Sugarcane harvest system in the sorption and desorption of the MSMA herbicide in tropical soils

• Grant number: 12/15916-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal researcher: Jussara Borges Regitano
• Grantee: Ernani Vicente Pereira Junior
• Home Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The sugar cane is one of the main crops in Brazil, responsible for the production of important commodities (sugar and alcohol) in Brazilian´s market. Recently, the production area and total yield of this crop has been increasing continuously due to the positive outlook of the future market. In this scenario, the adoption of management practices and the use of herbicides are crucial factors for increasing productivity. The deposition of straw on the ground due to the harvesting of sugar cane without burning results in increased levels of soil organic carbon. This fact directly influences the environmental behavior of herbicides, because it may increase the potential for soil sorption. The herbicide monosodium acid methane arsenate (MSMA) is frequently used in this culture due to its low cost and its agronomic effectiveness. However, degradation of this compound releases arsenic, especially in the form of arsenate, which is a trace element of major environmental concern, but tends to be more sorbed in soils with a high content of oxides of iron and aluminum. In this context, this project aims to evaluate the potential for sorption and desorption of the herbicide MSMA in soils cultivated with sugar cane under harvest system with and without residue burning.