Sugarcane Crop Cycle Research Articles

Biomass accumulation and growth curve in sugarcane fertigated with nitrogen doses

This study aimed to evaluate the growth curve, biomass and N accumulation in aboveground sugarcane as a function of nitrogen doses applied by subsurface drip irrigation during the crop growth cycle. The experiment was developed under field conditions Jau city, São Paulo state, Brazil. The treatments were four nitrogen doses – namely 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 N – in urea form, in addition to a control treatment (without N), with completely randomized block and four repetitions. The N doses were applied gradually by subsurface drip irrigation spread throughout the sugarcane crop cycle. Biometrics and physiologic parameters and biomass accumulation were evaluated at five sampling times. Linear and quadratic responses of these parameters were verified as a function of N application. Elevating the N dose from 100 to 200 kg ha-1 increased the biomass and the N accumulation of sugarcane above ground by 20 Mg ha-1 and 95 kg ha-1, respectively. The nitrogen fertilization applied by subsurface drip irrigation increased the biomass and N accumulation of aboveground sugarcane, as well as the production rate of all parameters. The gap between maximum biomass accumulation rate (BAR) and nitrogen accumulation rate (NAR) was smooth due drip irrigation management. The irrigation management combined with better plant nutrition show highest results to biomass production

Deep tilling and localized liming improve soil chemical fertility and sugarcane yield in clayey soils

The selection of an appropriate soil tillage system for improving yields and longevity is an important decision in sugarcane cultivation. In the present study, the effects of different soil tillage systems and methods of applying lime on sugarcane stalk and sugar yield performance as well as soil fertility parameters were evaluated throughout the sugarcane crop cycle. The experiments were established in two locations in April 2015 and conducted until August 2019, corresponding to a total of 4 growing seasons. A field study with a randomized block design was established with four replicates considering 4 treatments: conventional soil tillage system (CT), deep strip-tillage system (DT) and modified deep strip-tillage system (MDT), all with the same lime rate; and a standard treatment (control, CT without liming). Immediately after harvesting plant cane (18 months (mo) after planting), first ratoon (30 mo after planting), second ratoon (42 mo after planting) and third ratoon (54 mo after planting), soil samples were collected from a depth of 0.0–1.00 m, stratified every 0.2 m. Leaf material was sampled during the period of full vegetative growth. Analyses of soil chemical fertility, leaf concentrations of elements, and sugarcane yield components were performed. MDT was found to correct soil acidity most efficiently, mainly due to the positioning of the lime application. Under high aluminum saturation (AS), especially in deeper layers, deep lime placement was more effective and resulted in the best distributions of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+), the highest base saturation (BS) and the lowest AS compared with the other treatments. Lime application was more important than the tillage system for improving the sucrose concertation and total recoverable sugar (TRS), whereas the tillage system affected the stalk yield and, consequently, the yield of sugar. Compared with DT and CT, the average stalk yield was 4.1% and 9.4% higher, respectively, under MDT at Macatuba and 6.3% and 15.3%, higher, respectively, under MDT at Piraju. Similarly, MDT improved average sugar yield by 3.7% and 10.4% at Macatuba and 6.1% and 16.3% at Piraju. Overall, long-term assessments, which are important for semi-perennial crops like sugarcane, showed that the both deep strip-tillage were most effective.

Investigating the relationships between soil and sugarcane attributes under different row spacing configurations and crop cycles using the state-space approach

