1. a shoot or sprout that grows from the root of a sugarcane plant after the main crop has been harvested
Usage: agricultural

1. to produce ratoons; to harvest sugarcane leaving the roots to sprout again
Usage: agricultural

Examples

• The farmer left the sugarcane roots in the ground to produce ratoons for the next harvest.
• Ratoons typically yield less sugar than the original crop.
• After cutting the main cane, workers waited for the ratoons to emerge.
• The plantation decided to ratoon the field rather than replant entirely.
• Each ratoon crop becomes progressively weaker over successive harvests.
• Farmers often ratoon sugarcane for two or three cycles before replanting.