Growth regulators in the development and productivity of sugarcane

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the development and productivity of sugarcane, due to plant regulators application at the cropping season beginning. The treatments consisted of three plant growth inhibitors – sulfometuron methyl, glyphosate, and compounds of organic carboxilic radicals + glyphosate – and natural ripening as control, in a randomized block design with fi ve replicates. The ripeners hold up the growth process of plant height, without affecting the number and diameter of stems at harvest, however they infl uence, in different intensities and ways, the fl owering and pith process. Glyphosate provide the largest index of bud sprouting and damage of regrowth of the ratoon cane. The ripeners induce increase in sugar reducer total contents, contributing for the improvement in technological quality of sugarcane.