ABSTRACT: This study applied spectroradiometry techniques with hyperspectral data to identify the correlations between sugarcane leaf reflectance and the contents of Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulfur (S), Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg). During the harvests 2019/20 and 2020/21, sugarcane was introduced to nutritional stress by the application of limestone doses. Liming was applied in a fractional way and, at the end of five years, the amounts corresponded to 0, 9, 15 and 21 t ha-1 of dolomitic limestone. The leaf hyperspectral reflectance data and the state of nutrients in the exponential growth phase of the culture were registered. The wavelengths correlated with N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg were identified using the Spearman’s correlation analysis. The test of similarity (ANOSIM) and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were applied to evaluate data variability, as well as the Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) for the prediction of the nutritional contents. The order of the degree of correlation in the region of visible was: P > K > N > Ca > S > Mg and for the region of the near infrared: P > K > Ca > N > S > Mg. P presented peaks with high correlations in the wavelengths 706-717 nm (-0.78) and 522-543 nm (-0.76). The values of the PLSR registered the best spectral responses in the region of VIS and red-edge, regions that are more sensitive to the deficiency of sulfur, potassium and phosphorus.

RESUMO: Este estudo aplicou técnicas de espectrorradiometria com dados hiperespectrais para identificar as relações da reflectância foliar da cana-de-açúcar com os teores de Nitrogênio (N), Fósforo (P), Potássio (K), Enxofre (S), Cálcio (Ca) e Magnésio (Mg). Durante as safras 2019/20 e 2020/21 a cana foi induzida ao estresse nutricional a partir da aplicação de doses de calcário. A calagem foi aplicada de forma fracionada e ao final de cinco anos as quantidades corresponderam a 0, 9, 15 e 21 t ha-1 de calcário do tipo dolomítico. Foram registrados os dados de reflectância hiperespectral da folha e o estado de nutrientes na fase de exponencial crescimento da cultura. Os comprimentos de onda correlacionados ao N, P, K, S, Ca e Mg foram identificados usando análise de correlação de Spearman. Aplicou-se o teste de similaridade (ANOSIM) e Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) para avaliar a variabilidade dos dados, assim como, a Regressão por Mínimos Quadrados Parciais (PLRS) para a predição dos teores nutricionais. A ordem do grau de correlação na região do visível foi: P > K > N > Ca > S > Mg e para região do infravermelho próximo: P > K > Ca > N > S > Mg. O P teve picos com alta correlação nos comprimentos de onda 706-717 nm (-0,78) e 522-543 nm (-0,76). Os valores do PLRS registraram melhores respostas espectrais na região do VIS e red-edge, regiões mais sensíveis a deficiência do enxofre, potássio e fósforo.

RESUMO Adubações com fósforo (P) apresentam baixa eficiência devido à adsorção de P na superfície da argila em solos tropicais. O superfosfato complexado com ácido húmico (SSP+HA) é apresentado como uma alternativa para melhorar a eficiência do uso do P e a produtividade das culturas. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o desempenho do SSP+HA na produção de cana-de-açúcar com incrementos da matéria seca (MS) e conteúdo de P nas plantas. O experimento foi conduzido com duas fontes de P (superfosfato simples-SSP; SSP+HA) e cinco doses (0; 45; 90; 135 e 180 kg ha-1 de P2O5). A dose de 135 kg ha-1 foi usada para explicar o efeito residual do P, coletando solo na cana-planta e primeiro corte. Amostras de caules, ponteiras e raízes foram coletadas para determinar MS e conteúdo de P; ambas variáveis foram usadas para calcular a eficiência de assimilação de fósforo (EaP). Os resultados mostraram que a aplicação de SSP aumentou MS e conteúdo de P nas plantas, com desempenho superior ao SSP+HA. A EaP foi maior no SSP+HA, indicando que o P foi metabolizado de forma mais eficiente, mas não refletiu no aumento de MS. As doses de P aumentaram a produtividade da cana-planta, mas não houve efeito do P aplicado em soqueira, devido ao efeito residual do P aplicado no plantio. O SSP apresentou desempenho superior ao SSP+SH no plantio da cana-de-açúcar. Mais pesquisas são necessárias para melhor ilustrar o efeito do SSP+HA na absorção e translocação do P.

