Changes in soil temperature and moisture due to sugarcane straw removal in central-southern Brazil

Crop residues left in the field cover and protect the soil surface, and regulate key processes and functions, such as gas and water exchanges. However, the Brazilian sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) sector has begun to use straw as feedstock to produce bioenergy. We conducted a field study to evaluate the effects of sugarcane straw removal in soil temperature and moisture changes at three sites (with different soil textures: Site 1 - clayey Oxisol, Site 2 - medium texture Oxisol, and Site 3 - sandy Ultisol) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four rates of straw removal: i) no removal (NR); ii) moderate removal (MR); iii) substantial removal (SR), and iv) total removal (TR). Soil temperature was measured by sensors in the 0- to 5- and 5- to 10-cm soil layers. Undisturbed soil samples were collected from the 0- to 20- and 20- to 40-cm layers to determine soil moisture. Intensive straw removal (HR and TR) increased the soil temperature between 2 and 3 °C and the thermal amplitude between 5 and 9 °C in the 0- to 5-cm layer, compared to MR and NR. Soil moisture decreased between 0.03 and 0.07 g g-¹ in the 0- to 20-cm layer with intensive straw removal. The sandy soil was more susceptible to straw removal. Therefore, straw maintenance on the soil surface plays an essential role in temperature regulation and preservation of higher soil moisture, especially in regions with severe water deficits and long periods of water stress.

Microbiological attributes of the soil under cultivation of sugar cane with and without burning straw / Atributos microbiológicos de um latossolo sob cultivo de cana-de-açúcar com e sem queima da palhada

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sugar cane cultivation with and without burning of residues on microbial biomass, soil basal respiration and their derived indices. The study was carried out from 2009 to 2010, at the sugar mills, Itahum district, the city of Dourados, MS, on a Hapludox soil. An adjacent area of native vegetation was included in the study as a reference the original condition of the soil. Soil samples were collected at three depths: 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 cm, with five composite samples, from five subsamples collected at intervals of ten feet between each other, along a transect. Considering the different cropping systems, the results demonstrated the system without burning (mechanized harvesting) of the sugar cane residues, favored microbial biomass and basal respiration and soil chemical properties, compared with the system with burning, especially in the upper layers of soil.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do cultivo de cana-de-açúcar sem queima da palhada (colheita mecanizada) em comparação a um sistema com queima da palhada (colheita manual) sobre a biomassa microbiana do solo e índices derivados. O estudo foi conduzido no período de 2009 a 2010, na Usina Dourados, distrito de Itahum, no município de Dourados, MS, num Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, cultivados com cana-de-açúcar em diferentes sistemas. Uma área adjacente, com vegetação nativa, foi incluída no estudo como referencial da condição original do solo. As coletas de solo foram realizadas em três profundidades: 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 cm, com cinco amostras compostas, oriundas de cinco subamostras, coletadas com intervalo de dez metros entre si, ao longo de um transecto. Considerando os diferentes sistemas de colheita, os resultados demonstraram que o sistema de manejo sem queima da palhada de cana-de-açúcar (colheita mecanizada) favoreceu a manutenção da comunidade de microrganismos do solo, quando comparada ao sistema com queima (colheita manual), especialmente nas camadas mais superficiais do solo. Do mesmo modo, a respiração basal é favorecida pelo manejo sem queima da cana-de-açúcar, mesmo nas camadas inferiores (até 10-20 cm) do perfil do solo.(AU)

Contribution of nitrogen from sugarcane harvest residues and urea for crop nutrition

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.

Contribution of nitrogen from sugarcane harvest residues and urea for crop nutrition

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.

Carbon stock and humification index of organic matter affected by sugarcane straw and soil management

The maintenance of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) straw on a soil surface increases the soil carbon (C) stocks, but at lower rates than expected. This fact is probably associated with the soil management adopted during sugarcane replanting. This study aimed to assess the impact on soil C stocks and the humification index of soil organic matter (SOM) of adopting no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) for sugarcane replanting. A greater C content and stock was observed in the NT area, but only in the 0-5 cm soil layer (p 0.05). Greater soil C stock (0-60 cm) was found in soil under NT, when compared to CT and the baseline. While C stock of 116 Mg ha-1 was found in the baseline area, in areas under CT and NT systems the values ranged from 120 to 127 Mg ha-1. Carbon retention rates of 0.67 and 1.63 Mg C ha-1 year-1 were obtained in areas under CT and NT, respectively. Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy showed that CT makes the soil surface (0-20 cm) more homogeneous than the NT system due to the effect of soil disturbance, and that the SOM humification index (H LIF) is larger in CT compared to NT conditions. In contrast, NT had a gradient of increasing H LIF, showing that the entry of labile organic material such as straw is also responsible for the accumulation of C in this system. The maintenance of straw on the soil surface and the adoption of NT during sugarcane planting are strategies that can increase soil C sequestration in the Brazilian sugarcane sector.

Carbon stock and humification index of organic matter affected by sugarcane straw and soil management

The maintenance of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) straw on a soil surface increases the soil carbon (C) stocks, but at lower rates than expected. This fact is probably associated with the soil management adopted during sugarcane replanting. This study aimed to assess the impact on soil C stocks and the humification index of soil organic matter (SOM) of adopting no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) for sugarcane replanting. A greater C content and stock was observed in the NT area, but only in the 0-5 cm soil layer (p 0.05). Greater soil C stock (0-60 cm) was found in soil under NT, when compared to CT and the baseline. While C stock of 116 Mg ha-1 was found in the baseline area, in areas under CT and NT systems the values ranged from 120 to 127 Mg ha-1. Carbon retention rates of 0.67 and 1.63 Mg C ha-1 year-1 were obtained in areas under CT and NT, respectively. Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy showed that CT makes the soil surface (0-20 cm) more homogeneous than the NT system due to the effect of soil disturbance, and that the SOM humification index (H LIF) is larger in CT compared to NT conditions. In contrast, NT had a gradient of increasing H LIF, showing that the entry of labile organic material such as straw is also responsible for the accumulation of C in this system. The maintenance of straw on the soil surface and the adoption of NT during sugarcane planting are strategies that can increase soil C sequestration in the Brazilian sugarcane sector.

Resíduos da cultura da cana-de-açúcar e seus efeitos sobre a fauna invertebrada epigeica / Residues of sugar cane crop and its effects on the epigeic invertebrate fauna

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da disponibilidade de resíduos de cana-de-açúcar sobre a fauna invertebrada epigeica. As avaliações foram realizadas após a colheita da cana-de-açúcar, considerando três níveis de resíduos: 0 % (retirada total de resíduos da superfície do solo), 50 % (retirada da metade dos resíduos nas parcelas, massa seca de 7,6 Mg ha-1) e 100 % (manutenção completa dos resíduos produzidos, massa seca de 16,9 Mg ha-1). As parcelas experimentais foram dispostas num delineamento em blocos casualizados, com oito repetições. Cada parcela foi constituída por cinco linhas de 20 m de comprimento, onde foram instaladas duas armadilhas de queda "pitfall" para captura da fauna invertebrada, representando dezesseis armadilhas em cada tratamento, totalizando quarenta e oito em todo o experimento. Um fragmento de vegetação nativa da região, localizado próximo ao cultivo da cana-de-açúcar, foi avaliado para comparação. Os organismos foram extraídos manualmente e identificados em nível de grandes grupos taxonômicos. A maior diversidade e riqueza de grupos da fauna invertebrada epigeica foram observadas na cultura da cana-de-açúcar com a manutenção dos resíduos na superfície (100 e 50%). Por outro lado, a retirada completa dos resíduos da superfície do solo promoveu uma significativa redução dos organismos de invertebrados do solo. Amostras de solos foram coletadas para avaliação de atributos químicos. Os organismos da fauna invertebrada epigeica mostraram-se sensíveis indicadores em discriminar alterações nos sistemas, em função da manutenção de resíduos vegetais da cana-de-açúcar.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the availability of sugar cane residues on the epigeic invertebrate fauna. The evaluations were made after cane sugar harvest f, considering three levels of residues: 0% (total removal of residues from the soil surface), 50% (removal of half of the waste in the plots, the dry mass of 7.6 Mg ha-1) and 100% (keeping track of residues produced, dry mass of 16.9 Mg ha-1). A fragment of native vegetation in the region, located close to the sugar cane crop, was evaluated for comparison. The experimental plots were arranged in a randomized block design with eight replications. Each plot consisted of five rows 20 m long, were installed two pitfalls to capture the invertebrate fauna, representing sixteen traps in each treatment, totaling forty-eight throughout the experiment. The organisms were extracted manually and identified at major taxonomic groups. The highest diversity and groups richness of epigeic invertebrate fauna were observed in the cane sugar crop with the maintenance of the surface residues (100 and 50%). Moreover, complete removal of residues from the soil surface promoted a significant reduction of the soil invertebrates organisms. Soil samples were collected for evaluation of chemical attributes. The organisms of epigeic invertebrate fauna showed sensitive in detecting changes in systems, depending on the maintenance of plant residues of sugar cane.

