Germination and emergence of weeds in function of light and the sugarcane (Saccharum spp) harvest residue

Author(s)

Fernanda Lopes Salvador

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2007-03-16

Examining board members

Ricardo Victoria Filho; Pedro Jacob Christoffoleti; Robinson Antonio Pitelli

• Advisor: Ricardo Victoria Filho

Abstract

During the last years it has been observed an increase in the mechanical harvest without using fire of the sugar cane. This system has been modifying the characteristics of sugar cane, considering that leaves a straw harvest residue on the soil, which affects the light incidence on it and the occurrence and management of weeds. The present experiment was carried out in the Departmento de Produção Vegetal/ USP – ESALQ, in two phases, with the objective of evaluating the effect of the light incidence in the germination of the weeds Euphorbia heterophylla L., Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn, Ipomoea nil (L.) Roth, Sida glaziovii K. Schum. and Brachiaria plantaginea (L.) Hitchc, and to evaluate the effect of different amounts of sugar cane straw harvest residue on the soil to the control of these weeds. The first phase was carried out in the lab chamber, testing the germination with the presence or absence of light. The germinated plants were evaluated daily until the stabilization of the germination. The germination speed index was also evaluated after the end of the germination. The second phase of this experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions in 11/05/06 right after the lab phase finished, using different amounts of sugar cane straw harvest residue (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20 t.ha-1) to evaluate the germination and emergence of the species. The evaluations were done on the 15th, 30th and 45th days after the weeds had been sown, the emerged plants were counted, cut near the soil surface and the fresh and the dry biomasses were determined. Later after the straw harvest residue was removed, the number of plants which did not surpass the amount of straw were evaluated and the fresh and dry biomasses were determined. According to the results obtained in the first phase of the experiment, it might be concluded that the studied species did not present a photoblastic behavior, or in other words, the presence or absence of light did not affect the germination. Relating to the second phase, it was observed that the amount of straw harvest residue of 10 t.ha-1 was not enough to stop the germination and emergence of the species E. indica e B. plantaginea, it was only above this quantity that their germination was reduced. Relating to the species E. heterophylla, I. nil and S. glaziovii, it was observed that they tend to be a problem even under bigger amounts of straw harvest residue (20 t.ha-1). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 05/54434-5 - Effects of light and sugarcane straw in the germination and emergence of harmful plants
• Grantee: Fernanda Lopes Salvador
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master