Use of pot still vinasse and nitrogen in irrigated and unirrigated sugar cane

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of pot still vinasse on irrigated and unirrigated ratoon cane, with and without addition of nitrogen. The experiment was in a randomized block design in a 4x2 factorial arrangement, with three replicates. The treatments were four doses of vinasse (0, 100, 150, and 200 m3 ha-1) and two doses of nitrogen fertilizer (0 and 60 kg ha-1 of N). Estimated doses of 142 and 174 m3 ha-1 of pot still vinasse provided the highest stalk yield for the third cut, respectively for irrigated and unirrigated conditions. In the fourth cut cane, with and without irrigation, stalk productivity increased with higher vinasse doses. Fiber cane contents decreased with the increase of vinasse doses. Addition of nitrogen is necessary for irrigated and unirrigated sugar cane, when vinasse is used. The final stalk yield increase with irrigation was 15% for the third cut and 24% for the fourth cut showing that irrigation of ratoon cane is viable.