ABSTRACT In tropical soils, the efficiency of phosphorus (P) fertilization is low, due to P adsorption on the surface of the clay. Superphosphate complexed with humic acid (SSP+HA) is presented as an alternative for improving P use efficiency and crop yields. The aim of this study was to investigate SSP+HA performance in sugarcane production including increases in plant dry matter (DM) and P content. The experiment was conducted with two sources of P (simple superphosphate - SSP, SSP+HA) and five doses (0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 kg ha-1 P2O5). The dose of 135 kg ha-1 P2O5 was used to explain the residual effect of P, collecting soil samples from the plant cane and first ratoon. Stalk, top and root samples were collected to determine DM and P content; both variables were used to calculate the P assimilation efficiency (PaE). Results showed that the application of SSP increased the DM and P content of the plants, with superior performance compared to SSP+HA. PaE was greater under SSP+HA, indicating that P was metabolized more efficiently; however this did not reflect in an increase in DM. AThe P rates increased the sugarcane yield in cane plant, but there was no effect of P applied in the first ratoon due to the residual effect of P applied in planting. SSP presented superior performance compared to SSP + SH in sugarcane planting. Further research is needed to better demonstrate the effect of SSP+HA on the absorption and translocation of P.

ABSTRACT: Mechanical sugarcane harvesting increases soil compaction due to the intense traffic of agricultural machinery, reducing longevity of sugarcane crops. In order to mitigate the harmful effects caused by agricultural traffic on the soil structure in sugarcane fields, this study evaluated impacts of mechanical sugarcane harvesting on traffic lane under two soil tillage systems based on load bearing capacity models. The experiment was carried out in the region of Piracicaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil, on a Rhodic Nitisol, under conventional tillage (CT) and deep strip-tillage (DST). For CT soil tillage was applied to the entire area with a heavy disk harrow, at operating depths from 0.20 to 0.30 m followed by a leveling harrow at a depth of 0.15 m. For DST, soil tillage was performed in part of the area at a depth of 0.80 m, forming strip beds for sugarcane planting, while the traffic lanes were not disturbed. Undisturbed soil samples from traffic lanes were used in the uniaxial compression test to quantify preconsolidation pressure and to model the soil load bearing capacity. The surface layer (0.00-0.10 m) was most susceptible to compaction, regardless of the tillage system (CT or DST) used. In the DST, the traffic lane maintained the previous soil stress history and presented higher load bearing capacity (LBC) than the traffic lane in the CT. As in CT the soil was tilled, the stress history was discontinued. This larger LBC in DTS minimized the impacts of the sugarcane harvest. Under CT, additional soil compaction due to mechanical sugarcane harvesting in the traffic lane was observed after the second sugarcane harvest. There was a reduction in load bearing capacity from 165 kPa to 68 kPa under CT and from 230 kPa to 108 kPa under DST, from the first to the second harvest at surface layer. Water content at mechanical harvesting was the most relevant factor to maximize impacts on the soil structure in traffic lanes, for both tillage systems.

ABSTRACT: Sugarcane (saccharum spp.) in Brazil is managed on the basis of “production environments”. These “production environments” are used for many purposes, such as variety allocation, application of fertilizers and definition of the planting and harvesting periods. A quality classification is essential to ensure high economic returns. However, the classification is carried out by few and, most of the time, non-representative soil samples, showing unreal local conditions of soil spatial variability and resulting in classifications that are imprecise. One of the important tools in the precision agriculture technological package is the apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) sensors that can quickly map soil spatial variability with high-resolution and at low-cost. The aim of the present work was to show that soil ECa maps are able to assist classification of the “production environments” in sugarcane fields and rapidly and accurately reflect the yield potential. Two sugarcane fields (35 and 100 ha) were mapped with an electromagnetic induction sensor to measure soil ECa and were sampled by a dense sampling grid. The results showed that the ECa technique was able to reflect mainly the spatial variability of the clay content, evidencing regions with different yield potentials, guiding soil sampling to soil classification that is both more secure and more accurate. Furthermore, ECa allowed for more precise classification, where new “production environments”, different from those previously defined by the traditional sampling methods, were revealed. Thus, sugarcane growers will be able to allocate suitable varieties and fertilize their agricultural fields in a coherent way with higher quality, guaranteeing greater sustainability and economic return on their production.

ABSTRACT: The use of mineral phosphate fertilizers associated with organic residues can improve fertilizer use efficiency and consequently decrease their usage costs. Soil application of filter cake (FC) can provide nutrients and enhance physical quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different phosphate fertilizers [rock phosphate (RP) and triple superphosphate (TSP)] applied at different rates (90 and 180 kg ha-1 P2O5) associated with filter cake (10 Mg ha-1 dry matter) on the soil phosphorus (P) fractions after two consecutive seasons of sugarcane in two distinct soils, sandy and clayey. Yield was significantly improved with FC addition in the first year in both soils, while inorganic P sources did not influence crop yield at either location and in both years. Organic and residual P forms were only slightly altered in the sandy soil. The most significant changes occurred in the labile and moderately labile P fractions in both soils. Filter cake was an effective source of nutrients for plant development, increasing the levels of soil available P and keeping it at agronomically adequate levels for up to two years, however it was not able to facilitate the P release from mineral fertilizers, irrespective of the source or rate.

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.

As técnicas da agricultura atual geram grande impacto na qualidade do solo e na produtividade das culturas devido, principalmente, aos aumentos do tráfego e peso dos maquinários. Diversos equipamentos têm sido desenvolvidos para avaliação a campo de atributos do solo, visando manejar áreas compactadas. A penetrometria é uma técnica muito utilizada para este fim, entretanto, existem diversos tipos de penetrômetros, os quais possuem modos de atuação diferenciados que podem influir nas medições de resistência à penetração. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a funcionalidade de dois métodos de penetrometria (esforço manual e automático) na identificação in situ de áreas compactadas sob manejo altamente mecanizado de cana-de-açúcar, considerando a influência do teor de água do solo (θ) sobre a resistência do solo à penetração (RP). Foram escolhidas três áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar em um Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico típico, nas quais havia ocorrido uma colheita manual (1ManH), uma colheita mecanizada (1MH) e três colheitas mecanizadas (3MH). Nestas áreas, os graus de mecanização foram associados aos processos cumulativos de compactação do solo. Utilizou-se um penetrômetro eletrônico para medição da RP, de modo que a introdução da haste no solo foi realizada por esforço manual (Manual) ou utilizando um motor eletromecânico (Auto). A verificação do θ foi realizada in situ por meio de um sensor da umidade do solo. Os resultados comprovaram que o θ influi nos resultados de RP e que equações de regressão devem ser utilizadas para correção dos dados antes da comparação de sistemas de colheita. Os modos de introdução da haste para penetrometria apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os valores médios de RP, ocorrendo superestimação pelo modo "Manual" em relação ao "Auto" em baixos valores de θ.

