ABSTRACT: Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grain yield is closely associated with the level of optimal nitrogen (N) supply, especially during the reproductive stages. Foliar fertilization with low rates of N have been considered as a strategy for furnishing additional N and enhancing grain yields. Field studies using 15N tracer were conducted over two growing seasons to investigate the impact of foliar N fertilization on grain yield, plant N content, the amount of N derived from fertilizer (NDFF) and N recovery efficiency (NRE). Four foliar N rates (0, 1300, 2600 and 3900 g ha−1) were supplied by two equal split applications at the R1 and R3 stages. Foliar N fertilization of soybean canopies did not affect grain yield, grain N content, shoot N content nor plant N content. Total NDFF was increased from 0.7 to 2.0 kg ha−1 across the N rates. Nonetheless, NRE was unaffected by foliar N fertilization, which averaged 53 %. Soybean plants allocated the same amount of N fertilizer to both grains and shoots. No significant effects of low rate foliar N fertilization were registered on soybean grain yield nor plant N content, despite considerable N fertilizer recovery by plant organs.

ABSTRACT: N Fertilizer recommendations must be improved to optimize N use efficiency (NUE) for bioenergy crops. A study was conducted to test the hypothesis that sites varying in historical usage of by-product differ in soil N-supplying power and sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) responsiveness to N fertilization. Our aim was to quantify soil N availability and N fertilizer rates, sources, and application timings for their effects on sugarcane yield and NUE. Three N response trials, each involving 0 to 200 kg N ha−1, were conducted in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, at sites varying historically in the usage of vinasse. Before fertilizer application and at harvest, soil inorganic N content was quantified and potential N mineralization estimated by the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test (ISNT); stalk yield and sugar content were measured at harvest and used to estimate NUE. Sugarcane showed significant response to N fertilization only at the sites with no history of vinasse usage. Reducing the N rate from 120 to 80 kg N ha−1 showed limited potential for lowering yield (~ 1 %), while increasing the NUE by 54 %, which was far better than the 14 % increase achieved by modifying the N source or application timing. Monitoring inorganic N and ISNT levels over time to estimate soil N-supplying power has potential for predicting the responsiveness of sugarcane to N fertilization; however, ISNT interpretations must consider factors that impede mineralization or crop N utilization, such as soil acidity or a limitation on the availability of Ca or P. Soil N testing can help optimize NUE for sustainable bioenergy production.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de cloreto de amônio como fonte de nitrogênio para cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum sp.) no desenvolvimento da parte aérea e radicular da cultura durante dois ciclos consecutivos. O experimento foi conduzido em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico nos ciclos de primeira e segunda soqueira. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro doses de N (50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1) aplicadas na forma de cloreto de amônio (NH4Cl), além do controle, sem aplicação de N. O aumento da dose de NH4Cl elevou em até três vezes a condutividade elétrica do solo na camada de 0,0-0,2 m, com consequente aumento na concentração de cloro nas folhas. No segundo ciclo, os teores de cloro aumentaram em 1.900 mg kg-1 na folha com a aplicação de 200 mg kg-1 de NH4Cl, em comparação ao controle. No primeiro ciclo, a aplicação de doses de NH4Cl acima de 200 kg ha-1 de N promoveu queda na produtividade de colmos. Em ambos os ciclos, não houve efeito das doses de NH4Cl na fitomassa seca de raízes. Elevadas doses de NH4Cl, em ciclos consecutivos da cana-de-açúcar, resultam em decréscimos na produtividade de colmos industrializáveis.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the application of ammonium chloride as a nitrogen source for sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) on the development of the crop’s shoot and roots during two consecutive cycles. The experiment was conducted on a Typic Hapludox in the first and second sugarcane ratoons. The treatments consisted of four N doses (50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1) applied as ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), besides a control, without the application of N. The increase in the NH4Cl dose increased in up to three times soil electrical conductivity in the layer of 0.0-0.2 m, with a consequent increase in the concentration of chlorine in leaves. In the second cycle, the contents of chlorine increased in 1,900 mg kg-1 in the leaf with the application of 200 mg kg-1 NH4Cl, when compared with the control. In the first cycle, the application of NH4Cl doses above 200 kg ha-1 N promoted a decrease in shoot productivity. In both cycles, there was no effect of the NH4Cl doses on root dry matter. High doses of NH4Cl, in consecutive sugarcane cycles, result in a decrease in the productivity of stalks for processing.

