INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION ON THE QUALITY OF SUGARCANE SEEDLINGS: A STUDY WITH THREE COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is one of the most economically significant agricultural crops, especially in Brazil, the world's largest producer. In the Brazilian Cerrado, water irregularity compromises crop productivity, making the use of irrigation systems and new technologies, such as pre-sprouted seedlings (PSS), essential. This study aimed to evaluate the appropriate irrigation frequency for the development of PSS of three sugarcane varieties adapted to the Central-West region: IAC CTC05-8069, IAC CTC07-8008, and IAC CTC07-8044. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Faculdade Evangélica de Goianésia in a completely randomized design with four replications, in a greenhouse, subjecting the varieties to two irrigation frequencies (once and twice daily). Evaluations were performed 21 days after planting and included morphological variables such as total height, leaf width, number of leaves, stem diameter, fresh leaf and root mass, root volume, among others. The results indicated that the IAC CTC05-8069 variety showed greater leaf width and fresh leaf mass, reflecting better productive performance. Irrigation frequency influenced the stem diameter of the IAC CTC07-8044 variety, which demonstrated greater water requirements. However, most evaluated variables did not show significant differences between irrigation frequencies, indicating that a single daily irrigation may be sufficient for most varieties. It is concluded that the use of PSS, combined with proper irrigation management, can contribute to the productive efficiency of sugarcane in the Cerrado, with the IAC CTC05-8069 variety being the most promising under the evaluated conditions.