Sugarcane vinasse: Environmental implications of its use

The inadequate and indiscriminate disposal of sugarcane vinasse in soils and water bodies has received much attention since decades ago, due to environmental problems associated to this practice. Vinasse is the final by-product of the biomass distillation, mainly for the production of ethanol, from sugar crops (beet and sugarcane), starch crops (corn, wheat, rice, and cassava), or cellulosic material (harvesting crop residues, sugarcane bagasse, and wood). Because of the large quantities of vinasse produced, alternative treatments and uses have been developed, such as recycling of vinasse in fermentation, fertirrigation, concentration by evaporation, and yeast and energy production. This review was aimed at examining the available data on the subject as a contribution to update the information on sugarcane vinasse, from its characteristics and chemical composition to alternatives uses in Brazil: fertirrigation, concentration by evaporation, energy production; the effects on soil physical, chemical and biological properties; its influence on seed germination, its use as biostimulant and environmental contaminant. The low pH, electric conductivity, and chemical elements present in sugarcane vinasse may cause changes in the chemical and physical-chemical properties of soils, rivers, and lakes with frequent discharges over a long period of time, and also have adverse effects on agricultural soils and biota in general. Thus, new studies and green methods need to be developed aiming at sugarcane vinasse recycling and disposal. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stagnant effective thermal conductivity of agro-industrial residues for solid-state fermentation

The stagnant effective thermal conductivities (K0) of sugar cane bagasse (SCB), wheat bran (WB), orange pulp and peel (OPP) and their combination (weight proportion 1:2:2 SCB/OPP/WB) were obtained using the line heat source method. These solid materials were applied to pectinase production via solid-state fermentation. The moisture content ranged from 4 to 80% (w.b.). A conduction mechanism through the porous media was observed, along with conduction through a liquid film and contact thermal resistance between the samples and the probe. K0 was low for intermediate moisture contents and approached the molecular conductivity of water for high moisture contents. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

A bi-objective genetic approach for the selection of sugarcane varieties to comply with environmental and economic requirements

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Potassium nutrition in the first and second ratoon sugarcane grown in an Oxisol by a conservationist system

The presence of mulch on the soil surface after the mechanical harvesting of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) enhances the cycling of nutrients, especially K, which can decrease K fertilizer recommendations for the crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of K addition to an Oxisol, with an initial concentration 0.07 cmol(c) K kg(-1), in first and second ratoon (no-till) sugarcane cultures by a conservationist system, i.e. rational use of fertilizers, use of alternative inputs and especially the maintenance of residues in soil that was previously burned to facilitate cutting. The following K doses were tested: 0, 32.5, 65, 130, and 195 kg K2O ha(-1), arranged in a randomized block design with five replicates. Potassium content in the soil and in the plant, as well as the yield and the quality of stalks were evaluated. Soil K application increased K concentration in soil and plant, and was reflected in the prodUction of stalks, with higher production (87.5 and 107.5 t ha(-1)) with the use of 120 and 123 kg K2O ha(-1) in first and second ratoon sugarcane, respectively. At the first 2 yr it was not possible to reduce the K fertilization in ratoon. Therefore, with the introduction of the conservationist system there was an increase (20 t ha(-1)) at the second ratoon regarding the first one with the same applied rate.

Assessment of fungi in soils of sugarcane crops and their potential for production of biomass-degrading enzymes

Soil management practices are konwn to affect the biomass and enzyme activities of microbial soil communities. To assess whether burning of sugarcane prior to harvesting affects the community of soilborne fungi, we collected soil simples in two sites: burned sugarcane culture prior harvesting (BS) and non-burned sugarcane culture (NBS). A total of 75 filamentous fungal isolates were recovered from soils in both sites. Trichoderma was the most prevalent genus in both sites, followed by Fusarium, Cunninghamella and Aspergillus. The Sorensen's index (0.60) suggested a slight difference in fungi associated with both areas, with high number of fungal isolates found on BB soil. The abundance of Trichoderma isolates in NBS soil was higher than BS soil; however, the abundance of Fusarium, Aspergillus and Cunninghamella was higher in the latter type of soil. In addition, fungi isolated from BS soil showed the highest production of xylanase and laccase in comparision with fungi isolated form NBS soil. Our results indicate that the different types of sugarcane harvesting apparently did not interfere with the diversity of fungal communnities as revealed by culture-dependent methods. In addition, our data indicates the potencial of fungi from soils of sugarcane crops to produce relevant enzymes related to biomass conversion.

