International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT)

As a continuation of last feature on the Biology Commission award, this post highlights the best paper of the Agriculture Commission presented at the ISSCT Centennial Congress in Colombia in August 2025. The prize was awarded to Juan Sebastian Martinez Olaya for his paper entitled “Calcium dynamics in sugarcane soils with high magnesium saturation in the northern Cauca River Valley.” In his study, Juan Sebastian demonstrated that applying calcium carbonate to acidic soils increased TCH by 35% and TSH by 42% in plant cane, and increases of 19% and 31% in the first ratoon. The full paper is available to ISSCT members on the Members Corner of the ISSCT website (https://lnkd.in/gYa4rMYD). Information on becoming a member of ISSCT can also be found on the website (https://lnkd.in/gfFQJwxU).

It is tradition at the ISSCT Congress to award prizes for the best paper in each of the five Commissions. At the Centennial Congress held in Colombia in 2025, the prize for the best paper in the Biology Commission was awarded to Jean-Yves Hoarau and his co-authors for the paper presented in the Germplasm and Breeding section entitled: The major contribution of resistance to orange rust and yellow leaf in modern sugarcane hybrids comes from Saccharum spontaneum as evidenced by genome-wide association studies. In this study, the authors identified four major QTLs associated with yellow leaf and five QTLs associated with orange rust and showed that these QTLs had been inherited from S. spontaneum. The full paper is available to ISSCT members on the Members Corner of the ISSCT website (https://lnkd.in/gYa4rMYD). Information on becoming a member of ISSCT can also be found on the website (https://lnkd.in/gfFQJwxU).

Rising sugar output in Brazil, India and Thailand: 2025/2026 season   The ISO projects for the 2025/26 season a sixth consecutive global deficit of sugar at -231,000 MT, though much smaller than the -4.88 MMT shortfall in 2024/25. However global sugar production is forecast to increase at 180.6 MMT (+3.3% y/y) against consumption of 180.8 MMT (+0.3%). Sugar prices fell further last week, with NY sugar at a 2-month low and London sugar at a 2-week low. It is reported that sugar prices remain under pressure due to the outlook for higher sugar production in Brazil, with sugar mills prioritizing sugar production over ethanol. This trend is expected to continue as harvesting peaks, driven by drier cane crops that prompt mills to produce more sugar. Brazil’s 2025/2026 output is forecast at 44.5 MMT. In India, the world’s second largest sugar producer, the crop is expected to rebound 19% to 35 MMT, with the Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association seeking permission to export up to 2 MMT of sugar in 2025/2026, while in Thailand, the world’s third largest sugar producer and the second largest exporter of sugar, production is forecast near 10 MMT, up 14% in 2025/2026.  

Announcement of the ISSCT XXXIII Congress - 2028 Following the successful XXXII ISSCT Centenary Congress held in Cali, Colombia, from 25–28 August 2025, the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT) is pleased to announce that the next ISSCT Congress will be hosted in Guatemala in January/February 2028. The Congress will be organized by the Asociación de Técnicos de Azucareros de Guatemala (ATAGUA), and will bring together scientists, technologists, and industry professionals from across the world to continue advancing sugarcane research and innovation. The ISSCT warmly congratulates ATAGUA on being entrusted with this important responsibility and looks forward to welcoming delegates to Guatemala in 2028.

ISSCT Announcement of Chairperson 2025-2028 At its Centenary Congress held in Cali, Colombia, from 25–28 August 2025, the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT) achieved a historic milestone. For the first time in its 100-year history, the Society has elected a woman as Chair of the Executive Committee and Council. Professor (Dr) Monalisa Sampeio Carneiro, from Brazil, has been elected as Chair of the Executive Committee of ISSCT for the 2025–2028 term. She will bring her extensive expertise, leadership, and commitment to advancing sugarcane science and technology to guide the Society into its second century. The ISSCT extends its warmest congratulations to Professor Carneiro on this historic achievement. Professor (Dr) Monalisa Sampeio Carneiro, new Chair of ISSCT and Dr. Jean Claude Autrey, General Secretary

The final Academic Agenda and Pre-Congress Program for the upcoming ISSCT XXXII Centennial Congress in Cali, Colombia (22-31 August) is now available on the ISSCT website: https://lnkd.in/eSmh9rGb

The June Bulletin from ISSCT provides an extensive update on the upcoming ISSCT XXXII Centennial Congress, taking place in Cali, Colombia in August. The Bulletin also includes the latest news, research and events from the sugar cane industry. https://lnkd.in/eNRGWxKh

The latest Bulletin from ISSCT includes news on the preparations for the XXXII Centennial Congress, set to take place in Colombia in August this year. Also profiled is the XIII ISSCT Pathology and XI Entomology Workshop, held in Salta, Argentina in November 2024 on the theme “Dealing with sugarcane pests and diseases in the context of regenerative agriculture”. We also look, as usual, at the latest news, research and events from the world of sugar cane technology. Take a look at the ISSCT website: https://lnkd.in/eNnWT82K #sugar #cane #technology #research

The ISSCT Bulletin for February 2025 has been published. This Bulletin includes the latest on the next ISSCT Congress, a reflection on the Thematic Workshops and a report from the ISSCT Joint Factory Engineering and Processing Workshop, plus the usual round-up of news and events from the sugar cane industry. #sugar #cane #technology https://lnkd.in/dnXvEvdS

The latest ISSCT Bulletin is available now. The December 2024 edition features updates from the latest ISSCT workshops, news on the XXXII Centennial Congress, season’s greetings from ISSCT, and the usual round-up of news, research and events from the sugar cane industry. https://lnkd.in/eZfcnCaf