Sugarcane yield gap analysis in Brazil – A multi-model approach for determining magnitudes and causes

Dias, Henrique Boriolo; Sentelhas, Paulo César

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.017

Cited by 79 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…The higher sugarcane yields in southern Goiás relative to those in São Paulo regions can be associated with several factors including the high mean and minimal temperature and higher solar radiation that increases photosynthetic rates and sugarcane growth [33]. Our results agree with those of Dias and Sentelhas [4], who pointed out that traditional areas under sugarcane plantation in São Paulo present lower yield potential compared with the south region of Goiás. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Goiás experienced an intensive expansion (120%) of sugarcane area in the past decade, increasing from 0.495 (2007/08) to 1.107 million ha (2017/18) [2].…”

Section: Regional Effects Of Straw Removal On Sugarcane Yieldsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…In that region, sugarcane cultivation extends for 9.1 million ha [9], including a wide range of climatic conditions [32]. Several studies have indicated a direct relationship between crop yield and/or yield response to straw management with regional variations on climatic conditions in south-central Brazil [4,5,12,[33][34][35]. In our study, the sugarcane yield varied on a regional scale, indicating average yields of 129, 64, 82, and 99 Mg ha −1 of fresh stalk in southern Goiás and western, central-eastern, and northern São Paulo, respectively ( Table 3).…”

Section: Regional Effects Of Straw Removal On Sugarcane Yieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on sugarcane, Brazil became one of the major players of the bioenergy sector, being the second world's largest producer of bioethanol (32 billion L) [2] and has the largest fleet of flex-fuel vehicles (~30 million) [3]. Despite this leadership in the sugarcane sector, the country has experienced alarming stagnation of crop yields in the past 15 years, averaging 75 Mg ha −1 of stalks [2], much lower than the crop potential yield (~200 Mg ha −1 ) for Brazilian conditions [4]. The main reasons for low crop yields include soil degradation induced by intensive machinery traffic, crop damage associated with mechanical harvesting, pest proliferation, aging of sugarcane fields, climate constraints, and low sector's capacity of investments [4][5][6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multilocation Straw Removal Effects on Sugarcane Yield in South-Central Brazil

et al. 2019

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Sugarcane straw is a crop residue that has a dual purpose and can be maintained on the fields or used to produce bioenergy. The straw retention in the field provides multiple ecosystem services, and the complex interactions between straw and yield responses are hard to predict by local studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the straw removal effects on sugarcane yield in southcentral Brazil. To achieve the objective, a set of 21 field studies was conducted in contrasting edaphoclimatic conditions. In addition, data of seven studies from the literature were included to build a more robust dataset. Since straw removal treatments were not homogeneous in all experiments, they were grouped as follows: NR, no removal (baseline treatment); LR, low removal; MR, moderate removal; and TR, total removal. To facilitate the data analysis, the experiments were gathered in four macroregions: southern Goiás, western São Paulo, central-eastern São Paulo, and northeastern São Paulo. The site location was the most effective individual factor to explain the straw removal effects on sugarcane yields. Compared with NR treatment, the average yield losses induced by LR, MR, and TR were 2, 10, and 13 Mg ha −1 in southern Goiás and 2, 4, and 6 Mg ha −1 in western São Paulo states, respectively. In other regions, no clear pattern was observed, and only site-specific effects were observed. Straw removal affected sugarcane yields in all soil types, but higher responses were observed under best conditions for sugarcane growth (i.e., clayey soils in southern Goiás). Our findings indicated harvesting season has a relevant role on determining yield responses to straw removal and younger ratoons are more responsive to straw removal. Conclusions from this study suggest straw removal recommendations cannot be designed based on isolated factors but require holistic and integrated knowledge to ensure that the straw amount left on field is enough to sustain multiple soil ecosystem services and crop yields.

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Section: Regional Effects Of Straw Removal On Sugarcane Yieldsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Regional Effects Of Straw Removal On Sugarcane Yieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multilocation Straw Removal Effects on Sugarcane Yield in South-Central Brazil

et al. 2019

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“…These modifications may bring new challenges for food production in some areas, including Brazil, where more than 80% of production areas are rainfed [7]. Thus, water shortage is the main factor limiting the yield potential of agricultural crops in Brazil [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar Amendment Enhances Water Retention in a Tropical Sandy Soil

et al. 2020

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The use of biochar, which is the solid product of biomass pyrolysis, in agricultural soils, has been shown as a strategic solution for building soil carbon stocks and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. However, biochar amendment might also benefit other key soil processes and services, such as those that are related to water retention, particularly in sandy soils. Here, we conducted an experiment to investigate the potential of biochar to enhance pore size distribution and water retention properties in a tropical sandy soil. Three biochar rates were incorporated (equivalent to 6.25, 12.5, and 25 Mg ha−1) into plastic pots containing a sandy Oxisol sampled from a sugarcane field in Brazil. Undisturbed samples of the mixture were collected at two evaluation times (50 and 150 days) and used to determine water retention curves and other soil physical properties. The results showed that biochar amendment decreased soil bulk density and increased water retention capacity, micropore volume, and available water content. Higher soil water retention in amended soil is associated with the inherent characteristics of biochar (e.g., internal porosity) and potential improvements in soil structure. Microporosity and water retention were enhanced with intermediate biochar rate (12.5 Mg ha−1), instead of the highest rate (25 Mg ha−1) tested. Further studies are needed to validate these results under field conditions.

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“…The major producing states are located in southeastern and central-western Brazil. In the 2016/2017 season, these regions accounted for over 80% of the total area planted, and most of the sugarcane production was used as feedstock in the sugar and ethanol industry (CONAB 2017;Dias & Sentelhas 2018;IBGE 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%