Sugarcane Monoculture Research Articles

Assessing the impact of agriculture value chains on food and water environments in Meerut District, India

Water and food are interconnected elements crucial for agricultural production and food security. While sufficient water resources have facilitated significant food production, intensive agricultural practices have contributed to the degradation of water resources. Agriculture value chains play a pivotal role in shaping food systems and can lead to virtual water movement through the production and trade of water-intensive crops. These chains affect both water and food environments, with water being a driver and food determining factors like availability and accessibility. Despite the economic benefits, agriculture value chains pose non-economic challenges, including environmental and social impacts. The focus on profitability often overlooks sustainability and equity concerns, leading to mono cropping and exclusion of small farmers from markets. This trend is evident in Meerut district, situated in the fertile Indo Gangetic plain and a top farming state in India. Despite its agricultural potential, the district has shifted towards sugarcane monoculture, impacting water and food environments. This study aims to explore the complex relationship between agriculture value chains, water sustainability, food availability and accessibility. The objectives include understanding these interlinkages, analyzing baseline scenarios, and assessing the implications of value chains on food and water environments. The analysis reveals the adverse effects of sugarcane monoculture on water environment, food environment and agricultural sustainability. To address these challenges, the study puts a way forward to adopt value chains approach for the strategical promotion of crop diversification, emphasizing resilience and sustainability.

Beyond the surface: microbiological and biochemical attributes as indicators of soil quality in Atlantic Forest ecosystem

The objective of this study was to determine the biochemical and microbiological attributes in areas with different vegetation covers (mature forest, secondary forest, and sugar cane monoculture) and seasonal changes, and to compare the sensitivity of these attributes types (mycorrhizal, enzymatic, and carbon attributes) in response to changes in vegetation cover and season. Soil samplings were conducted over two years (one per semester, during the dry and wet periods of 2007 and 2008) in three types of areas: (I) mature forest; (II) secondary forest; and (III) sugar cane crop. The enzymatic activity of fluorescein diacetate, dehydrogenase, saccharase, basal carbon respiration, the carbon content of microbial biomass, the microbial coefficient, total and easily extracted glomalin soil-related proteins, mycorrhizal colonization, the number of glomerospores, total organic carbon, fulvic and humic acid content, and the fulvic/humic acid ratio were analyzed. In general, mycorrhizal parameters were more sensitive in distinguishing areas with different types of vegetation cover. Additionally, carbon stocks in areas of mature and secondary forest were higher compared to areas cultivated with sugar cane. The study reveals that mycorrhizal properties, such as root colonization and GRSP fractions, are more sensitive indicators of soil health than soil C attributes, providing a cost-effective alternative for evaluating soil health in the Atlantic Forest. The confirmed hypothesis supports the effectiveness of microbiological activity and C dynamics in discerning significant changes between sugar cane cultivation and forested areas. The study underscores the vital role of conserving forested areas, serving as crucial carbon reservoirs, and emphasizes the potential for enhanced sustainability through conservation practices and rapid soil function recovery in secondary forests within the Atlantic Forest.

Impact of Flood-Irrigated Sugarcane Monoculture on Groundwater Quality in the Nile Alluvial Soils

Impact of Flood-Irrigated Sugarcane Monoculture on Groundwater Quality in the Nile Alluvial Soils

Profiling of rhizosphere bacterial community associated with sugarcane and banana rotation system

BackgroundGuangxi is the leading sugarcane-producing area in China. Due to the Panama disease outbreak in banana gardens, sugarcane and banana rotation was recommended. A field experiment with the newly released sugarcane cultivar Zhongzhe 1 (ZZ1) was conducted to understand the role of the sugarcane–banana rotation system in shaping the rhizosphere microbiota. Fields in the region possess characteristics of red laterite soil.ResultsUsing Illumina HiSeq sequencing to analyze soil samples’ 16S rRNA V3-V4 region, the preceding banana rotation field had relatively greater bacterial diversity than the monoculture sugarcane field. Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria were the dominant phyla, with distinct taxa enriched in each environment. However, the preceding sugarcane monoculture field enriched functional groups related to nitrogen fixation and cellulolysis. Network analysis highlighted contrasting network structures between sugarcane and banana rhizospheres, suggesting differential stability and susceptibility to environmental influences. Furthermore, correlations between soil properties and bacterial alpha-diversity underscored the influence of preceding crops on rhizosphere microbial communities.ConclusionThis research enhances our understanding of crop rotation effects on soil microbial ecology and provides insights into optimizing agricultural practices for enhanced soil health and crop productivity. Future studies should explore the underlying mechanisms driving these interactions and evaluate the long-term impacts of crop rotation on soil microbial dynamics.Graphical abstract