Sugarcane Bagasse Ash as a Reinforcing Filler in Thermoplastic Elastomers: Structural and Mechanical Characterizations

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Thiamethoxam on the histological characteristics of sugarcane young roots

Thiamethoxam is a systemic insecticide from the neonicotinoid group, nitroguanidin family which affects the nicotinic receptor acetyl choline in the insect membrane, wounding the nervous system and causing the death of the insect. It was used with success in the control of initial pests of several crops. It was considered that thiamethoxam has a bioactivator effect, because in the absence of insects promoted increase in vigor, development and productivity of crops. This work was carried out to verify if thiamethoxam causes histological changes in sugarcane roots. In this work, it was used optical microscopy, images arrest, tissue biometrics and statistical analysis, in young roots of sugarcane RB 83 5486 after the treatments with different thiamethoxam concentrations. It was determined changes in histological structure of tissues 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the treatments, establishing its effects on root plant anatomy. It was verified that thiamethoxam increased root cortex width, increasing the vascular cylinder and the metaxylem vessel elements number in the vascular tissue until 21 days after application.

Evaluation of solid residues removed from a mangrove swamp in the Sao Vicente Estuary, SP, Brazil

Mangrove swamps are found in estuaries along the coastal plains of tropical regions and have be subjected to heavy occupation and use pressure due to their privileged locations and abundance of biological resources. The present work evaluated the ecological characteristics and solid wastes accumulated in eight areas along the Santos - Sao Vicente Estuary Complex. The superficially deposited residues at each sampling site were collected and subsequently washed, drained, counted, weighed and separated into classes according to their composition and predominant use. The predominant litter type in terms of density was plastic (62.81%) and, by weight, wood (55.53%). The greatest deposition of residues was associated with areas that were less inclined and that had low plant density levels, indicating that the presence of obstacles was not critical for retaining floating residues in mangrove areas. The presence of the most frequently encountered types of solid waste residues could be explained by local activities. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A search for markers of sugarcane evolution

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação dos teores de metais pesados no solo e na planta de cana-de-açúcar sob adubação com lodo de esgoto e vinhaça

The objective of this work was to evaluate Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb total contents in soil and sugar cane after four annual applications of sewage sludge and vinasse to supply all N and all K required by the crop. A field experiment was carried out on clayey Typic Haplustox. It was used a randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments consisted in: (i) rate of sewage sludge to supply 100% of the N required by the crop; (ii) rate of sewage sludge to supply 200% of the N required; (iii) rate of vinasse to supply 100% of the K required; (iv) rate of vinasse to supply 200% of the K required; ( v) combination of the treatments ( i) and ( iii); ( vi) combination of the treatments ( ii) e ( iv); (vii) control ( mineral fertilization). The contents of Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb in sewage sludge reached maximum values of 1.58, 41.66, 35.17 and 45.25 mg kg(-1), respectively. These metals were not detected in vinasse. The residues were applied annually for four years. At the end of this period, sewage sludge and vinasse accumulated rates, that get up to 51 t ha(-1) and 762 m(3) ha(-1), respectively, did not cause alteration in Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb total contents in soil, up to 50 cm of depth, and in plant. Sewage sludge and vinasse application to supply N and K for sugar cane did not offer soil pollution risk by heavy metals.