ABSTRACT Intercropping corn and palisade grass is a technique to increase straw production, soil C contents, nutrient cycling and crop yield. However, concerns arise from nitrogen (N) uptake by the intercropping crop causing reduction in the yield of the corn. Our objective was to evaluate N recovery efficiency (NRE), and the N dynamics in the soil-plant system in corn intercropped with palisade grass. A field trial was carried out in Bahia, Brazil, evaluating two cropping systems: corn (monoculture) and corn intercropped with palisade grass sowed between rows on the same day as the corn crop, with four replicates in a completely randomized block design. Nitrogen (150 kg∙ha–1of 15N-urea) was applied at sowing to determine NRE, which means the amounts of N-fertilizer uptake in corn and palisade grass, the amounts of N-fertilizer in soil and the 15N-fertilizer balance. Neither the NRE (63.3% in monoculture and 57.2% in intercropping) nor corn grain yield (9,800 kg∙ha–1 in monoculture and 9,671 kg∙ha–1 in intercropping) was affected by intercropping, which accumulated only 2.1 kg∙ha–1 of N-fertilizer or 1.4% N rate. In addition, palisade grass yielded 2,265 kg∙ha–1 of dry matter. The balance indicated that 82.4% of N-fertilizer was recovered in the monoculture and 86.9% in the intercropping. Intercropping palisade grass does not affect grain yield or N corn nutrition and has the potential to increase straw production contributing to maintenance of no-till.

Abstract Best fertilizer management practices such as adopting the right N sidedress timing can reduce N losses by volatilization, thus, raising N-fertilizer recovery and grain yield. To evaluate ammonia (N-NH3 ) losses, N-fertilizer recovery and grain yield as a function of urea sidedress timing in corn, a field study was conducted during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 growing seasons, adopting a complete randomized block design with four replications. Treatments consisted of urea sidedress timing (140 kg N ha-1) at V4, V6, V8, V10, and V12 growth stages, plus a control without sidedress N. The largest N losses by N-NH3 volatilization occurred when urea was applied at V10 or V12 growth stages, reaching losses of 35 and 41 % of the total applied N. Although climatic factors influences N-NH3 volatilization process, crop characteristics such as canopy development also seems to affect N-NH3 losses. Nitrogen application at V4 or V6 growth stages resulted in greater N-fertilizer recovery from urea sidedress, reaching values of 53 %. No increase in corn grain yield was observed with N application at different corn growth stages during the two growing seasons evaluated, most likely due to high N mineralization rates from the soil.

ABSTRACT Corn grain yield, nitrogen (N) fertilizer efficiency and distribution to corn alone and three forms of corn and palisadegrass (Urochloa spp.) intercropping implantation was investigated. A field experiment with 15N labeling fertilizer was performed in randomized block design. No form of palisadegrass intercropping implantation affected corn grain yield, total N accumulation and N use efficiency (NUE), which were 8.7 t ha-1, 205 kg ha-1 and 37% respectively. The palisadegrass produced on average 1.9 t of dry mass, absorbing a maximum of 6 kg ha-1 or 5.5% of N fertilizer during corn growing. Furthermore, the palisadegrass did not affect N fertilizer distribution in soil-plant system, in which 28.2% was recovered in the soil and 40.4% in the plants (corn + palisadegrass). The results show that for the three intercropping implantation methods the palisadegrass did not compete with corn for N fertilizer.

ABSTRACT Retaining the mineral N in the form of NH4+ in the soil for a lengthy period is desirable for reducing losses. Furthermore, there is evidence that sugarcane prefers NH4+-N in place of NO3−-N. This study aimed firstly, to evaluate the potential of root extracts of Bracchiaria humidicola andSaccharum spontaneum, in contrast with the DCD (Dicyandiamide) inhibitor, to increase absorption of N by plants fertilized with ammonium sulfate, and secondly, to quantify the emission of N2O fluxes with the use of this inhibitor. The experiment was developed in a glasshouse in an entirely randomized design where four treatments were applied: AS) ammonium sulfate (control); AS+DCD) ammonium sulfate associated with dicyandiamide; AS+BCH) ammonium sulfate associated with root extracts ofBrachiaria humidicola; and AS+SCS) ammonium sulfate associated with root extracts of Saccharum spontaneum. Differences were observed in biomass production in plants 45 and 60 days after fertilization (DAF) and 15 and 60 days in biomass accumulation of roots. The application of AS associated with DCD synthetic inhibitor kept NO3−-N values low throughout the evaluation period, while in other treatments the concentration increased right up to the second evaluation 15 DAF. Sugarcane plants did not benefit from the increased presence of ammoniacal N promoted by DCD. The use of DCD reduced the average flux of N2O during the evaluation period compared to plants receiving AS treatments only, which was not observed when root extracts of B. humidicola and S. spontaneum were used.

