【Objective】In order to provide scientific basis for developing comprehensive etiolation control measures, the present studies were conducted to find out causes of seedlings etiolation in ratoon sugarcane. 【Method】Surveys were conducted in sugarcane fields, severely affected with young shoot etiolation, to investigate the symptoms, causes and mechanism of etiolation in young shoots of ratoon sugarcane crops. Samples of soil and leaves from normal plants and etiolated plants were collected for nutrient analysis. 【Result】Etiolation symptom of ratoon sugarcane young shoots occurred in the moderately acidic soil （pH of 4.28）. The available Fe， Mn， Ca and Mg contents were lesser than those in normal field soils， however the available S content was higher and available B content did not showed any differences. The active Fe， total Ca， total Mg and total S content in leaves of etiolated plants were lesser than those in the normal plants, however, the active Mn, total Mn and total Fe content in such leaves were higher than in normal plants. Similar to soils, B content did not showed significant differences amongst leaves of normal and etiolated plants. 【Conclusion】The nutrient imbalance caused by lesser active Fe content and higher active Mn content in ratoon cane might be the major causes for seedling etiolation in ratoon sugarcane.