Effects by stalk lodging on productivity of sugarcane are of interest of researchers in several regions around of the world. However, this research still is scarce in Brazil. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects caused by lodging and emergence of suckers on biometric parameters and productivity of two cultivars. The experiment was carried out in Jaú, State of São Paulo, between March 2003 and September 2004, in the completely randomized blocks, in a factorial design with four treatments (two varieties and two crop managements) in four replicates. The managements consisted of plants maintained erect and under stalk lodging. Biometric data and amount of suckers were assessed at 5, 50, 95, 140 and 185 days after lodging (DAL). Lodging increased the stalk length and stalk number up to 95 DAL, but the emergence of suckers was favored, for both cultivars and consequently the stalk productivity was increased. Harvest should be done after 95 DAL in order to avoid excess of young stalks.
Saccharum spp.; growing habit; sucker; lodging