ABSTRACTThe low effectiveness of nitrogen fertilizer (N) is a substantial concern that threatens global sugarcane production. The aim of the research reported in this paper was to assess the residual effect of N-fertilizer applied at sugarcane planting over four crop seasons in relation to sugarcane crop yield. Toward this end three field experiments were established in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, during February of 2005 and July of 2009, in a randomized block design with four treatments: 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha−1 of N applied as urea during sugarcane planting. Within each plot, a microplot was established to which 15N-labeled urea was applied. The application of N at planting increased plant cane yield in two of the three sites and sucrose content at the other, whereas the only residual effect was higher sucrose content in one of the following ratoons. The combined effect was an increase in sugar yield for three of the 11 crop seasons evaluated. Over the crop cycle of a plant cane and three ratoon crops, only 35 % of the applied N was recovered, split 75, 13, 7 and 5 % in the plant cane, first, second and third ratoons, respectively. These findings document the low efficiency of N recovery by sugarcane, which increases the risk that excessive N fertilization will reduce profitability and have an adverse effect on the environment.

A caracterização do destino do N proveniente do fertilizante em um sistema é uma ferramenta essencial para a melhoria de práticas de manejo que visem a máxima utilização do nutriente pela cultura e o mínimo de perdas. A erosão do solo ocasiona perda de nutrientes, como o N, causando impactos negativos na qualidade das águas de mananciais superficiais e subterrâneas, além da queda de produtividade agrícola em razão do empobrecimento do solo. Estudos que correlacionam o percentual de N proveniente do fertilizante com as taxas de erosão do solo, bem como os fatores intervenientes nesse processo, são escassos. Nesse sentido, foram quantificadas as perdas de solo e N provenientes do fertilizante por erosão hídrica em solo mobilizado pelo preparo convencional e solo sem mobilização, sob diferentes intensidades de chuva, identificando os fatores que interferem no aumento dessa perda. O experimento foi conduzido em parcelas experimentais de 3,5 m de largura e 11 m de comprimento, com dois tratamentos e três repetições, sob chuva simulada. Os tratamentos utilizados foram solos com mobilização e sem mobilização. Foram aplicadas três chuvas sucessivas, com intervalo de 24 h entre elas, com intensidades de 30 mm/h, 30 mm/h e 70 mm/h. O fertilizante nitrogenado utilizado foi marcado isotopicamente (15N) e incorporado ao solo em linha transversal ao comprimento das parcelas. A ausência de preparo do solo condiciona as maiores perdas de solo por erosão e maiores perdas de nitrogênio total (NT) ao longo das chuvas aplicadas. As perdas do nitrogênio proveniente do fertilizante (NPF) seguiram padrão distinto; as maiores perdas de NPF foram verificados nas parcelas com mobilização do solo, mesmo que tenham apresentado as menores perdas de solo e NT; ou seja, quanto menor a quantidade de sedimentos erodidos maior o percentual de NPF associado a esses. As chuvas de maior intensidade não influenciaram a perda de NPF; as maiores perdas ocorreram em decorrência das chuvas de menor intensidade nos dois tratamentos utilizados.

The description of the fate of fertilizer-derived nitrogen (N) in agricultural systems is an essential tool to enhance management practices that maximize nutrient use by crops and minimize losses. Soil erosion causes loss of nutrients such as N, causing negative effects on surface and ground water quality, aside from losses in agricultural productivity by soil depletion. Studies correlating the percentage of fertilizer-derived N (FDN) with soil erosion rates and the factors involved in this process are scarce. The losses of soil and fertilizer-derived N by water erosion in soil under conventional tillage and no tillage under different rainfall intensities were quantified, identifying the intervening factors that increase loss. The experiment was carried out on plots (3.5 × 11 m) with two treatments and three replications, under simulated rainfall. The treatments consisted of soil with and soil without tillage. Three successive rainfalls were applied in intervals of 24 h, at intensities of 30 mm/h, 30 mm/h and 70 mm/h. The applied N fertilizer was isotopically labeled (15N) and incorporated into the soil in a line perpendicular to the plot length. Tillage absence resulted in higher soil losses and higher total nitrogen losses (TN) by erosion induced by the rainfalls. The FDN losses followed another pattern, since FDN contributions were highest from tilled plots, even when soil and TN losses were lowest, i.e., the smaller the amount of eroded sediment, the greater the percentage of FDN associated with these. Rain intensity did not affect the FDN loss, and losses were greatest after less intense rainfalls in both treatments.

