it can be concluded that significant amounts of potassium can potentially be recovered from the effluent of ethanol production processes. Globally, rather than attempting to turn a profit, current strategies to vaporise residues formed during ethanol production are aimed at disposing of the waste at the lowest possible cost.

In recent years, much research has been undertaken on treating or adding value to vinasse, including the recovery of potassium.

Gas hydrate technology has the potential to achieve water-solute separation at far lower energy costs than evaporation processes. Javanmardi & Moshefeghian (2003) investigated the application of gas hydrates for desalination and showed the potential energy savings of this technology over technologies such as evaporation and reverse osmosis. Park et al.

(2011), suggested that gas hydrates, when compared to membranes, could possibly give an equivalent or improved desalination performance.

Gas hydrates, or clathrate hydrates, are non-stoichiometric crystalline structures that are formed through the combination of water and gas molecules under suitable conditions of temperature and pressure. The water molecules link together through hydrogen, bonding to form a cage-like structure that physically entraps the gas molecules (Sloan & Koh, 2008).

This paper focuses on the use of carbon dioxide as a possible former in the use of hydrate based desalination for the recovery of water from vinasse. The experimental work, modelling and feasibility study of the recovery of water and concentration of mixed salt solutions representative of the salt solutions expected in vinasse, are investigated.

Keywords: South Africa, hydrates, desalination, vinasse, sugar, potassium Biography: Nadia Croeser Nadia Croeser graduated in 2012 with a BSc degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Thereafter she worked as a process engineer at Richards Bay Minerals until the end of 2014. Nadia is currently undertaking her masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree with the Thermodynamics Research Unit at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

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SUCROSE LOSSES ACROSS THE GLEDHOW EVAPORATORS DETERMINED USING NIRS PREDICTIONS DAIRAM N1, RAMARU R 2, NGEMA S1, SUTAR N1 and MADHO S2 Gledhow Sugar Company, 1 Gledhow Mill Road, KwaDukuza, South Africa, 4450 Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban, South Africa, 4041 ndairam@gledhow.co.za spngema@gledhow.co.za nsutar@gledhow.co.za smadho@smri.org rramaru@smri.org 1

2

Abstract Shorter crushing seasons and reduced cane throughputs, as a result of the severe 2014 and 2015 drought, called for a concerted effort by the Gledhow sugar mill to optimise on sucrose recoveries for mill profitability. This proved to be challenging as the factory was not designed for lower throughputs, and led to general high Undetermined Losses (UDL); on occasion more than three times that acceptable for back-end refinery mills. A UDL audit verifying stock-take procedures, sugar movements and authenticating all known losses did not reveal the source of the losses. However, some losses across the evaporator station were identified by mill staff because of the inconsistent cane supply, erratic throughputs, and steam supply. On many occasions only a single tandem was operated at substantially reduced throughputs over extended periods. At full capacity, Gledhow mill usually operates both 200 tonnes cane per hour (TCH) milling and 100 TCH diffuser tandems. Indications of possible losses across the evaporators included inconsistent evaporation rates, increased juice residence times, lower syrup pH, higher syrup colours and lower condensate pH. The Gledhow evaporators do allow for some vessels to be taken off-line, however, the station was not designed for substantially reduced throughputs. A dedicated team of samplers and analysts was assigned to determine the extent of the losses across the evaporator station using the SMRI-NIRS toolkit. Three modes of operation were investigated: a) Both tandems in operation – all evaporator vessels were on-line; b) Milling tandem operational only – one second effect and one fourth effect evaporator taken off-line; and c) Diffuser tandem operational only – same second and fourth effect vessels taken off-line as with milling tandem only tests.

The tests were performed in October and November 2015 just prior to the end of the season. Over 34 individual tests were conducted across the evaporator station, with each test comprising measurements across all evaporator effects. From the tests performed and other plant data, it was estimated that the evaporator inversion losses accounted for a maximum of 20% of the Undetermined Losses experienced. The higher inversion losses were incurred when low brix juices were concentrated at low throughputs. This, unfortunately, is a common practice at the mill to meet its refinery steam demands.

Sufficient information was supplied to mill management from the tests to propose modifications to the evaporator station to minimise inversion losses.

Keywords: losses, UDL, NIRS, sucrose inversion, evaporators, capacity Biography: Narain Dairam Narain Dairam has spent 40 years working in the sugar Industry since completing his Diploma in Sugar Technology in 1976. He worked for Illovo at the Old Illovo mill site and then moved to Gledhow Sugar Mill in 1995, where he worked in the rawhouse and refinery. He moved to Noodsberg Mill in 2009 as Production Manager for a three year period, and then went to Ubombo in Swaziland as Process Operations manager for a further three years. Narain is currently working at Gledhow as Assistant Factory Manager.

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HOW TO INCREASE INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE USING THE DRY CLEANING PROCESS ON SUGARCANE AT THE MILL MESQUITA MA1 AND KNIHS VL2 1

Avenida Prefeito Waldemar Grubba ,3000 Jaraguá do Sul, SC, Brazil 47 Galaxy Avenue, Linbro Business Park, Johannesburg, South Africa mmesquita@weg.net VKnihs@zestweg.com

2

Abstract Optimising the use of water and energy in industrial processes, and generating energy when possible, is becoming increasingly important in factories for competitiveness and survival. The industrial performance in sugar cane production depends directly on water consumption and the amount of energy used to produce sugar.

In this study we calculated the additional generation of electrical energy in the sugar production process when dry cleaning sugarcane. Dry cleaning reduces sucrose loss caused by sugarcane washing and eliminates the trash or the reusing of the water with sucrose and agricultural impurities. The impact on the sugar’s colour caused by impurities in the juice during the washing process is also minimised. Cleaning the sugarcane at the beginning of the extraction process, without the use of water, benefits the sugar production, adds the possibility of a greater availability of biomass for energy production, and minimises environmental impacts and reuse. The information and data delivered by this study can be used to change the way in which sugarcane is cleaned, improving the efficiency of the industrial performance in the production of sugar.

Keywords: Dry cleaning, sugar plant, ZEST WEG Sugar Cane Performance Indicator, sugar colour, sugarcane, CIP Clean in Place.

Biography: Marcos Mesquita Mesquita was born in São Paulo, Brazil. Thereafter he moved to Ribeirão Preto city, and started work at Santa Adélia Sugar Plant as an Engineer. While working at Santa Adélia he was invited to work at Johnson and Johnson, where he was able to experience an international career, traveling to Latin American. He learned a lot about the Latin American culture and language in the process control field. In September 1985 he moved to São Paulo and continued to work as a manager of Argentinian and Uruguayan subsidiaries in the Ecolab UNILEVER Group. He returned to Riberão Preto, to work at SMAR as the Manager of a technical assistance for eight years; where he has capable of doing a range of instrumental Plants. Different types of process, including: oil platforms, brewery plants and sugar plants in various sizes all over Brazil. He worked as a Specialist in the area of instrumentation and centralized process control. In July 2007 he accepted the challenge to do a sugar plant outside of Brazil, in the Peru Desert, as a WEG Project and Automation Department member. It was successfully implemented and they are currently in the seventh expansion on this plant. He is currently the Project Manager for sugar and ethanol plants inside the WEG Automation Division, part of ZEST WEG Group. Marcos is the author of five complete projects of automation of sugar plants in Brazil and two complete projects in Peru.

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VICIOUS CYCLES IN FACTORY OPERATIONS DLAMINI EM Tongaat Hulett Technology Group, 1 Amanzimnyama Hill Road, Tongaat, 4399 Ephraim.Dlamini@tongaat.com Abstract The daily operation of a sugar factory comes with many challenges, some new and some recurring. While some challenges are resolved quickly, others take longer to be resolved or even identified. In most cases, factory management gets deeply involved in resolving these operational issues. During such periods, the overall factory vision can be easily lost as rapid decisions, with minimal assessment, are made when in “fire-fighting mode”.

As a result, in such cases the implemented solution can become the source of the next operational problem which, in turn, can create further difficulties. A vicious cycle of operational or technical problems is then formed. Often, only the symptoms are treated and the cycle is only broken when the main problem is resolved.

The case studies in this paper show how some vicious cycles are started, their impact and the approach needed to break the cycles. Experience, exposure and attention to detail are the main contributing factors in successfully identifying and resolving these operational problems. Routine physical checks, for example, would have assisted in identifying a problem like excessive centrifugal water caused by condensing steam. Similar checks would also help identify sugar left in centrifugal baskets because of poor plough settings. Experience and exposure also play a vital role in prioritising maintenance budgets.

The vicious cycles can form at any time and in any organisation, and can be very costly, especially if they are not identified early on. Root cause analysis is the best tool to break these cycles. A Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) study prior to modifications and projects can prevent these cycles.

Keywords: sugar factory, factory stock, technical problems, HAZOP, symptoms, operations, production.

Biography: Ephraim Mafika Dlamini Ephraim Dlamini is a Process Engineer at Tongaat Hulett, working for the Technology Group under Operations Support. He joined the sugar industry in 2003 as a Process Trainee at Illovo Sugar at their Noodsberg Mill. He progressed his career and did EIT-ship between 2006 and 2009 after which he became Assistant Production Manager (APM), still at Noodsberg. He served as an APM in different sections of the mill until March 2015 and then joined Tongaat Hulett.

