Silicon fertilization on sugarcane cultivated at Quartzipsamment: effect on yield and occurence of borer stalk and rust

• Grant number: 08/04306-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2008
• End date: July 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Mônica Sartori de Camargo
• Grantee: Patricia Wyler
• Host Institution: Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Brazil is the biggest international productor of sugarcane and Sao Paulo State is most expressive in extension and productivity. Sugarcane presents the highest contents of silicon, which is a beneficial element to increase the productivity, reduction of insects damages, diseases and drawn tolerance. The silicon availability is variable, specialy in function of soil type. The expansion of sugarcane at last years, high intemperizated soils and sand soils are being used. They could contain low contents of silicon. Besides, there is few informations about silicon availability in soils with planting of sugarcane for many years and silicate fertilization to sugarcane in Brazil. The objective will be evaluation of silicon extraction by sugarcane in soils with rates of silicate and its relashionship with its productivity, technology quality, borer stalk damage and ringspot severity. The experiment will be done in field conditions, randomized complete blocks, 4 rates of Si (0, 250, 500 e 750 kg ha-1 Si), 2 varieties (IAC 87 3396; SP 89 1115) at Quartzipsammet. After harvest of sugarcane plots, will be done chemical analysis for soil fertility and Si content in soils by 2 extractants (acetic acid 0.5 Mol L-1 and CaCl2 0.01 mol L-1) and evaluation of productivity, tecnologycal quality, damage of borer stalk and ringspot incidence and silicon contents of top visible dewlap leaves and stems and leaves at harvest.