Biomass and Nutrient Content by Sugarcane as Affected by Fertilizer Nitrogen Sources

Author(s)

Mariano, Eduardo ; Leite, Jose M. ; Vieira-Megda, Michele X. ; Ciampitti, Ignacio A. ; Vitti, Andre C. ; Faroni, Carlos E. ; Franco, Henrique C. J. ; Trivelin, Paulo C. O.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CROP SCIENCE; v. 56, n. 3, p. 1234-1244, MAY-JUN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

Knowing the right fertilizer N source is a key management practice for improving nutrient use and productivity for sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of fertilizer N sources on aboveground biomass (BM) and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) content for sugarcane ratoon. Two field trials under highly weathered tropical soils (Site 1, Typic Hapludox; Site 2, Typic Eutrustox) were conducted in the southeast region of Brazil. Five fertilizer N sources (organomineral fertilizer {[}OMF], ammonium chloride {[}AC], ammonium nitrate {[}AN], calcium ammonium nitrate {[}CAN], and urea) were applied on sugarcane at a rate of 100 kg N ha(-1). A control treatment was also included in the randomized complete block design. At harvest, total BM varied from 24.4 Mg ha(-1) (control and AC) at Site 1 to 44.2 Mg ha(-1) (CAN) at Site 2, total K content varied from 185 kg ha(-1) (AC) at Site 2 to 747 kg ha(-1) (OMF) at Site 1, and total N content ranged from 92 kg ha(-1) (AC) at Site 2 to 165 kg ha(-1) (AN) at Site 1. Use of CAN and OMF resulted in comparable or superior BM and nutrient content relative to the other N fertilizers. In contrast, AC did not increase BM and nutrient content (except for N and Mg at Site 1), but also decreased by 33% total N content than control at Site 2. Use of more efficient fertilizer N sources (e.g., CAN and OMF) could increase productivity and nutrient use for sugarcane ratoon systems. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/10192-9 - Agronomic efficiency of nitrogen sources applied in sugarcane ratoon harvested mechanically
• Grantee: Michele Xavier Vieira Megda
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 09/04691-2 - Nitrogen mineralization and availability in soils cropped with sugarcane
• Grantee: Eduardo Mariano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 09/12537-3 - Fitomass and nutrients accumulation in sugar cane ratoon related to nitrogen sources in unburned harvesting system
• Grantee: José Marcos Leite
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master