Sugarcane is not just a staple industrial crop for sugar and ethanol production—it is a cornerstone of agricultural economies in tropical and subtropical regions. In countries like Brazil, India, and Thailand, improving cane yield and sugar recovery without expanding land use has become a central goal. A recent research study from Brazil has brought to light a promising technology in this pursuit: Orthosulfamuron, a sulfonylurea-based plant growth regulator with significant ripening benefits.

This scientific advancement aligns with the global need for climate-resilient, yield-enhancing solutions that are safe, predictable, and compatible with sustainable agriculture.

Understanding Orthosulfamuron: Chemistry and Classification

Orthosulfamuron belongs to the sulfonylurea group, traditionally known for herbicidal action. However, in specific formulations and dosages, compounds like orthosulfamuron are repurposed as plant growth regulators (PGRs). In sugarcane, it does not act as a herbicide, but as a ripening agent, helping the plant accumulate sucrose more efficiently by altering internal hormone balances and growth dynamics.

The active ingredient has been commercialized in Brazil under the brand name Sprint, by Sipcam Nichino Brazil, and is currently under various stages of registration and evaluation in other sugarcane-producing regions.

The Brazilian Study: Design, Application & Results

Led by: Dr. Carlos Azania, Senior Researcher, IAC (Instituto Agronômico de Campinas), São Paulo

Location: Ribeirão Preto – one of Brazil’s most productive sugarcane regions

Objective: To evaluate orthosulfamuron’s effect on sugar content, yield per hectare, ratoon health, and harvest efficiency under high-rainfall conditions typical of Brazil’s ripening season (February to April)

Key Results:

• Yield improvement of 0.5 to 1.0 TAH (Tons of sugar per hectare)
• No negative impact on apical growth or ratoon viability
• Enhanced juice quality and purity
• Improved sugar coloration, a key metric for refined sugar processing
• Flexible harvest window without compromise on brix or purity

Scientific Mechanism: How Does It Work?

Orthosulfamuron promotes ripening through growth modulation, not by forcing maturation via water stress, but by reprogramming physiological resource allocation:

• Restricts apical dominance to slow down vertical growth
• Maintains active photosynthesis, allowing energy to accumulate as sucrose
• Diverts assimilates from new leaf or shoot development into stalk thickening and sucrose loading
• Improves brix-to-pol ratio, enhancing overall processing efficiency

This makes it ideal for late-stage ripening without agronomic trade-offs, especially in large-scale commercial plantations where uniform ripening is crucial for synchronized harvesting and processing.

Application Guidelines: Timing, Dosage, Conditions

Recommended Timing: Apply from mid-February to end of April, when cane is vegetative but close to commercial maturity (10–11 months old)

Harvest Schedule: Optimum harvest is 25–30 days post-application for peak sugar accumulation

Environmental Suitability: Works best under high rainfall or cloudy conditions, where traditional ripening is delayed

Compatibility: Orthosulfamuron is tank-mix compatible with most foliar nutrients and fungicides, and is non-phytotoxic in the tested dosage range

Agronomic Advantages Beyond Yield

According to Marcelo Palazim, Agronomist at Sipcam Nichino Brazil, orthosulfamuron offers operational and post-harvest benefits that go beyond field yield:

• Improved mill logistics due to better harvest scheduling
• Enhanced processing outcomes, including higher purity juice and reduced waste
• Reduced sugar coloration, which is vital for crystal sugar production
• Support for ratoon health, preserving long-term productivity in multi-cut systems
• Potential for climate adaptation, especially where rainfall patterns are shifting

These characteristics make orthosulfamuron a powerful input for large sugarcane estates and mill-integrated farms, where synchronized harvesting and high-quality output are essential.

Environmental and Regulatory Perspective

With rising scrutiny on agrochemical residues, orthosulfamuron also offers a relatively low-residue risk profile when used according to guidelines. The product does not persist in soil or water bodies and shows no impact on non-target organisms when applied correctly. Its use aligns with Brazil’s regulatory emphasis on safe chemical tools with measurable benefits.

While it is currently registered and used mainly in Brazil, orthosulfamuron is being studied for approval in other major sugarcane countries, and it holds potential in markets where ripening delays are common due to erratic monsoons or extended winters.

Final Word: Strategic Potential for the Global Sugarcane Industry

As the global sugar economy becomes more competitive, the need for efficient, climate-smart crop enhancers is rising. Orthosulfamuron offers a scientifically validated, agronomically proven, and economically sound method to maximize the biological potential of sugarcane without increasing inputs or damaging regrowth cycles.

Its success in Brazil is a model that could translate to other top producers such as India, Thailand, Colombia, and South Africa—regions with similar challenges in crop uniformity, climate variability, and harvest planning.