Abstract: Seed-canes of sugarcane were soaked with different concentrations of ethephon before planting. The results showed that the treatments with ethephon concentrations of 50mg/L, 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L markedly affected the germination and tillering of sugarcane. Under drought conditions, the seed-cane soaking treatments with ethephon recorded higher germination rate and tillering rate, and improved agronomic characters and the cane quality as compared with the control.