Micronutrients for sugarcane: sources, rates and methods of applying

• Grant number: 11/07459-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: August 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Jose Antonio Quaggio
• Grantee: Jose Antonio Quaggio
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Campinas
• Associated researchers: Estêvão Vicari Mellis ; Heitor Cantarella ; Luiz Antonio Junqueira Teixeira

Abstract

Studies on micronutrients in sugarcane are scarce and some inconclusive. From the results obtained in the project Fapesp 2007/57956-8, which was composed of a network of 15 field trials installed in major producing regions of São Paulo, it was found that the culture showed a positive response to Cu, Mn, Mo and Zn, in more than 80% of low fertility soils. From these results, it became necessary to expand the studies on the crop response to fertilization with micronutrients aiming to support the development of a fertilizer recommendation with micronutrients. Initially two regions will be chosen for the installation of the experiments. In each region will be established a set of four experiments which in order to study the responses of sugarcane to rates and sources of Cu, Mn and Zn and also to rates and method of application of Mo. In the trials with Cu, Mn and Zn, the treatments will be consist of a control without application of micronutrients, rates of 5, 10 and 20 kg ha-1 of the metallic element, and three sources with different solubilities (EDTA, sulfates and oxides). All treatments will be applied at planting. In the experiment with Mo, will be tested the rates of 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 kg ha-1 of Mo and two application methods (furrow and foliar). The experiments will be monitored through analysis of soil and leaves. Tillering, stem production (amount and quality) will be evaluated in the first season and ratoon crop. (AU)