Cool burning reduces particulate matter emission in Mauritius
| MSI03P3940 | |
| Seeruttun, S. Zuel, N. Rughoo, M. | |
| Cool burning reduces particulate matter emission in Mauritius | |
| ISSCT Agronomy workshop: Opportunities in sugar cane agronomy to confront the new realities emerging in the 21st century, 21-25 July 2003, MSIRI, Mauritius: Program and Abstracts | |
| Book chapter | |
| 2003 | |
| p. 33 | |
| Reduit: ISSCT and Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute | |
| En | |
| En | |
| Cane burning prior to harvest is a common practice in the humid and subhumid zones of Mauritius; approximately 25 per cent of the total area under cane was burnt in 2001. Cane burning has been traditionally carried out in the late afternoon, resulting in emission and deposition of large amounts of particulate matter or ash in the neighbouring residential areas including swimming pools of hotels located in the vicinity. A survey carried out in 2000/2001 has revealed that cane burning was perceived as a serious nuisance by 78 per cent of the inhabitants and 86 per cent of hotel managers. Increasing pressure and complaints from the public have forced the authorities to contend this agronomically very cost-effective practice. Field trials were conducted to compare burning fields early in the morning when the wind is low and the dew is usually present on green leaves (cool burning) to the traditional practice of late afternoon burning. Medium to coarse particulate matter emitted above the cane canopy was collected and measured to compare the effectiveness of the various types of burns. Cool burning reduced particulate matter emissions by more than 60 per cent. A code of burning practice based on adoption of cool burning and including a communication campaign was proposed for the 2002 crop and was adhered to by most of the large producers. It seems that the changes brought forward have been appreciated by both the authorities and the public, and will help in preserving the practice of cane burning. | |
| Cane burning code of practice sugarcane time of burning | |
| Mauritius | |
| Sugarcane: Cultural operations | |
| Cool burning | |
| 2003-07-31 | |
| En | |
| MSIRI | |
| LIB | |
| COWA |