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TRACKING DYNAMIC HOLD-UP OF JUICE IN A CANE BED LOUBSER R C Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa rloubser@smri.org Abstract Effective extraction of sucrose in a cane diffuser requires good contact between the juice and the cane fibres. A finite element model to assist with understanding the complex interactions of stage pump operations and variation of permeability on juice distribution within the cane bed, is being built. The model consists of a set of sub-models for the elements that make up the diffuser such as the sprays, trays, pumps and cane bed.

The mathematical description of juice percolation through a bed of cane is a key step in model development and one that cannot be easily validated on a full-scale diffuser. This paper describes the development of the sub-model of the cane bed to predict how saturation of the cane bed changes as a function of time and location using mass conservation combined with Darcy’s and Richards’ equations.

Experimental data from a glass tank, representing a small section of a diffuser, were used to validate the model which was configured for the geometry of the experimental tank. The bed was divided into elements to match the model by marking off the element boundaries on the glass front of the tank. The pump supplying juice to the spray at the top of the tank was started and stopped at intervals to give increasing and decreasing amounts of juice in the bed. The degree of saturation in several elements was measured using conductance and logged as a function of time. This was compared to the outputs from the model.

Validation of the techniques used in the discrete dynamic model of the experimental tank diffuser will allow the methods to be applied when the model is reconfigured to represent a full-scale diffuser.

Keywords: diffuser, juice, flow, hold-up, modelling 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 co-authored several papers since he joined SASTA in 2000.

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M19: A PREMIUM SUGAR MILL ROLLER SHELL MATERIAL FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE OF CONVENTIONAL AND HIGH PERFORMANCE INTERNAL BLEEDING ROLLERS SABNIS D AND SHAIKH M S.B. Reshellers Pvt. Ltd., Kolhapur, India dvsabnis@sbreshellers.com mmshaikh@sbreshellers.com Abstract S. B. Reshellers Pvt. Ltd. in India has developed a revolutionary alloy specifically catering to sugar millers worldwide. This paper explores the material, the SBR Alloy, a cast iron alloy which has the benefits of open grain cast iron, but has higher strength, excellent weldability, and higher wear and corrosion resistance than cast iron. This paper will compare the abovementioned properties with traditional cast iron, used for its rough surface which is conducive to better traction. However, the cast iron material has many shortcomings, including low elongation, and as a result the roller teeth tend to break under high concentrated loads. The traditional cast iron suffers from low strength and low weldability.

Economically, the SBR Alloy is preferred by many sugar factories as the slight increase in cost is immediately offset by longer life and better performance of the rollers.

SBR Alloy also enhances the performance of the Kamal internal bleeding rollers which, by design, is itself much better than the Lotus design prevalent in most parts of the world. This paper discusses the operation of internal bleeding Kamal rollers and their advantages.

Keywords: sugar mill roller, internal bleeding, cast iron, SBR Alloy, Kamal, wear resistance, weldability Biography: Deepen Sabnis Deepen Sabnis is AGM (Business Development) for S.B. Reshellers Pvt.Ltd. He holds a DIEE (diploma in Industrial Electronics). Though basically an Electronics engineer, Mr. Sabnis has 20 years of experience in the field of sugar milling, especially in manufacturing of various types of Sugar Mill rollers relating to material of construction and shell geometries. He has also been part of the team implementing some of the innovative concepts in Sugar Cane milling. He regularly delivers lectures and seminars at various locations globally about the best practices and energy efficiency in the process of sugar milling.

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DIFFUSER JUICE SCREENING USING FINE WOVEN MESH SCREENS - TRIAL RESULTS AND FULL SCALE DESIGN JENSEN PS 1

Tongaat Hulett Technology group paul.jensen@tongaat.com

Abstract Wedge wire screens with apertures between 500 and 1000 µm are used in most sugarcane factories to remove large fibres from mill or diffuser juice. They are followed by settling clarifiers which, if working correctly, remove the remaining suspended solids. The Direct Clear Juice (DCJ) concept, which clarifies the juice in the diffuser, requires the removal of bagacillo particles down to 80 µm. At this aperture, woven mesh screens have a much larger open area than wedge wire screens and thus a smaller screening station is required. A trial woven mesh screen was installed at Maidstone in November 2015 to assess its effectiveness at removing bagasse at the concentration and particle size typically found in diffuser juice. Based on the promising results a full scale woven mesh screening station was designed. Woven mesh screens are sometimes installed as safety nets after clarification to remove any fibres which did not settle. With the economic drive towards more compact clarifiers, it is expected that the popularity of these screens will also increase.

Keywords: screening, clarification, diffusion, DCJ, woven mesh, wedge wire Biography: Paul Jensen Paul, started in the sugar industry in 2006 as a process EIT at Tongaat Hulett’s Maidstone factory.

He worked in Norway for 3 years between 2008 and 2011 before returning to South Africa and joining the SMRI’s research team where he worked for 4 years. In 2015 he rejoined Tongaat Hulett in their Technology group.

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COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING CHIDEDE M 1 Dresser-Rand, South Africa michael.chidede@siemens.com

Abstract Climate change has altered rainfall patterns across the globe, making reliable forecasting of production extremely difficult.

In the African region this is compounded by increasingly unreliable energy supply and exponentially increasing costs. It is therefore imperative for the industry to utilise its existing asset base to generate alternative revenue streams to smooth out the troughs in income and ensure the sustainability of its operations.

Sugar mills are in the enviable position of being considered renewable energy Independent Power Producers (IPPs) under the world class REFIT programme and therefore receive preferential feed-in tariffs, making generation of electricity for the national grid a commercially viable proposition. As demand outstrips supply, the national grids of the entire Southern African region will remain constrained for the foreseeable future.

Dresser-Rand (Siemens) presents solutions to extract more value out of existing assets through performance/efficiency/ reliability upgrades on co-generation plants thereby increasing electricity production or reducing energy consumption.

These savings are then applied to a unique funding model in terms of which the initial investment is funded via the Siemens finance division, bypassing the need for upfront capital expenditure on the part of the plant owner. It is a win-win scenario.

Keywords: REFIT, energy performance contracting, efficiency upgrades, alternative revenue streams, capital expenditure, applied technology, co-generation.

Biography: Michael Chidede Michael is the Dresser-Rand (Siemens) project development manager responsible for aftermarket business development for Southern and East Africa. His project management experience includes work on large-scale developments like the Medupi and Kusile power plants, and the Koeberg nuclear power station.

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COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

LEWATIT® ION EXCHANGE RESIN FOR DECOLOURISATION OF SUGAR SYRUPS HERMSDORF N1, KOTZE 1

M1

HARDWICK J2, HARDWICK E2

LANXESS Deutschland GmbH, BU Liquid Purification Technologies, LANXESS Tower, Kennedyplatz 1, 50569 Cologne, Germany nadja.hermsdorf@lanxess.com marthie.kotze@lanxess.com 2 Cwenga Technologies (Pty) Ltd, 28 Boeing Road East, Dunvegan, Jenny@cwenga.com Ed@cwenga.com

Abstract Sugar solutions have been treated with ion exchangers for over a century. Originally, the aim was to reduce the cation content in order to increase the sugar yield. The development of far more efficient ion exchanger resins, based on styrene/ divinylbenzene copolymers and crosslinked polyacrylamides, has considerably increased the yield and the purity of the end products.

In addition to demineralisation and decolourisation of mostly thin juices, chromatographic procedures, ion exclusion processes, decolourisation of syrup and the production of liquid sugar solutions are gaining importance. Today the main fields of ion exchange resin application in the sugar industry are: • softening before evaporation and crystallisation; • demineralisation to increase yield by elimination of ash; • decolourisation to improve sugar quality; • high quality liquid sugar production by elimination of ash and colourants; • catalysis by strong acid cation resins of inversion of sucrose; • chromatographic separation of glucose and fructose; and • chromatographic separation of sugar and by-products from molasses.

Ion exchange resins manufactured by Lanxess have been used for more than 75 years. For the use in the food industry, where standards are far higher than in the industrial water treatment sector, especially with regard to the purity of the final product, Lanxess has introduced a special Lewatit® product portfolio.

Keywords: ion exchange resin, decolourisation, demineralisation, sugar solutions, sugarcane Biography: Dr Nadja Hermsdorf Nadja, the technical manager at Lanxess in Germany, has had more than 10 years’ experience as a chemist and researcher. She has a PhD from the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces.

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COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

SELECTING THE PROPER GENERATOR DA SILVA J J AND THACKRAY A jefferson.joeicemir@brush.eu alex.thackray@brush.eu Abstract The aim of this presentation is to explore the key fundamental aspects for a long-lasting and rentable generator.

Incentives to invest in Africa are opening up prospects for new revenue streams for sugar producers, including the opportunity to generate power. Come that time, sugar mill owners will have to write proper specifications defining their requirements in order to acquire reliable equipment and proper return on investments.

In this market, it is an important and common practice to explore thoroughly the turbine capabilities in terms of temperatures, pressures and in-crop and out-crop seasons. However, less attention is paid to the generator equipment itself, leading to unreliability and loss of money due to lower efficiency and performance. The intention of this discussion therefore is to pragmatically explore key technical generator aspects that should be included in any specification to ensure a highly efficient, reliable long-lasting turbo-generator sets and, ultimately, enhance the return on investments.

Keywords: generators, return on investments, technical specifications, and reliable, key technical aspects.

Biography: Jefferson Joeicemir da Silva Jefferson is an electrical engineer with 20 years’ experience in the field of electrical rotating machines. He has a Master’s in International Business and an MBA in strategic management.

Jefferson is Sales Director for BRUSH Electrical Machines.

