The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationship between the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) indices and foliar nutrient concentrations, to establish optimum foliar nutrient concentrations with DRIS and to validate the DRIS norms for sugarcane crop. Foliar nutrient concentrations from 126 sugarcane commercial fields were analyzed during the 1996/97 season, to calculate DRIS indices. Regression analysis was used to fit a model relating DRIS indices to nutrient concentrations. Experiments were carried out during the 1997/98 season, whose treatments consisted of the addition of the most limiting nutrients according to DRIS. A new diagnosis was performed. At the end of 1997/98 season, the yields of each plot were collected. Analysis of variance and Duncan test (5%) were used for the evaluation of the collected data. There was a positive and significant relationship between sugarcane foliar nutrient concentrations and DRIS indices. The optimum foliar nutrient concentrations for sugarcane are: 13.4 g ha-1 for N, 1.91 g ha-1 for P, 12.2 g ha-1 for K, 2.99 g ha-1 for Ca, 2.15 g ha-1 for Mg, 1.61 g ha-1 for S, 4.48 mg ha-1 for Cu, 67.8 mg ha-1 for Mnand 11.7 mg ha-1 for Zn. DRIS norms evaluated are useful to correct nutritional imbalances and to increase sugarcane yield.