Avaliação de cinza de caldeira de indústria de concentrados de frutas cítrica sobre as propriedades de solo degradado e solo cultivado com cana-de-açúcar

A utilização de subprodutos, ao invés de seus descartes, tem sido uma das principais estratégias para o aumento da sustentabilidade da produção agroindustrial. Em grande parte do Estado de São Paulo, as culturas da cana-de-açúcar e de citros convivem ocupando grandes áreas agrícolas e produzindo grandes quantidades de resíduos devido aos seus processamentos industriais. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100 t.ha-1 de cinza de caldeira proveniente da queima de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar de uma indústria de concentrados de frutas cítricas sobre a atividade heterotrófica global e as principais características físico-químicas utilizadas para recomendação de adubação e correção da acidez de solos agrícolas. Um primeiro ensaio foi realizado em condições controladas de casa de vegetação utilizando sub-solo coletado em Latossolo Vermelho Escuro, textura arenosa e os tratamentos dispostos em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. O solo foi incubado pelo período de 40 dias em temperatura de 25 ºC e umidade do solo variando entre 50-70% de poder de embebição. A atividade heterotrófica global foi incrementada pela adição da cinza de caldeira. A adição da cinza de caldeira também promoveu aumento do pH, dos teores de fósforo, cálcio e magnésio e dos valores da soma e saturação de bases, além de reduzir a acidez potencial. Em um segundo ensaio, realizado em condições de campo, a atividade heterotrófica global apresentou aumento proporcional ao aumento da dose de cinza aplicada aos 30 dias após a deposição, mas nenhum efeito significativo foi observado aos 90 dias. A adição de cinzas promoveu o aumento do teor de fósforo e potássio e diminuição da acidez potencial. Os resultados mostram que a utilização de cinza de caldeira proveniente da queima do bagaço...

The alternative use of residues has been one of the main strategies in the improvement of the sustainability in agro industry production. In the major parts of São Paulo State, the sugar-cane and citrus crops and its respective agro industries are sympatric and the mutual use of residues has been a very important regional strategy aiming the sustainability. So, the objectives of this work were to evaluate the effects of the application of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100 t.ha-1 of sugar-cane boiler bagasse ash produced as residue in a factory of concentrate citrus juice on the soil heterotrophic activity and soil characteristics used for fertilization and liming in agriculture. A first essays was carried out under green-house conditions using sub-soil collected in a sandy Latossol Vermelho Escuro and the ash doses were incorporated in the soli and incubated for 40 days under 25 °C and soil moisture varying between 50- 70% of the soil imbibitions capacity. The soil heterotrophic activity was increased by the ash incorporation. The addition of the ash increased the soil pH, the contents of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and the values of the bases sum and saturation, but reduced the potential acidity and did not affected the soil contents of organic matter and sodium. In a second essay, conducted under field conditions on a sugar-cane crop area, the soil heterotrophic activity increased as the boiler ash dose was raised, at 30 days after the disposal, but no effects were observed at the 90th days. The soil ash disposal increased the increase of phosphorus and potassium contents and reduced the potential acidity of the soil. The results showed that the use of of sugarcane boiler bagasse ash produced as residue in a factory of concentrate citrus juice did not affected the heterotrophic activity in the soil and can be used as substitute of certain plant nutrients, specially phosphorus...

Resposta da soqueira de cana-de-açúcar a aplicação de potássio sob o sistema de cultivo conservacionista e seus efeitos na fisiologia da planta

