Evaluation of sugarcane root growth through images obtained via the minirhizotron method in a ferralsol in the midwest region of Brazil

Abstract

The sugarcane crop has a long history of land use and occupation in Brazil. With the increase in fuel demand, and consequently in planted area, it is observed that some soil physical characteristics, such as high soil density, have limited sugarcane productivity. This work sought to assess sugarcane root system development via minirhizotron, its relationships with the physical, water and chemical attributes of the soil, as well as possible genetic interferences for plant development. The experiment was carried out in a Ferralsol soil located in Goianésia, state of Goiás, Brazil. The varieties studied were RB034045, RB987935 and RB985476. Based on crop productivity, it is possible to observe that in homogeneous soil and climate development conditions, the varieties develop mainly in the 0–0.20 m layer. When introducing restrictions in subsequent layers, the variety RB034045 showed higher yield and root volume, possibly due to genetic factors, but the variety RB985476 showed higher economic value due to the better development of the root system in deeper layers when compared to the other varieties studied.