Drip irrigation can be a solution for sugarcane fields hit by frost

Recently, sugarcane fields in the central south region, mainly in the states of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul, suffered enormously with a sequence of 3 strong frosts. It is estimated that this phenomenon led to losses of between 5 and 15% in sugarcane productivity, without adding to the losses already caused by the severe drought we experienced in 2021.

Productivity losses occur because low temperatures kill the apical bud of the plants, preventing them from growing. Furthermore, depending on the age of the sugarcane field, quality loss may occur, that is, a reduction in ATR. When this happens we have 3 alternatives:

Regardless of the alternative, productivity losses will already occur, not only in this harvest, but also in the subsequent harvest.

Even in an adverse situation, anyone who owns drip irrigation can use this tool to reduce losses in productivity. And I'm not saying that irrigation will prevent plants from dying, but rather that irrigation can help in the development of a new crop cycle.

For example, if it is necessary to harvest, mow or wait for new tillering, the sugarcane field will need water and nutrients for this process. And how will this happen, if the rains are only expected to return in October?

With the drip system it is possible to supply water to the plants in the correct quantity and time. Furthermore, we can use Nutrirrigation, applying fertilizers based on nitrogen, zinc and boron, leading the plant to greater initial vegetative development. And finally, through the “Drip Protection” technology we can apply stimulants (chemical or biological), thus leading to an acceleration in plant growth.

The drip irrigation system applies water directly to the root region, at high frequency and low intensity of application, through emitters known as drippers, aiming to overcome the plant's water deficiency, and keeping the soil close to its field capacity. Emitters can be buried or surface according to the needs and characteristics of the crop to be irrigated.

Due to these characteristics, we can conclude that the drip irrigation system is a very useful tool to reduce the damage caused by the frost that affected sugarcane fields in 2021.

Daniel Pedroso, Netafim Agronomic Specialist