Environmental monitoring and modeling of the genetic potential of sugarcane cultivars under appropriate water availability in the soil

Abstract

The need for biofuels production is a growing concern on modern society due to the sustainability of the activities associated with the growth of human population and the growing economic demand. The expansion of sugarcane cultivation has been taking place in both adequate and marginal lands. When cultivation takes place on the so-called marginal lands, this terminology is used due to the characteristics related to soil and/or climate. Thus, studies that may correlate the development of new genotypes in relation to climatic changes, cultivation under DEF and under appropriate conditions of water availability in the soil are very relevant. To understand the dynamics involved in the process of water transference in the soil-plant-atmosphere system and their interactions on the productive system, with different genotypes, it becomes necessary the use of sensors for monitoring the climate, soil water and their interaction with the development of plants. These evaluations enable the development a model of plant growth to make production estimates. Currently, irrigation in Brazil is mainly used for vinasse application. The areas irrigated systemically are still just few if compared to the potential for the use of this technique. The use of irrigation in sugarcane may bring great advance on the increase of fertilization efficiency for this crop, especially when drip fertirrigation is adopted. Studies about use of sensors for monitoring are important to establish cultivation strategies for sustainability. The dynamism of process involved in the experimentation, the interface with different areas of knowledge such as irrigation, climate, soil, water, wireless sensors networks and informatics will offer conditions for the application of the knowledge in the field conditions under different ecological areas and genotypes. (AU)