The correlation between the refractometric (Brix) and polarimetric (Pol) determinations and the culm basic density was determined. The objective was to establish a fast and semiquantitative method for sugarcane analysis, regarding sucrose determination in the culm. The results showed a significant correlation (p > 0.99) between the basic density and each of the values of Brix and Pol, mainly for the median portion of the culm. It was concluded that the culm basic density can be utilized as a speedy method to estimate the sucrose concentration of sugarcane culms.
sugarcane; Saccharum spp.; sucrose concentration; basic density; Brix; Pol.