Biography: Alex Thackray Alex has eight years’ experience in international business and heavy engineering. He is the regional sales manager for Africa for BRUSH Electrical Machines and has an MBA and BEng.

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COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

LOCALLY MANUFACTURED POWDER FLOCCULANTS FOR JUICE CLARIFICATION STEVENS MW ImproChem, 1 Maxwell Drive, Modderfontein 1654, South Africa marc.stevens@improchem.co.za Abstract AECI’s wholly owned water, energy and air solutions subsidiary, ImproChem, now has access to the locally manufactured AECI SENFLOC range of powder flocculants. This gives ImproChem a significant competitive edge over opposition companies which are all currently using imported products.

The locally manufactured SENFLOC range gives ImproChem the added advantages of shorter lead times and lower cost to the market, and with current exchange rates, the cost of imported products are spiralling out of control. The locally manufactured SENFLOC products also have the advantage of being locally supported by the AECI technical team.

Based on preliminary laboratory evaluations and plant trials, significant improvements in Clear Juice Clarity can be achieved with these locally manufactured SENFLOC products. There is therefore not only a cost benefit, but a performance benefit as well.

This paper shows the benefits that can be realised with the use of these products in the southern African sugar market.

Keywords: Polyacrylamide, Mixed Juice Flocculation, Local Manufactured Flocculants, Improved Clear Juice Clarity, Reduced Treatment Costs Biography: Marc Stevens Marc, the Market Development Manager at AECI’s water, energy and air solutions subsidiary ImproChem, has worked in the sugar industry for 14 years during which time he has visited mills in several southern African countries. Prior to that, Marc worked in the paper manufacturing and water treatment industries.

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CHEMICAL CLEANING OF EVAPORATION SYSTEMS SANTOS JA AND DE LIRA PCE GE Energy – Infrastructure Power & Water, 13064-654 - Campinas SP, josea.santos@ge.com Abstract Chemical cleaning of sugar evaporators is a very important operation in a sugar mill due to its impact on the overall energy consumption per weight of produced sugar. This paper will discuss a new high performance, cleaner design and the results achieved. The use of high efficiency, formulated products, along with the right procedures, leads to not only a better cleaning of the evaporation effects, with a positive impact on the plant’s thermal efficiency, but also to higher protection against corrosive attack during the cleaning procedure.

The development of chemical cleaners starts with the evaluation of performance and corrosive attacks in bench trials of various caustic and organic acid solutions, blended with anti-corrosive agents (for acid chemical cleaning), as well as dispersants, chelants and surfactant agents (for both acid and alkaline cleaning). All these products have to be tested against the most common evaporator metallurgy used in the sugar industry. This exhaustive pre-screening in the laboratory indicates which alkaline and acid formulations yield the best results in terms of cleaning, along with the lowest corrosive attack.

The next step is the evaluation of the most promising formulations in a pilot-plant, which simulates the process conditions, including temperature, turbulence and concentration, within a heat exchanger. Samples of tubes with real case scaling are used in these experiments. These tubes are cut from sugar evaporators during maintenance procedures. After completing these evaluations, plant trials with the most efficient formulations are executed in sugar mills. The use of chemical cleaning using an alkaline step followed by an acid step means there will be no need to work in a confined space. It further leads to an increase in the evaporators’ output due to the higher flow rate, and decreases the number of interruptions in the cleaning process, reaching better heat exchange efficiency, allowing further use of steam in electricity cogeneration systems, and reducing wastewater generation in comparison to the existing rosettes and water jet methods.

Keywords: evaporation, syrup, chemical, cleaning, efficiency, anti-corrosive Biography: José Aparecido Dos Santos José Santos (Bachelor in Industrial Chemistry) has more than 35 years experience in the fields of chemical applications for sugar and ethanol mills, as well as project analysis and modification of industrial equipment to improve yield and quality.

José also trains technical personnel in order to qualify them for better control of production and quality. José leads the GE Water LAM R&D laboratory, responsible for developing various products for the S&E industry, like chemical cleaning agents, decolorizing agents for clarification, and ethanol fermentation antifoamers and defoamers.

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THE SMRI INTERLABORATORY PROFICIENCY SCHEME - REPEATABILITY, REPRODUCIBILITY AND MORE WALFORD SN AND PILLAY V Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, c/o University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa swalford@smri.org vpillay@smri.org Abstract The Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI) has for many years organised an inter-laboratory testing scheme, the results of which were used to determine the ‘Best Laboratory’ within the industry annually. Participating mill laboratories were supplied with Very High Polarisation (VHP) sugar and composite final molasses samples previously analysed at the SMRI and, in the case of VHP sugar, the South African Sugar Association Sugar Terminal laboratory. The samples were analysed at the mill laboratories and the results compared against the “assigned” values. Test scores of one or zero were assigned depending on whether the results were within or outside of industry accepted tolerances. The major drawback with this scheme is that binary scoring does not provide the participants with a system that can be used to monitor the ongoing performance of the laboratory.

The interlaboratory scheme was modified and a proficiency scheme was introduced in the 2015/16 season based on a z-score system. The system is based on a target standard deviation and the difference between the participant’s result (x) and an “assigned” analyte value (xa). The z score system was used to provide continuous quality feedback throughout the season. The overall performance of a laboratory for the season was monitored using the rescaled sum of z-scores (RSZ). The ultimate aim of the proficiency scheme is to improve and maintain the quality of analytical results. These results provide the SMRI with the necessary information to establish analytical precision values that can be fed back into the proficiency scheme.

Keywords: analysis, proficiency scheme, reproducibility, repeatability Biography: Stephen Walford Stephen manages the Analytical Quality & Development group at the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI). He is the nominated representative for the SMRI ISO17025 quality system and responsible for the management and on-going development of the system. It is in this role that he is excited about the potential of proficiency schemes to help improve and maintain the quality of analytical techniques within the mill envirnoment. Stephen has a research interest in analytical techniques and instrumentation, is the chairman of the South African National Committee for ICUMSA and presented at both local and international conferences. Outside of work, he has interests in woodwork and music.

Biography: Venishree Pillay Venishree is responsible for the day-to-day running and maintenance of the SMRI Quality System. This includes maintenance of the total Quality System on the SMRI SharePoint system, helping with continuous improvement of the system, internal auditing and organising and evaluating the mill interlaboratory schemes. It is in this role that she played a crucial part in helping to develop the scheme shown in this work. She is also the SHE Supervisor for Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC, South Africa.

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UPDATE ON THE OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE OF THE GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON PLANT AT NCHALO - 15 YEARS LATER MPESI P1, HARDWICK EK 2, SIBALE S3, KHOZA E4, HARDWICK JG5 Illovo, Nchalo - Malawi, pmpesi@illovo.co.za, 2Cwenga, Dunvegan - South Africa, ed@cwenga.com 3 Illovo, Nchalo - Malawi, ssibale@illovo.co.za, 4Illovo, Nchalo - Malawi,ekhoza@illovo.co.za 5 Cwenga, Dunvegan - South Africa, jenny@cwenga.com

1

Abstract During the 1999-2000 off-crop season, a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) system with a reactivation facility was installed at Nchalo mill to replace the existing sulphitation process for sugar decolourisation. In 2001, a paper was presented at SASTA by Illovo on the operation and performance of the GAC Plant at Nchalo over its first season of operation.

Over the next 14 years of operation the plant at Nchalo had been topped up by Chemviron CANECALÂŽ activated carbon.

Inlet colour to the activated carbon has risen due to poor crop quality in 2015 but the GAC system still performs above design at 73 % colour removal. Over the life of the plant there have been some modifications, such as refurbishment of the whole kiln and introduction of the kiln automatic control panel, to the design.

Keywords: Activated carbon, Nchalo, ICUMSA, reactivation, decolourisation Biography: Phillip Duncan Mpesi Phillip has a BSc in Chemistry obtained from the University of Malawi, Chancellor College in 1996.

As an under graduate (1995-1996), he worked as a Research Analyst for Chancellor College Chemistry Department on the following: Spectrophotometric and Column chromatographic determination of total Cyanide and Linamarin in cassava and urine samples under Professor J.D.K. Saka and on Determination of Iodine, peroxide and saponification values, amount of unsaponifiable matter, Beta carotene, Ascorbic acid, phytates, oxalates and tannins in leaves of Moringa oleifera, rape and cabbage under Dr. E.B. Henry. After graduating, he worked in a Pharmaceutical company, in the Food and Confectionery Industry, and the Tobacco Industry before joining Illovo Sugar Malawi Limited in 2008 as Laboratory Manager, where I had an opportunity of working with Dr. Barbara Muir (SMRI- 2009) on Iron removal from Mixed Juice using a Tannin Based Flocculant. In 2011, he was appointed as Shift Manager, then Packaging Manager (2012) where he was actively involved in a project aimed at fortifying sugar for the local market. In 2014, he was appointed as Refinery Manager for Illovo Sugar (Malawi) Limited.

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15-DAY ANNUAL MAINTENANCE SHUT: HULREF’S JOURNEY FROM CHAOS TO INTERDEPENDENCE MOODLEY M, RAMBAKUS Z AND PULLOCK R Tongaat-Hulett Sugar-Refinery, P.O. Box 1501, Durban 4000 Mano.Moodley@tongaat.com Abstract The Tongaat-Hulett Sugar South Africa-Refinery (Hulref) operates continuously for 47 weeks of the year with a two-week mini-shut in December and a three-week annual shut in April. This means that a significant portion of the maintenance has to be done in a relatively short period. In this paper the eight-year journey that was undertaken to change the culture from “chaos” to “interdependence” will be discussed.

