Search Results (103)

The Amazon Deforestation Arc remains a critical region for environmental governance, where land-use strategies must consider distinct legal and institutional frameworks across the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. This study applies the Potential Productivity Model (M3P), a theoretical radiation-based framework, to estimate the upper physiological limits of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) productivity on degraded pastures within the Arc of Deforestation. The model integrates satellite-derived solar radiation with climatic variables to quantify potential productivity under optimal biophysical conditions, providing an objective benchmark for planning-oriented bioenergy assessments. Estimated potential yields range from 153 to 178 t·ha⁻¹·yr⁻¹, consistent with global reference values reported for sugarcane in high-radiation environments and relevant for informing public policies such as Brazil’s Agroecological Zoning of Sugarcane. The results demonstrate that agroclimatic potential alone is insufficient to guide land-use decisions. While degraded pastures associated with the Cerrado biome may accommodate sugarcane cultivation as part of productive land recovery strategies, areas belonging to the Amazon biome require priority actions focused on ecological restoration through agroforestry and integrated crop–livestock–forest systems. Overall, the M3P model offers a scalable and scientifically grounded decision-support framework for strategic planning in environmentally sensitive tropical regions. Full article

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) cause yield losses in various crops worldwide. Damage due to PPNs can be severe, causing billions of dollars of crop losses across the globe annually. Information about PPNs occurrence in Mozambique is limited. Based on the literature, twenty-five genera of PPNs have been reported to affect several economically important crops, including root-knot nematodes (RKNs, Meloidogyne spp.), Scutellonema spp., root-lesion nematodes (RLNs, Pratylenchus spp.), spiral nematodes (Helicotylenchus spp.), and the dagger nematode (Xiphinema spp.), which are commonly associated with crops such as banana (Musa spp.), cassava (Manihot esculenta), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), maize (Zea mays), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Dissemination of these nematodes is not yet fully understood, but the importation of plants, roots, rhizomes, and/or seeds likely contributes to the introduction and spread of PPNs. Although the implementation of PPN-mitigation strategies is crucial to crop production, their application is still limited in Mozambique, with quite a few reported uses of nematicides in the Manica and Maputo provinces. Therefore, adopting integrated management strategies that combine two or more practices, such as biological control, crop rotation, organic amendments, soil solarization, and, as a last resort, chemical nematicides, may be an option to effectively reduce the population of PPNs. This review gathers information on the occurrence and management of PPNs, as reported to date in Mozambique. Full article

Potassium (K) is the nutrient most required by sugarcane crops and is predominantly supplied through potassium chloride (KCl). However, as KCl production is highly concentrated in a few countries, Brazil—the world’s largest sugarcane producer—relies heavily on imported K fertilizers. In this context, identifying alternative sources, even if also imported, is strategic to diversify supply and reduce the risks associated with dependence on a single product. This study evaluated the performance of polyhalite, a natural multinutrient mineral, compared with KCl, as an alternative fertilizer for ratoon cane (CTC 4 variety) grown in a clay-textured Oxisol in Jataí, Brazil. A two-year field experiment was conducted evaluating four treatments: control (without K fertilization), KCl, polyhalite, and a 25/75 polyhalite + KCl blend. Potassium fertilization increased culm yield by about 38–61% compared with the unfertilized control. In addition, the association of polyhalite + KCl promoted greater plant height compared to the treatment without K fertilization and, when comparing the K sources applied alone, polyhalite promoted a larger culm diameter and a higher leaf S content than KCl. These results demonstrate the agronomic advantages of polyhalite and its blends for sugarcane fertilization, which reiterates their potential as efficient and sustainable alternatives to KCl and as part of a broader strategy for fertilizer-source diversification. Full article

