Phytotonic effects of thiamethoxam on sugarcane managed with glyphosate as a ripener.

Background: Thiamethoxam and glyphosate are widely used in sugarcane production as an insecticide and ripener, respectively. In this study, the potential of these chemical products to also elicit phytotonic effects and enhance the physiological development and yield of sugarcane was evaluated. In field experiments, thiamethoxam and glyphosate were applied to sugarcane individually or in combination, and the effects of these chemical management strategies on sugarcane biometric and technological parameters were assessed.

Results: Thiamethoxam application improved biometric parameters, especially stalk yield. Glyphosate application increased sugar yield, despite reducing the number of stalks and consequently the stalk yield.

Conclusions: Application of the insecticide thiamethoxam to sugarcane attenuates the depreciative effect of ripener (glyphosate) and has a potential phytotonic effect by increasing sugar yields in the early and late seasons. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.