Dataset of sugarcane root production and turnover: influence of crop harvest and nitrogen fertilization

Backgrounds and Aims Root production and turnover are key drivers of belowground carbon inputs, but remain poorly quantified in tropical cropping systems such as sugarcane. This study aimed to provide the first quantification of sugarcane root production and turnover across a full crop cycle, including plant crop and first ratoon, and to examine how nitrogen fertilization modulates biomass allocation, fine root traits, and turnover.
Methods A two-year field experiment (plant and ratoon crop) was conducted on Reunion Island under contrasting nitrogen fertilization with the R579 variety. Sequential soil coring was used to monitor living root biomass, necromass, and fine root traits down to 50 cm depth every two months.