‘CP 12–2035′, A new sugarcane cultivar for Florida sand soils

‘CP 12–2035′ (Reg. No. CV‐223, PI 706731) sugarcane cultivar (a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp.) was released to growers in July 2024 for cultivating on sand soils in Florida after a decade‐long advancement through cooperative research conducted by the USDA ARS, the Florida Sugarcane League Inc., and the University of Florida. It originated from a poly‐cross made at Canal Point (CP). The Florida Sugarcane Variety Committee recommended release of CP 12–2035 due to its high sugar yields (20.90 Mg ha −1 ), commercial recoverable sucrose content (133.4 kg Mg −1 ) on sand soils, and acceptable disease resistance. CP 12‐2035 has demonstrated resistance to brown rust, orange rust, and moderate resistance to mosaic, ratoon stunt, and smut, moderate susceptibility to leaf scald. In late‐stage yield trials, the sugar yields of CP 12—2035 were 23.4, 31.4, and 42.9% higher than those of the check varieties ‘CP 03‐1912′, ‘CP 96‐1252′, and ‘CPCL 97‐2730′, respectively. CP 12—2035 also produced heavier stalks than all three tested reference checks. It was more tolerant to freeze stress over reference cultivars. With its demonstrated resistance to disease and elevated sugar production, CP 12—2035 is expected to positively influence both sugarcane production and crop sustainability in Florida.