Biochemical and physiological responses of sugarcane cultivars to soil water deficiencies

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influência do resíduo de colheita de cana-de-açúcar sem queima sobre a eficiência dos herbicidas imazapic e imazapic + pendimethalin

Os resíduos deixados sobre o solo por ocasião da colheita mecanizada da cana-de-açúcar podem constituir-se em uma barreira física para a ação dos herbicidas no controle de plantas daninhas, quando aplicados em pré-emergência destas plantas sobre a palha da cana. em virtude disso, o presente trabalho teve por objetivos analisar e quantificar a interferência dessa camada de palha sobre o solo na ação dos herbicidas imazapic e imazapic + pendimethalin no controle de plantas daninhas em áreas onde a cana-de-açúcar foi colhida mecanicamente sem a queima da palhada previamente à colheita. Foram realizados dois ensaios simultâneos: um com a retirada da palha dois dias após a aplicação dos herbicidas e o outro com a manutenção desta, ambos conduzidos em casa de vegetação. O imazapic isolado foi aplicado nas dosagens de 0, 122,5 e 147 g i.a.ha-1 e em mistura com pendimethalin na dosagem de 75 + 1500 g i.a.ha-1, com simulação de chuvas nas intensidades de 30, 60 e 90 mm. Após análise dos resultados de biomassa seca, altura e número de folhas das plantas de Sorghum bicolor e Cyperus rotundus, além de nota visual e biomassa seca de Panicum maximum, Brachiaria plantaginea, Digitaria horizontalis, Amaranthus viridis, Ipomoea grandifolia e Brachiaria decumbens, constatou-se eficiência proporcional dos herbicidas à dosagem utilizada, independentemente da presença da palha, à exceção de Ipomoea grandifolia e Brachiaria decumbens, além de haver menor controle nos tratamentos submetidos à chuva de 90 mm. Esses resultados indicam boas perspectivas quanto à aplicação destes herbicidas em áreas de colheita mecanizada de cana-de-açúcar sem queima, para controle de plantas daninhas em condições de pré-emergência.

Space dependency of chemical attributes in an area with sugarcane plantation in Pereira Barreto, SP

The behavior of the chemical attributes is directly influenced by superficial flow and water movement inside the soil. This work aimed to study the space dependency of chemical attributes in an area with sugarcane plantation in Pereira Barreto, SP. An area of 530.67 hectares was mapped using an equipment of Global Positioning System and obtaining a Digital Elevation Model. A set of 134 soil samples were collected every seven hectares in the depths of 0-0.25 m and 0.80-1.00 m. The pH, organic matter (OM), Ca, Mg, K, BS, CEC and base saturation (BS) were analyzed. All the chemical attributes presented similar behavior in the superficial and subsuperficial layer of the soil, which provided better visualization and definition of the homogeneous tillage zones.

Spatial variability of soil CO2 emission in a sugarcane area characterized by secondary information

Soil CO2 emission (FCO2) is governed by the inherent properties of the soil, such as bulk density (BD). Mapping of FCO2 allows the evaluation and identification of areas with different accumulation potential of carbon. However, FCO2 mapping over larger areas is not feasible due to the period required for evaluation. This study aimed to assess the quality of FCO2 spatial estimates using values of BD as secondary information. FCO2 and BD were evaluated on a regular sampling grid of 60 m × 60 m comprising 141 points, which was established on a sugarcane area. Four scenarios were defined according to the proportion of the number of sampling points of FCO2 to those of BD. For these scenarios, 67 (F67), 87 (F87), 107 (F107) and 127 (F127) FCO2 sampling points were used in addition to 127 BD sampling points used as supplementary information. The use of additional information from the BD provided an increase in the accuracy of the estimates only in the F107, F67 and F87 scenarios, respectively. The F87 scenario, with the approximate ratio between the FCO2 and BD of 1.00:1.50, presented the best relative improvement in the quality of estimates, thereby indicating that the BD should be sampled at a density 1.5 time greater than that applied for the FCO2. This procedure avoided problems related to the high temporal variability associated with FCO2, which enabled the mapping of this variable to be elaborated in large areas.

Validation of the Deardorff model for estimating energy balance components for a sugarcane crop

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)