The annual refinery shut is a complex event and includes:• About 3 000 tasks to be done; • A number of projects to be executed; • A total complement of about 700 permanent and contract staff; • Selected parts of the plant continuing with operations; • A large number of vehicles entering the refinery on a daily basis; • A large site (5,3 hectares); and • Maintaining safety standards.

The effectiveness of the shut comprises of three elements viz.

• The boil-off; • Maintenance work; and • The start-up.

In this paper each element will be discussed in detail. The approach used in changing the culture at the refinery to one of interdependence was that of systems thinking. As with any complex change process, there was some resistance and the mitigating strategies to deal with this are discussed in detail. Data on the effectiveness of the approach taken to work as an interdependent team will also be presented.

Keywords: refining, annual shut, maintenance shut, off-crop Biography: Mano Moodley Mano Moodley is currently the Factory Manager at Hulref. He has 30 years of sugar experience (SMRI, TSB, TEG and now at the refinery). He has authored and co-authored a large number of both SASTA and SIT (Sugar Industry Technologist) papers.

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SPENT WASH/VINASSE/STILLAGE INCINERATION TECHNOLOGY BALASUBRAMANIAN S AND KANNAN P Fivescail-KCP Limited, #2, Dr P V Cherian Crescent, Egmore, Chennai-600008, sankar@fivescail-kcp.com, sales.energy@fivescail-kcp.com Abstract The distillery industry tops the list of industries that cause the most environmental degradation. The effluent from distilleries is described as slop/spent wash/vinasse/stillage. The effective disposal of the vinasse from distilleries is one of the major problems faced by the industry. In the research paper published in Seronica, a journal of the Socio Environmental Research Organisation, Issue: Volume 1 Number 3, September 2010, the following points were recorded: 1) When applied to agricultural land, the high nutrient load present in distillery vinasse leads to eutrophication (the enrichment of nutrients which leads to undesired vegetation). This proved to be an incorrect method of disposal; 2) Some interim relief in the disposal of distillery effluent has been gained with biomethanation and bio-composting but there are many challenges with these processes. Although distillery effluent is a valuable source for plant nutrients, sizeable amounts of waste remain unutilised after production of biogas and bio-compost. Hence, this can be an option only in the absence of a foolproof technology for distillery effluent treatment.

Vinasse concentration and incineration, which has attracted the attention of the industry in the past few years, is the next option. For many years, incineration technology has posed several challenges, including ash chocking, ash clogging, clinker formation, and corrosion of boiler components. The continuous and consistent operation of boilers is another major challenge. However, with continual improvement, the technology has today reached a maturity level which can give the industry confidence. Hence, vinasse incineration can today be claimed to be the best viable solution to treat distillery vinasse economically to meet the zero liquid discharge target of the distillery.

Another attraction of the technology is that the complete steam and power requirements of the distillery is met, thereby making the distillery self-reliant as well as meeting pollution norms.

Keywords: vinasse, incinerator, travelling grate, bag filter, air to cloth ratio Biography: Kannan Prakash Mr Prakash is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering (BE-Mech), Specialised in Sugar Engineering (ANSI in Sugar Engineering), and proficiency certified in Boiler Operation (BOE), and a Certified Energy Auditor (CEA). He is Marketing Head (Energy Division) for Fives Cail-KCP Ltd.,Chennai, India. He has 23 years of experience in the Sugar Industry, about 14 years of experience in operation and maintenance of sugar factories and about 5 years in project execution of various sugar plant and boiler projects, and 4 years heading marketing function at Fives Cail-KCP., Energy Division.

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COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

REAL TIME VIDEO MONITORING BENEFITS FOR ON-LINE SUGAR COLOUR ANALYSER AND PAN MICROSCOPE DUC N ITECA SOCADEI Color & Vision Department, 445 rue Denis Papin - Europôle de l’Arbois - Aix en Provence - France norbert.duc@iteca.fr Abstract Video monitoring of the pan boiling and the centrifuging processes using the most advanced image processing techniques contributes greatly to improving the crystallisation process.

At the pan level, a HD video pan microscope can deliver real time statistical information such as detecting CV, MA, seeds and fines from 4µm. Our exclusive and automatic movement of LED backlighting, combined with a 2048 x 2048 high resolution image, allows the operator a detailed characterisation of the pan operation and the best possible sequence to produce stable final massecuite quality with lower CV. On the centrifugal floor, an on-line colourimeter displays real time video and detects non- conformities such as brown lumps, black spots and out of spec colour. The washing time and spinning speed of the centrifuges are individually and automatically fine-tuned and the out of spec products are cleverly diverted through an automated flap, avoiding the silo or dryer contamination. The main results that can be achieved include: • better massecuite quality and reduction of re-melting by up to 20% • detection of conglomerates to set the right steaming out quantity, and no over washing • reduced strike time with comparison tools between strikes or pans • full traceability: detection of non-conformity with corresponding videos • guarantee of keeping global trends within sugar colour targets • easy diagnosis of the centrifuge operation: bar misalignment, nozzle blockages, plough discharger and valves • high reduction of “out of spec” sugar to be re melted: up to 49% • centrifuge performance improvement with automatic water usage reduction • less than one-year payback because of energy savings in water, electricity and production gains.

Keywords: video monitoring, colourimeter, pan microscope, crystallisation, process optimisation, on-line analysis Biography: Duc Norbert Norbert is part of the team at ITECA Color & Vision dedicated to making improvements to the global sugar industry. He has both an engineering and management background.

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COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

THE MISCONCEPTION OF VIBRATING MOTORS AND THE APPLICATION OF “GRASS HOPPER” VIBRATING CONVEYORS IN THE TRANSPORTING OF SUGAR NAGEL H Hennie.nagel@regalconsultant.co.za Abstract Vibrating Motors (VM) have become very popular and an accepted primary drive force with Vibrating Systems. However, it is disappointing that there is no standard global specification for these motors.

VM manufacturers each generally have their own specification, which makes the replacement of a motor nearly impossible for the user as the mounting holes are all different and the technical specifications can be very misleading.

This paper will discuss these misconceptions. The paper will further point out how VM can now be applied to “Grass Hopper” vibrating conveyors as well as other types of Vibrating Conveyors (VC), such as the Positive Arm or Eccentric Shaft Drive, that allow the VC to operate at its natural frequency. Tube Vibrating Feeders, in some cases, offer a more economical solution to a Vibrating Conveyor.

Keywords: sugarcane, growth, harvesting, Biography: Hennie Nagel Hennie is a consultant on Vibrating Equipment and Motors at Regal Beloit, South Africa, who designed his own range of Vibrating Motors, Excitor, more than two decades ago. He has had training and work experience locally, in the United States and in China, and is the author of A Guide to the Understanding and the Selection of Vibrating Feeders. He is also an Associate Member of the South African Institute of Industrial Engineers.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION

PROCESS PERFECTION - CANE MUD LIVESEY I, HAIGH N AND GRIMWOOD G.C. ilivesey@broadbent.co.uk nhaigh@broadbent.co.uk cgrimwood@broadbent.co.uk Abstract Decanter centrifuges have been available for many years as a means of processing raw cane mud. It is only recently however that they have become widely recognised as viable alternative to the traditionally used rotary vacuum filters.

As a leader in the field of continuous and batch centrifuges for over 100 years and a specialist in sugar, Thomas Broadbent & Sons has had a particular interest in the development of centrifuges for this application. Broadbent large scale decanters have been operating successfully on this process for over 10 years.

Improvements in centrifuge technology mean that current mud decanters can offer: • Equivalent or better solids recovery than mud filters, reducing the quantity of fine solids being recirculated.

• Similar sugar losses to mud filters achieved by washing the solids internally in the decanter with no requirement for re-slurry washing of the mud.

• Low speed operation leading to reduced wear rates and maintenance costs.

The pressure on the sugar industry as a whole to reduce costs means that decanters now have a number of significant advantages when compared to vacuum filters including: • No requirement for added bagacillo.

• Installed power is slightly less than rotary filter without any requirement for vacuum system.

• Smaller footprint.

• Reduced operator intervention and easier automation.

• Reduced microbiological losses and invert sugar.

Keywords: cane mud, centrifuge, decanters, filter, sugar losses, energy, bagacillo Biography: Ian Livesey With more than 15 years’ experience in the mechanical and thermal separation industry, especially within the global processing market, Ian has built up a broad knowledge base in his field. His specialist knowledge covers the key portfolio of products in the chemical, pharmaceutical, mineral and sweetener industries. He is the sales director at Thomas Broadbent & Sons (United Kingdom).

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REFEREED PAPER

FOUR WAYS OF IMPROVING BOILER EFFICIENCY KOTZE C John Thompson, Sacks Circle, Bellville South, 7530, South Africa christofk@johnthompson.co.za Abstract This paper presents four relevant ways of increasing boiler energy efficiency in the sugar industry by means of small modifications to the boiler plant. It covers the efficiency gain of a double tube plate airheater, controlled superheater with attemperator, sealing of air leaks to prevent air ingress, and a flash vessel. These are proven modifications that yield a good return on investment through increased energy efficiency and plant reliability that can be applied to the majority of installed boilers in the sugar industry.

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.

