CHEMICAL RIPENER AND BORON INCREASE

THE SUCROSE ACCUMULATION OF SUGARCANE

IN EARLY SEASON

The experiments were conducted on ratoon cane in early harvest in two consecutive years and two

locations with different soil types and production environments, a total of four experiments

(2008/2009 at Olimpia, SP, Brazil and 2009/2010 at Igaraçu do Tiete, SP, Brazil.

The treatments consisted in the application of Trinexapac-ethyl, Trinexapac-ethyl + Boron, Boron

and control (natural ripening), applied at the dose recommended by the manufacturers, i.e., 0.8 L ha-

1, 0.8 L ha-1 + 0.18 Kg ha-1, and 0.18 Kg ha-1, respectively, with the addition of 5% adjuvants.

Each plot consisted of 6 rows (10 m long), spaced at 1.5 m. However, for evaluation purposes, only

the central 4 rows were considered, disregarding 1 m at the extremities, made at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60

days after application (DAA).

Variety RB855453 was used, known for its medium stalk yield, high sucrose content and early

maturation, and medium soil fertility requirements.

The application of Boron, Trinexapac-ethyl + Boron and Trinexapac-ethyl,

anticipated harvest in 18, 16 and 15 days, respectively, comparing with the

control.

Boron, Trinexapac-ethyl + Boron and Trinexapac-ethyl treatments provided on

average of 7% higher sucrose accumulation than control at 50 DAA

(harvesting recommendation by manufacturer).

The application of Trynexapac-ethyl, in association with Boron or not,

improves the technological quality of sugarcane.

CONCLUSIONS

RESULTS

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sugar industry can be directly affected by the ripening process and continuous supply of high

quality raw material depends on the use of tools to optimize the production system, such as ripeners

and micronutrients.

Boron deficiency can affect the growth and development of plants, mostly due to its structural

function in cell wall composition, but also to be involved in other functions such as protein synthesis

and metabolism of carbohydrates.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of boron on sugarcane in areas with restricted

availability of the element at the same time of application of the ripener Trinexapac-ethyl.

INTRODUCTION

Gabriela Ferraz de Siqueira, Rodrigo Foltran, Deise Paula da Silva and Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol Crop Science Department, College of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp)

1780 Jose Barbosa de Barros Street, P.O.Box 237, Zip Code 18610-307, Botucatu-SP, Brazil. E-mail: gaferraz@yahoo.com.br

Funding Agency:

Precipitation (mm month-1), maximum, medium, and minimum temperatures

(°C), recorded at experimental areas during the period in which the

experiment was conducted.

y = 0,059x + 11,113 R² = 0,99**

y = -0,0016x2 + 0,1584x + 11,148 R² = 0,99**

y = -0,001x2 + 0,1324x + 11,029 R² = 0,99**

y = -0,0013x2 + 0,1461x + 10,96 R² = 0,99**10,00

11,00

12,00

13,00

14,00

15,00

16,00

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Po

l can

e (

%)

Days after application

Minimum Pol cane

Control

Boron

Trinexapac-ethyl

Trinexapac-ethyl + Boron

Pol cane (%), with the application of Trynexapac-ethyl, associated or not with Boron, in early

season. Average of 2 locals and 2 years. ** significant at 5% probability by the LSD test.

Purity cane (%) and Reducing sugar (RS) (%), with the application of Trynexapac-

ethyl, associated or not with Boron, in early season. Average of 2 locals and 2 years. **

significant at 5% probability by the LSD test.