Sugarcane yield and root system development as related to soil nitrogen mineralization and nitrogen fertilization

Author(s)

Rafael Otto

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2012-01-18

Examining board members

Paulo Cesar Ocheuze Trivelin; Luis Reynaldo Ferracciú Alleoni; Heitor Cantarella; Ciro Antonio Rosalem; Godofredo Cesar Vitti

• Advisor: Paulo Cesar Ocheuze Trivelin

Abstract

Sugarcane has been a promissing crop for renewable energy production around the world. In order to establish sugarcane as a globally alternative for bioenergy production, sustainability issues should be considered. Synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers plays a key role in sugarcane production but, if used improperly, causes environmental threats. The goal of this study was to elucidate current questions about sugarcane management in unburned areas, as follows (i) the sucessive mechanical harvesting could decrease the soil physical quality and thus compromise root system development? (ii) applying high N rates over the sugarcane straw, without further cultivation would modify the sugarcane root architecture? and (iii) is it possible to use soil N mineralization indexes in order to improve the N management of sugarcane? Three studies were carried out in order to elucidate the aforementioned issues. The findings of the first study is that successive mechanical harvesting without further soil cultivation modify the physical properties of the superficial soil layer, with negative effects on root density. No limitations on root growth occurs when penetration resistance (PR) is lower than 0,75 MPa, but PR from 0,75 to 2,0 MPa decreases root density and PR higher than 2,0 MPa causes severe restriction to root growth. The second study shows the variation in sugarcane root growth over the first ratoon cycle in two trials (Santa Adelia Mill, USA and Sao Martinho Mill, USM) as related to N rates applied at planting (0 or 120 kg ha-1 N) and to the ratoon (0 and 150 kg ha-1N). The effect of N fertilizer addition in sugarcane rooting varied between sites. In both trials, the variation in root biomass was more influencied by soil properties than by N supply. At USM site, ratoon N fertilization increased root density in the superficial soil layer (0-0,2 m) and close to the plants (<0,3 m), while at the SA site no effect of N was observed. There was no carry over effect from N applied at planting in the evaluated parameters (root and shoot biomass and N accumullation). Applying high N rates over the sugarcane straw does not affect significantly the sugarcane root architecture. The third study assess the N fertilizer response of sugarcane in ten field trials at Sao Paulo State. The soils were categorized in highly responsive, moderately responsive and non-responsives to N fertilization. Further studies developed under laboratory conditions showed differences in the soil\'s N supplying power. The gross mineralization succesfully identified the soils responsiveness to N, and the chemical tests Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test and Direct Steam Distilation showed promising results and can be performed in routine soil analysis in one work day. Further studies are warranted to assess the feasibility in using soil N tests to improve N fertilizer management in sugarcane. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/01217-5 - Root system development and sugarcane yield in soils with different properties related to nitrogen fertilization
• Grantee: Rafael Otto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate