de Castro, Sérgio Gustavo Quassi, Decaro, Sérgio Tadeu, Franco, Henrique Coutinho Junqueira, Graziano Magalhães, Paulo S., Garside, Alan, and Mutton, Miguel Angelo (2017) Best practices of nitrogen fertilization management for sugarcane under green cane trash blanket in Brazil. Sugar Tech, 19 (1). pp. 51-56.

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Abstract

The low efficiency of nitrogen (N) use from fertilizer applied to sugarcane is a major concern worldwide threatening the sustainability of sugarcane production. Furth er, the significance of N losses to the environment is becoming more important as global warming becomes a more significant issue. Improving nitrogen use efficiency is a major challenge for sugarcane cropping systems worldwide. Amongst other factors, N application method has a significant effect on the efficiency with which N is used by the crop. In Brazil, the sugar industry is rapidly moving towards green cane harvesting and the maintenance of a trash blanket (GCTB) between crops in a cycle. However, there is limited information regarding the most appropriate nitrogen fertilizer placement between ratoon crops in a GCTB system. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen application methods on the productivity of ratoon sugarcane being grown under a green cane trash blanket (GCTB) system. The application methods tested were: (1) control (no fertilizer applied), (2) fertilizer incorporated at 0.2 m in the centre of each interrow, (3) fertilizer applied to the GCTB surface in both sides of the row, and (4) fertilizer incorporated at 0.08 m depth in both sides of the row. The incorporation of the fertilizer at 0.08 m depth on both sides of the row resulted in the best agronomic performance, producing approximately 13 and 12 % more cane tonnage and sugar yield, respectively, when compared to band surface application, which was the second best method.

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