Abstract
The productivity and fresh phytomass index of sugarcane cultivated at different water replacement levels using a subsurface drip system, with or without N, were analyzed. Sugarcane plants underwent five water replacement levels (100, 75, 50, 25 and 0%), with or without N application (100 kg ha-1) in urea. At harvest-time, stalk productivity, water-use efficiency, gross sugar yield, gross alcohol yield, fresh phytomass of tip, dry leaf phytomass, total fresh phytomass and the ratio between the fresh phytomass of tip and stalk productivity were evaluated. A 100% water replacement increased stalk productivity by 40% compared with drought-stricken area management (water replacement 0%) and high efficiency in the exploitation of photoassimilated in stalk production. N-urea application increased by 14% the gross sugar and alcohol yield. Water deficit (water replacement 0%) caused severe decrease (26%) in total phytomass of the sugarcane plant´s aerial section. Key words: Saccharum officinalis, water replacement, irrigation, nitrogen, water deficit.
Highlights
With its positive potential energetic balance, it has been brought to the attention of producers that sugarcane culture is a source of energy production (Renouf et al., 2008; Smeets et al, 2009)
There was no significant interaction between water replacement and nitrogen doses for any of the characteristics evaluated in the sugarcane plants
The water replacement (WR) factor caused a significant effect at 1% probability for the following variables: stalk productivity (SP), gross sugar yield (GSY)
Summary
With its positive potential energetic balance, it has been brought to the attention of producers that sugarcane culture is a source of energy production (Renouf et al., 2008; Smeets et al, 2009). Sugarcane productivity is limited by edaphoclimatic factors such as water and nitrogen deficiency (Gava et al, 2010, 2011). Water deficit is a main factor in production decrease in most cultures worldwide (Bray et al, 2000), even though its effects must be minimized by irrigation systems. Irrigation of sugarcane plantations has triggered improvements in the number of harvests and the culture cycle with a productivity increase of over 100% (Dalri et al, 2008). The rational management of water in sugarcane culture by irrigation technology is basic for the maximization of production
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