Confined within a sugarcane monoculture: A participatory assessment of water pollution and potential health risks in the community of El Tiple, Colombia

Communities neighboring monoculture plantations are vulnerable to different forms of pollution associated with agro-industrial operations. Herein, we examine the case of El Tiple, a rural Afro descendant community embedded within one of the largest sugarcane plantations in the Americas. We implemented a participatory approach to assess water pollution, exposure via water ingestion, and non-carcinogenic health risks associated with the use of local water sources available to the community. We conducted household surveys to unveil demographic characteristics and family dynamics linked to water consumption. Additionally, we measured water quality parameters and assessed the concentration glyphosate, its major metabolite (aminomethylphosphonic acid) and metals and metalloids. Drinking water El Tiple households is sourced from three primary sources: the local aqueduct system, water delivery trucks, and private deep wells. Tests on water samples from both the local aqueduct and delivery trucks showed no traces of pesticides, metals, or metalloids surpassing regulatory limits set by Colombian or EPA standards. However, we found concentration of contaminants of primary concern, including mercury (up to 0.0052 ppm) and lead (up to 0.0375 ppm) that exceed the permissible regulatory thresholds in water from groundwater wells. Residents of the peripheric subdivisions of El Tiple are four times more reliant on well water extraction than residents of the central area of the town due to lack of access to public drinking water and sanitation infrastructure. Finally, adult women and school-age children have a higher health risk associated with exposure to local pollutants than adult men due to their constant presence in the town. We conclude that expanding the coverage of clean water and sanitation infrastructure to include all households of the community would be the most recommended measure to minimize exposure and risk via ingestion of water pollutants.

REEXISTENCIAS TERRITORIALES DE MOVIMIENTOS INDÍGENAS EN LA REGIÓN ANDINO-AMAZÓNICA

Movements by indigenous peoples against neoliberal extractivist processes in Latin America have traditionally employed strategies focused on territorial recognition of their identity and culture. The issue under investigation is the recent resurgence of post-extractivist territorial-based social movements that are using strategies based on innovative economic models and creative development. The objective is to study these territorial social movements and socioecological conflicts by analyzing cases in the Andean-Amazonian region in Bolivia and Colombia. The methodology is qualitative and ethnographic, based on interviews and documentary analysis. In the case of the Rositas River in Bolivia, indigenous communities and producers have organized to oppose the construction of a dam and hydroelectric project. In the Colombian region of Cauca, the dispute is over 20,000 hectares of sugarcane monoculture where the local community is fighting to grow corn, beans and yucca. The common characteristics of these movements are ecofeminist involvement, autonomous forms of collective action and political experimentation, new languages, and patterns of struggle and mobilization including the deployment of international alliances

Sugarcane/soybean intercropping with reduced nitrogen addition promotes photosynthesized carbon sequestration in the soil.

