The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of lignin and cellulose in sugarcane after application of ripeners. The experiment was carried out in a sugarcane ratoon area, variety SP803280 in Igaraçu Tietê, São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. The treatments consisted of application of two ripeners: sulfometuron methyl (Curavial) and glyphosate (Roundup Original). The doses used were: glyphosate 200 mL pc ha-1; glyphosate at 400 mL p.c. ha-1, glyphosate at 200 mL p.c. ha-1 plus sulfometuron methyl at 10 g p.c. ha-1; glyphosate at 150 mL p.c. ha-1 plus sulfometuron methyl at 12 g p.c. ha-1; sulfometuron methyl at 20 g p.c. ha-1 and the untreated control without ripener application. Lignin and cellulose analyses were made using acid detergent lignin modified. Glyphosate and sulfometuron methyl altered lignin levels at harvest and during sugarcane growth (months after application of the products). In general, glyphosate at 200 mL ha-1 promoted reductions in lignin compared to the control, while sulfometuron methyl isolated at a dose of 10 g ha-1 promoted an increase in the levels of this compound in sugarcane.
biomass; growth regulators; secondary metabolism; Saccharum spp