Drought significantly impacts nutrient use efficiencies and sugarcane biomass. Interspecific hybridization between Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum may improve drought resistance and enhance nutrient use efficiency. This research enhances the understanding of nutrient (N, P, and K) use efficiency and the biomass of interspecific hybrids and commercial sugarcane genotypes under early drought and recovery. The experiment was conducted using a split plot in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications. The main plot consisted of two water regimes (well-watered, WW, and early drought stress, DS), whereas the subplot consisted of six diverse sugarcane genotypes. Biomass, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), and potassium use efficiency (KUE) were measured 6, 8, and 12 months after transplanting (MAT). The results showed that drought reduced NUE, PUE, KUE, and biomass in all sugarcane genotypes throughout the drought period at 6 MAT. F03-362 and KK09-0358 had high biomass and NUE under drought stress. Meanwhile, F03-362 displayed consistently high biomass, NUE, PUE, and KUE during the recovery phase (8 MAT) as well as at 12 MAT under DS conditions, whereas TPJ04-768 showed high biomass only at 12 MAT. These contrasting responses highlight the important implications of selecting parental genotypes to improve nutrient use efficiency and biomass under early drought stress. Full article

Cellulose is the primary component of plant cell walls, and its content is linked to the strength of plant stems. The cellulose synthase genes (CesA) are crucial for regulating cellulose biosynthesis. To examine the characteristics and functions of CesA genes in sugarcane, our study conducted a genome-wide analysis of the Saccharum officinarum LA-Purple genome. The results identified 10 CesA genes in the S. officinarum genome, which could be grouped into six categories. SoCesA10, SoCesA11, and SoCesA12 are clustered within the same subclass as genes involved in secondary cell wall synthesis in rice and Arabidopsis. Further transcriptome analysis of stems at different stages and sections showed that SoCesA10, SoCesA11, and SoCesA12 were highly expressed during mature stages. Among these, SoCesA10 and SoCesA11 showed differences in expression between species and organs. Their gene functions were also validated in rice, revealing that the expression of SoCesA10 and SoCesA11 was positively correlated with cellulose content. In summary, this study identified key cellulose biosynthesis genes, SoCesA10 and SoCesA11, in sugarcane and preliminarily confirmed their functions in rice, providing a foundation for breeding sugarcane with improved lodging resistance. Full article

Due to its benefits and efficiency, mechanized sugarcane harvest is a common practice in Brazil; however, continuous traffic of agricultural machinery leads to soil compaction at the end of each harvest cycle. Hence, this study evaluated whether machine traffic affects soil physical and hydraulic properties, root growth, and crop productivity in sugarcane areas during different harvest cycles. Four treatments were performed consisting of an area planted with different stages (years) of sugarcane crop: T1 = after the first harvest—plant cane (area 1); T2 = after the second harvest—first ratoon cane (area 2); T3 = after the third harvest—second ratoon cane (area 3); T4 = after fourth harvest—third ratoon cane (area 4). Five sampling sites were considered in each area, constituting five replicates collected from four layers. Two collection positions were considered: wheel track (WT) and planting row (PR). Soil physical properties, root system, productivity, and biometric characteristics of the sugarcane crop were evaluated at depths of 0.00–0.05 m, 0.05–0.10 m, 0.10–0.20 m, and 0.20–0.40 m. Traffic during the sugarcane crop growth cycles affected soil physical and hydraulic properties, showing sensitivity to the effects of the different treatments, producing variations in root growth and crop productivity. Plant cane cycle showed lower soil penetration resistance, bulk density, microporosity, higher saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, and macroporosity when compared with the other cycles studied. In the 0.10–0.20 m layer, all treatments produced higher soil penetration resistance and density, and lower saturated soil hydraulic conductivity. Dry biomass, volume, and root area were higher for the plant cane cycle in the 0.00–0.05 m and 0.05–0.10 m layers compared with the other crop cycles. Root dry biomass is directly related to crop productivity in layers up to 0.40 m deep. Sugarcane productivity was affected along the crop cycles, with higher productivity observed in the plant cane and first ratoon cane cycles compared with the second and third ratoon cane cycles. Full article

