Climatic effects on sugarcane ripening under the influence of cultivars and crop age

The lack of information about the effects of cultivars, crop age and climate on the sugarcane (Saccharum ssp.) crop yield and quality has been the primary factor impacting the sugar-ethanol sector in Brazil. One of the processes about which we do not have a satisfactory understanding is sugarcane ripening and the effects of cultivars, crop age and climate on that. Sugarcane ripening is the process of sucrose accumulation in stalks, which is heavily influenced by several factors, mainly by climatic conditions such as air temperature and water deficits. Because it is a complex process, studies of the variables involved in sugarcane ripening can provide important information, resulting in a better use of commercial cultivars, bringing advantages to growers, processing units, breeding programs and scientific community. In this review, we discuss the available knowledge of the interaction between climate conditions and sugarcane ripening, under the influence of genotypic characteristics and crop age. In several studies, the main conclusion is that sugarcane ripening depends on a complex combination of climate variables, the genetic potential of cultivars and crop management. Soil moisture and air temperature are the primary variables involved in sugarcane ripening, and their combination stimulates the intensity of the process. In addition, the need for studies integrating the effects of climate on plant physiological processes and on the use of chemical agents to stimulate sugarcane ripening is highlighted

Simulação do risco de deficit hídrico em regiões de expansão do cultivo de cana-de-açúcar no Brasil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o risco de deficit hídrico para a cultura da cana-de-açúcar em diferentes regiões brasileiras, com foco nas áreas de expansão. Para tanto, utilizou-se o modelo CSM-Canegro, para simular a produtividade da cana-planta de 12 meses, em 30 localidades. A partir dos valores estimados de produtividades potencial e atingível (produtividade sem irrigação), definiram-se as classes de risco de deficit hídrico de acordo com os níveis de eficiência climática, dada pela razão entre essas produtividades. O modelo simulou o efeito dos diferentes tipos de solo e datas de plantio sobre a produtividade, o que possibilitou caracterizar o risco de deficit hídrico associado à cultura. A região de maior risco é Petrolina, PE, enquanto as regiões de menor risco são as similares a Recife, PE, e Araguaína, TO