Energy Cane x Sugarcane Microregion Interaction in the State of Pernambuco: Sugarcane for Production of Bioenergy and Renewable Fuels

João De Andrade Dutra Filho,Moacyr Cunha Filho,Rômulo Gil De Luna,Tercilio Calsa Júnior,Anielson Dos Santos Souza,Lauter Silva Souto,Guilherme Rocha Moreira,Fabiana Aparecida Cavalcante Silva,Cícero Carlos Ramos De Brito,Marcelo Cleon De Castro Silva,André Luiz Pinto Dos Santos,Andréa Chaves Fiuza Porto,Odair Honorato De Oliveira,Frank Gomes-Silva,Mária Lindomárcia Leonardo Da Costa,Amaro Epifânio Pereira Silva

doi:10.3390/agronomy11061046

Abstract

Assessing the differential behavior of a group of genotypes in various environments is fundamentally important in any breeding program. As sugarcane is the most important crop in the state of Pernambuco, it is of great relevance to study its performance in different cultivation sites to assist in the recommendation of new cultivars that increase the productivity of the cane fields. In view of the new demand from the sugar-energy sector for cultivars with high energy potential, this work aimed to select and recommend new genotypes with high fiber and sucrose percentage in the sugarcane microregions of the state of Pernambuco. The methodologies used to classify genotypes for adaptability and stability were as follows: simple linear regression, the modified centroid method, additive main effects, multiplicative interaction analysis, and linear mixed models. Genotypes with higher productivity and specific adaptability to the tested microregions were identified. The methodologies applied were efficient and complementary in recommending genotypes with favorable prospects for increasing sugar productivity, cogeneration of electric energy and the production of renewable fuels. Genotypes 6, 7, 9, 14, 16, and 18 stand out in terms of the productivity of sugar and fiber, with high potential to be released as commercial cultivars.

Highlights

The sugarcane sector in Brazil has undergone profound changes in recent years due to the high demand of the population for clean and renewable energy [1]
Five experiments were carried out in two agricultural years, 2013 and 2014, considering the crops of sugarcane plant and ratoon cane in five locations, according to the classification proposed by Koffler et al [24]: sugarcane microregions of the North Coast (NC), North Forest (NF), South Coast (SC), South Forest (SF), and Central Region of the State of Pernambuco (Table 1)
The coefficient of determination of the effects of the genotype × environment interaction revealed a large participation of non-genetic variances in the phenotypic variance of the traits

Summary

Introduction

The sugarcane sector in Brazil has undergone profound changes in recent years due to the high demand of the population for clean and renewable energy [1]. There is a growing concern with environmental issues, mainly in combating the greenhouse effect from the use of so-called renewable fuels [2]. In this context, sugarcane, historically used in the production of sucrose and ethanol, receives a new label: energy cane. According to Fernandes Júnior et al [6], the development of new genotypes with a fiber percentage around 17% and 13% of sucrose content would meet the current demand in the sugar-energy sector

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion