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Stemflow generation as influenced by sugarcane canopy development.

Authors :: Fernandes RP
da Costa Silva RW
de Andrade TMB
Salemi LF
de Camargo PB
Martinelli LA
de Moraes JM
Source :: Environmental monitoring and assessment [Environ Monit Assess] 2021 Nov 10; Vol. 193 (12), pp. 789. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Nov 10.
Publication Year :: 2021
Abstract: Rainfall is generally partitioned into throughfall, stemflow, and interception in ecosystems. Stemflow variability can affect the hydrology, ecology, and soil chemistry patterns. However, the influence of canopy structure and rainfall characteristics on stemflow production in sugarcane plantations which are important for renewable energy production remain poorly understood. By using funnels attached to the sugarcane stems, the present study determined the stemflow amount during the period of sugarcane growth and its relationship with plant development. Approximately, 14% of gross rainfall reached the soil as stemflow, and the funneling ratios was 60. In general, it was observed a positive relationship between stemflow rates with both leaf area index and plant height. This was attributed to an increasing number of acute branching angles of the sugarcane leaves as well as high stem tillering and density. However, at the end of growth cycle, stemflow rate was lower than in previous periods which can be attributed to changes in sugarcane canopy such as stems inclination and lodging, reducing the effectiveness of water conveyance along the stem. Our study showed the need to include stemflow to better understand the hydrology of sugarcane plantations.<br /> (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)