ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of different herbicide treatments on moisture removal and calorific power of biomass sorghum for co-generation of electric energy through burning. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with four replicates per treatment and a 6x4 factorial scheme (six herbicide treatments x four intervals between spraying and harvesting). The herbicide treatments were: two different doses of glyphosate (1.92 kg a.i. ha-1 and 3.84 Kg a.i. ha-1), paraquat (0.4 Kg a.i. ha-1), a commercial mixture of paraquat + diuron (0.6 + 0.3 Kg a.i. ha-1), glufosinate-ammonium (0.8 Kg a.i. ha-1) and control (unsprayed). The intervals between spraying and harvesting assessed were 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after desiccation (DAD). It was assessed: the number of leaves per plant, moisture content of leaves, panicles, culm and whole ground plants and Superior Calorific Power (SCP). The herbicides paraquat and paraquat + diuron promotes defoliation, after 14 DAD. Glyphosate, paraquat, paraquat + diuron and glufosinate-ammonium reduce leaf and panicle moisture, despite only glyphosate reduces moisture in the culm. The herbicides do not affect the SCP of biomass sorghum. Therefore, the herbicides, especially glyphosate, have high potential for pre-harvest desiccation in biomass sorghum.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate genetic parameters and selection strategies for sugarcane resistance to borer and determine the effects of selection for borer resistance on yield traits. The infestation index by borer (IIB) and yield traits were assessed over 3 years in 35 sugarcane clones planted in four locations in southeastern Brazil. There was no genotype × environment (year or location) interaction for borer resistance. Consequently, selection may be performed at only one location and year or by the mean of clones in several locations and/or years. The borer population affected the genotypic variance for borer resistance but when genotypic variance was significant, heritability was elevated and suitable genetic gain was achieved. Selection for borer resistance reduced the genetic gains for tons of cane per hectare, theoretical recoverable sugar, and tons of sugar per hectare; however, satisfactory selection gains for both borer resistance and yield were achieved using selection index.

ABSTRACT The sugarcane spittlebug, Mahanarva fimbriolata (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) is an economically important pest of sugarcane in Brazil. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a greenhouse methodology to screen large sugarcane populations for resistance to spittlebug Mahanarva fimbriolata. A resistant and a susceptible genotype (H. Kawandang and SP81-3250) were first used to determine adequate days after infestation and levels of infestation (number of nymphs per plant) for comparing the resistance of genotypes. Then, 74 sugarcane genotypes including three susceptible and three resistant controls were screened for resistance. The screening method consists in infesting single-tiller plants supported in a small plant growth unit and assessing the damage by using a 1-5 visual damage score. Our data suggest screening with four to six nymphs per plant and the damage score assessment at least 21 days after infestation. The screening technique was proved reliable as susceptible and resistant controls were placed in their respective resistance category. Three genotypes were classified as resistant while the majority of genotypes were classified as susceptible to spittlebug, indicating the need of breeding for resistance.

RESUMO A broca da cana-de-açúcar Diatraea saccharalis Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) é uma das mais importantes pragas da cana-de-açúcar nas Américas. Este estudo foi realizado para investigar múltiplos traços de resistência em oito genótipos de cana-de-açúcar contra D. saccharalis, incluindo cinco cultivares comerciais e três germoplasmas exóticos com potencial para servir de fontes de resistência contra esta praga. A preferência de oviposição foi avaliada por meio de testes de escolha livre e de não-escolha. O desempenho de larvas de estágio inicial que se alimentam das folhas e de larvas de estádio tardio alimentando-se com os colmos também foi avaliado. Houve diferenças entre os genótipos para o número de ovos e posturas no teste de livre escolha, enquanto não foram observadas diferenças no teste de não-escolha. Houve também diferenças na sobrevivência de larvas de estádios iniciais que se alimentam das folhas, índice de lesões e dano no colmo. O genótipo IM76-228 foi o menos preferido para a oviposição e parece que a largura da folha teve alguma influência sobre a preferência dos adultos em vez da intensidade de verde das folhas. IM76-228 e RB867515 provocaram uma mortalidade mais elevada de larvas de estádio inicial alimentando-se dos colmos, enquanto que IM76-228 e RB985523 apresentaram menor dano nas folhas e nos colmos. O genótipo IM76-228 foi o mais resistente a D. saccharalis e pode servir como fonte de genes para resistência em programas de melhoramento de cana-de-açúcar.

ABSTRACT The sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the most important pests of sugarcane in the Americas. The purpose of this study was to assess multiple resistance traits in eight sugarcane genotypes against D. saccharalis, including five commercial cultivars and three exotic germplasm with potential to serve as resistance sources against this pest. The oviposition preference was assessed by using both free-choice and non-choice tests. The performance of both early stage larvae feeding on the leaves and late stages larvae feeding within the stalks were also assessed. There were differences among genotypes for number of both eggs and egg cluster in the free-choice test while no differences in non-choice test were observed. There were also differences in survival of early stage larvae feeding on the leaves, foliar injury rating and stalk damage. The genotype IM76-228 was the least preferred for oviposition and it seems that leaf width had some influence on adults’ preference rather than greening of the leaves. IM76-228 and RB867515 causes higher mortality of early stage larvae feeding in the stalks while IM76-228 and RB985523 had lower damage in both leaves and stalks. The genotype IM76-228 was the most resistant to D. saccharalis and could serve as genes sources for resistance in sugarcane breeding programs.