Agronomic performance of the first ratoon of sugarcane under phosphorus supply from a mineral and an organic source

In soils of the Brazilian Cerrado region, particularly in oxisols, sugarcane productivity is directly influenced by phosphorus availability. However, the increasing demand for efficiency and optimization of phosphate fertilizers, along with their cost, has raised interest in organic sources. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of triple superphosphate, applied alone or in combination with poultry litter, on the biometric traits, technological quality, and stalk yield of the first ratoon crop of sugarcane. The experiment was conducted in an experimental area of Denusa - Destilaria Nova União S/A, located in Goiás, Brazil, on a eutrophic Red Latosol (Oxisol) of the Cerrado biome. The application of triple superphosphate and poultry litter doses exerts a positive influence on plant height, average stalk diameter, and tiller number. Poultry litter can be used as a cost-effective alternative for sugarcane fertilization, as the application of up to 4.67 t ha^-1 of poultry litter increased yield. However, applying 2 t ha^-1 of poultry litter together with 180 kg ha^-1 of triple superphosphate proved to be the most effective strategy for maximizing total recoverable sugar, a key parameter that determines the crop's economic value.