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79

REFEREED PAPER

A COAL CLASSIFICATION METHOD TO EVALUATE BOILER PERFORMANCE, USING COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS AND A FIXED BED REACTOR VAN DER MERWE SW AND DU TOIT P John Thompson, Sacks Circle, Bellville South, 7530, South Africa schalkv@johnthompson.co.za Abstract Coal quality, which has deteriorated in South Africa, is a major factor for sugar mills to consider especially as co-generation becomes a growing concern. Coal quality is especially essential in sugar mills reliant on coal for refining and, as is often the case, the proximate analysis cannot be used as the solitary predictor of boiler performance.

Abundant literature is available for pulverised coal combustion in boilers, with validated details on devolatilisation rates, volatile reaction kinetic rates, carbon monoxide reaction rates and char burnout rates. This level of detail is required to successfully simulate boiler performance with CFD simulations. Testing equipment to determine these parameters is expensive and requires numerous tests to achieve a confident result. The results from these tests also need careful consideration to be implemented in a fixed bed model as all parameters may not be relevant.

This paper details a novel testing procedure and fixed bed reactor where parameters of fixed bed combustion can be determined. These parameters are linked with a CFD model of the reactor and subsequently used to predict performance in large industrial boilers. Following a standardised methodology for testing, a database of various coal qualities and their area of origin have been established.

Keywords: fixed bed combustion, computational fluid dynamics, particle size distribution Biography: Schalk van der Merwe Schalk is a research and development engineer at John Thompsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Industrial Watertube division.

He received his Bachelors in Mechanical engineering degree at the University of Stellenbosch in 2006 and completed his Masters in Science Engineering degree in 2009 at the University of Stellenbosch. His focus during his post-graduate studies was on Hydrogen fuel cells and CFD modelling thereof.

He joined John Thompson in 2013, and is currently working on CFD combustion modelling and the validation of the models. Current interests are the development and improvements of high temperature in-situ measurement techniques related to boilers. These include suction pyrometers, optical pyrometers and thermal cameras.

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REFEREED PAPER

MATLAB® MODELLING OF A SUGAR MILL: MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION STARZAK M1 AND DAVIS SB2 Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC 1 mstarzak@smri.org 2 sdavis@smri.org Abstract The Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC in Durban, in collaboration with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, is undertaking broad techno-economic modelling of the sugarcane biorefinery as a basis for selecting products and processes with the highest potential for successful implementation. A case study modelling of pre-selected plant configurations involving mass and energy balances of individual units constituting a generic sugar mill as basis for a biorefinery was adopted.

The presented study reports on a MATLAB® model of a raw sugar mill. A plant configuration with mud filtration, five-effect evaporation and a three-boiling partial remelt scheme for the boiling house was selected. Special emphasis was placed on the method of boiling house modelling. The MATLAB® model was successfully verified against calculation results obtained from the Sugars™ simulation program for the same input data. The model validation task included over 50 factory performance indicators taken from the 90th Annual Review of the Milling Season in Southern Africa (2014-2015) (Smith et al., 2015). An optimal set of model parameters that produced a data fit within the mean standard deviation of factory figures from several South African mills, was obtained. A new solubility coefficient equation, specific to sugar streams encountered in the South African sugar industry, was also proposed.

Keywords: sugar mill, model, validation, factory performance, biorefinery.

Biography: Maciej Starzak Maciej Starzak completed his PhD in 1986 at the Technical University of Łódz, Poland, in the area of chemical reaction engineering. He then spent two years as a post-doc at the University of Missouri-Columbia working on a bioprocess engineering project. In 1991 he joined the former University of Natal (today UKZN). For the following 21 years he taught there various subjects of chemical engineering, initially as a lecturer and finally as an associate professor. He has a long record of research collaboration with the Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France, in the area of physical chemistry of sugar and polyol solutions. He is currently a part-time research fellow with the Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC in Durban, involved in the Biorefinery TechnoEconomic Modelling project.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

EXHIBITION FLOORPLAN

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association - 2016

81

82

EXHIBITOR (ALPHABETICAL)

STAND NO

STAND NO EXHIBITOR (NUMERICAL)

Adapt IT (Pty) Ltd

48

2&3

Anton Paar SA

54

4

Bell Equipment Company BMG

PGBI Praj Industries

39

5

Emineo Ltd / De Smet Engineers

34 & 35

6

Renold Crofts

Bonfiglioli South Africa Bosch Projects

32

7

IWC

47

9

Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Brenley Engineering

25

11

Topcon Precision Agriculture

Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd

9

12

Sivest SA (Pty) Ltd

Buckman Laboratories

55

13

ImproChem

Crown Engineering

17

14

John Thompson

26 & 27

15

FAS TSE Engineering Crown Engineering

Dresser-Rand Elgin Engineering

49

16

Emineo Ltd / De Smet Engineers

5

17

ImproChem

13

18

J-Pak (Pty) Ltd

ITECA IWC

36

19

7

20

NALCO MES Engineering Services

John Thompson

14

21

Mecosa (Pty) Ltd

J-Pak (Pty) Ltd

18

22

Lakeside Equipment

Kelvion Services (Pty) Ltd / GEA Nilenca (Pty) Ltd

59

23

Turbine Generator Services

Lakeside Equipment

22

25

Mecosa (Pty) Ltd

21

26 & 27

MES Engineering Services

20

28

NALCO NETAFIM S.A.

19

29 & 30

Peter Brotherhood Ltd PGBI Praj Industries

Brenley Engineering Dresser-Rand VRL Automation Engineering & Projects Pvt Ltd S. B. Reshellers Pvt Ltd

52

31

WEIR

40 & 41

32

Bonfiglioli South Africa

2&3

34 & 35

BMG

4

36

ITECA

Regal Beloit

46

38

Thomas Broadbent & Sons Ltd

Reggiana Riduttori

50

39

Bell Equipment Company

Renold Crofts

6

40 & 41

Rotating Technologies and Services

45

43 & 44

SASTA S. B. Reshellers Pvt Ltd FAS Sivest SA (Pty) Ltd Sonkor Engineering Sucrotech

56

45

29 & 30

46

Peter Brotherhood Ltd Sucrotech Rotating Technologies and Services Regal Beloit

15

47

Bosch Projects

12

48

Adapt IT (Pty) Ltd

53

49

Elgin Engineering

43 & 44

50

Reggiana Riduttori

Thomas Broadbent & Sons Ltd Topcon Precision Agriculture

38

51

Zest Weg Group

11

52

NETAFIM S.A.

TSE Engineering Turbine Generator Services

16

53

Sonkor Engineering

23

54

Anton Paar SA

Valve Specialists

61

55

Buckman Laboratories

Vesconite Bearings VRL Automation Engineering & Projects Pvt Ltd

60

56

SASTA

WEIR Zest Weg Group

28

59

Kelvion Services (Pty) Ltd / GEA Nilenca (Pty) Ltd

31

60

Vesconite Bearings

51

61

Valve Specialists

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association - 2016

83 ADAPT IT (PTY) LTD

BELL EQUIPMENT

Stand Number 48 Representative Rajan Pillay and Amanda Reddy

Stand Number 39 Representative Tim Beningfield

Telephone Email Website

Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)31 5147300 dbn.sales@adaptit.co.za www.adaptit.co.za

Adapt IT is a strategic ICT partner for customers in agroprocessing, manufacturing, mining, and utilities. We understand your sector challenges and create innovative ICT solutions to address them. Adapt IT has over 800 employees operating from business divisions in Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, led by a core team of executives. Adapt IT has customers in 38 countries worldwide.

Bell Equipment has a solid reputation in the sugar industry for quality innovation gained through over sixty years of experience. Our product range represents the lowest cost per ton solutions for Southern African sugar operations.

Marketed, distributed and supported locally through our wide network of Bell Customer Service Centres, providing Strong Reliable Machines and Support.

BMA / SUCROTECH / STEVAL

ANTON PAAR SOUTHERN AFRICA Stand Number 54 Representative Mrs Manju Naicker, Regional Branch Manager, KZN

Ms Nadine Govender, Sales Specialist Telephone

Email Website

+27 (0)35 9079437 warren.loffler.@za.bellequipment.com www.bellequipment.com

Head Office: +27 (0)11 0215165/6/7 KZN Office: +27 (0)31 2075318/9 CT Office: +27 (0)21 8010565 PE Office: +27 (0)76 8109587 info.za@anton-paar.com 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. Apart from being the world leader in the measurement of density, concentration and CO2 and in the field of rheometry, we also offer measuring and analysis instruments that include viscometers, polarimeters, refractometers, surface and material characterisation, petrochemical, sample preparation, microwave synthesis, particle characterization and advanced mechanical surface characterization instrumentation.

The team at Anton Paar Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd. with its more than 20 years combined experience on Anton Paar instrumentation looks forward to meeting you in person and providing you with our high quality application knowhow, sales and service support.

Stand Number 43 & 44 Representative Stuart Ritchie / Ronnie Chetty Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)31 5792211 engineering@sucrotech.co.za www.sucrotech.co.za

Supply of technology plus the design and manufacture of equipment for the processing of sugar.

BMG Stand Number 34 & 35 Representative Brett Carroll Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)82 4561555 brettc@bmgworld.net www.bmgworld.net

Maintaining full operational capacity all year round with BMG’s all-encompassing range of products and services: • Tools and Equipment • Fasteners • Fluid Technology • Materials Handling • Eletromechanical • Power Transmission • Seals • Fields Services • Bearings

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84 BONFIGLIOLI SOUTH AFRICA

BRUKER SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD

Stand Number 32 Representative Kevin Coull

Stand Number 9 Representative Neil Oosthuizen

Telephone Email Website

Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)82 5550062 / (0)31 7014150 kevin.coull@bonfiglioli.com 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 of sugar processing applications and has earned it an unrivalled reputation for performance quality and reliability.