The adoption of different row spacing configurations has been advocated as a possible solution to mitigate the problems related to soil compaction in sugarcane areas due to the frequent use of heavy agricultural machines. This study aimed to (i) identify factors that influence the relationships of biometric attributes of sugarcane and attributes of an Oxisol soil under different scenarios in Southern Brazil and (ii) describe the distribution of the biometric attributes of sugarcane through state-space analysis under all the evaluated scenarios. Sugarcane was planted using conventional planting systems. The total experimental area of 200 m × 20 m consisted of three row spacing configurations: (i) single-row spacing; (ii) double-row spacing; and (iii) triple-row spacing. In each row spacing configuration, a transect was established, and fifty soil sampling points were distributed at equal distances. At each point and transect, disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected in the 0.00–0.10 m soil layer to determine soil bulk density, total porosity, macro- and – microporosity, soil penetration resistance and water content at field capacity in three sugarcane crop cycles. At the end of each crop cycle and each transect, stalk height, number of stalks per square meter, stalk mass and tons of stalks per hectare were determined at each sampling point. All the data sets were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. In addition, using the Tukey test, the mean values of each attribute were compared to assess the effects of each row spacing configuration and sugarcane crop cycle on all the soil and crop attributes. Spatial relationships of the biometric attributes of sugarcane and co-regionalized soil attributes under each row spacing and crop cycle were evaluated using the auto- and cross-correlation functions and the state-space approach. There were no statistically significant differences between the crop and soil attributes measured under the single- and double-row spacing configurations. In addition, it is expected that with the advance in the age of the sugarcane crop, a superiority of the performance of the double-row spacing, compared with the single-row spacing, will be observed, due to the possibility of monitoring the traffic control under the double-row spacing configuration. On the other hand, the adoption of the triple-row spacing configuration caused negative effects on all the crop and soil attributes, compared with the other two row spacing configurations. Future studies of sugarcane crop and soil attributes should be developed to validate the state-space approach in other environmental conditions.

Soluble Sources of Zinc and Boron on Sugarcane Yield in Southeast Brazil

Zinc (Zn) and boron (B) are the most limiting micronutrients in production areas of sugarcane in Southeast Brazil. The study tested the hypothesis that applications of Zn and B in planting play a key role in sugarcane yield, not only in the first sugarcane crop cycle but also in the following crop cycle. An experiment with a 4 × 3 factorial design was established in an Ultisol in Alta Floresta, Sao Paulo, Brazil, with three replications. Four Zn rates (0, 2, 4, and 6 kg ha−1 Zn as ZnSO4) and three B rates (0, 1, and 2 kg ha−1 B as H3BO3) were applied in planting furrow, and yield parameters were evaluated at the first and second year. Additionally, leaching of B was evaluated during 64 days of incubation using soil columns under controlled conditions. Results show that there was no interaction between B and Zn applications in sugarcane yield. Application of Zn showed residual effect by improving sugarcane yield in the second year; Zn also improved quality parameters of sugarcane (pol and fiber). In soils with adequate levels of available Zn (> 1.2 mg dm−3), the rate of 3.9 kg ha−1 of Zn promoted the highest yields in the first ratoon. In opposite, B rates reduced sugarcane yield in the first and second ratoon, even under low B rates (1 kg ha−1). Leaching of B totaled 22% of applied B during 64 days of incubation. The finding is that Zn fertilization with zinc sulfate plays a key role in sugarcane yield, while B application in planting furrow using boric acid should be replaced by a more integrated management of B, including different sources of B and methods of application.

Agro-industry production of sugarcane grown using subsurface drip fertigation with nitrogen and potassium

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the stalk yield, technological quality parameters, and sugar and alcohol productions in the first sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) crop cycle, according to the response to N and K2O applications by subsurface drip fertigation. The experiment was carried out in a dystrophic Ultisol, in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of a 2X + 2X + 1 incomplete factorial arrangement with the application of 60, 80, 120, 160, and 180 kg ha-1 N and 60, 80, 120, 160, and 180 kg ha-1 K2O. The maximum estimated yield (217.5 Mg ha-1) was obtained with the application of 180 kg ha-1 N and 60 kg ha-1 K2O. Sugar and alcohol productions increased with N application above 120 kg ha-1. The technological quality characteristics of soluble solids content, apparent sucrose in the juice/broth, apparent sucrose in sugarcane, purity, and fiber show the highest averages with the application of 180 kg ha-1 N and 60 kg ha-1 K2O.

