Straw Removal Effects on Sugarcane Root System and Stalk Yield

Author(s)

Melo, Paul L. A. ^[1] ; Cherubin, Mauricio R. ^[2] ; Gomes, Tamara C. A. ^[3] ; Lisboa, Izaias P. ^[2] ; Satiro, Lucas S. ^[2] ; Cerri, Carlos E. P. ^[2] ; Siqueira-Neto, Marcos ^{[1, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Nucl Energy Agr, POB 96, BR-13416000 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz Coll Agr, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[3] Brazilian Agr Res Corp, Embrapa Coastal Tablelands, POB 2013, BR-57061970 Maceio, Alagoas - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Maranhao, Ctr Agr & Environm Sci, BR-65500000 Chapadinha, MA - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AGRONOMY-BASEL; v. 10, n. 7 JUL 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.) mechanical harvesting system leaves a large amount of straw mulch on the soil surface. The straw mulch may affect soil conditions, root regrowth, and sugarcane yield. Thus, this study assessed the response of sugarcane root system growth and stalk yield to different rates of straw removal. An experiment was conducted in a Rhodic Kandiudox with sand clay loam texture to test the impact of four rates of straw removal: no removal (18.9 Mg ha(-1)of dry mass); moderate removal (8.7 Mg ha(-1)); high removal (4.2 Mg ha(-1)) and total removal on sugarcane root system and stalk yield. Higher concentrations of roots (60%) were found in the first 40 cm of soil. Moderate straw removal resulted in higher root mass (3.6 Mg ha(-1)) and stalk production (23 Mg ha(-1)of dry mass). However, no straw removal reduced root mass by <40% (2099 kg ha(-1)) and reduced stalk yield by >20% (105 Mg ha(-1)). Through regression analysis, it was estimated that retaining between 8.5 and 13 Mg ha(-1)of straw resulted in the highest root mass and stalk yield. Managing straw removal to retain a moderate amount enables producers to sustain suitable soil conditions for sugarcane root growth and stalk production while providing straw for industrial use. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/09845-7 - Implications of expansion and management intensification on soil ecosystem services
• Grantee: Maurício Roberto Cherubin
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants