ABSTRACT
Extended periods of water stress negatively affect sugarcane crop production. The foliar application of supplements containing specific nutrients and/or organic molecules such as amino acids can improve sugarcane metabolism, stalk and sugar yields, and the quality of the extracted juice. The present study assessed the effectiveness of the foliar application of an abiotic stress protection complement (ASPC) composed of 18 amino acids and 5 macronutrients. The experiments were carried out in the field with two treatments and twelve replicates. The two treatments were no application of ASPC (control) and foliar application of ASPC. The foliar application of ASPC increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (DPPH) was higher in ASPC-treated plants than in control plants, reflecting higher antioxidant enzyme activity and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The level of H2O2 was 11.27 nM g-1 protein in plants treated with ASPC but 23.71 nM g-1 protein in control plants. Moreover, the application of ASPC increased stalk yield and sucrose accumulation, thus increasing the quality of the raw material. By positively stabilizing the cellular redox balance in sugarcane plants, ASPC application also increased energy generation. Therefore, applying ASPC is an effective strategy for relieving water stress while improving crop productivity.
ABSTRACT
Invertases play an essential role in partitioning photosynthates between storage and growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of acid and neutral invertases and the role they play in controlling the accumulation of sucrose in sugarcane as a result of the application of plant regulators in the beginning of the cropping season.A randomized block experimental design was adopted, with five replicates.The treatments consisted in the application of three plant regulators of the class of growth inhibitors (Sulfomethuron-methyl - 20g ha-1, Glyphosate - 0.4L ha-1, and Compounds from organic carboxylic radicals + Glyphosate - 1L ha-1 + 0.15L ha-1), in addition to a control (natural ripening).The acid and neutral invertase levels are affected in different ways and intensities, due to the active principle used as ripening agent and to the weather conditions.In sugarcane variety RB85-5453, with the conditions described in this experiment, it is suggested high levels of soluble acid invertase in relation to levels of neutral invertase; however, the first was characterized by high sucrose content in the stalks.Inverse correlation could be established for sugarcane variety RB85-5453 between soluble acid invertase levels and effective sucrose accumulation in the stalks.
Invertases desempenham um papel essencial no particionamento de fotossintatos entre armazenamento e crescimento. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade das enzimas invertases ácida e alcalina (neutra) e o papel que desempenham no controle do acúmulo de sacarose em cana-de-açúcar, como resultado da aplicação de reguladores vegetais no início da época de colheita. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram na aplicação de três reguladores vegetais da classe dos inibidores de crescimento (Sulfometuron-metil - 20g ha-1, Glifosato - 0,4L ha-1, e Compostos de radicais carboxílicos orgânicos + Glifosato - 1L ha-1 + 0,15L ha-1), além do controle (maturação natural). Os níveis das invertases ácida e neutra são afetados de maneiras e intensidades distintas, devido ao princípio ativo utilizado como agente de maturação e das condições meteorológicas. Para a variedade RB85-5453, nas condições descritas neste experimento, sugerem-se níveis elevados de SAI em relação à NI;no entanto, a primeira foi caracterizada por um elevado teor de sacarose nos colmos. Correlação inversa pode ser estabelecida entre a atividade da invertase ácida e o acúmulo de sacarose.