Sugarcane/soybean intercropping with reduced nitrogen (N) addition has improved soil fertility and sustainable agricultural development in China. However, the effects of intercropping pattern and N fertilizer addition on the allocation of photosynthesized carbon (C) in plant-soil system were far less understood. In this study, we performed an 13CO2 pulse labeling experiment to trace C footprints in plant-soil system under different cropping patterns [sugarcane monoculture (MS), sugarcane/soybean intercropping (SB)] and N addition levels [reduced N addition (N1) and conventional N addition (N2)]. Our results showed that compared to sugarcane monoculture, sugarcane/soybean intercropping with N reduced addition increased sugarcane biomass and root/shoot ratio, which in turn led to 23.48% increase in total root biomass. The higher root biomass facilitated the flow of shoot fixed 13C to the soil in the form of rhizodeposits. More than 40% of the retained 13C in the soil was incorporated into the labile C pool [microbial biomass C (MBC) and dissolved organic C (DOC)] on day 1 after labeling. On day 27 after labeling, sugarcane/soybean intercropping with N reduced addition showed the highest 13C content in the MBC as well as in the soil, 1.89 and 1.14 times higher than the sugarcane monoculture, respectively. Moreover, intercropping pattern increased the content of labile C and labile N (alkaline N, ammonium N and nitrate N) in the soil. The structural equation model indicated that the cropping pattern regulated 13C sequestration in the soil mainly by driving changes in labile C, labile N content and root biomass in the soil. Our findings demonstrate that sugarcane/soybean intercropping with reduced N addition increases photosynthesized C sequestration in the soil, enhances the C sink capacity of agroecosystems.

Evaluation of Water Quality in Streams Under Strong Influence of Sugarcane Cultivation Using the Allium cepa Test

The Ivinhema River Basin is affected by the expansion of sugarcane cultivation areas, which impacts the water quality of its streams. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic potential of water samples from three streams of the Ivinhema River Basin using the Allium cepa test. Sampling was conducted in March 2017. Surface water samples collected from the Piravevê, Vitória, and Rosário streams induced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in A. cepa. Reductions in both germination and cell division were observed, which may have been related to the flow of toxic residues from the sugarcane monoculture into the stream’s waters. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop restoration projects aimed at conserving the water quality and biodiversity in these aquatic environments.

Immediate impacts of soybean cover crop on bacterial community composition and diversity in soil under long-term Saccharum monoculture.

Saccharum yield decline results from long-term monoculture practices. Changes in cropping management can improve soil health and productivity. Below-ground bacterial community diversity and composition across soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) cover crop, Saccharum monoculture (30+ year) and fallowed soil were determined. Near full length (~1,400 base pairs) of 16S rRNA gene sequences were extracted from the rhizospheres of sugarcane and soybean and fallowed soil were compared. Higher soil bacterial diversity was observed in the soybean cover crop than sugarcane monoculture across all measured indices (observed operationational taxonomic units, Chao1, Shannon, reciprocal Simpson and Jackknife). Acidocateria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Planctomycetes were the most abundant bacterial phyla across the treatments. Indicator species analysis identified nine indicator phyla. Planctomycetes, Armatimonadetes and candidate phylum FBP were associated with soybean; Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were linked with sugarcane and Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospirae, Rokubacteria and unclassified bacteria were associated with fallowed soil. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis showed distinct groupings of bacterial operational taxonomic units (97% identity) according to management system (soybean, sugarcane or fallow) indicating compositional differences among treatments. This is confirmed by the results of the multi-response permutation procedures (A = 0.541, p = 0.00045716). No correlation between soil parameters and bacterial community structure was observed according to Mantel test (r = 211865, p = 0.14). Use of soybean cover-crop fostered bacterial diversity and altered community structure. This indicates cover crops could have a restorative effect and potentially promote sustainability in long-term Saccharum production systems.

Free-living bacteria stimulate sugarcane growth traits and edaphic factors along soil depth gradients under contrasting fertilization