O nitrogênio é requerido em grandes quantidades pelas plantas e sua dinâmica no consórcio entre milho e forrageiras tropicais perenes é pouco conhecida. Objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência de utilização da adubação nitrogenada (15NH4NO3) no capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), proveniente de duas épocas de consórcios com o milho, realizadas após a colheita da cultura granífera, bem como o efeito residual no milho cultivado em sucessão. O experimento foi conduzido na Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas da UNESP em Botucatu, SP, em Nitossolo Vermelho sob sistema plantio direto. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados em parcelas subdivididas. As parcelas foram constituídas pelas épocas de consórcio: milho e capim-marandu semeados simultaneamente; e capim-marandu semeado na adubação de cobertura do milho. As subparcelas foram compostas pelas doses de 30, 60 e 120 kg ha-1 de N, aplicadas no capim-marandu após a colheita da cultura do milho. Nas subparcelas, foram alocadas microparcelas para aplicação de nitrato de amônio enriquecido (15NH4NO3) nessas mesmas doses. A época de implantação do consórcio influenciou a produção de massa de matéria seca da forrageira, a quantidade de N na planta proveniente do fertilizante e a eficiência de utilização do N pelas plantas forrageiras. A aplicação de N no outono no capim-marandu, implantado por meio do consórcio com o milho, tanto na semeadura quanto na adubação nitrogenada de cobertura, proporcionou aumento de produtividade da forrageira até a dose de 60 kg ha-1. Os maiores acúmulos de N e a eficiência de utilização do fertilizante pelo capim-marandu, oriundo de ambas as épocas de consórcio, ocorreram aos 160 dias após a fertilização, independentemente das doses de N. O residual das doses de N, aplicadas no capim-marandu, não interferiu na nutrição nitrogenada do milho em sucessão, porém incrementou a produtividade de grãos nas doses de 60 e 120 kg ha-1 de N, quando o cereal foi cultivado sobre palhada proveniente do consórcio implantado na adubação de cobertura do milho. Com base nos resultados, pode-se inferir que a implantação antecipada do consórcio proporciona maior produtividade de massa de matéria seca da forrageira, enquanto quando implantado mais tarde propicia maior produtividade de grãos do milho em sucessão à forrageira adubada com N.

Nitrogen is required in large amounts by plants and their dinamics in corn and perennial forages intercropped is little known. This study analyzed the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization (15NH4NO3) applied after corn grain harvest to palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) in intercrops sown at two times, as well as the N residual effect on the subsequent corn crop. The field experiment was performed in Botucatu, São Paulo State, in southeastern Brazil, on a structured Alfisol under no-tillage. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design in a split plot scheme with four replications. The main plots consisted of two intercropping systems (corn and palisadegrass sown together and palisadegrass sown later, at corn top-dressing fertilization). The subplots consisted of four N rates (0, 30, 60, and 120 kg ha-1 N). The subplots contained microplots, in which enriched ammonium nitrate (15NH4NO3) was applied at the same rates. The time of intercrop sowing affected forage dry matter production, the amount of fertilizer-derived N in and the N use efficiency by the forage plants. Nitrogen applied in autumn to palisadegrass intercropped with corn, planted either at corn sowing or at N top-dressing fertilization, increased the forage yield up to a rate of 60 kg ha-1. The amount of fertilizer-derived N by the forage plants and the fertilizer use efficiency by palisadegrass were highest 160 days after fertilization for both intercrop sowing times, regardless of N rates. Residual N did not affect the N nutrition of corn plants grown in succession to palisadegrass, but increased grain yield at rates of 60 and 120 kg ha-1 N, when corn was grown on palisadegrass straw from the intercrop installed at corn fertilization (top-dressing). Our results indicated that the earlier intercropping allowed higher forage dry matter production. On the other hand, the later intercrop allowed a higher corn grain yield in succession to N-fertilized palisadegrass.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) harvested without burning provides a substantial amount of remains (trash) on soil profiles which can be decomposed and release nutrients contributing to reduce fertilizer needs. The contribution of nitrogen (N) from sugarcane plant residues and fertilizer in sugarcane nutrition was assessed. Plant cane treatments were micro plots of 15N-labeled urea, sugarcane trash and root system; the last two to simulate the previous crop residues incorporated into the soil after crop renewal. For ratoons, N-ammonium nitrate (N-AN) micro plots, 150 kg ha-1 of N-AN and control (0 kg ha-1) were set up to evaluate the contribution of trash in N supply and quantify the effects of N-fertilizer on N-trash mineralization. The N balances derived from each 15N source were calculated after four crops and resulted in: 15N-urea applied at planting, 31 % was recovered by plant cane, 12 % by the following ratoons, 20 % remained in the soil and 37 % was not found in the soil-system (NOC). For crop residues 15N-trash + roots 26 % was recovered by sugarcane, 51 % remained in soil, and 23 % was NOC. N-fertilizer applied to ratoons nearly doubled the amount of N from green harvest residues recovered by sugarcane; 17 vs. 31 %. Water balances and crop evapotranspiration were correlated with 15N-sources recoveries and cumulative N recovery presented a positive correlation with evapotranspiration (2005 to 2009). The 15N balances indicated that crop residues are supplementary sources of N for sugarcane and may contribute to reduce N fertilizer needs since trash is annually added to the soil.

