Millet gains ground in the renewal of sugarcane fields.

Renovating a sugarcane field is an important step in preparing the soil for a new sugarcane production cycle, and the choice of crops used during this period can influence the area's conditions. According to Matheus Gomes Nirschl, agricultural executive manager, crop rotation with millet represents a strategy focused on soil conservation and preparing the environment for the next planting.

The benefit begins with the cover provided by the crop, which helps protect the surface from the direct impact of raindrops. This protection contributes to reducing losses due to erosion, one of the important points in planning areas that will undergo sugarcane field renewal.

Another aspect is the millet's fibrous root system. Associated with biomass production, it promotes soil aggregation and water infiltration. The biomass also gives rise to mulch, which remains on the surface and helps reduce evaporation, contributing to soil moisture conservation.

Crop rotation also plays a role in nutrient recycling. As plant residues decompose, the nutrients present in this material are gradually made available, integrating the preparation process for the new sugarcane cycle.

Despite these advantages, the outcome does not depend solely on the choice of millet. Proper cover crop establishment, the volume of dry matter produced, and determining the correct timing for crop management are factors that need to be aligned with the sugarcane planting window.

In this context, crop rotation should be part of a broader conservation plan, in which technical decisions seek to preserve soil conditions, reduce risks in the field, and sustain the productive potential of crops.