International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 27-33 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 31 Reduction in manual burned harvesting: In 2006, about 61% of the harvested area relied on manual burned techniques. This method, while traditional, contributed significantly to air pollution and soil degradation due to the burning of crop residues. By 2016, the area using manual burned harvesting had decreased to just 6%. This substantial reduction highlights the industry’s move away from environmentally harmful practices. Increase in green mechanized harvesting: In 2006, green mechanized harvesting accounted for 39% of the total harvested area. This practice involves using machinery to harvest sugarcane without burning, retaining crop residues on the field, which helps improve soil health by adding organic matter. By 2016, green mechanized harvesting had risen to 94% of the total harvested area. This shift not only reduces air pollution but also enhances soil quality, contributing to better water retention and nutrient cycling. In addition to green harvesting, Brazil has embraced precision agriculture to further enhance the sustainability and efficiency of sugarcane production. Precision agriculture employs advanced technologies such as drones, sensors, and GPS to optimize resource use and minimize environmental impacts. Bordonal et al. (2018) illustrates the dynamic changes in land use for various temporary crops in Brazil from 2005 to 2016, highlighting significant trends in soybean and sugarcane cultivation. These trends reflect broader economic and environmental shifts in Brazilian agriculture, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices to balance productivity with environmental conservation. Moreover, Brazil has capitalized on the bioenergy potential of sugarcane, with many mills converting bagasse, a sugarcane byproduct, into bioelectricity. This process not only provides a renewable energy source but also significantly cuts down the carbon footprint of the sugarcane industry. Research by Carpio et al. (2017) and Carvalho et al. (2019) quantifies the environmental benefits of these practices, noting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and enhancements in energy balance due to the use of bioelectricity and ethanol produced from sugarcane. 5.2 India: water management and soil conservation techniques In India, the sugarcane sector has been facing challenges related to water scarcity and soil degradation. Innovative irrigation technologies such as drip irrigation have been adopted to address these issues. This method not only reduces water usage by delivering water directly to the plant roots but also enhances nutrient application efficiency through fertigation, thereby minimizing leaching and runoff. The research by Surendran et al. (2016) demonstrates the effects of different tillage methods on soil moisture content during the growing season of ratoon cane, comparing surface soil (0-0.15 m) and subsurface soil (0.15-0.30 m). The tillage methods include: T1 (tractor-drawn Ratoon Management Device, RMD), T2 (conventional tillage with bullock-drawn plough), and T3 (no tillage). T1 consistently maintains the highest soil moisture levels in both surface and subsurface soils, peaking at around 35 mm³/mm³ and 38 mm³/mm³ in October, respectively. T2 also retains relatively high moisture but slightly less than T1, peaking at about 34 mm³/mm³ in both soil layers. In contrast, T3 results in the lowest moisture levels, with peaks of approximately 30 mm³/mm³ in surface soil and 28 mm³/mm³ in subsurface soil. These findings indicate that modern mechanized tillage (T1) is most effective in preserving soil moisture, essential for optimal crop growth and water management, while no tillage (T3) may lead to inadequate moisture retention, necessitating supplementary water conservation measures. 6 Concluding Remarks Best Management Practices (BMP) and technological innovation have significantly reduced the environmental impact of sugarcane production.The transition to non-burning harvest techniques, as seen in Brazil, reduces air pollution and enhances soil quality by retaining organic matte. Soil health management through crop rotation, controlled traffic farming, and reduced tillage minimizes soil erosion and degradation while improving water retention and nutrient cycling. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, promoting biodiversity and reducing chemical runoff.
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