Efeito de bioestimuladores de crescimento e métodos de aplicação no desenvolvimento da cana-de-açúcar

Abstract

Growth biostimulants have gained prominence in modern agriculture, especially in sugarcane cultivation, due to their ability to promote plant development and increase productivity. These compounds, which can be of microbial or natural origin, act on physiological processes, improving nutrient absorption and resistance to environmental stresses. The appropriate application of biostimulants, through different methods, such as fertigation or foliar spraying, can enhance the beneficial effects, resulting in more vigorous sugarcane with better qualitative characteristics. Therefore, the objective of this study was to study the effect of the application of biostimulants and their application methods on the vegetative growth of sugarcane. The experiment was carried out at the Chã de Jardim Experimental Farm, belonging to the Federal University of Paraíba, Center for Agricultural Sciences, located in the municipality of Areia, Paraíba, Brazil, using the sugarcane variety RB041443. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with six treatments and four replicates, totaling 24 plots, where two products were applied: a mineral fertilizer and an additive for composting, using manual and automatic backpack pumps. Foliar application occurred 180 days after cutting, with continuous monitoring of plant growth. Quality parameters (soluble solids content), growth (plant height and stem diameter) and productivity (tons of sugarcane per hectare) were evaluated. In comparison with the soluble solids content of the treatments, there was no statistical difference, except for treatment T2, which obtained lower TSS values. And in the case of TCH, significant variations were observed according to the different treatments applied, mainly referring to T5 (application of auxin-based biostimulants), which obtained higher values compared to the other treatments. There were no significant variations in plant height and stem diameter. Indicating influences of biostimulants only on biomass production (TCH).