+27 (0)83 3130155 Neil.oosthuizen@bruker.com www.bruker.com

Bruker South Africa provides spectroscopic solutions to the sugar industry. These include FT-NIR spectrometers for the analysis of sugar cane, factory and intermediate products as well as raw and refined sugar.

BUCKMAN

BOSCH PROJECTS Stand Number 47 Representative Steve Rosettenstein Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)31 5356000 mail@boschprojects.co.za www.boschprojects.co.za

Project and Construction Management, Engineering Services and Equipment Supply in the Sugar, Agricultural and Industrial Sectors.

• Feasibility Studies and Factory EMB’s • Complete Sugar Factories and Refineries • Cogeneration • Sugar Equipment Design and Supply • Agriculture BRENLEY ENGINEERING SALES CC Stand Number 25 Representative Dudley James Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)83 4487396 dudley@brenley.co.za www.brenley.co.za

Brenley Engineering Sales cc is a leading distributor of specialized instrumentation to the sugar industry for more than 2 decades. The business has led to numerous customer relationships with leading companies in the Southern African and Sub-Saharan regions. Our company vision is to provide workable solutions that will result in increased production through reliable and measurable continuity at a lower cost of ownership.

Stand Number 55 Representative Shannon Goddard Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)83 6557482 smgoddard@buckman.com www.buckman.com

Buckman is a privately held, global speciality chemical company serving customers in more than 90 countries. We work proactively and collaboratively with our worldwide sugar and ethanol customers to deliver innovative speciality chemical solutions and exceptional service to provide a measurable return on investment (ROI) and return on environment (ROE).

CROWN ENGINEERING Stand Number 17 Representative Johan Meyer Telephone Email Website

+61 410 477544 or +61 733 756300 Johan@crown-eng.com.au www.crown-eng.com.au

Crown Engineering is an ISO accredited Company with 96 years experience with a world class quality reputation in the design and manufacture of gears and various engineered products used in the Sugar, Power Generation and Mining Industries. We specializes in general machining, Gear manufacturing, fabrication and Gearbox Assemblies.

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85 DRESSER-RAND, A SIEMENS BUSINESS

EMINEO LTD

Stand Number 26 & 27 Representative Shane Govindsamy

Stand Number 5 Representative Arnaud de Speville

Telephone Email Website

Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)12 6619221 sgovindsamy@dresser-rand.com www.dresser-rand.com

The Dresser-Rand business, part of Siemens Power and Gas, offers some of the most efficient and environmentallyfriendly technology platforms, products and services in distributed power generation for oil and gas, industrial, institutional, and commercial clients and rural electrification programs. Solutions include: combined heat and power systems, biogas-fuelled gen-sets, hybrid systems, biomass and waste-to-energy steam turbine generators, compressed air energy storage (CAES), and more.

FAS Stand Number 15 Representative Keith Collings Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)31 5087436 keith.collings@sugar.org.za www.sugar.org.za/sasri

FAS Laboratory Service (SABS: ISO 9001) has been helping farmers take the guesswork out of crop nutrition for over 60 years. FAS clients receive customised advice derived from their management practices and attainable yields ensuring no wasted expenditure on unnecessary fertilisers, nor loss in revenue from under-application. Our impartial advice is based on SASRI’s vast research database and international research findings.

ELGIN ENGINEERING Stand Number 49 Representative Mervin Reddy Telephone Email Website

+230 6988200 adespeville@emineo.mu www.emineo.mu

+27 (0)31 2740000 mervinr@elgin.co.za www.elgin.co.za

Since 1949, Elgin Engineering’s team have been the go to guys for local sugar producers, manufacturing new machinery and ensuring that existing equipment is maintained in 100% working order. Elgin supplies more than 350 sugar rollers per year to the global sugar industry and has a workshop specially dedicated to the manufacture and maintenance of all types of sugar industry plant and equipment. We are able to undertake fabrications and casting of any size using our own large scale foundry and workshop facilities.

Elgin’s comprehensive capabilities include: • Sugar milling equipment including New Crushing/ Dewatering Mills, Shredder Rotors, Cane Knife Rotors and Hilo Unloaders.

• Sugar process equipment including Diffusers, Vacuum Pans, Crystallisers, Evaporators and Juice Heaters.

• Sugar maintenance spares including: New Mill Rollers, Reshelling, Scraper / Trashplates, Mill Pinions and Mill Bearings

IMPROCHEM Stand Number 13 Representative Marc Stevens Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)82 8242588 Marc.stevens@improchem.co.za www.improchem.co.za

ImproChem the Water, Energy and Air Solutions subsidiary of the AECI chemicals group, develop and offer products and services that are highly efficient and of excellent quality.

ImproChem has solutions for many operations in sugar and ethanol production starting with water coming into the process and ending with effluent leaving the process with a whole host of offerings in-between too.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

86 ITECA SOCADEI - COLOR&VISION DPT

JOHN THOMPSON

Stand Number 36 Representative Norbert Duc

Stand Number 14 Representative Fabio Maffeis

Telephone Email Website

Telephone Email Website

+33 626 394946 norbert.duc@iteca.fr www.iteca.fr

Colobserver® On-line sugar color analyzer with Video monitoring and recording, detection-sorting-counting of brown lumps, black spots and out of spec color.

Crystobserver® High Definition Video pan microscope with powerful verification and comparison tools between strikes or pans.

65 collaborators, 9 M€ turnover, exporting to 35 countries, worldwide local agents servicing our customers, 23 years of experience in the Sugar industry.

IWC (PTY) LTD

John Thompson does Design, Development, Retrofit, Manufacturing, Supply, Repair, Refurbishment. Services, Installation and Commissioning of Boilers, Vessels and Emissions clean up equipment and systems, both onsite and off-site. Manufacture of specialist fabrications and services and repair of boiler ancillaries, boiler-house management and operation as well as foundry operations and management.

KELVION SERVICES (PTY) LTD Previously GEA Nilenca (Pty) Ltd Stand Number 59 Representative Liezl Bothma

Stand Number 7 Representative Roger Rusch Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)83 3006791 fabiom@johnthompson.co.za www.johnthompson.co.za

+27 (0)11 4660699 roger@iwc.co.za www.iwc.co.za

IWC offers a large range of cooling towers and heat exchangers for all water cooling applications, including sugar mills and other industries. We offer the servicing and maintenance of all cooling tower and plate heat exchanger brands. We design, manufacture and supply fibreglass components for industrial applications such as tanks, piping, ducting and we also offer food grade fibreglass equipment.

Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)83 8443042 Liezl.bothma@kelvion.com www.kelvion.com

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. It is a new brand, but still the same reliable products previously supplied under the GEA brand!

LAKESIDE EQUIPMENT CC

J-PAK

Stand Number 22 Representative Tony Stipcich

Stand Number 18 Representative Bion Barnard Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)11 8250300 bion@jpak.co.za www.jpak.co.za

Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)31 7002137 lakesidequipment@mweb.co.za www.lakesidequipment.com

Sales, Manufacture, Repair of Industrial Pumps.

J-Pak has been a specialist supplier of Packaging, Quality Control & Coding & Marking Solutions to the Grains & Milling Industry for the past 40years. Our qualified industry expertise is complimented by a well-established footprint in Africa & South Africa, offering, 24/7 back-up & support.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

87 MECOSA (PTY) LTD

NETAFIM

Stand Number 21 Representative Henning Springer

Stand Number 52 Representative Gary Frances

Telephone Email Website

Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)11 2576100 measure@mecosa.co.za www.mecosa.co.za

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 34 years and continues to grow from strength to strength.

+27 (0)21 9870477 infoza@netafim.com www.netafim.co.za

HELPING THE WORLD GROW MORE WITH LESS. As the world’s population continues to rise and natural resources come under pressure, more efficiency makes more sense than ever. At netafim, we help our customers produce more yields and better crops with less resources.

PETER BROTHERHOOD LTD

MES ENGINEERING SERVICES

Stand Number 40 & 41 Representative Ray Bowell

Stand Number 20 Representative Mike Church (MES)

Fernando Viera (Western States) Telephone Email Website

Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)31 3052400 Turners34@iafrica.com www.messa.co.za

Western States Centrifuge Representative & Manufacturer of CMG MP Pump( Positive Displacement) & Agent For VRL Automation Engineering & Projects PVT LTD.

Peter Brotherhood Ltd is part of the Hayward Tyler Group, established in 1867 we have been manufacturing and servicing steam turbines from our facility in Peterborough UK for over one hundred years with over 500 steam turbines in sugar mills with outputs up to 38 MW. PGBI

NALCO WATER Stand Number 2 & 3 Representative Desmond Jenkins

Stand Number 19 Representative Brett Dunbar Telephone Email Website

+44 (0)1733 292200 info@peterbrotherhood.com www.peterbrotherhood.com

Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)11 5785000 nalcoafricareception@nalco.com www.ecolab.com

NALCO Water provides a full suite of comprehensive water expertise, deep process knowledge and applications that range from pre-treatment to boilers, cooling, process and post-treatment to help customers reduce, reuse and recycle water to minimize water usage.

+27 (0)82 9058007 Desmond.Jenkinson@draglobal.com www.PGBI.co.za

PGBI provides a full range of planning, project management, engineering and agricultural development services to the sugar, bio-ethanol, biomass power generation, timber and food and beverage industries. PGBI’s unique and innovative approach to project development is based on entering into strategic partnerships with clients. PGBI has acquired a particular reputation for project management of complex “fast-track” projects in the agricultural sector.

