Abstract
The response of sugarcane to application of micronutrients is still not very well known. In view of the need for this information, the aim of this study was to evaluate the application of the micronutrients Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, B, and Mo to plant cane in three soils, with and without application of filter cake. This study consisted of three experiments performed in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, (in Igaraçu do Tiete, on an Oxisol; in Santa Maria da Serra, on an Entisol, both in the 2008/2009 growing season; and in Mirassol, on an Ultisol, in the 2009/2010 growing season) in a randomized block design with four replications with a 8 x 2 factorial combination of micronutrients (1 - no application/control, 2 - addition of Zn, 3 - addition of Cu, 4 - addition of Mn 5 - addition of Fe, 6 - addition of B, 7 - addition of Mo, 8 - Addition of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, B, and Mo) and filter cake (0 and 30 t ha-1 of filter cake) in the furrow at planting. The application of filter cake was more efficient than of Borax in raising leaf B concentration to sufficiency levels for sugarcane in the Entisol, and it increased mean stalk yield in the Oxisol. In areas without filter cake application, leaf concentrations were not affected by the application of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, B, and Mo in the furrow at planting; however, Zn and B induced an increase in stalk and sugar yield in micronutrient-poor sandy soil.
Highlights
The technological evolution of the sugarcane agribusiness in recent years has led to significant increases in sugarcane production
According to Fageria et al (2002), micronutrient deficiency is a general problem around the world, due to the increased demand for micronutrients induced by more intensive management practices and highly productive, more micronutrient-demanding cultivars; by the increase in crop production on marginal soils with low levels of essential nutrients; the greater use of concentrated fertilizers at a lower concentration of micronutrients; reduction in the use of animal manure, composts and crop residues; the use of soils with low natural reserves; and by the involvement of natural and anthropogenic factors that limit adequate nutrient availability and induce nutrient imbalances for plants
No effect of interaction between the filter cake and micronutrient factors was observed on the leaf concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe (Table 4)
Summary
The technological evolution of the sugarcane agribusiness in recent years has led to significant increases in sugarcane production. In the 2010/2011 growing season, sugarcane processing reached 624 million tons, produced on 8.06 million hectares, i.e., a mean cane yield of 77 Mg ha-1 on the sugarcane fields and a production of 38.7 million tons of sugar and of 27.7 million liters of ethanol (CONAB, 2011). In spite of these achievements, the yield is still below the genetic potential of the cultivars (Albuquerque & Silva, 2008). One of the main factors that limit the yield of sugarcane fields in Brazil is the plant nutrient supply. Micronutrients are recycled from residues from agribusiness industries, in applications of vinasse and filter cake, for example
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
