Abstract
ABSTRACT The use of small sections of sugarcane propagules for planting brings new challenges, due to the use of different parts of the stem, since each one contains different concentrations of reserves and hormonal balances. This study aimed to assess the influence of types of propagules used for planting sugarcane. A field experiment was carried out using a randomized block design, with three replications, in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement (propagules with 2, 3 and 4 buds from the apex, middle and base of the stems). The original position (apical and central) and the number of buds of the propagules (2 and 3 buds) influenced the initial development of the plants and, consequently, their yield. The interaction between these two factors showed that, as the number of buds of the propagules decreases, their position plays an important role in budding. Thus, when smaller propagules are used for the establishment of sugarcane, the original position of the bud in the propagule should be considered.
Highlights
In commercial sugarcane fields, planting occurs through vegetative propagules that may contain several buds in a latent state
Regarding the original bud position, cane stalks were divided in three sections, being the apical located in the upper third, the central between the apical and basal, and basal in the lower third, in contact with the soil
The analysis of variance indicated a significant interaction between the original bud position and cutting length, with significant effect (p < 0.01) for almost all agronomic traits analyzed, except for tillering and sucrose (Table 2)
Summary
In commercial sugarcane fields, planting occurs through vegetative propagules (cuttings) that may contain several buds in a latent state. Under favourable conditions, latent buds pass into an active state of growth and development, as the activity of growth regulatory enzymes alters the food reserves (Jadoski et al 2012). The planting systems adopted in Brazil use various technologies. The conventional planting, or semi-mechanized method, consists of fractioning and aligning cuttings into the furrow by manual planting, and mechanical covering of the ridges. The mechanized method uses machines, termed planters, that distribute whole or sectioned stems into the furrow at planting (Ripoli & Ripoli 2010). With the increase in crop production costs and labour shortages, the expansion of crop mechanization systems involves increasingly more technologies to identify improvement strategies, in agricultural productivity (Arruda 2011, Flores et al 2012)
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