PGBI is a proud member of the DRA Group, offering our clients a wealth of experience backed by over 1200 industry professionals across 5 continents.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

88 PRAJ INDUSTRIES

RENOLD CROFTS

Stand Number 4 Representative Mr. Makarand Joshi

Stand Number 6 Representative Nolo Mothapo & Neil Ashton

Telephone

Email Website

Telephone: +27 (0)83 6532044

+27 (0)83 3685993 Email nolo.mothapo@renold.com neil.ashton@renold.com Website www.renold.com

+27 (0)72 8563211 +91 98 90 300380 - India info@praj.net www.praj.net

Praj is a global company driven by innovation and integration capabilities and offer solutions to add value by providing end-to-end services for putting up plants to produce variety grades of alcohol from sugar and starch based substrates. Praj has introduced value maximization solutions which enable to produce multiple products from the existing distillery/ethanol plant. Praj has 700 references to its credit.

REGAL BELOIT SOUTH AFRICA Stand Number 46 Representative Hilton Fortmann Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)82 0821010 hilton.fortmann@regalbeloit.com www.regalbeloit.co.za

Regal Beloit Corporation is a leading manufacturer of electric motors, mechanical and electrical motion control and power generation products serving markets throughout the world.

REGGIANA RIDUTTORI SRL Stand Number 50 Representative Mr. Mohan Patil Telephone Email Website

+39 0522259111 info@reggianariduttori.com www.reggianariduttori.com

With over 40 years of experience, Reggiana Riduttori is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading companies in the design and manufacture of gearboxes for power transmission applications. Our products are 100% manufactured in Italy and offer the most innovative solution for the sugar cane industry.

Renold Crofts has specialised in supplying chains and a wide range of locally manufactured gearboxes, clutches and couplings to the Sugar Industry for over 100 years and has sugar industry installations throughout the world. We supply all kinds of sugar chains for both conventional milltype systems and for modern diffuser systems.

ROTATING TECHNOLOGIES & SERVICES Stand Number 45 Representative Chris Hattingh Telephone

Email Website

+27 (0)11 421 5904 +27 (0)76 548 6002 chris.hattingh@rtserv.co.za 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. RTS is the appointed agent for Triveni Turbines.

S. B. RESHELLERS PVT. LTD Stand Number 29 & 30 Representative Mr. Mohsin Shaikh Telephone Email Website

+91 98 2204 9655 mmshaikh@sbreshellers.com www.sbreshellers.com

SB Reshellers is the leading manufacturer of Sugar Mill rollers, Mill spares and complete Mill Tandems. We have state of art foundry and machining facilities at Kolhapur, India. With multiple patented products, we export to over 20 countries worldwide. Our partners FP Engineering are experts in Design and developing all types of machinery, structural steel fabrication, silos, tanks and platework.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association - 2016

89 SIVEST SA (PTY) LTD

TOPCON PRECISION AGRICULTURE AFRICA (PTY) LTD

Stand Number 12 Representative Mr. Didier Regnaud Telephone Email Website

Stand Number 11 Representative Christo Helm

+27 (0)31 5811500 didierr@sivest.co.za www.sivest.co.za

Telephone Email Website

SiVEST is a leading provider of engineering, project management and construction services to the sugar and related sectors, including ethanol and power, in the factory and agricultural areas. SiVEST has extensive experience in working throughout Africa.

SONKOR ENGINEERING (PTY) LTD Stand Number 53 Representative Kerrie Slater & Faisal Saleem Telephone +27 (0)82 8538170 Email info@sonkor.co.za kerrie@sonkor.co.za Website www.sonkor.co.za www.speccastwearparts.co.za

+27 (0)83 2335497 chelm@topcon.com www.topconpositioning.com/agriculture

Topcon produces a range of controllers for steering and guidance, spraying, seeding, planting, fertilizing, spreading, auto-boom levelling, land levelling systems, load-cell systems, auto-section and variable rate control up to 8 products simultaneously. Topcon’s advanced products are designed to increase efficiency, improve yields, reduce input costs, conserve water, protect the environment, and enhance farm management. Topcon products include optimal navigation for Sugarcane applications as well as kits for Sugarcane harvesters.

TSE ENGINEERING (PTY) LTD Stand Number 16 Representative Wayne Brits and Piet Pretorius

Sonkor Engineering, a subsidiary company of the SpecCast group of companies in association with Qadbros Engineering specialise in the design & manufacture of front end milling & preparation equipment for the sugar industry within the African continent.

Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)83 2948172 wayne@turbosystems.co.za www.turbosystems.co.za

High speed rotating specialist in the field of steam turbines, compressor, gear boxes, blowers, fans and multi stage pumps.

THOMAS BROADBENT & SONS LTD Stand Number 38 Representative ZivoZest (Pty) Ltd

TURBINE GENERATOR SERVICES Stand Number 23 Representative John Field and Neville Palmer

Telephone +(44) 1484 477327

+27 (0)81 3965528 Email sugar@broadbent.co.uk sugar@zivozest.co.za Website www.broadbent.co.uk www.zivozest.co.za

Telephone +27 (0)31 7053800 Email JField@tgs.co.za NPalmer@tgs.co.za Website: www.tgs.co.za

The Broadbent range of batch centrifugals and continuous sugar centrifugals is one of the most modern and extensive in the world. The local agents for South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania are ZivoZest based in South Africa.

Turbine Generator Services offers a wide range of specialist services to satisfy our customer’s power generation needs, from routine maintenance to major overhauls and completed co-generation up-grades. These services are enhanced by our principals, NG Allen, Allen Gears and Heinzmann’s. Heinzmann design and manufacture digital governors and co-generation control systems.

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

90 VALVE SPECIALISTS CC

WEIR

Stand Number 61 Representative Dayalan Nair

Stand Number 31 Representative Sanjay Ramsingh & Kevin Roelofse

Telephone

Email Website

Telephone +27 (0)11 9292600 Email sanjay.ramsingh@weirgroup.com k.roelofse@weirminerals.com Website www.weirminerals.com www.weirpowerindustrial.com

+27 (0)31 5696325 +27 (0)82 4682981 dayalan@valvespec.co.za www.valvespec.co.za

Valve Specialists is an importer/exporter and stockist of industrial valves, and has served the SA industry for 27 years.

Operating in Durban and Johannesburg, the company is strategically positioned to offer exceptional service delivery to its valued clients in South African and surrounding States.

Products include gate, globe, non-return, ball, butterfly, plug, safety, pressure reducing valves and also a quality range of pneumatic and electric actuators. Valvespec is ISO9001:2008 certified and a Level 1 BEE contributor.

Weir Minerals is a specialist provider of Dewatering pumps in numerous industries such as sugar, agriculture, pulp and paper, power generation, waste-water treatment works, bulk-water supply, petrochemical, mining and general industries.

Weir Flow control designs and manufactures engineered products and provides aftermarket support for flow control and rotating equipment across power generation, oil and gas as well as the general industry.

VESCONITE BEARINGS Stand Number 60 Representative Eddie Swanepoel Telephone +27(0)11 6161111

+27 (0)82 3846265 Email eddie@vesconite.com Website www.vesconite.com www.vesconite-agri.com Vesconite, Vesconite Hilube and Vesconite Superlube are advanced engineering thermoplastics with a unique combination of properties specially formulated for challenging bearing applications. Tried and tested in countless industrial applications over the past five decades, Vesconite thrives in settings where traditional bronze and steel bearings often fail. In both dry, wet, dirty and unlubricated environments, Vesconite has proved itself time and time again as a long-lasting, low-maintenance alternative.

VRL AUTOMATION ENGINEERING AND PROJECTS PVT LTD

ZEST WEG GROUP Stand Number 51 Representative Taylor Milan Telephone Email Website

The Zest WEG Group, a subsidiary of leading Brazilian motor and controls manufacturer WEG, has a strong commitment to contributing to the development of the African region, and has been servicing the continent for more than 35 years.

Zest WEG Group’s product line-up includes low and high voltage electric motors, vibrator motors, variable speeds drives, softstarters, power and distribution transformers, MCC’s, containerised substations, mini-substations, diesel generator sets, switchgear and co-generation and energy solutions as well as electrical and instrumentation engineering and project management services.

