Yields and economic results of sugarcane cultivation under an alternative system compared to traditional management

Abstract

In the traditional method of managing sugarcane in Argentina, the entire field where the crop will be planted is severely ploughed, requiring large amounts of energy. In addition, during the subsequent maintenance tasks, furrows are worked at depth, reducing their yielding capacity and making them more vulnerable to traffic from farming equipment, harvesters and heavy trucks. The use of this system during prolonged periods of monoculture affects the soil physical integrity, compromising yields and the efficient use of the inputs. It was necessary, therefore, to develop an enhanced alternative management system to the traditional one in order to revert, stop or mitigate soil deterioration and improve crop economic results. A possible solution was to use energy only where it could be harnessed by the roots of the crop and maintain, without disturbing, the traffic lanes throughout the cane cycle. In order to implement this form of controlled-traffic management, an experimental scarifier for deep strip-tillage was developed and manufactured. Since 2013, trials have been carried out at EEA INTA Famaillá (Tucumán) comparing both cultivation technologies. Results indicate that, during the cane production stage, fuel consumption, energy requirements and operating times and costs can be reduced by 60-70% with this new management system. The average gross margin over five harvests was approximately 15% than that of the traditional management system, due to an increase in yields and fewer maintenance tasks required by the new technology. The new system is presented as less operationally complex, economically profitable and a more sustainable management alternative.