Water contamination by heavy metals, particularly lead, derived from industrialization, climate change, and urbanization, represents a critical risk to human health and the environment. Several agricultural biomass residues have demonstrated efficacy as contaminant adsorbents. In this context, the study aimed to evaluate the potential of sugarcane tip (ST) waste biomass treated by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to produce hydrochar as an adsorbent material for Pb²⁺ in aqueous solutions. Samples were synthesized from the waste biomass at temperatures of 180 °C, 215 °C, and 250 °C, with a constant pressure of 6 MPa. Aqueous solutions of Pb²⁺ were prepared at concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/L. Each solution was stirred at 1 g of hydrochar at 150 rpm, 25 °C, and pH 5 for 15 to 120 min. The solutions were filtered and stored at 4 °C for flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry analysis. In all cases, equilibrium was reached rapidly—within 15 min or less—as indicated by the stabilization of q_t values over time. At an initial concentration of 100 mg L⁻¹, the highest equilibrium uptake was observed for the hydrochar synthesized at ST HTC 180 °C (4.90 mg g⁻¹), followed by 4.58 mg g⁻¹ and 4.52 mg g⁻¹ for ST HTC 215 °C and ST HTC 250 °C, respectively. For the ST HTC 180 °C, the Sips model provided the best correlation with the experimental data, exhibiting a high maximum capacity (q_max = 240.8 mg g⁻¹; K_s = 0.007; n = 1.09; R² = 0.975), which reinforces the heterogeneous nature of the material’s surface. Hydrothermal synthesis increased the amount of acidic active sites in the ST HTC 180 °C material from 1.3950 to 3.8543 meq g⁻¹, which may influence the electrical charge of the Pb²⁺ adsorption process. HTC-treated sugarcane tip biomass represents a promising alternative for the synthesis of adsorbent materials, contributing to water remediation and promoting the circular economy by sustainably utilizing agricultural waste. Full article

This paper presents a dataset for a comparative analysis of direct (spectrophotometric) and indirect (multispectral imagery-based) methods for quantifying crop leaf chlorophyll content. The dataset originates from a study conducted in the Department of Cauca, Colombia, a region characterized by diverse agricultural production. Data collection focused on seven economically important crops, namely coffee (Coffea arabica), Hass avocado (Persea americana), potato (Solanum tuberosum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum), corn (Zea mays) and banana (Musa paradisiaca). Sampling was conducted across various locations and phenological stages (healthy, wilted, senescent), with each leaf subdivided into six sections (A–F) to facilitate the analysis of intra-leaf chlorophyll distribution. Direct measurements of leaf chlorophyll content were obtained by laboratory spectrophotometry following the method of Jeffrey and Humphrey, allowing for the determination of chlorophyll A and B content. Simultaneously, indirect estimates of leaf chlorophyll content were obtained from multispectral images captured at the leaf level using a MicaSense Red-Edge camera under controlled illumination. A set of 32 vegetation indices was then calculated from these multispectral images using MATLAB. Both direct and indirect methods were applied to the same leaf samples to allow for direct comparison. The dataset, provided as an Excel (.xlsx) file, comprises raw data covering laboratory-measured chlorophyll A and B content and calculated values for the 32 vegetation indices. Each row of the tabular dataset represents an individual leaf sample, identified by plant species, leaf identifier, and phenological stage. The resulting dataset, containing 16,660 records, is structured to support research evaluating the direct relationship between spectrophotometric measurements and multispectral image-based vegetation indices for estimating leaf chlorophyll content. Spearman’s correlation coefficient reveals significant positive relationships between leaf chlorophyll content and several vegetation indices, highlighting its potential for a nondestructive assessment of this pigment. Therefore, this dataset offers significant potential for researchers in remote sensing, precision agriculture, and plant physiology to assess the accuracy and reliability of various vegetation indices in diverse crops and conditions, develop and refine chlorophyll estimation models, and execute meta-analyses or comparative studies on leaf chlorophyll quantification methodologies. Full article

The sugarcane crop is of great economic relevance to Brazil, and the precise productivity estimation is a major challenge in production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the productivity of sugarcane cultivars in different regions, using multispectral sensors embedded in RPAs and biometric variables sampled in the field. The study was conducted in two experimental areas, located in the municipalities of Itirapina-SP and Iracemápolis-SP, with 16 cultivars in a randomized block design. The images were acquired using the multispectral sensor MicaSense Altum, allowing the extraction of spectral bands and vegetation indices. In parallel, biometric variables were collected at 149 and 295 days after planting (DAP). The machine learning models Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) were calibrated using different sets of variables, and, despite the similar performance, it was decided to use the model derived from XGBoost in the analyses, since it deals more effectively with overfitting. The results indicated a good performance of the model (R² = 0.83 and 0.66; RMSE = 18.7 t ha⁻¹ and 25.3 t ha⁻¹; MAE = 15.7 and 20.2; RPIQ = 3.22 and 2.61) for the validations K-fold and Leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). The correlations between biometric variables, spectral bands, and vegetation indices varied according to crop development stage. The leaf insertion angle presented a strong correlation with near-infrared (NIR) (r = 0.76) and the indices ExG and VARI (r = 0.70 and r = 0.69, respectively). The present work demonstrated that the integration between multispectral and biometric data represents a promising approach for estimating sugarcane productivity. Full article

