Even when used at low doses, or used as growth regulators, herbicides can change the morphology and physiology of the plant, leading to qualitative and quantitative changes in production. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic efficiency and the effects during sugarcane ratoon growth after applying low doses of glyphosate and sulfometuron-methyl. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of application of two herbicides (glyphosate and sulfometuron-methyl at various doses and mixtures) and a control (without herbicide application). One row of plants was used to measure technological quality, with a random 1 m being established for each sampling time. The stems collected were submitted to apical bud emergence and defoliation and were sent to be processed according to the methodology of the Cane Payment System based on Sucrose Content (CPSSC), considering the following technological parameters: pol cane (PCC), broth purity (BP), total recoverable sugar (TRS), and Brix. The stumps were analyzed for sugarcane growth (height and tillers). Evaluations were performed during pre-harvest (30 DAA), 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after harvest. The treatments with glyphosate and sulfometuron-methyl provided improved technological quality of the raw material, with significant increases in broth purity and Brix. Herbicide application did not affect productivity and sugar content. There was a stimulating effect on tillering with glyphosate at a dose of 400 mL, and growth reduction (height) at the start of cane development, but such effect was not maintained along time.
Saccharum spp.; sugarcane; growth regulators