Free-living bacterial community and abundance have been investigated extensively under different soil management practices. However, little is known about their nitrogen (N) fixation abilities, and how their contributions to N budgets impact plant growth, yield, and carbon (C) and N cycling enzymes in a long-term consecutive sugarcane monoculture farming system, under contrasting amendments, along different soil horizons. Here, nifH gene amplicon was used to investigate diazotrophs bacterial community and abundance by leveraging high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Moreover, edaphic factors in three soil depths (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm) under control (CK), organic matter (OM), biochar (BC), and filter mud (FM) amended soils were investigated. Our analysis revealed that β-glucosidase activity, acid phosphatase activity, ammonium (NH4+-N), nitrate (NO3–N), total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), and available potassium (AK) were considerably high in 0–20 cm in all the treatments. We also detected a significantly high proportion of Proteobacteria and Geobacter in the entire sample, including Anabaena and Enterobacter in 0–20 cm soil depth under the BC and FM amended soils, which we believed were worthy of promoting edaphic factors and sugarcane traits. This phenomenon was further reinforced by network analysis, where diazotrophs bacteria belonging to Proteobacteria exhibited strong and positive associations soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic matter content (SOM) available phosphorus (AP), TN, followed by NH4+-N and NO3–N, a pattern that was further validated by Mantel test and Pearson’s correlation coefficients analyses. Furthermore, some potential N-fixing bacteria, including Burkholderia, Azotobacter, Anabaena, and Enterobacter exhibited a strong and positive association with sugarcane agronomic traits, namely, sugarcane stalk, ratoon weight, and chlorophyll content. Taken together, our findings are likely to broaden our understanding of free-living bacteria N-fixation abilities, and how their contributions to key soil nutrients such as N budgets impact plant growth and yield, including C and N cycling enzymes in a long-term consecutive sugarcane monoculture farming system, under contrasting amendments, along different soil horizons.

Toxicity of fipronil and 2,4-D pesticides in Daphnia similis: a multiple endpoint approach

In Brazil, among the pesticides widely applied simultaneously in sugarcane monocultures are the Regent® 800 WG insecticide (active ingredient (a.i.) fipronil) and the DMA® 806 BR herbicide (a.i. 2,4-D). Thus, this study aimed to investigate, through different endpoints, the effects of the fipronil and 2,4-D pesticides, isolated and as mixtures, on the cladoceran Daphnia similis. To do this, acute toxicity tests were carried out with the compounds acting in isolation and in mixture, where the survival of the organisms was evaluated, and chronic toxicity tests with the isolated compounds, where reproduction and maternal and neonatal body length were evaluated. In this study, the physiological endpoints of D. similis were also analyzed, through the analysis of feeding rates (filtration and ingestion) in exposure and post-exposure scenarios, in order to verify the cladoceran food recovery capacity. In addition, D. similis data were compared with other species when exposed to the studied pesticides, using species sensitivity distribution curves. Acute toxicity tests of the fipronil and 2,4-D showed an average EC50-48h of 66.68μg a.i./L and 327.07mg a.i./L, respectively. In both cases, D. similis showed lower sensitivity compared to other species. For the mixture test, the evaluation by the IA model (independent action) and deviation DR (dose ratio dependent) indicated the occurrence of mostly antagonistic effects. The chronic test with fipronil showed a decrease in the fecundity of the organism at a concentration of 16μg a.i./L, a concentration already found in aquatic environments. For 2,4-D, no significant differences were observed for reproduction at the concentrations tested. Regarding the maternal body length, there were no significant changes when D. similis were exposed to both fipronil and 2,4-D, but these differences were observed in the body length of the neonates only for 2,4-D. There were no significant changes in the feeding rates of the organisms when exposed to both pesticides.

Effectiveness of Federal Protected Areas in the Preservation of Mangrove Forests on the Coast of the State of Paraíba, Brazil.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Federal Protected Areas on the coast of the state of Paraíba in northeastern Brazil with regard to the preservation of mangrove forests. The study area encompassed remaining mangrove forests distributed in four federal protected areas (PAs) located in Paraíba: Area of Relevant Ecological Interest (AREI) of Mangroves of the Mamanguape River, Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of the Mamanguape River, the Restinga de Cabedelo National Forest (NATFOR), and the Acaú-Goiana Extractive Reserve (EXTRES). The methods consisted of a spatiotemporal analysis considering the year of creation of each PA, with mapping and quantification as well as the assessment of impacts and effectiveness. NATFOR and EXTRES had the most conserved mangrove areas on the temporal scale, whereas AREI and EPA had the largest reductions in areas of mangrove forest. Urban expansion, sugarcane monoculture, and shrimp farming represented the main negative impacts spatially identified in these PAs. Based on the results of this study, the mangrove forests analyzed have continually suffered anthropogenic pressures since their creation as protected areas. The greatest effectiveness in the preservation of mangrove forests was found in Acaú-Goiana EXTRES and the least effectiveness was found in the AREI of Mangroves of the Mamanguape River.