English

Planting and harvesting are important stages in the sugarcane crop cycle, because well planned planting and harvesting phases promote a series of benefits throughout the cultivation cycle and in the subsequent industrial use of the products. These benefits are operational, economic and environmental such as: improved utilization of the land area and transport logistics; an increase in sugarcane output; better cane reception in the factory; in administrative simplification of the industrial activities; in enhanced response to the demands of the industry; in cost planning; and in the control of pests and weeds. In this work a methodology of optimal cultivation planning to sugarcane planting and harvesting is proposed. The cultivation plan is for 5 years; and key decisions to be made in this period are to determine the planting date, the variety selection and the harvesting date corresponding for each plot such that the global production is optimized. We propose a mathematical model for this optimization task. The model uses computational and mathematical strategies to ensure that date of harvesting is always in period of the maximum maturation of the sugarcane and considers all demand and other operational constraints of the processing mill. The binary nonlinear optimization model was solved by a proposed genetic algorithm, giving an optimum plan with a potential sugarcane production 17.8% above production obtained by conventional means in the mill. Key words: Genetic algorithm, integer nonlinear optimization model, optimal planning, Saccharum spp., sugarcane planting and harvesting.

Ex-ante fate assessment of trace organic contaminants for decision making: A post-normal estimation for sludge recycling in Reunion

The environmental fate of organic waste-derived trace organic contaminants is a recent focus of research. Public awareness of this issue and concern about the potential risks are increasing, partly as a result of this research. Knowledge remains sparse but, due to growing waste volumes and contaminant concentrations, situations are arising where decisions are urgently needed and the stakes are high. We present an approach to provide stakeholders with the soundest possible information on relevant risks in specific situations where local experimental data are scarce or inexistent. With accuracy taking precedence over precision in such situations, the quantitative fate assessment aspect of the approach considers uncertainty at all levels in order to estimate best-to-worst-case (cumulative uncertainty) fuzzy fate ranges. The approach was applied to conditions that prevail on the island of Réunion. Contrasting possible organic residue recycling scenarios are considered in which trace organic contaminants originate either from pig slurry or sewage sludge. The stakeholders' concerns targeted are leaching, soil persistence and crop (sugarcane) shoot translocation. The fate assessment results in soil removal dynamics that vary over a wide range, even for a particular chemical in a particular scenario. For 3 out of 27 chemicals residual soil concentrations after one sugarcane crop cycle could possibly exceed the 100 ng/g dry weight mass fraction range, only in a worst case situation. Substances predicted to be of the highest mobility (erythromycin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin) might produce appreciable leaching only in the event of substantial rainfall shortly after a high rate decadal application. And only the higher bound sugarcane shoot concentration estimates of 17 α-ethinylestradiol and tris(chloropropyl)phosphate are significant.

Effects of Diverse Habitat Biofertilizers on Yield and Nitrogen Balance in Plant–Ratoon Crop Cycle of Sugarcane in Subtropics

Three nitrogen fixing biofertilizers of diverse habitat; endophytic Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, free living Azotobacter chrococcum and associative Azospirillum brasilense were tested in field condition for a complete sugarcane crop cycle of one plant and a ratoon crop at different levels of N input for enhancing crop productivity and soil N balance. Different biofertilizers increased the crop yield at all nitrogen levels but the maximum increase was recorded at N75 as compared to N150. G. diazotrophicus based biofertilizer was found to be the best in terms of crop yield production followed by its combination with A. chrococcum and A. brasilense. PFP for nitrogen was more in plant crop (9–38%) than the ratoon crop (4–24%) due to different biofertilizers. Apparent N balance indicated a contribution of 52.3–216.7 kg N ha−1 in plant crop and from 65 to 225.3 kg N ha−1 in ratoon crop due to biological nitrogen fixation in different biofertilizer × N treatments. The maximum N contribution was recorded with G. diazotrophicus and minimum with A. brasilense in a plant-ratoon cycle of sugarcane crop. Overall field inoculations of sugarcane by diazotrophic biofertilizers are highly beneficial and of tested biofertilizers G. diazotrophicus based biofertilizer is most efficient in terms of higher cane yield, commercial cane sugar production, efficient N utilization and maintaining positive N balance.

