Factors determining the productive potential and sustainability of HortiFruti crops

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Sustainable development can be defined as development capable of meeting the needs of the current generation, without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future generations (United Nations). By making good use of available resources within a production process and, consequently, not exhausting them, we ensure current needs and the continuity of economic activity. Within an agricultural system, this is very evident as we deal with natural and often finite resources, such as solo, water and nutrients. Therefore, efficient use is more than necessary.

In crops of hortifruti (HF) the demand for fertilizers and water is very high, making it necessary to observe some basic principles for management and efficient use of these inputs, especially in the stages prior to planting, such as:

1. Quality of propagating material

The seed or seedling is the starting point of the crop cycle and we must ensure that its full genetic potential is explored, even under adverse conditions. Therefore, it is essential to use high-quality propagation materials.

The material to be used must present physical (dimensions of the propagative material, whether there is no excess or lack of shoots, external damage to the skin, etc.), genetic, physiological and sanitary quality, which will guarantee good germination and vigor. Furthermore, the materials must be previously analyzed to ensure that they are free of pathogens such as fungi, viruses, nematodes and bacteria. Quality seedlings must have a well-formed root ball with active, white roots, healthy but not excessively green leaves, and a lignified stem, these characteristics being essential for successful planting.

2. Suitable growing season

The implantation time will directly influence the exposure of crops to various climatic factors. Sowing at the wrong time can disrupt the development of the cycle and plant growth, increasing harvest losses.

Another factor that can be influenced by an inadequate planting window is the rate at which plants are affected by diseases and pests, as this can increase soil moisture, thus generating a greater incidence of diseases in crucial phases for the plant's development. In fruit and vegetable crops, this challenge is more pronounced, as these crops are more sensitive to excess moisture, both in the soil and in the air, making them more susceptible to diseases that can cause losses of up to 100% in productivity.

Lopes (2005), addresses the relationship between diseases and the growing season in tomato cultivation:

“About two hundred diseases and physiological disorders have been reported affecting tomato farming around the world. Although rarely more than five of these diseases/disorders appear at the same time, their occurrence can result in great harm and loss. It can even limit tomato cultivation in some growing seasons and in regions of the country, either due to the lack of effective control or the increase in production costs with the application of pesticides.”

Therefore, it is recommended that planting be carried out at the appropriate time in order to significantly reduce the use of agricultural pesticides, thus contributing to the sustainability of the system.

3. Physical quality of the soil

Soils with inadequate structure are prone to reduced water infiltration, increasing the risk of erosion and water and nutritional deficits for plants, as HF roots are normally concentrated in the surface layer of the soil. Therefore, adequate soil preparation will provide good physical quality during planting.

Most cereal crops are grown with minimal disturbance of the top layer of soil (no-till system), however HF crops require good soil preparation. There is a direct (and inversely proportional) relationship between compaction and productivity because as vegetables have a sensitive and poorly developed root system, if they encounter a compacted layer of soil, the roots will be prevented from developing optimally, thus compromising their potential. productive (Reinert et al., 2008; Stalham et al., 2007).

4. Soil acidity

Brazilian soils are, in general, naturally acidic due to the high degree of weathering and the intense leaching of exchangeable bases. Acidity is one of the main chemical attributes related to plant development, affecting the availability of almost all nutrients, in addition to influencing other factors, such as biological nitrogen fixation, for example. Furthermore, high concentrations of aluminum are toxic to plants and directly affect root development, impairing the absorption of water and nutrients. Therefore, it is essential to practice soil correction for HF crops as they are demanding species in terms of base saturation (above 70%).

A liming operation It is a fundamental practice for the success of agricultural activity and it is recommended to apply it at least 90 days before planting or within the planning of the crop rotation system. The practice of plastering is also recommended for some crops, as in the case of potato, as a subsurface conditioner.

5. Crop rotation

Crop rotation consists of alternating, in an orderly manner, different plant species in the same agricultural area. The species chosen must have, at the same time, commercial and soil recovery purposes (Cruz et al., 2021). It is important to highlight that for vegetables, the lack of crop rotation is the root of all problems. If conducted properly, it helps control weeds, pests, nematodes and diseases due to the alternation of host plant species. Furthermore, it improves the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the soil, increasing the incorporation of organic matter, which is one of the main defining attributes of HF productivity, as well as the physical conditioning of the soil.

6. Nutritional Balance

In order to produce food in quantity and quality, in addition to taking into account the management and care practices described above, it is essential to be aware of the mineral nutrition required by crops, since nutritional deficiencies can generate worrying disturbances, considerably reducing agricultural production. Therefore, it is essential to invest in quality fertilizers, following the recommendations agronomic guidelines for applying the appropriate source, dose, time and location.

To support rural producers in this challenge, Mosaic Fertilizers, one of the largest companies producing and selling combined phosphate and potassium fertilizers in the world, presents the product to the market PERFORMA HF, high-tech fertilizer with nutrients in ideal concentrations to meet the most varied fruit and vegetable crops. The balance between nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur and boron provides improvements in rooting and initial development, greater vegetative development, increased flowering, in addition to not harming the soil microbiota, providing more vigorous and productive crops.

PERFORMA HF guarantees nutritional balance to crops in addition to the gradual release of sulfur and boron, providing greater absorption efficiency throughout the cycle, especially at times of greatest need. The high uniformity of granules and superior physical quality allow for an efficient distribution of nutrients in the field and agility in planting and, consequently, more nutritious food reaches the consumer's table and is managed in a sustainable way.

To learn more about the subject and also about Mosaic Fertilizers’ high-tech products, visit: www.nutricaodesafras.com.br.