The invention primarily relates to the use of phosphorus containing herbicidal active ingredients (herbicides) as desiccant for (parts of) plants of the genus Saccharum, and to corresponding methods for desiccation, i.e. for the desiccating treatment. In another aspect the present invention relates to a method for increasing the amount of saccharose (sucrose) obtainable from (aerial parts of) plants of the genus Saccharum officinarum, and to a method for producing saccharose from (aerial parts of) plants of the genus Saccharum officinarum.