Between protection and challenge: the role of sugarcane straw

However, its effects can vary according to the volume and distribution of the straw, as well as the species present. In areas of first harvest, it is observed that a thick layer significantly reduces the emergence of weeds, but exposed soil points favor the appearance of resistant species, such as corda-de-viola (Merremia cissoides), which adapts even under adverse conditions. The first cut of sugarcane usually leaves over 20 tons of straw per hectare on the soil, intensifying both the benefits and the challenges in chemical management. This same layer that protects the soil can also hinder the efficiency of pre-emergent herbicides, interfering with the availability of the product and its contact with the soil. Presoto explains that factors such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall regime directly influence the performance of herbicides, according to characteristics such as ...