The area under mechanized sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) harvesting is expanding in Brazil, increasing the return of trash to the soil. The main questions regarding this management are: (i) after adopting unburned mechanical harvesting, how long will it take to observe decreases in fertilizer requirements, (ii) what will be the magnitude of this decrease and, (iii) the impact in the short run of removing trash for energy purposes in the nutrient cycling? This study aimed to build an N prediction model for long term assessment of the contribution of sugarcane crop residues to sugarcane nutrition and to evaluate the cycling of other nutrients derived from crop residues. Keeping crop residues over the soil will increase soil N stock and N recovery by sugarcane, reaching equilibrium after 40 years with recovery of approximately 40 kg ha-1 year-1 of N. Removing trash for energy production will decrease the potential reduction in N fertilizer requirement. Of the total nutrients in the trash, 75 % of the K2O (81 kg ha-1 year-1) and 50 % of the N (31 kg ha-1 year-1) are in the tops, indicating the importance of maintaining tops in the soil to sustain soil fertility. Because the input data employed in the simulations are representative of the conditions in Southeast Brazil, these results might not be definitive for situations not represented in the experiments used in the study, but the model produced is useful to forecast changes that occur in the soil under different trash management.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) crops provide carbon (C) for soil through straw and root system decomposition. Recently, however, sugarcane producers are considering straw to be removed for electricity or second generation ethanol production. To elucidate the role of straw and root system on the carbon supply into the soil, the biomass inputs from sugarcane straw (tops and dry leaves) and from root system (rhizomes and roots) were quantified, and its contribution to provide C to the soil was estimated. Three trials were carried out in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 2006 to 2009. All sites were cultivated with the variety SP81 3250 under the green sugarcane harvest. Yearly, post-harvest sugarcane residues (tops, dry leaves, roots and rhizomes) were sampled; weighted and dried for the dry mass (DM) production to be estimated. On average, DM root system production was 4.6 Mg ha-1 year-1 (1.5 Mg C ha-1 year-1) and 11.5 Mg ha-1 year-1 (5.1 Mg C ha-1 year-1) of straw. In plant cane, 35 % of the total sugarcane DM was allocated into the root system, declining to 20 % in the third ratoon. The estimate of potential allocation of sugarcane residues to soil organic C was 1.1 t ha-1 year-1; out of which 33 % was from root system and 67 % from straw. The participation of root system should be higher if soil layer is evaluated, a deeper soil layer, if root exudates are accounted and if the period of higher production of roots is considered.

Considerar a mineralização do nitrogênio (N) da matéria orgânica do solo é questão fundamental para o manejo eficiente dos fertilizantes nitrogenados nos sistemas agrícolas. A incubação aeróbia de longa duração é o método de referência para estudos que envolvem a calibração de métodos químicos de extração, a fim de estimar o N potencialmente mineralizável do solo. Contudo, a técnica é laboriosa e de alto consumo de tempo e custo. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar o N mineralizável do solo na profundidade de 0-60 cm e avaliar a possibilidade de adotar a incubação anaeróbia de curta duração no lugar da aeróbia de longa duração, para estimar a mineralização líquida de N em solos cultivados com cana-de-açúcar. Utilizaram-se cinco solos, coletados nas camadas de 0-20, 20-40 e 40-60 cm, em locais que não receberam fertilização prévia com N. As amostras de solo foram incubadas aerobiamente a 35 ºC, durante 32 semanas, e anaerobiamente (saturadas com água) a 40 ºC, por sete dias, para determinar a mineralização líquida de N do solo. Os teores de areia, silte e argila apresentaram alta correlação com os índices usados para predizer o N mineralizável. O N mineralizável do solo foi mais bem estimado na profundidade de 0-40 cm, enquanto a camada de 40-60 cm apresentou baixa mineralização líquida de N em ambos os procedimentos de incubação. Na incubação anaeróbia, estimou-se adequadamente o N mineralizável do solo, correlacionando-se com o N mineralizado acumulado e o N potencialmente mineralizável do solo, ambos obtidos por meio da incubação aeróbia. A manutenção do N-NH4+ preexistente da amostra melhorou a estimativa do N mineralizável por meio da incubação anaeróbia.

