This study was carried out to determine the effects of maleic hydrazide (MH) and ethephon (CEPA) on stalk growth of sugarcane cultivar NA 56-79. It was applied several concentrations of MH and CEPA 20 or 41 days after planting, in greenhouse conditions. Maleic hydrazide promoted reduction on growth of sugar cane plant and ethephon caused more drastic effects on growth. This effect on loss of a -pical dominance induced maturation and increased sucrose concentration on stalk.