Use of Vegetation Activity Index for Evaluation of L-Alpha Amino Acid Treatment in Sugarcane

Accurate assessment of crop vegetative state is crucial for agricultural management, particularly under environmental stress, and detailed field experiments face logistical and cost challenges. This study addresses two key gaps: (1) limited research on the effects of biostimulants, specifically L-al...

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Main Authors: Américo Ferraz Dias Neto, Ivan Bazo Bergamim, Flavio Roberto de Freitas Gonçalves, Raffaella Rossetto, Daniel Albiero
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1877
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author Américo Ferraz Dias Neto
Ivan Bazo Bergamim
Flavio Roberto de Freitas Gonçalves
Raffaella Rossetto
Daniel Albiero
author_facet Américo Ferraz Dias Neto
Ivan Bazo Bergamim
Flavio Roberto de Freitas Gonçalves
Raffaella Rossetto
Daniel Albiero
author_sort Américo Ferraz Dias Neto
collection DOAJ
description Accurate assessment of crop vegetative state is crucial for agricultural management, particularly under environmental stress, and detailed field experiments face logistical and cost challenges. This study addresses two key gaps: (1) limited research on the effects of biostimulants, specifically L-alpha amino acids, on sugarcane’s metabolism, yield, and quality; and (2) the need for robust, non-invasive methods to evaluate crop performance. A novel approach is proposed using the Vegetation Activity Index (VAI), derived from integrated NDVI data, as an effective tool for assessing vegetation dynamics over the crop cycle. There was no significant difference in VAI between treated and untreated areas during the plant development cycle (<i>p</i> = 0.342), but a significant increase in VAI was observed in treated areas post-treatment (<i>p</i> = 0.009). Polynomial regression models (R<sup>2</sup>: 0.921–0.959) effectively explained vegetation variability. VAI and Total Recoverable Sugars per Hectare (STH) data followed a normal distribution, with no significant difference in VAI during the plant development cycle (<i>p</i> = 0.342) and no significant impact on STH (<i>p</i> = 0.492). A strong correlation between VAI and STH for treated areas (r = 0.966, <i>p</i> = 0.034) was observed. The L-alpha biostimulant increased vegetation activity during critical growth periods but did not affect sugar yield. Return on investment analysis indicated high profitability for the treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-69eed140b58946a981bcfe2b4b30b6fb2025-08-20T02:08:00ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722024-10-011411187710.3390/agriculture14111877Use of Vegetation Activity Index for Evaluation of L-Alpha Amino Acid Treatment in SugarcaneAmérico Ferraz Dias Neto0Ivan Bazo Bergamim1Flavio Roberto de Freitas Gonçalves2Raffaella Rossetto3Daniel Albiero4School of Agriculture Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, SP, BrazilSchool of Agriculture Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, SP, BrazilSchool of Agriculture Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, SP, BrazilSugarcane Program, UPD Jau, VI IAC, Jau 17201-970, SP, BrazilSchool of Agriculture Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, SP, BrazilAccurate assessment of crop vegetative state is crucial for agricultural management, particularly under environmental stress, and detailed field experiments face logistical and cost challenges. This study addresses two key gaps: (1) limited research on the effects of biostimulants, specifically L-alpha amino acids, on sugarcane’s metabolism, yield, and quality; and (2) the need for robust, non-invasive methods to evaluate crop performance. A novel approach is proposed using the Vegetation Activity Index (VAI), derived from integrated NDVI data, as an effective tool for assessing vegetation dynamics over the crop cycle. There was no significant difference in VAI between treated and untreated areas during the plant development cycle (<i>p</i> = 0.342), but a significant increase in VAI was observed in treated areas post-treatment (<i>p</i> = 0.009). Polynomial regression models (R<sup>2</sup>: 0.921–0.959) effectively explained vegetation variability. VAI and Total Recoverable Sugars per Hectare (STH) data followed a normal distribution, with no significant difference in VAI during the plant development cycle (<i>p</i> = 0.342) and no significant impact on STH (<i>p</i> = 0.492). A strong correlation between VAI and STH for treated areas (r = 0.966, <i>p</i> = 0.034) was observed. The L-alpha biostimulant increased vegetation activity during critical growth periods but did not affect sugar yield. Return on investment analysis indicated high profitability for the treatment.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1877sugarcanebiostimulantvegetation activity indexcrop assessmentsustainable agricultureagricultural management
spellingShingle Américo Ferraz Dias Neto
Ivan Bazo Bergamim
Flavio Roberto de Freitas Gonçalves
Raffaella Rossetto
Daniel Albiero
Use of Vegetation Activity Index for Evaluation of L-Alpha Amino Acid Treatment in Sugarcane
Agriculture
sugarcane
biostimulant
vegetation activity index
crop assessment
sustainable agriculture
agricultural management
title Use of Vegetation Activity Index for Evaluation of L-Alpha Amino Acid Treatment in Sugarcane
title_full Use of Vegetation Activity Index for Evaluation of L-Alpha Amino Acid Treatment in Sugarcane
title_fullStr Use of Vegetation Activity Index for Evaluation of L-Alpha Amino Acid Treatment in Sugarcane
title_full_unstemmed Use of Vegetation Activity Index for Evaluation of L-Alpha Amino Acid Treatment in Sugarcane
title_short Use of Vegetation Activity Index for Evaluation of L-Alpha Amino Acid Treatment in Sugarcane
title_sort use of vegetation activity index for evaluation of l alpha amino acid treatment in sugarcane
topic sugarcane
biostimulant
vegetation activity index
crop assessment
sustainable agriculture
agricultural management
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1877
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