The objective of this research was to evaluate the technological quality of sugarcane, variety RB855453, in different portions of the stalks after the application of ripeners with distinct mechanisms of action and the effects on productivity and agricultural contribution margin. The experimental design was the completely randomized block with six replications. The treatments consisted of the application of three ripeners (two of them within the class of growth inhibitors - glyphosate, sulfometuron methyl) and one within the class of growth retardants (KNO3), with the addition 1% of vegetable oil, and the control (natural ripening). Treatments with KNO3 and sulfometuron methyl, as well as control, did not cause any damage to the development of stalks. Treatments with glyphosate and sulfometuron methyl increased technological quality of the raw material, evaluated up to 35 days after application; this contributed to the ripening process and allowed harvest to occur in advance when compared to the control (natural ripening) and the treatment with KNO3, increasing the profit. Treatment with glyphosate reduced productivity of stalks, but increased pol in cane in the superior portion of the stalks, which increased cutting height.
Saccharum spp; biometry; glyphosate; potassium nitrate; sulfometuron methyl; ripening