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), a vital economic crop, suffers significant yield losses from drought. This study elucidates the genetic regulation of lignin biosynthesis—a key drought-resistance mechanism—by analyzing three contrasting accessions: drought-sensitive Saccharum officinarum (Badila), drought-resistant hybrid (XTT22), and drought-tolerant wild Saccharum spontaneum (SES-208) under progressive drought (7–21 days). Physiological analyses revealed pronounced lignin accumulation in XTT22 roots/leaves, driven by elevated coniferyl/sinapyl alcohol substrates, while Badila showed minimal deposition. Genomic characterization of cinnamyl/sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD/SAD) families across six sugarcane genomes identified 322 genes phylogenetically clustered into three clades. Class I members (CAD1, CAD5, etc.) were critical for lignin biosynthesis, with tandem/segmental duplications driving family expansion and promoters enriched in stress-responsive cis-elements (ABA, MeJA, light). Transcriptomics and qRT-PCR confirmed strong correlations between Class I CAD expression, lignin content, and drought tolerance. These findings establish CAD Class I genes as novel molecular targets for enhancing drought resilience in sugarcane breeding programs. Full article

In this study, we aimed to evaluate physiological and agronomic traits in 120 sugarcane genotypes under early drought stress conditions in a field trial across various soil types. The experiment used a split-plot arrangement, with a randomized complete block design and two replications. Two different water regimes were assigned to the main plot: (1) non-water stress (CT) and (2) drought (DT) at the early growth stage, during which sugarcane was subjected to drought stress by withholding water for 4 months. The subplot consisted of 120 sugarcane genotypes. The stalk height, stalk diameter, number of stalks, photosynthetic traits including SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were measured at 3, 6, and 9 months after planting (MAP). Yield and yield component parameters were measured at 12 MAP. Drought treatments lead to significant changes in various physiological traits in the sugarcane. Clustering analysis classified 36 sugarcane varieties grown in sandy loam soil and 15 genotypes in loam soil into two main clusters. In sandy loam soils, Biotec4 and CO1287 exhibited outstanding performance in drought conditions, delivering high cane yields. Meanwhile, in loam soil, MPT13-118, MPT07-1, Q47, F174, MPT14-1-902, and UT1 exhibited the best drought tolerance. Under drought conditions, cluster 1 showed higher values for SCMR, NDVI, height growth rate (HGR), cane yield, and drought tolerance index compared to cluster 2. These findings suggest that breeders can utilize these genotypes to enhance drought resistance, and the identified physiological traits can assist in selecting stronger candidates for drought tolerance. Full article

The success of optimal ruminant production relies heavily on feed efficiency to deliver the necessary nutrients to animals. Nutritional deficiencies in livestock pose a significant challenge in regions experiencing prolonged fluctuations in resource availability and quality. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate the cumulative gas production (CGP) and in vitro degradability of silages made from spineless forage cactus (a native species) combined with high-fiber ingredients, to evaluate their viability as a sustainable, low-cost alternative to animal feed. The experiment involved ensiling spineless cactus genotypes with varying levels of sugarcane bagasse (0, 150, 300, 450, and 600 g/kg of dry matter) and a 1% urea–ammonium sulfate solution. The results indicated that for all genotypes studied, the CGP curves from silage composed solely of forage cactus differed significantly from those containing bagasse, which exhibited an initial phase characterized by little or no gas production. In vitro degradability was negatively influenced by the inclusion of bagasse at any level, resulting in decreased dry matter and organic matter degradability, as well as reduced CGP with increasing bagasse concentration. Therefore, the study demonstrated that the proposed combination of ingredients represents a promising sustainable feed supplement to enhance animal nutrition. Silage containing 150 g/kg of bagasse treated with urea offers a favorable balance between the energy required by rumen microflora and the benefits of fiber presence. Full article

