Agronomic Performance of Energy Cane in Response to NPK Fertilization Levels and Water Availability.

• Grant number: 24/10755-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Cassio Hamilton Abreu Junior
• Grantee: Mariana Lopes de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

It is recommended to expand the use of biofuels in the global energy matrix, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. Energy cane has technological characteristics that make it a viable option to meet the growing demand for renewable energy. However, there is limited information on proper fertilization management, water use, and the bioenergetic potential of its biomass, hindering its adoption by the sugar-energy sector. Knowledge about the technological quality and/or potential for product generation from energy cane can significantly contribute to the Brazilian energy matrix. Proper mineral nutrition can promote healthy growth, with greater fiber production and an increase in recoverable total sugar, raising the amount of ethanol per unit area. The objective of this study is to evaluate the technological quality of two varieties of energy cane, Type I and II (Vertix 3 and Vertix 2, respectively), in response to NPK fertilization, in a field experiment under rainfed and full irrigation conditions. Treatments will be obtained by combining 3 levels of N (60, 180, and 300 kg ha-1), 3 levels of P2O5 (60, 180, and 300 kg ha-1), and 3 levels of K2O (60, 180, and 300 kg ha-1) in a 3x3x3 factorial scheme. The design will be in three randomized blocks. At harvest, 10 to 15 stalks will be collected per treatment for technological analyses: total reducing sugars, recoverable total sugars, Pol, juice purity, Brix degree, tons of sugar per hectare, tons of fiber per hectare, theoretical yield of first (1G) and second generation (2G) ethanol, and calorific value. It is expected to determine the potential for biofuel and bioenergy generation and agricultural productivity from energy cane under optimized NPK fertilization and irrigation conditions.