Indispensable protection from multisite fungicides in soybeans

Brazil produced more than 2019 million tons of soybeans in the 20/124 harvest, a record in the historical series and which positions it for the first time in history as the world's largest producer of the grain (Conab, 2020; USDA, 2020). The country is currently responsible for 30% of the world's planted area and 36% of all soybeans produced, with an average productivity of around 3,4t/ha, the highest among the world's main producers (USDA, 2020). These data highlight Brazil's importance to the world as a soybean producer and also the fundamental role that the crop plays for Brazilian agribusiness.

In the last 20 years, Brazil has seen a 213% growth in soybean production, at the same time that the cultivated area has increased by 163%. This proportionally much greater growth in production compared to the planted area was only achieved with the use of a lot of technology and technical knowledge in the field. The intensive use of research and technology has allowed Brazil to cultivate soybeans in areas previously considered marginal and also to reach levels of productivity in commercial areas that were only achieved recently due to productivity challenges.

Considering that the area currently cultivated with soybeans in Brazil is 36,8 million hectares and that in the last ten years there has been an increase of 15 million hectares, the average productivity of 3,4t/ha can be considered extraordinary. However, cases in which average yields of 4,5t/ha to 6t/ha have been achieved in commercial areas are not rare. These numbers are significant, but studies indicate that the potential productivity of soybeans in Brazil exceeds 5t/ha (Sentelhas et al., 2015) and, in challenges such as that promoted by the Brazilian Soy Strategic Committee (Cesb), yields close to 7,5t/ha have been repeated over the last five years.

Determining the productive potential of soybeans depends on several factors, mainly related to the climate, the genetics of the cultivar and crop management. In this sense, the available data indicate that Brazil still has 42% of its productivity potential to explore, of which 29% is related to water deficit and 13% to area management (Sentelhas et al., 2015). Among the factors limiting soybean productivity in Brazil, the occurrence of diseases has played a prominent role, especially after the emergence of Asian rust in the 2000s and, more recently, with the increase in importance of diseases such as target spot (Corynespora cassiicola), anthracnose (Colletotrichum sp.) and DFCs (Septoria glycones e Cercospora kikuchii).

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