The impact of sugarcane monoculture with pre-harvest burning and nitrogen fertilization on the environment. I. Carbon balance
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Abstract
is a common practice in sugarcane-growing countries causing
environmental degradation. In this regard, an investigation
was carried out for 27 years, with the objective of defining the
behavior of C content and balance in a sugarcane agro-ecosystem
where burning is applied to harvesting. A long-term N level
trial was conducted under unirrigated conditions, with four
planting cycles and 24 harvests. An eutric typical Red Ferralitic
soil was used. Soil samples (0.00-0.30 m) were taken from each
plot before planting and after some harvestings, besides
determining its organic matter through Walkley & Black´s
method. Soil organic C variation in time was fitted by means of
Corg= a+bt1/2 equation. The total C input quantity per treatment
was calculated according to the whole amount of above-ground
biomass expressed in dry matter and C %. The entire C emitted
to the atmosphere was estimated by taking into account soil
organic C output and C emitted by dry leaf burning effect. The
final C balance in the agro-ecosystem was calculated by adding
to the total C released to the atmosphere the one that was
exported with stalks from the field and subtracting the resulting
annual C captured per treatment. Soil organic C decreased,
even without applying mineral fertilizers (2.05 to 1.43 %). The
applied N had no effect on soil organic C decrement. The total C
lost from sugarcane agro-ecosystem, considering the one
exported by stalks, was similar to that captured by the above-ground
biomass; therefore, net balance tended to zero. As C fixed by
sugarcane roots and stubble was not considered to estimate
C balance, the net balance was positive towards the capture.
In spite of the fact that soil fertility proved to be injured, the
atmosphere was not contaminated by C concentration
increment.
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