Influence of land use and different plant residues on isotopic carbon distribution of total and water extractable organic matter in an incubation experiment with weathered tropical soil

AbstractIn weathered tropical soils, the inherent pedoclimatic characteristics strengthen the role of soil organic matter (SOM) pools within the carbon cycle for both forest and agricultural ecosystems. The fast SOM turnover and the humid climate hasten the impact of land use and emphasize the importance of water extractable organic matter (WEOM) on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. The goal of this study was to determine the short‐term dynamics of bulk SOM and WEOM pool in weathered Brazilian soil, as conditioned by both land use and type of plant inputs. To this aim we used the appraisal of the natural δ13C‐OC signature to follow the variation of SOC pools and to overcome the analytical issues related to low OC concentration of WEOM fractions. In a one‐year laboratory incubation, soil samples from a natural forest and an adjacent site under sugarcane monoculture were amended with either forest litter or sugarcane straw to evaluate SOM and WEOM dynamics. The bulk SOM was mainly affected by inherited conditions rather than on the organic amendments. The incorporation of sugarcane residues in the forest site produced a partial replacement of the original SOC, while the amendments to the cultivated soil promoted a stable increase in SOC. The analysis of WEOM highlighted its influence as a reactive pool in the short‐term SOM dynamics. The δ13C variation of WEOM from cultivated soil corroborated the significant ponderal rate of OC input from forest litter that accounted for 22% of total dissolved carbon. Unexpected evidence on the shift of isotopic dilution between SOC pools indicates that the evaluation of δ13C to determine the origin of the SOC fraction should be conservatively adopted. The results outline that the steady state of SOM in forest systems may undergo a rapid decline with limited counteracting effects of exogenous OM inputs. Conversely, OC depleted agricultural soils may benefit from organic amendments, thus acting as an effective sink for SOC accumulation.

Beneficial shift of rhizosphere soil nutrients and metabolites under a sugarcane/peanut intercropping system.

Intercropping systems have been studied as a sustainable agricultural planting pattern to increase soil quality and crop yields. However, the relationships between metabolites and soil physicochemical properties remain poorly understood under sugarcane/peanut intercropping system. Thus, we determined the rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties, and analyzed rhizosphere soil metabolites and root metabolites by metabolomics method under monoculture and intercropping patterns of sugarcane and peanut. The results showed that pH, the contents of total phosphorus (P), total potassium (K), available nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and available potassium (K) were higher in rhizosphere soil of intercropping peanut than monoculture peanut, and the content of total P was higher in rhizosphere soil of intercropping sugarcane than monoculture sugarcane. Sugarcane/peanut intercropping also significantly increased the activities of acid phosphatase and urease in rhizosphere soil. The metabolomics results showed that 32 metabolites, mainly organic acids and their derivatives (25.00%), nucleotides and their metabolites (18.75%), were detected in root and rhizosphere soil samples. In the MP-S (rhizosphere soil of monoculture peanut) vs. IP-S (rhizosphere soil of intercropping peanut) comparison, 47 differential metabolites (42 upregulated) were screened, including glycerolipids (19.15%), organic acids and their derivatives (17.89%), and amino acids and their metabolites (12.77%). In the MS-S (rhizosphere soil of monoculture sugarcane) vs. IS-S (rhizosphere soil of intercropping sugarcane) comparison, 51 differential metabolites (26 upregulated) were screened, including heterocyclic compounds (15.69%), glycerolipids (11.76%), and organic acids and their derivatives (9.80%). The metabolite species from MP-S, MS-S, IP-S, and IS-S were similar, but some metabolite contents were significantly different, such as adenine, adenosine, maltotriose, thermozeaxanthin-13 and PE-NMe (20:0/24:0). Adenine and adenosine were detected in root and rhizosphere soils, and their levels were increased in the intercropping treatment, which were mainly related to enhanced purine metabolism in root and rhizosphere soils under the sugarcane/peanut intercropping system. Importantly, adenine and adenosine were significantly positively correlated with total P and total K contents, acid phosphatase and urease activities, and pH. This study clarified that the sugarcane/peanut intercropping system could improve soil nutrients and enzymes and was related to purine metabolism.

