Sugarcane is one of the most important grass crops. This study evaluated the effects of chemical ripeners on the sugarcane variety SP81-3250 in terms of technological quality. The experiment was arranged in randomized blocks with split split-plots. Main treatments were: 1) Control; 2) Aminolon Maduracion, at a rate of 0.7 L of commercial product (c.p.) ha-1; 3) Aminolon Maduracion, at a rate of 1.0 liter of c.p. ha-1; 4) Aminolon Maduracion, at a rate of 1.3 liter of c.p. ha-1; 5) Trinexapac-ethyl (Moddus), at a rate of 0.8 liter of c.p. ha-1. Secondary treatments were the sampling dates: 10 days before application (- 10 d.a.a.); 11; 46; 71; 100 and 117 d.a.a. (days after application). Ripeners differently affected the technological parameters, and trinexapac-ethyl showed the best behavior, followed by Aminolon (0.7 L of c.p. ha-1). The best results were found at the 3rd and 4th sampling dates, 46 and 71 days after application, respectively.
cane quality; deterioration; technological quality; ripening index; ripeners