Considering nitrogen mineralization (N) of soil organic matter is a key aspect for the efficient management of N fertilizers in agricultural systems. Long-term aerobic incubation is the standard technique for calibrating the chemical extraction methods used to estimate the potentially mineralizable N in soil. However, the technique is laborious, expensive and time-consuming. In this context, the aims of this study were to determine the amount of soil mineralizable N in the 0-60 cm layer and to evaluate the use of short-term anaerobic incubation instead of long-term aerobic incubation for the estimation of net N mineralization rates in soils under sugarcane. Five soils from areas without previous N fertilization were used in the layers 0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm. Soil samples were aerobically incubated at 35 ºC for 32 weeks or anaerobically incubated (waterlogged) at 40 ºC for seven days to determine the net soil N mineralization. The sand, silt and clay contents were highly correlated with the indexes used for predicting mineralizable N. The 0-40 cm layer was the best sampling depth for the estimation of soil mineralizable N, while in the 40-60 cm layer net N mineralization was low in both incubation procedures. Anaerobic incubation provided reliable estimates of mineralizable N in the soil that correlated well with the indexes obtained using aerobic incubation. The inclusion of the pre-existing NH4+-N content improved the reliability of the estimate of mineralizable N obtained using anaerobic incubation.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade agroindustrial de cana-de-açúcar (produtividades de colmos e sacarose) após sucessivas adubações nitrogenadas de cana-planta e soqueiras, em sistema de preparo reduzido. O experimento foi conduzido em Jaboticabal, SP, em um Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico durante quatro ciclos agrícolas consecutivos (março de 2005 a julho de 2009). Os tratamentos de cana-planta consistiram de doses de N-ureia (controle, 40, 80 e 120 kg ha-1 de N + 120 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e K2O no sulco de plantio). Na primeira e na segunda soqueiras, as parcelas de cana-planta foram subdivididas em tratamentos de N-nitrato de amônio (controle, 50, 100 e 150 kg ha-1 de N + 150 kg ha-1 de K2O, sobre as fileiras de cana). Na terceira soqueira, a adubação com N foi de 100 kg ha-1 em todas as parcelas, inclusive nos controles, para detectar efeitos residuais das fertilizações anteriores na produtividade do último ciclo. Os colmos de cana foram colhidos mecanicamente. Utilizou-se caminhão instrumentado com balança para avaliação da produtividade de colmos (TCH), e amostras retiradas no campo para análise da quantidade de açúcar dos colmos (TSH). As doses crescentes de N e as condições meteorológicas proporcionam respostas significativas na TCH e na TSH da cana-planta e das soqueiras, na média e na produção acumulada dos ciclos agrícolas consecutivos.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agroindustrial production of sugarcane (millable stalks and sucrose yield) after successive nitrogen fertilizations of plant cane and ratoons in a reduced tillage system. The experiment was carried out at Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil, on a Rhodic Eutrustox soil, during four consecutive crop cycles (March 2005 to July 2009). Plant cane treatments consisted of N-urea levels (control, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1 N + 120 kg ha-1 P2O5 and K2O in furrow application). In the first and second ratoons, the plant cane plots were subdivided in N-ammonium nitrate treatments (control, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1 N + 150 kg ha-1 K2O as top dressing over rows). In the third ratoon, N fertilization was leveled to 100 kg ha-1 in all plots, including controls, to detect residual effects of previous fertilizations on the last crop's cycle. Sugarcane ratoon was mechanically harvested. A weighing truck was used to evaluate stalk yield (TCH), and samples were collected in the field for analysis of sugar content (TSH). Increasing N doses and meteorological conditions promote significant responses in TCH and TSH in cane plant and ratoons, in the average and accumulated yield of the consecutive crop cycles.