Modern agriculture techniques have a great impact on crops and soil quality, especially by the increased machinery traffic and weight. Several devices have been developed for determining soil properties in the field, aimed at managing compacted areas. Penetrometry is a widely used technique; however, there are several types of penetrometers, which have different action modes that can affect the soil resistance measurement. The objective of this study was to compare the functionality of two penetrometry methods (manual and automated mode) in the field identification of compacted, highly mechanized sugarcane areas, considering the influence of soil water volumetric content (θ) on soil penetration resistance (PR). Three sugarcane fields on a Rhodic Eutrudrox were chosen, under a sequence of harvest systems: one manual harvest (1ManH), one mechanized harvest (1MH) and three mechanized harvests (3MH). The different degrees of mechanization were associated to cumulative compaction processes. An electronic penetrometer was used on PR measurements, so that the rod was introduced into the soil by hand (Manual) and by an electromechanical motor (Auto). The θ was measured in the field with a soil moisture sensor. Results showed an effect of θ on PR measurements and that regression models must be used to correct data before comparing harvesting systems. The rod introduction modes resulted in different mean PR values, where the "Manual" overestimated PR compared to the "Auto" mode at low θ.

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.

Due to new possibilities for using sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) trash for electricity generation, and the production of 2nd generation ethanol and others chemicals, the interest for its recovery has increased. However, the question of how much trash can be removed from sugarcane field still needs to be clarified. This study evaluated the amount of dry matter, nutrients content, structural compounds and efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis of the hydrothermal pretreated materials for tops and dry leaves in samples from sugarcane varieties. Tops and dry leaves present differences in nutrients content and moisture. Therefore, the amount of trash to be collected should not be simply based on percentages, but also should take into account the different fractions of the crop residues. For instance, around 80 % of N, P and K were derived from tops. Therein, the environmental indicators of the entire chain of sugarcane could be benefited because more nutrients would be recycled and less mineral fertilizers might be used for sugarcane production if tops are left on the field. Further, the tops have seven times more moisture than dry leaves and higher amounts of extractives (organic compounds of low molecular weight). Moreover, as the result of yield obtained in the pretreatment steps for dry leaves were superior to the tops and the glucose yields obtained in the enzymatic hydrolysis step were similar, it can be predicted that for second generation ethanol production, it is more viable to recover parts of the dry leaves fraction, leaving the tops on the field.

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.