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP) is a crucial regulatory enzyme in sucrose synthesis and photosynthetic carbon assimilation, functioning through two distinct isoforms: cytosolic FBP (cyFBP) and chloroplastic FBP (cpFBP). However, the identification and functional characterization of FBP genes in Saccharum remains limited. In this study, we conducted a systematic identification and comparative genomics analyses of FBPs in three Saccharum species. We further examined their expression patterns across leaf developmental zones, spatiotemporal profiles, and responses to diurnal rhythms and hormonal treatments. Our analysis identified 95 FBP genes, including 44 cyFBPs and 51 cpFBPs. Comparative analyses revealed significant divergence in physicochemical properties, gene structures, and motif compositions between the two isoforms. Expression profiling indicated that both cyFBPs and cpFBPs were predominantly expressed in leaves, particularly in maturing and mature zones. During diurnal cycles, their expression peaked around the night–day transition, with cpFBPs exhibiting earlier peaks than cyFBPs. FBP genes in Saccharum spontaneum displayed greater diurnal sensitivity than those in Saccharum officinarum. Hormonal treatments further revealed significant regulatory divergence in FBP genes, both between isoforms and across species. Notably, cyFBP_2 and cpFBP_2 members consistently exhibited higher expression levels across all datasets, suggesting their pivotal roles in sugarcane physiology. These findings not only identify potential target genes for enhancing sucrose accumulation, but also highlight the breeding value of S. spontaneum and S. officinarum in sugarcane breeding. Full article

The sugarcane industry plays a crucial economic role worldwide, with sucrose and ethanol as its main products. However, its processing generates large volumes of by-products—such as bagasse, molasses, vinasse, and straw—that contain valuable components for biotechnological valorization. This review integrates approximately 100 original research articles published in JCR-indexed journals between 2015 and 2025, of which over 50% focus specifically on sugarcane-derived agroindustrial residues. The biotechnological approaches discussed include submerged fermentation, solid-state fermentation, enzymatic biocatalysis, and anaerobic digestion, highlighting their potential for the production of biofuels, enzymes, and high-value bioproducts. In addition to identifying current advances, this review addresses key technical challenges such as (i) the need for efficient pretreatment to release fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass; (ii) the compositional variability of by-products like vinasse and molasses; (iii) the generation of metabolic inhibitors—such as furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural—during thermochemical processes; and (iv) the high costs related to inputs like hydrolytic enzymes. Special attention is given to detoxification strategies for inhibitory compounds and to the integration of multifunctional processes to improve overall system efficiency. The final section outlines emerging trends (2024–2025) such as the use of CRISPR-engineered microbial consortia, advanced pretreatments, and immobilization systems to enhance the productivity and sustainability of bioprocesses. In conclusion, the valorization of sugarcane by-products through biotechnology not only contributes to waste reduction but also supports circular economy principles and the development of sustainable production models. Full article

This research work focused on the development of an adsorbent biocomposite material based on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and cellulose acetate derived from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) fibre, through cellulose acetylation. The resulting material represents both an accessible and effective alternative for the treatment and remediation of water contaminated with heavy metals, such as Ni (II). The biocomposite was prepared by blending cellulose acetate (CA) with the biopolymer PHB using the solvent-casting method. The resulting biocomposite exhibited a point of zero charge (pHpzc) of 5.6. The material was characterised by FTIR, TGA-DSC, and SEM analyses. The results revealed that the interaction between Ni (II) ions and the biocomposite is favoured by the presence of functional groups, such as –OH, C=O, and N–H, which act as active adsorption sites on the material’s surface, enabling efficient interaction with the metal ions. Adsorption kinetics studies revealed that the biocomposite achieved an optimal adsorption capacity of 5.042 mg/g at pH 6 and an initial Ni (II) concentration of 35 mg/L, corresponding to a removal efficiency of 86.44%. Finally, an analysis of the kinetic and isotherm models indicated that the experimental data best fit the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich isotherm. Full article