Stand Number 28 Representative T Anil Kumar Telephone Email Website

+27 (0)11 7236000 info@zestweg.com www.zestweg.com

+91 944 8993902 anilkumar@vrlautomation.com www.vrlautomation.com

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

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OFFICERS 1926 – 2016 COUNCIL OF THE ASSOCIATION 2015 – 2016 R LUTGE (Patron) CM BAKER (Vice-President)

S BUTHELEZI

KM HURLY

WK LAWLOR

S MADHO

K McFARLANE

A PATTON

SD PEACOCK

S RAMGAREEB (Congress Chair)

KA REDSHAW

N SHARMA

GT SMITH (President)

D SUTHERLAND

DL SWEBY

A VAN DER NEST (Treasurer)

FORMER PRESIDENTS 1926-27

M MCMASTER

1956-57

JB GRANT

1986-87

AB RAVNO

1927-28

M MCMASTER

1957-58

JPN BENTLEY

1987-88

PK MOBERLY

1928-29

HH DODDS

1958-59

JPN BENTLEY

1988-89

PK MOBERLY

1929-30

HH DODDS

1959-60

JPN BENTLEY

1989-90

PK MOBERLY

1930-31

GS MOBERLY

1960-61

JL DU TOIT

1990-91

PW REIN

1931-32

GC DYMOND

1961-62

JL DU TOIT

1991-92

PW REIN

1932-33

GC DYMOND

1962-63

JL DU TOIT

1992-93

PW REIN

1933-34

BED PEARCE

1963-64

JR GUNN

1993-94

PW REIN

1934-35

E CAMDEN-SMITH

1964-65

JR GUNN

1994-95

PH HEWITT

1935-36

GC WILSON

1965-66

JR GUNN

1995-96

PH HEWITT

1936-37

GC WILSON

1966-67

LF CHIAZZARI

1996-97

GB O’REILLY

1937-38

J RAULT

1967-68

LF CHIAZZARI

1997-98

GB O’REILLY

1938-39

P MURRAY

1968-69

TG CLEASBY

1998-99

TJ MURRAY

1939-40

P MURRAY

1969-70

TG CLEASBY

1999-00

TJ MURRAY

1940-41

EP HEDLEY

1970-71

TG CLEASBY

2000-01

TJ MURRAY

1941-42

FW HAYES

1971-72

TG CLEASBY

2001-02

TJ MURRAY

1942-43

A MCMARTIN

1972-73

J WILSON

2002-03

MS GREENFIELD

1943-44

G BOOTH

1973-74

J WILSON

2003-04

MS GREENFIELD

1944-45

GS MOBERLY

1974-75

J WILSON

2004-05

KM HURLY

1945-46

GS MOBERLY

1975-76

JB ALEXANDER

2005-06

SS MUNSAMY

1946-47

W BUCHANAN

1976-77

JB ALEXANDER

2006-07

PM SCHORN

1947-48

W BUCHANAN

1977-78

GD THOMPSON

2007-08

PM SCHORN

1948-49

JL DU TOIT

1978-79

GD THOMPSON

2008-09

PM SCHORN

1949-50

HH DODDS

1979-80

GD THOMPSON

2009-10

PM SCHORN

1950-51

A MCMARTIN

1980-81

GD THOMPSON

2010-11

GT SMITH

1951-52

GC DYMOND

1981-82

GW SHUKER

2011-12

GT SMITH

1952-53

GC DYMOND

1982-83

GW SHUKER

2012-13

GT SMITH

1953-54

GC DYMOND

1983-84

AB RAVNO

2013-14

GT SMITH

1954-55

GC DYMOND

1984-85

AB RAVNO

2014-15

GT SMITH

1955-56

JB GRANT

1985-86

AB RAVNO

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

92

OFFICERS 1926 – 2016 CONTINUED

FORMER VICE-PRESIDENTS 1926-27

LE ROUILLARD

1927-28

HH DODDS

1928-29

GS MOBERLY

1929-30

GS MOBERLY

1930-31

1955-56

GC DYMOND

1985-86

PK MOBERLY

WG GALBRATH

1986-87

PK MOBERLY

1956-57

WG GALBRATH

1987-88

PW REIN

1957-58

JL DU TOIT

1988-89

PW REIN

GC DYMOND

1958-59

JL DU TOIT

1989-90

PW REIN

1931-32

AC WATSON

1959-60

JL DU TOIT

1990-91

GW SHUKER

1932-33

AC WATSON

1960-61

J DICK

1991-92

PH HEWITT

1933-34

GC DYMOND

1961-62

JPN BENTLEY

1992-93

PH HEWITT

E CAMDEN-SMITH

1962-63

JPN BENTLEY

1993-94

PH HEWITT

1934-35

BED PEARCE

1963-64

LF CHIAZZARI

1994-95

GB O’REILLY

1935-36

E CAMDEN-SMITH

1964-65

LF CHIAZZARI

1995-96

GB O’REILLY

1936-37

J RAULT

1965-66

LF CHIAZZARI

1996-97

TJ MURRAY

1937-38

P MURRAY

1966-67

TG CLEASBY

1997-98

TJ MURRAY

1938-39

EP HENDLEY

1967-68

TG CLEASBY

1998-99

BS PURCHASE

1939-40

EP HENDLEY

1968-69

JB ALEXANDER

1999-00

BS PURCHASE

1940-41

FW HAYES

1969-70

JB ALEXANDER

2000-01

BS PURCHASE

1941-42

A MCMARTIN

1970-71

JB ALEXANDER

2001-02

MS GREENFIELD

1942-43

G BOOTH

1971-72

JB ALEXANDER

2002-03

KM HURLY

1943-44

FB MACBETH

1972-73

M MATIC

2003-04

KM HURLY

1944-45

G BOOTH

1973-74

M MATIC

2004-05

SS MUNSAMY

1945-46

W BUCHANAN

1974-75

M MATIC

2005-06

RA BAILEY

1946-47

GC DYMOND

1975-76

GW SHUKER

2006-07

DL SWEBY

1947-48

GC DYMOND

1976-77

GW SHUKER

2007-08

DL SWEBY

1948-49

GC DYMOND

1977-78

GW SHUKER

2008-09

DL SWEBY

1949-50

JL DU TOIT

1978-79

GW SHUKER

2009-10

DL SWEBY

1950-51

OWM PEARCE

1979-80

GW SHUKER

2010-11

BM MUIR

1951-52

OWM PEARCE

1980-81

GW SHUKER

1952-53

K DOUWES-DEKKER

1981-82

AB RAVNO

2011-12

KA REDSHAW

1953-54

JB GRANT

1982-83

AB RAVNO

2012-13

KA REDSHAW

1954-55

K DOUWES-DEKKER

1983-84

PK MOBERLY

2013-14

KA REDSHAW

1984-85

PK MOBERLY

2014-15

KA REDSHAW

KA REDSHAW

FORMER CONGRESS ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRS 2013-14

DL SWEBY

2014-15

2013-14

A VAN DER NEST

2014-15

S RAMGAREEB

FORMER TREASURERS A VAN DER NEST

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association - 2016

93

EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS Adapt IT (Pty) Ltd

Emineo Ltd / De Smet Engineers

NETAFIM S.A.

Sonkor Engineering

Anton Paar SA

FAS

Peter Brotherhood Ltd

BMA/Steval/Sucrotech

Bell Equipment Company

ImproChem

PGBI

Techno Quip

BMG

ITECA SOCADEI SAS

Praj Industries

Thomas Broadbent & Sons Ltd

Bonfiglioli South Africa

IWC

Regal Beloit

Topcon Precision Agriculture

Bosch Projects

John Thompson

Reggiana Riduttori

TSE Engineering

Brenley Engineering

J-Pak (Pty) Ltd

Renold Crofts

Turbine Generator Services

Brooklyn Engineering (Pty) Ltd

Kelvion Services (Pty) Ltd / GEA Nilenca (Pty) Ltd

Ronin Solutions

Valve Specialists

Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Lakeside Equipment

Rotating Technologies & Services

Vesconite Bearings

®

Buckman Laboratories

Lasec SA

S. B. Reshellers Pvt. Ltd.

VRL Automation Engineering & Projects Pvt Ltd

Crown Engineering

Mecosa (Pty) Ltd

S.A. Sugar Association

Weir

Dresser-Rand

MES Engineering Services

Shukela SA

Zest Weg Group

Elgin Engineering

NALCO

Sivest SA (Pty) Ltd

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94

ORGANISING COMMITTEE 2016 Dr Sumita Ramgareeb (Chair), Dr Deborah Sweby, Dr Alana Patton, Dr Simphiwe Buthelezi, Mrs Natasha Sharma, Mr Paul Schorn, Mr Steve Peacock, Mr Warren Lawlor, Mrs Danile Macdonald, Mrs Gill Slaughter (Turners Conferences), Mrs Catherine Taylor (Turners Conferences), Mrs Maressa McGeer (Turners Conferences) EDITORIAL PANEL 2016

Dr Deborah Sweby (Editor: Agriculture)

Mr Steve Peacock (Editor: Factory)

Mrs Venilla Yoganathan (Technical Editor: Factory)

Mrs Natasha Sharma (Editor: Factory)

Mrs Dorothy Carslow (Technical Editor: Agriculture)

Mrs Danile Macdonald (Administrative)

Hurly, Kathy Inman-Bamber, Geoff Jensen, Paul Jones, Matthew Jumman, Ashiel Keeping, Malcolm Labuschagne, Maryke Lawlor, Warren Lewis, Fonda Loubser Richard Lyne, Peter Madho Shaun Meyer, Jan Mpofu, Leo Munsamy, Stan Nixon, David Olckers, Terry Peacock, Steve

Ramburan, Sanesh Redshaw, Kerry Rhodes, Ruth Samson, Peter Schorn, Paul Sharma, Natasha Stolz, Nico Stranack, Rowan Sutherland, David Sweby, Deborah Thibaud, Guy Thomson, Dave van Antwerpen, Rianto Van den Berg, Johnnie van den Berg, Maurits van der Laan, Michael Walthew, Dennis Zhou, Marvellous

REFEREES AND REVIEWERS 2016 Addison, Pia Baker, Carolyn Barnard, Annelie Bernhardt, Wolgang Bonnett, Graham Botes, Willem Botha, Frikkie Brouckaert Luke Cox, Mike Davis, Steve Deppa, Ntsapokazi De Vries L du Preez, Chris Edme, Serge Eldridge, Simon Gielink, Andrew Goebel, Regis Govender, Ricky

The 89th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association - 2016

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