Abstract
ABSTRACT Although the effects of aluminum on the content and accumulation of mineral nutrients in crops have been studied, but nothing is known about its effect on the nutritional efficiency of sugarcane. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of aluminum toxicity on nutritional efficiency, nutrient accumulation, and growth of sugarcane seedling. Sugarcane seedlings of the genotype IACSP95-5000, obtained from one-bud mini-cuttings (3 cm), were used in the test. Seedlings were subjected to treatments in a completely randomized design, with eight Al concentrations in the nutrient solution (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 mg L−1) and three replicates, totaling 24 experimental units. Analyses determined the contents, accumulation, and absorption, transport, and use efficiency of macronutrients, micronutrients, and aluminum, in addition to dry matter production. The results show that Al affected all variables analyzed, with a decrease in the nutritional efficiency of macronutrients and micronutrients and a drastic decrease in the accumulation of macronutrients in the aerial part, which reflected in the decrease in the dry matter of the plants. The root system was the most affected, with a decrease in growth of up to 60%. Aluminum reduced the use efficiency of nutrient in decreasing order: Ca (69%)> N (60%)> K (59%)> Mg (50%)> S (49%)> P (40%). As for micronutrients, the following decreasing order was observed: Fe (73%)> Zn (59%) = Cu (59%)> Mn (25%).
Highlights
Brazil is the world’s largest sugarcane producer, showing its great importance for Brazilian agribusiness (Unica, 2020)
The increasing global demand for ethanol made from renewable sources, associated with abundant arable land and favorable edaphoclimatic conditions for sugarcane, makes Brazil promising in exports of this commodity (Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento CONAB, 2017)
Accumulation showed no significant variation for the analyzed plant parts (Figure 1B)
Summary
Brazil is the world’s largest sugarcane producer, showing its great importance for Brazilian agribusiness (Unica, 2020). Sugarcane can be produced under different soil types (Sanches et al, 2019; Schossler et al, 2019), it requires corrected and balanced soils to reach high productivities (Vieira-Junior et al, 2008), showing a decrease in yield as soil characteristics move away from ideal conditions (Maia et al, 2018; Souri; Hatamian, 2019). Sugarcane cultivation areas have been increasing in Brazil in recent years due to its importance (Caldarelli; Gilio, 2018). Regions to which sugarcane has migrated are characterized by acid soils, generalized nutrient deficiency, and high contents of toxic elements, such as Al (Schultz et al, 2017; Sousa; Cazetta; Nascimento, 2018). About 70% of the areas cultivated with sugarcane have acid soils (Nogueirol et al, 2015; Schultz et al, 2017)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
