Amicarbazone is the active ingredient indicated for sugarcane in Brazil, points out UPL Brasil

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

Amicarbazone is the active ingredient meant for application to the sugarcane crop in Brazil, stated agronomist Luciano Almeida, a specialist in business management and a marketing supervisor for sugarcane and pasture at UPL Brasil. 

According to Almeida, this molecule can be applied individually, or in combination with hexazinone and diuron, or added to tebuthiuron as herbicides with a broad spectrum of control, including for resistant plants.

He drew attention to the fact that the harvest period between April and November in the South-Center of Brazil is at risk with spreading weeds. “Amid the drought and the cold (and even frost) that arrive in the country at this time of year, mechanized harvesting has been done with raw cane, which generates a straw mat that can be a propitious factor for the development of dangerous weeds, especially with broad leaves and which can show resistance.”

“The losses are great. Ipomoea purpurea, for example, is present in 50% of cane fields. Panicum maximum Jacq, if not fought, generates losses of up to 60% in the crop, depending on the infestation and the stage of cultivation. When there is no treatment, or the treatment is ineffective, some of these enemies can totally devastate the plantation,” Almeida explained.

These active ingredients, he pointed out, are present in the herbicides Dinamic and Oris, manufactured by UPL. “They are formulated with the ability to transpose the straw, causing low photodegradation and a long residual period. Herbicides in ready mixes are relevant resources to assist in the management of weeds with quality, providing practicality, safety, synergy and efficiency in use,” he stated.

Brazil has more than 66 million hectares of sugarcane treated with pesticides, and considering the cultivated area, the number of products and applications, it shows that pests and diseases are a matter of great concern in the country. “Investing in efficient management means going to the maximum quality of the cane field and maintaining high productivity, with sustainability and profitability,” the agronomist said in conclusion.