Infield greenhouse gas emissions from sugarcane soils in Brazil: effects from synthetic and organic fertilizer application and crop trash accumulation

AbstractBioethanol from sugarcane is becoming an increasingly important alternative energy source worldwide as it is considered to be both economically and environmentally sustainable. Besides being produced from a tropical perennial grass with high photosynthetic efficiency, sugarcane ethanol is commonly associated with low N fertilizer use because sugarcane from Brazil, the world's largest sugarcane producer, has a low N demand. In recent years, several models have predicted that the use of sugarcane ethanol in replacement to fossil fuel could lead to high greenhouse gas (GHG) emission savings. However, empirical data that can be used to validate model predictions and estimates from indirect methodologies are scarce, especially with regard to emissions associated with different fertilization methods and agricultural management practices commonly used in sugarcane agriculture in Brazil. In this study, we provide in situ data on emissions of three GHG (CO2, N2O, and CH4) from sugarcane soils in Brazil and assess how they vary with fertilization methods and management practices. We measured emissions during the two main phases of the sugarcane crop cycle (plant and ratoon cane), which include different fertilization methods and field conditions. Our results show that N2O and CO2 emissions in plant cane varied significantly depending on the fertilization method and that waste products from ethanol production used as organic fertilizers with mineral fertilizer, as it is the common practice in Brazil, increase emission rates significantly. Cumulatively, the highest emissions were observed for ratoon cane treated with vinasse (liquid waste from ethanol production) especially as the amount of crop trash on the soil surface increased. Emissions of CO2 and N2O were 6.9 kg ha−1 yr−1 and 7.5 kg ha−1 yr−1, respectively, totaling about 3000 kg in CO2 equivalent ha−1 yr−1.

Evolution of the Agronomic and Environmental Phosphorus Status of Soils in Mauritius After a Seven Year Sugarcane Crop Cycle

The intensive application of P fertilisers in sugarcane production has probably resulted in P levels which could be of concern to freshwater quality in Mauritius. Only very small amounts of P must be lost from the soil to create a P concentration in freshwater ecosystems likely to cause eutrophication. To prevent eutrophication, total P should not exceed 0.05 mg L−1 in streams entering lakes/reservoirs as per directives of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. For this reason, the scope of the current agronomic soil P test (using 0.1 M H2SO4 as extractant) was broadened to be used also in the evaluation of the environmental P status of soils for freshwater protection in Mauritius. The environmental threshold was determined by establishing the relationship between 0.01 M CaCl2 and 0.1 M H2SO4 soil extractable P. It was inferred that above 85 mg kg−1 0.1 M H2SO4 extractable P, the soil P represents a potential risk for contamination of runoff waters. The number of fields with unacceptably high levels of P (P ≥ 95 mg kg−1) increased from 42 to 53 % in just one sugarcane crop cycle. In 2005/2006 more that 50 % of the sugarcane soils had an unsafe environmental soil P status and the majority of the sugarcane fields with an environmentally unacceptable soil P level were located on the two latosolic soil groups. Hence revision of P management practices or implementation of other corrective measures such as creation of riparian zones should primarily be directed towards those two soil groups.

Object Based Image Analysis and Data Mining applied to a remotely sensed Landsat time-series to map sugarcane over large areas

The aim of this research was to develop a methodology for contributing in the automation of sugarcane mapping over large areas, with time-series of remotely sensed imagery. To this end, two major techniques were combined: Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) and Data Mining (DM). OBIA was used to represent the knowledge needed to map sugarcane, whereas DM was applied to generate the knowledge model. To derive the image objects, the segmentation algorithm implemented in Definiens Developer® was used. The data mining algorithm used was J48, which generates decision trees (DT) from a previously prepared training set. The study area comprises three municipalities located in the northwest of São Paulo state, all of which are good representatives of the agricultural conditions in the Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil. A time series of Landsat TM and ETM+ images was acquired in order to represent the wide range of pattern variation along the sugarcane crop cycle. After training, the DT was applied to the Landsat time series, thus generating the desired thematic map with sugarcane ready to harvest. Classification accuracy was calculated over a set of 500 points not previously used during the training stage. Using error matrix analysis and Kappa statistics, tests for statistical significance were derived. The statistics indicated that the classification achieved an overall accuracy of 94% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.87. Results show that the combination of OBIA and DM techniques is very efficient and promising for the sugarcane classification process.

