Agronomic and nutritional traits of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum sp.) under different harvesting methods for animal production

• Grant number: 07/01386-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2007
• End date: September 30, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Pastures and Forage Crops
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Gustavo Nussio
• Grantee: Luiz Gustavo Nussio
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of the present trial is to analyze the agronomic and nutritional traits of the sugarcane varietyy (IAC-2480) harvested by different methods. The presence of the remaining cane stalk after mechanical harvesting may alter the pattern of re-growth and morphogenetic characteristics of the plant, with further consequences on the nutritive value. In the first step, quantitative (fresh and dry matter, kg/ha) and qualitative (soluble carbohydrates, kg/ha) losses will be studied, according to the harvesting methods applied. Six blocks will be split into three plots to which any of the harvesting methods (treatments) will be applied: basal cut (manual) (T1); mechanically harvested (T2) and mechanically harvested followed by basal cut (manual) (T3). During the second step of the trial other variables will be measured: tillering pattern, the balance across tiller size and pool density, the dynamics of DM and nutrients accumulation of the sugarcane plots submitted to the harvesting methods. The measured variables will be studied in three blocks split into plots. The measurements mentioned above will take place weekly in four specific sites within the plot, over the tillering period and after that, every 15 days. The focused variables within those sites will be studied under a split-plot design containing repeated measures over the time. The analysis of the DM and nutrients accumulation trend will be based on the tillers cut and harvested monthly (collection lines) during 12 months. The profile of the response slopes will be placed considering the agronomic and nutritional traits assessed. (AU)