O uso do sistema de colheita mecanizado na cana-de-açúcar proporciona acúmulo da palhada na superfície do solo podendo haver liberação de potássio e diminuição da necessidade do nutriente que é importante na fisiologia e na produção das plantas. Objetivou-se avaliar a resposta da soqueira de cana-de-açúcar a aplicação de potássio sob sistema de cultivo conservacionista e seus efeitos na fisiologia da planta. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram doses de potássio: 32,5; 65; 130; 195 kg ha-1 de K2O, e um tratamento controle (sem potássio). No solo foram realizadas amostragens aos seis e doze meses nas camadas de 0-20 e 20-40 cm de profundidade para determinação do teor de potássio. Na planta, avaliaram-se o número de perfilhos, a altura e o diâmetro do colmo aos quatro meses após a brotação, aos oito meses foi determinado o estado nutricional para o potássio, aos doze meses o teor e acúmulo de potássio na planta, a produção e a análise tecnológica dos colmos. O segundo experimento foi implantado em casa de vegetação na UNESP- Câmpus de Jaboticabal-SP. O experimento foi desenvolvido em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos presença e ausência de potássio em dez repetições. Na décima semana após a aplicação dos tratamentos foi realizada a diagnose visual e as avaliações de crescimento e fisiológicas na planta. A aplicação de potássio não foi importante para a segunda soqueira de cana-de-açúcar, pois não afetou o crescimento, o estado nutricional, a produtividade e a qualidade tecnológica de colmos. As plantas de cana-de-açúcar, cultivadas na ausência de potássio, apresentaram diminuição da transpiração, fotossíntese, teores de clorofilas e crescimento. No entanto, houve incremento do teor de açúcares solúveis totais e de

When sugarcane is harvested mechanically, residues are accumulated on the soil surface, from which potassium can be released, decreasing the requirement for this nutrient, wich is important for the plant physiology and yield. This study aimed to evaluate the response of ratoon sugarcane to potassium application under conservation tillage and its effects on plant physiology. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of potassium levels (32.5, 65, 130, and 195 kg ha-1 K2O) and one control (no potassium). The soil was sampled after 6 and 12 months in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm layers to determine the K content. The plants were evaluated after sprouting: after four months for the number of tillers, height and stalk diameter; after eight months for the nutritional status in terms of K; after 12 months for K content and accumulation in the plant and cane yield, and the stalks were analyzed for technical characteristics. The second experiment was carried out in a greenhouse on the Campus of Jaboticabal - UNESP in a completely randomized design with two treatments: presence and absence of K in 10 replications. In the 10th week after the treatments, the plants were assessed visually and the growth and physiology evaluated. The K application was not relevant for the second ratoon crop, as it did not affect growth, nutritional status, yield, or the technical quality of the stalks. In sugarcane plants grown in the absence of K, decreases were observed in transpiration, photosynthesis, chlorophyll contents, and growth. However, there was an increase in the content of total soluble sugars and starch in the leaves

Microbiological attributes of the soil under cultivation of sugar cane with and without burning straw / Atributos microbiológicos de um latossolo sob cultivo de cana-de-açúcar com e sem queima da palhada

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sugar cane cultivation with and without burning of residues on microbial biomass, soil basal respiration and their derived indices. The study was carried out from 2009 to 2010, at the sugar mills, Itahum district, the city of Dourados, MS, on a Hapludox soil. An adjacent area of native vegetation was included in the study as a reference the original condition of the soil. Soil samples were collected at three depths: 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 cm, with five composite samples, from five subsamples collected at intervals of ten feet between each other, along a transect. Considering the different cropping systems, the results demonstrated the system without burning (mechanized harvesting) of the sugar cane residues, favored microbial biomass and basal respiration and soil chemical properties, compared with the system with burning, especially in the upper layers of soil.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do cultivo de cana-de-açúcar sem queima da palhada (colheita mecanizada) em comparação a um sistema com queima da palhada (colheita manual) sobre a biomassa microbiana do solo e índices derivados. O estudo foi conduzido no período de 2009 a 2010, na Usina Dourados, distrito de Itahum, no município de Dourados, MS, num Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, cultivados com cana-de-açúcar em diferentes sistemas. Uma área adjacente, com vegetação nativa, foi incluída no estudo como referencial da condição original do solo. As coletas de solo foram realizadas em três profundidades: 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 cm, com cinco amostras compostas, oriundas de cinco subamostras, coletadas com intervalo de dez metros entre si, ao longo de um transecto. Considerando os diferentes sistemas de colheita, os resultados demonstraram que o sistema de manejo sem queima da palhada de cana-de-açúcar (colheita mecanizada) favoreceu a manutenção da comunidade de microrganismos do solo, quando comparada ao sistema com queima (colheita manual), especialmente nas camadas mais superficiais do solo. Do mesmo modo, a respiração basal é favorecida pelo manejo sem queima da cana-de-açúcar, mesmo nas camadas inferiores (até 10-20 cm) do perfil do solo.