Evaluating Nitrogen Behavior in Sugarcane after Fertilization Using Leaf and Sap Extract Analyzes

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) fertilization is important for sugarcane crops, for both agronomic and environmental reasons. Better use of N from fertilizer is required for crop management, and in order to achieve it, adequate N nutrition monitoring is necessary. Sap extract analysis is a sensitive technique that has been adopted in other crops to tackle this objective, and can be used for sugarcane. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of N and the response of sugarcane after N fertilization, using sap and leaf tissue analysis. The study was undertaken in two experimental areas in 2012/2013 season, using ratoon cane, following application of 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg &middot ha -1 of N. The youngest visible leaves were sampled from sugarcane at five time points between 0 and 150 days after fertilization, to evaluate the nitrate, ammonium, and total N content of sap extract, and total N content of leaf tissue. At the first sampling point (30 days after N fertilizer application), mineral N in sap increased as a result of N fertilization in medium-textured soil, and remained high until 120 days after fertilization in clayey soil. The total N content of sap followed a similar behavior. Stalk yield was only observed to increase in sugarcane grown in the clayey soil. Sap analysis proved to be an efficient method for monitoring N status in sugarcane grown in different soil types.