The discovery of a new giant legume tree species in a severely fragmented landscape underscores the alarming threats to the biodiversity of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

AbstractThe Brazilian Atlantic Forest domain has one of the highest levels of plant species endemism, but the intense historical fragmentation across the coastal Atlantic tropical rain forest has reduced the original vegetation to < 10% and an island-like, patchy landscape. Despite such unprecedented vegetation loss, biogeographically and phylogenetically interesting discoveries in different angiosperm families have been newly reported for the Atlantic Forest in recent years. Here, we show that species discovery in the legume family (Fabaceae) across the Atlantic Forest has counter-intuitively been increasing. Since 1850, more than half of the legume species described for the domain are endemic, and the total number of endemic species has since increased almost four-fold, resulting in the current record of 442 endemic legumes. One such endemic is a new papilionoid legume, only known from a few giant trees that remained misidentified for 70 years since it was first collected. This new species, described here under the name Dipteryx hermetopascoaliana, based on morphological, geographical and molecular evidence, represents the first endemic species to the genus in the Atlantic Forest. We provide a complete morphological description, distribution map, preliminary conservation status and illustration of the new species. The phylogenetic isolation of D. hermetopascoaliana as sister to all other species of the genus and its restricted distribution in a severely fragmented landscape isolated by sugarcane monocultures in north-eastern Brazil are a signature of how critically endangered the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest is.

Spatial Analysis of Soybean and Sugarcane Monocultures in the Goiás Landscape

Goiás represents Brazil as one of the most important states in agricultural production. 97% of this territory is located in the Brazilian Cerrado, an area of fundamental importance for the understanding of agriculture. The relevance of soy is closely linked to its market value, being present since the 1970s and dominating Brazilian territory, becoming popular as the main export product. Sugar cane, on the other hand, reflects the mosaic of cultures and the recent economy of Goiás. This crop presents a progressive growth based on the interest for its derivatives (ethanol and sugar) and the expansion of the sugar-energy sector in the country. This paper intends to analyze the spatiotemporal behavior of soybean and sugarcane crops in the state of Goiás between the years 1988 to 2018, using geotechnologies. The two cultures present a favorable situation and confirmed the hypotheses brought throughout the work. The use of different forms of representation and analysis aided in the understanding the South of Goiás, a mesoregion that stands out for both crops. The two cultures dominate almost entirely the Goiás lands destined for agricultural production, however, the spatial-temporal dynamics of each one of them occurs in different ways and at different times.

Assessing Soil Quality Index Under Different Sugarcane Monoculture Periods and Soil Orders

ABSTRACT Intensive sugarcane cultivation has been carried out for more than 30 years in Indonesia and analysis of the Soil Quality Index (SQI) has not been widely carried out, especially on Entisols, Inceptisols, and Vertisols. This study aimed to assess SQI due to long-term monoculture periods in different soil orders. This study was conducted in multilocation design with two factors. The first factor was soil orders (Entisols, Inceptisols, and Vertisols), and the second one was monoculture periods (1–10, 11–20, and 21–30 years). The physical-chemical-biological properties of soil were analyzed. SQI score was calculated using Non-linear-Additive, Non-linear-Weighted Additive, Linear-Additive, and Linear-Weighted Additive scoring methods. The result show that SQI Linear-Additive method has the highest sensitivity level to observe the impact of the long-term sugarcane monoculture (2.210). SQI increased 28.2% in Inceptisols, decreased 25.8% in Vertisols and no clear pattern SQI in Entisols until monoculture 30 years monoculture periods. SQI has a greater effect on sugarcane productivity (R2 = 0.4472), than the effect with sucrose content (R2 = 0.1056). The long-term impact of sugarcane monoculture on SQI is highly dependent on soil order, so land management in a site-specific location is highly recommended based on the soil order so that sugarcane cultivation can be sustainable, resulting in optimal yields.