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.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência agronômica das fontes nitrogenadas ureia (U), nitrato de amônio (NA), sulfato de amônio (SA) e cloreto de amônio (CA) em soqueira de cana-de-açúcar colhida sem queima, bem como determinar o efeito residual dessas fontes sobre a produtividade da cultura no ano agrícola subsequente. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação de 120 kg ha-1 de N a um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, coberto por palhada resultante da colheita sem queima da primeira soqueira. Incluiu-se um tratamento de controle sem adição de N fertilizante. Para avaliar o efeito residual dos adubos nitrogenados, aplicaram-se 450 kg ha-1 do formulado 20-5-19 após o corte da cana-soca. A maior produção de colmos e de açúcar na safra 2006/2007 foi obtida com a fonte SA. Na safra 2007/2008, não foi verificado efeito residual da adubação nitrogenada e houve queda de produtividade do tratamento CA em comparação ao controle. A fonte CA, à dose de 120 kg ha-1 de N em adubação de soqueira de segundo corte, é agronomicamente tão eficiente quanto as demais fontes de N utilizadas, mas tem menor eficiência no ano agrícola subsequente.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of the nitrogen sources urea (U), ammonium nitrate (AN), ammonium sulfate (AS), and ammonium chloride (AC) on green harvesting sugarcane ratoon, as well as the residual effect of these sources on crop productivity in the subsequent crop year. A randomized block design was used with four replicates. Treatments consisted of applying 120 kg ha-1 of N fertilizer on a Typic Hapludox covered by straw residues resulting from the harvest without burning of the first ratoon. A control treatment was included with no N fertilizer. To evaluate the residual effect of the nitrogen fertilizers, 450 kg ha-1 of a 20-5-19 formulation was applied to soil after sugarcane ratoon harvest. The highest production of stalks and sugar, in the 2006/2007 season, was obtained with the source AS. In the 2007/2008 harvest season, no residual effect of N fertilization was observed and there was a productivity decrease in the AC treatment in comparison to the control. The AC source, at a dose of 120 kg ha-1 N in the fertilization of the second ratoon, is agronomically as efficient as the other N sources used, but shows less efficiency in the subsequent crop year.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a recuperação, pela cana-planta, do nitrogênio (15N) proveniente da ureia e de resíduos culturais da palhada e do sistema radicular da cultura da cana (Saccharum spp.) incorporados ao solo. O experimento foi instalado na safra de 2005/2006, com a cultivar SP81-3250. No plantio, foram instaladas microparcelas de 1,5x2 m, em que aplicaram-se doses equivalentes a 80 kg ha-1 de N (ureia com 5,05% de 15N) e 14 Mg ha-1 de resíduos culturais, dos quais 9 Mg ha-1 de palhada (PA) e 5 Mg ha-1 de sistema radicular (SR), marcados com 15N (1,07 e 0,81% de 15N, respectivamente). Durante o ciclo da cultura, determinou-se o acúmulo total de N da planta. Embora o aproveitamento do N oriundo da mineralização dos resíduos culturais (PA e SR) pela parte aérea tenha aumentado expressivamente com o tempo, esta fonte pouco contribuiu para a nutrição da cultura. A recuperação pela cana-planta de 15N-ureia, 15N-PA e 15N-SR foi de 30,3±3,7%, 13,9±4,5% e 6,4±0,9% respectivamente, o que representa 15,9, 4,7 e 1,4% do nitrogênio total acumulado pela parte aérea da cultura.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the recovery, by plant cane, of the nitrogen (15N) from urea and from sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) crop residues - straw and root system - incorporated into the soil. The experiment was settled in 2005/2006 with the sugarcane cultivar SP81 3250. At planting, microplots of 2 m length and 1.5 m width were installed, and N applications were done with 80 kg ha-1 N (urea with 5.05% in 15N atoms) and 14 Mg ha-1 crop residues - 9 Mg ha-1 of sugarcane straw (SS) and 5 Mg ha-1 of root system (RS), labeled with 15N (1.07 and 0.81% in 15N atoms, respectively). The total N accumulation by plants was determined during the crop cycle. Although the N use by shoot from crop residue mineralization (PA and SR) increased significantly over time, this source hardly contributed to crop nutrition. The recovery of the 15N-urea, 15N-SS and 15N-RS by plant cane was 30.3±3.7%, 13.9±4.5% and 6.4±0.9%, respectively, representing 15.9, 4.7 and 1.4% of total nitrogen uptake by shoot.

Uma questão não esclarecida na cultura da cana-de-açúcar se refere à baixa resposta da cana planta à adubação nitrogenada de plantio. Nesse sentido, foram desenvolvidos dois experimentos em áreas cultivadas sobre um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo Distrófico (Pirassununga, SP) e um Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico (Jaboticabal, SP), com objetivo de avaliar a resposta da cana planta a adubação nitrogenada de plantio. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, e os tratamentos foram três doses de N (40, 80 e 120 kg ha-1 na forma de uréia) mais um tratamento controle sem adição de N. Os fertilizantes nitrogenados foram aplicados no fundo de sulco de plantio e incorporados ao solo. Durante a fase de máximo crescimento da cultura, foram coletadas amostras de folhas +1 em todas as parcelas experimentais para a determinação do estado nutricional. Em Pirassununga, a adubação nitrogenada de plantio aumentou as concentrações de N, K, Mg e S nas folhas diagnósticas e a produção de colmos, sem apresentar efeito nos atributos tecnológicos. Por outro lado, em Jaboticabal não houve resposta em produtividade, mas houve efeito nos atributos tecnológicos. Obtiveram-se incrementos na produção de açúcar por hectare em ambas as áreas em função da fertilização nitrogenada. A maior margem de contribuição agrícola foi obtida com a dose de 40 kg ha-1 de N.

