Maintaining sugarcane straw over the soil surface after harvest without burning may damage sugarcane sprouting, tillering and crop yield, mainly in cold climate sites, in addition to contributing to higher levels of spittlebug (Mahanarva fimbriolata) infestations. Therefore, this work was developed with the objective of evaluating the tillering, fresh biomass accumulation and yield of sugarcane ratoon (var. RB855453), as well as the infestation level of M. fimbriolata, when the crop was submitted to three different straw management systems: (i.) straw in total area; (ii.) uncovered rows and (iii.) accumulating the straw of three rows in one interrow. As a result of experimental rigor provided by the Tukey test and the size and representativeness of each plot (2700 m²), it was possible to conclude that keeping sugarcane straw over the soil in total area, after harvest without burning, reduced ratoon development, presenting lower yield and tiller biomass. Straw accumulation of three rows in one interrow did not contribute to the number of tillers; however, it promoted higher biomass of tillers and consequently higher yield, without difference for the management of uncovered rows. Lower infestations of M. fimbriolata were identified in the treatment with uncovered rows; however, the control level was not reached and thus, the entomological damages must not have contributed to the lower crop yield under straw in total area.
growth; sugarcane ratoon; tillering; spittlebug