KADAR HARA DALAM JARINGAN TANAMAN SEBAGAI RESPON BUDIDAYA MONOKULTUR DAN HUBUNGANNYA DENGAN HASIL PADA TANAMAN TEBU

[RESPONSE OF THE NUTRITION LEVELS OF SUGARCANE IN THREE ORDERS OF SOIL DUE TO SUGARCANE MONOCULTURE CULTIVATION]. Monoculture cultivation will have an influence not only on soil conditions but also on plant growth, nutrient levels in plant tissues, and yields. The purpose of this study was (1) to determine the effect of monoculture sugarcane cultivation on nutrient levels of the roots, stalks, and leaves of sugarcane plants, (2) to determine the relationship between nutrient levels in sugarcane tissue and sugarcane productivity, and yield in three different soil orders. This research had two factors, namely soil order (Entisol, Inceptisol, and Vertisol) and sugarcane monoculture period (1–10, 11–20, and 21–30 years). The sugar cane used was the ratoon of two sugarcane. Parameters observed included nutrient levels of N, P, K, B, and Zn in roots, stalks, and leaves of sugarcane, and productivity of plants. Data analysis was performed with ANOVA at 5% level and regression correlation analysis. The results showed that the levels of N (leaves, stalks, and roots), levels of P (leaves, stalks, and roots), levels of leaf K, levels of B (leaves and roots), and level of Zn of sugarcane roots were influenced by the interaction between soil order and sugarcane monoculture period. Zn and K levels in sugarcane leaves had a strong and significant correlation with sugarcane productivity (r=0.778* and r=0.699*), while sugarcane yields had a strong and significant correlation with N content of root (r=0.752*). This result indicates that the soil order and the mass of sugarcane monoculture have an effect on the nutrient content in the plant and this nutrient content affects the productivity and yield. The availability of macro and micronutrients needs to be considered in monoculture sugarcane planting techniques to obtain optimal and sustainable sugarcane yields.

Impacts of sugarcane expansion on water availability in a river basin in southeastern Brazil

The availability of land, favorable edaphoclimatic conditions, and water have consolidated the role of Brazil as a global player in the agricultural commodities market, which has driven intensive land use conversion in recent decades. In this context, the extensive use of biofuels to mitigate fossil fuel CO2 emissions has facilitated their replacement as pasture by sugarcane monoculture, particularly in São Paulo State that is responsible for more than 52% of the country’s sugarcane production. This expansion has occurred without evaluating its impact on water availability for other uses. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of the sugarcane expansion on the hydrological cycle of the Aguapeí River basin in São Paulo State, during 1985–2017. To achieve this goal, we first validated the hydrological model simulation by comparing the time trajectories within the Budyko framework for the sub-basin with the longest observation records. We then assessed the impact of the expansion of the area under sugarcane by comparing the streamflow over the study period against a baseline scenario, which assumed that no land use changes occurred after 1985 in six sub-basins of the Aguapeí River basin. The results revealed a reduction in streamflow with sugarcane expansion. Although these changes corresponded to only 2–5% of the mean streamflow of the baseline scenario, these can increase to 13–27% when the effect of sugarcane expansion is isolated. Our results suggested that the impacts of sugarcane on streamflow are gradually diluted at larger scales. We also estimated that the extra water consumption due to the sugarcane expansion in São Paulo State was 2150 hm3 yr−1 in 2017 compared to 1985.

Root traits of sugarcane cultivated by monoculture system in three orders of soil

Sugarcane is a valuable crop and has been cultivated in Indonesia in a monoculture system since the Dutch colonial period. Cultivation of sugarcane in monoculture in the long term affects the condition of soil properties. This will affect plant growth, one of which is plant roots. This study aim was to determine the effect of long-term sugarcane monoculture on sugarcane root conditions in three different soil orders. The research was conducted using two factors oversite design, soil order and duration of monoculture system. The observed soil parameters included soil physical and chemical properties such as bulk density, percentage of sand, silt, clay, porosity, pH H2O, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, NH4 +, NO3 -, Available P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, B and Zn. Root parameters observed were root fresh weight, the weight of root dry, root volume, the length of root, root cation exchange capacity and root surface area. The results showed that root volume, root length, root cation exchange capacity and root surface area were significantly impacted by the interaction of the soil order and the duration of monoculture system.