A still unclear question related to sugarcane cropping refers to the low response of the planted cane to nitrogen fertilization. Two experiments were carried out in areas under a Typic Hapludox, located in Pirassununga, São Paulo State, Brazil, and an Arenic Kandiudult, located in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil, with the objective to evaluate planted cane response to nitrogen fertilization at planting. The experimental design was organized as random blocks and treatments consisted of three N rates (40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1 N-urea) and a control without N. Nitrogen fertilizers were applied to the bottom of the planting furrow and then incorporated into the soil. During the maximum growth stage, +1 leaf samples were collected from all experimental plots to evaluate the crop nutritional status. In the Pirassununga experiment, N fertilization at planting increased N, K, Mg, and S contents in the leaves and increased the stalk yield, without effect in the technological attributes. Conversely, no stalk yield response was observed at the Jaboticabal experiment, but N fertilization benefited the stalk technological attributes. The N rates increased the sugar yield per hectare in both experiments. The highest margin of agricultural contribution was obtained at the rate of 40 kg ha-1 N.

No agrossistema da cana-de-açúcar a resposta à aplicação de B é ainda uma questão não esclarecida, porém é um procedimento que vem sendo utilizado com certa frequência. O uso de fertilizantes marcados com 10B pode auxiliar no entendimento dessa prática. Com o objetivo de avaliar o aproveitamento do B (10B) proveniente do fertilizante (ácido bórico) pela cana-de-açúcar, realizou-se um experimento em campo, na safra de 2005/2006, que consistiu na instalação de microparcelas (2 m de comprimento por 1,5 de largura), que, após 90 dias do plantio (maio de 2005), receberam 4 kg ha-1 de B (ácido bórico com 85,95 % em átomos de 10B) dissolvidos em água. A solução foi aplicada ao solo nos dois lados da linha de plantio, a uma distância de 20 cm. Após a colheita (junho de 2006), foram determinados o teor de B e a abundância de 10B em átomos % em todas as partes das plantas de cana-de-açúcar (colmos, folhas secas, ponteiros e raízes). Os resultados mostraram que o acúmulo total de B foi de 471 g ha-1, e, dessa quantidade, 35 % estavam nos colmos, 22 % nas folhas secas, 9 % nos ponteiros e 34 % nas raízes. O aproveitamento do 10B-fertilizante pela cana-de-açúcar representou em média 14 % do boro total acumulado na parte aérea (44 g ha-1), 11 % nas raízes (19 g ha-1) e 13 % na planta inteira (63 g ha-1). A recuperação do 10B-fertilizante pela cana-planta foi baixa, em torno de 2 % do total aplicado.

The response to B in agricultural systems of sugar cane is still an unexplored issue; B application has however recently been widely publicized and used with a certain degree of frequency. The use of 10B-labeled fertilizers may further contribute to clarify this practice. With the objective of evaluating sugar cane use of B (10B) derived from fertilizer (boric acid), an experiment was conducted under field conditions in the 2005/2006 growing season. The experiment consisted of the installation of microplots (2 x 1.5 m) where 4 kg ha-1 B (boric acid with 85.95 % in 10B atoms) dissolved in water was applied 90 days after planting (May 2005). The solution was applied to the soil on both sides of the plant row at a distance of 20 cm. After harvest (June 2006) the B content and 10B abundance in % atoms in all parts of the sugar cane plants (stalks, dry leaves, tips and roots) were determined. Results showed that the total B accumulated was 471 g ha-1 in the entire plant (35 % in the stalks, 22 % in the dry leaves, 9 % in the tips and 34 % in the roots). The sugar cane plants used on average 14 % of the total accumulated B in the above-ground part (44 g ha-1) and 11 % in the roots (19 g ha-1), totaling 13 % in the entire plant (63 g ha-1). The recovery of 10B-fertilizer by sugar cane plants was low, around 2 % of the total applied amount.