African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of gypsum application on agro-energy performance of sugarcane varieties cultivated in a semi-arid environment

Henrique Soares de Albuquerque
  • Henrique Soares de Albuquerque
  • Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil (UFRPE), Academic Unit of Serra Talhada, Serra Talhada, Pernambuco State, Brazil.
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Alexandre Tavares da Rocha
  • Alexandre Tavares da Rocha
  • Academic Unit of Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil (UFRPE), Brazil.
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Tiago Barreto Garcez
  • Tiago Barreto Garcez
  • Agronomy Department – Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Sergipe State, Brazil.
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Renato Lemos dos Santos
  • Renato Lemos dos Santos
  • Federal Institute of Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Emídio Cantídio Almeida de Oliveira
  • Emídio Cantídio Almeida de Oliveira
  • Agronomy Department, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil (UFRPE), Brazil.
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Fernando José Freire
  • Fernando José Freire
  • Agronomy Department, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil (UFRPE), Brazil.
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  •  Received: 02 July 2016
  •  Accepted: 15 September 2016
  •  Published: 13 October 2016

Abstract

Brazilian semi-arid soils can be dystrophic and often occur in areas with high agricultural potential. Gypsum application improves chemical and physical soil conditions, favoring root system development of plants and can improve sugarcane production for energy production, as a strategy for sustainable development, avoiding native vegetation destruction in semi-arid regions. This study aimed to analyze the impact of gypsum application on the agro-energy potential of three sugarcane varieties, through MS production, moisture, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, ash and gross calorific value (GCV). The experimental design consisted of 3 (varieties) x 2 (with and without gypsum) over two sugarcane growing periods in a completely randomized block design with four replications. The application of gypsum did not affect the tested agro-energy variables. GCV ranged around 17 MJ kg-1, confirming the suitability of the varieties for bioenergy use in semi-arid regions, but there were no significant differences between sugarcane varieties.

Key words: Bioenergy, Saccharum spp, gross calorific value, oxisoils; soil amendments.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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