Variação do balanço de radiação e de energia da cana-de-açúcar irrigada no semiárido brasileiro

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar as variações nas magnitudes e nas partições dos componentes do balanço de radiação e de energia, obtidos durante o período de crescimento da cana-de-açúcar irrigada (variedade RB92579). O experimento foi conduzido em Juazeiro, BA, localizado na região do Semiárido brasileiro. Os fluxos de calor sensível (H) e calor latente (LE) no ar foram estimados por meio do balanço de energia, com base na razão de Bowen (BERB). Concomitantemente, o crescimento da cultura também foi monitorado. Em análise preliminar deste método, constatou-se que 62,7% dos dados coletados apresentaram consistência física para serem utilizados nas estimativas dos componentes H e LE. Observou-se que o valor médio da relação Rn/Rg foi igual a 59±5%, com os menores valores ocorrendo no início e final do ciclo de cultivo da cana-de-açúcar, enquanto a magnitude dos valores do balanço de radiação de ondas longas (BOL) foi intensificada quando o índice de área foliar (IAF) era reduzido. Além disso, verificou-se também que o valor médio do albedo foi de 23±3% e que 81% da energia disponível foram destinados ao fluxo de calor latente, enquanto os valores do fluxo de calor sensível no ar (H) e no solo (G) representaram 16 e 3%, respectivamente.

Biomass accumulation in sugarcane: unravelling the factors underpinning reduced growth phenomena

Constant radiation use efficiency throughout the entire sugarcane crop cycle is often assumed for crop yield forecasting and management purposes. However, several examples are known where the linear relationship between cumulative intercepted radiation and biomass accumulation becomes uncoupled at some stage, with the latter declining by 21% in one reported case. This slowdown in growth is commonly referred to as the reduced growth phenomenon (RGP). In certain instances, this phenomenon appears to be related to the timing of crop initiation and harvesting. Summer-initiated sugarcane crops do not always resume expected growth rates after the transition from winter to spring, despite conditions being favourable for vigorous growth. Possible factors underlying the failure of sugarcane crops to realize full yield potential are reported and interrogated in this review. The potential involvement of lodging, flowering, and tiller mortality have been reviewed and the data suggest that, while such factors may contribute, they are unlikely to be the major causes of sugarcane RGPs. Similarly, reports indicate that temperature cannot account for reduced growth, as rates remain low despite the onset of favourable conditions in spring. In contrast, a decline in specific leaf nitrogen, potential initiation of sugar-mediated source-sink feedback inhibition of photosynthesis, and increased rates of maintenance respiration that occur during sugarcane development and maturation appear to be likely factors contributing to RGPs. An evaluation of areas of sugarcane biology and agronomy that would benefit from further research towards overcoming yield restriction imposed by reduced growth phenomena is provided.

Variable-rate lime application in Louisiana sugarcane production systems

Precision agriculture may offer sugarcane growers a management system that decreases costs and maximizes profits, while minimizing any potential negative environmental impact. The utility of variable-rate (VR) lime application in the initial production year (plant cane) of a 3-year sugarcane crop cycle was investigated at three locations planted to the cultivar LCP 85–384 for a total of nine site-years. A conventional, uniform-rate (UR) lime application method was compared to a VR application method and a no-lime control. Prior to lime application, soil samples (0–200 mm) were taken on a 0.4 ha grid to produce VR application maps. Soil samples were also taken after each crop of the 3-year production cycle to determine effects of lime application on soil properties. The combined results showed that neither the UR nor VR lime application method consistently improved cane or sugar yields over the no-lime control. Cane and sugar yields at Naquin Farms (NF) were increased with both the UR and VR methods, with the UR method having a slight advantage. At St. Louis Plantation (SLP), only the VR method in the first-ratoon crop increased cane and sugar yields and there were no yield differences due to lime application at Ellendale Plantation (EP). At NF and SLP, application of lime in the plant-cane crop increased soil pH and available phosphorus over the 3-year production cycle. At EP, lime application did not influence any of the soil properties measured. The failure to get a yield response from lime application at SLP and EP may have been due to the fact that fertility levels at planting were already greater than those at NF and the nitrogen fertilizer rates used by the grower at EP were higher than those at either SLP or NF. This may have obscured any positive yield effects that would be realized from increased nutrient availability. It is also possible that multiple VR lime applications will be required over a number of crop cycles to stabilize soil pH levels before a consistent positive effect on cane and sugar yields is observed with VR application. This possibility will be investigated in future studies.

