Abstract

The great expansion of sugar cane production to non-traditional regions in Brazil has demonstrated the importance of knowledge on the growth characteristics to maintain the productivity and sustainability of the sector. Among the alternatives available to evaluate different varieties of sugar cane, the growth analysis has been one of the most used tools. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and development of three varieties of sugar cane for the Pre-Amazon region of Brazil. The varieties used were RB 867515, RB 863129 and RB 92579, and the following parameters of growth were evaluated: accumulation of biomass on the part area, leaf area, number of plants, height of stems, the nitrogen content in different parts of the plant (stem and leaf+3), brix and productivity. For that, samples were collected at 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 days after planting. For all collecting dates and at 300 days after planting the variety RB 863129 presented better results (P<0.05) for plant height, stem dry weight, N content in leaf+3  and final yield compared to the varieties RB92579 and RB 867515. There was no difference for number of plants (P>0.05) for the varieties RB 863129 and RB 92579. Leaf area was greater (P<0.05) for the variety RB 867515; and nitrogen content of stems were greater for the variety RB 92579 at 300 days after planting. Overall, the RB 863129 variety was the most promising for cultivation in this region during the sugarcane-plant season.

Key words: Biomass, crop development analysis, selection of varieties.