Advanced satellite imagery to classify sugarcane crop characteristics

Techniques that provide a rapid and widespread assessment of crop properties equip industry decision makers with knowledge to improve their farming environment, both tactically and strategically. An interdisciplinary approach that links the fields of hyperspectral remote sensing, statistical data mining and sugarcane systems was undertaken to establish new relationships to determine variety type and crop age of sugarcane plants. In contrast to commonly used sensors such as those occupied by Landsat satellites, images captured by hyperspectral sensors can provide a more detailed assessment of crop status. Appropriate statistical analysis methods are needed to decode the multifaceted information recorded in these hyperspectral images. A range of statistical approaches have been applied for analysis of an EO-1 hyperion hyperspectral image from a major sugarcane growing region in Australia. Two relatively new classification methods - support vector machines and random forests - demonstrated superior performance in classifying sugarcane variety and crop cycle, e.g. the number of times that the plant has grown back after harvest, when compared against traditional statistical methods. Assignment results were further enhanced when classifications of pixels within sugarcane paddocks were aggregated to paddock classifications using paddock boundary information. Whilst the analysis methods of the hyperspectral data have been tested for the classification of variety and crop cycle, the potential application arenas for this type of imagery is both extensive and relatively unexplored. This type of data coupled with appropriate analysis methods will play a vital role in futuristic sustainable agriculture practices as this imagery becomes more accessible and as land managers and researchers become more aware of the types of decisions that hyperspectral remote sensing data can aid.

Numbers of pink sugarcane mealy bug, Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), differ within seasons and among regions and stages of the sugarcane crop cycle

Abstract The pink sugarcane mealy bug (PSMB; Saccharicoccus sacchari) is widespread on sugarcane globally. PSMB infest above‐ground storage tissue as it develops, feeding on phloem and producing exudate. It is not known, however, whether the level of infestations is the same in different sugar growing regions, or how population size varies year to year within a region. Field surveys of the number of nodes infested were conducted over five seasons in three mill‐regions in northern Australia (Macknade, Kalamia and Marian) on plant and ratoon crops. The pattern of infestation was very similar across seasons (only in 1 year of very low rainfall was the increase in population delayed). In all three regions the proportion of nodes infested was similar but reached the maximum 1 month later in the Marian region compared with the Kalamia and Macknade regions. The Kalamia region was distinguished by the rapid decline in the number of nodes infested down to a very low level by March. In the Macknade region mealy bugs persisted at higher levels than the other two regions. The PSMB infestation started earlier and was much greater in ratoon crops than plant crops throughout the sampling period. The differences were more pronounced in the Macknade and Marian districts. These observations provide a firm basis from which future strategies to control PSMB can be developed.

Economic Analysis of Sugarcane Variety Selection, Crop Yield Patterns, and Ratoon Crop Plow Out Decisions

Sugarcane (Saccharum sp. hyb.), a true perennial, is planted with the intention of harvests over several years before replanting a new crop. The success of a sugarcane farming operation depends on the ability to produce good stands of plantcane and maintain suitable stands for ratoon crops. With profit maximization as a primary goal of a farming operation, economic information relative to the expected net returns from sugarcane production over entire crop cycles is needed in making variety selection and ratoon crop harvest/plow out decisions. In this study, net present value methods are used to develop an economic model that can be used to estimate the economic returns from the production of early maturing varieties of sugarcane grown under the restrictive harvest conditions found in Louisiana. Sugarcane yield data by variety and crop-year were obtained from advanced variety trials conducted at 10 locations across Louisiana harvested from 1990 through 1994 for 10 commercial sugarcane varieties. Results of this study suggest that net returns associated with sugarcane varieties vary significantly across varieties. Fallow and planting costs per harvested acre can be lowered by extending the standard crop cycle to harvest of a third ratoon crop. However, minimum third ratoon yields to justify harvest will depend upon the expected third ratoon yield of the current variety planted, as well as expected crop cycle yields of alternative varieties available for planting.