Since the green revolution, which began in the 70s of the last century, efforts have been made to maximize the productivity of different crops. This maximization of productivity must, however, be combined with sustainable production, as well as being economically viable. In 1940, Antonio Secundino from São José stated that a modern producer must produce in the “BBB” system, produce a lot, good and cheap. Even today this statement is surrounded by truths.
Every day more and more producers are seeking to increase the production averages of different crops in the field. But the question that remains is, what is the productive potential of crops? Randy Dowdy, for example, produced 526 bags per hectare of corn in the field in 2014, as well as 191 bags per hectare of soybeans in 2016 in the USA. Research shows that the potential (how much I can produce) of modern soybean cultivars is close to 300 bags per hectare. As well, we can observe that the productivity of the individual plant is also broad and almost unattainable in the field. Nelson Kappes, for example, managed to extract an impressive total of 21.425 pods from a soybean plant. From this, it is obvious that we are unable to achieve the maximum productivity of the individual or even the area in the field.
This field productivity is defined by productivity components, which are generally related to the number of grains per unit area and the weight of these grains. Taking soybeans as an example, the number of grains per unit area is found by taking the average of pods per plant, grains per pod and the population of plants in the unit area. See that it is these factors, together with the weight of these grains that we must pay attention to and take care of in the field. These components also tend to self-adjust, raising one above the support capacity of the area or individual, while others tend to reduce. In the example cited above, the plant that produced 21.425 pods certainly occupied a larger area, thus reducing the plant population per unit area.
Several factors mitigate crop productivity in the field, most of the time we focus on managing the biotic factors that interfere (weeds, pests and diseases), but we forget, however, that this management is only protective, and do not impact on increasing productivity, but on maintaining it.
Therefore, it is necessary to initially focus on factors that increase the productive potential in the field, and all of them are based on the relationship between Genetics interacting with the environment. An essential factor, then, is choosing the right genetics, for the region, season, system, etc. of culture implementation. There is no point in promoting actions to protect productivity if the chosen genetics are not adapted to the entire system. It is also necessary that these genetics are tested at the property level, each area, year, sowing time, etc., may require certain genetics.
Did you choose the best genetics? It is now necessary to choose the best supplier for it, without the seed there is no plant, without the seed there is no productivity. The seed is the most important input to be acquired. Trying to reduce costs when obtaining the seed is a mistake and will certainly be charged at harvest. A quality seed generates a seedling of quality and vigor, and consequently, we come out ahead in search of maximum productivity. We must remember that this seed was at some point taken to the field, harvested, processed, stored, moved to the property, etc. The soybean seed to be sown in this 2019/20 harvest was already in the field in 2018/19, therefore, it has already been suffering processes of loss of vigor at all times, therefore, it must be received and properly stored until the moment of sowing and allocated to a seeding “bed” that is as suitable as possible.
The idea of treating the planting furrow as a “bed” already tells us its importance. This seed, which has been undergoing physiological degradation processes throughout its storage life, must be placed in a bed that is as suitable as possible. To do this, soil moisture conditions, plant cover, seeding machine, seeding speed, seeding depth, soil compaction, among countless other factors are considered. It is up to us to optimize this process and do it as carefully as possible. Any seed allocated incorrectly will not become a plant, or will become a plant with lower productivity potential. No matter how busy the property's routine is, this process must be done calmly, patiently, technically and with love. It is better to postpone planting a day or sow a smaller area than to carry out this process carelessly.
Before sowing, however, it is essential that we analyze the sowing time. This will depend on my production system, the realization of a second harvest, the chosen genetics, etc., but the main thing is to try to sow at a time when the maximum need for the crop coincides with the maximum availability of resources from the environment. When this cultivar blooms, will I have water, light and temperature available from the environment? When sowing, will water and temperature be available for germination and emergence? When harvesting, will I be able to do it without heavy rain? These are questions with uncertain answers, but we must try to answer them and sow culture by seeking to coincide these factors, which we do not otherwise control.
Along with the seed, and also in its bed, fertilization must come, this is where a lot of efforts are concentrated, what is the recommendation for fertilization? How much of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and micro? Approximately 90% of what makes up most plants is made up of nutrients that we do not add to the system (C, H and O), so we are concerned with the remaining 10%, but no less important. We must pay attention, however, in search of greater productivity, that no component added to the production system will have a linear increasing effect, as all have an ideal dose, and from there, imbalance and loss of productivity can occur. It is necessary to go further, beyond the basic recommendations and beyond the 0 to 20 cm analysis, it is necessary to go down in profile, expand the sampling area and always consider that the root of the plant is the main entry point for the nutrients it needs, This is why we must think about structured soil without presenting limitations (chemical and mainly physical) to correct root development.
To form this soil structure, it is necessary to promote the cultivation system. While we have farmers cultivating only soybeans throughout the year, we have farmers harvesting more than 4 crops in the system, such as producers who are working with iLPF systems, being able to harvest, for example, soybeans, corn, cattle, the straw itself, and the forestry component. Although this last farmer enjoys more of the area, it does not mean that its soil component is asking for fallow, on the contrary, if well managed this intense use of the area brings numerous benefits. A system must be active, just covering straw is no longer enough, this crop must be active, cycling nutrients, improving physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Numerous systems and cover crops allow the area to be in use throughout the year.
When sowing, the aim is to allocate the seed to an ideal population and with the greatest possible uniformity. Any horizontal or vertical non-uniformity leads to greater competition and reduces productivity. In this way, by placing seeds unevenly in the planting line, we can increase intraspecific competition, in the case of double distribution, or increase interspecific competition, in the case of incorrect seed spacing. Likewise, a non-uniformity in vertical distribution (sowing depth) can provide differentiation in emergence, with seedlings emerging first and thus suppressing their partners. Uniformity is something that is sought from planting to harvesting different crops.
By carrying out these procedures, we can impact some of the production components. Adequate genetics, plant population, plant vigor, sowing time, directly impact the number of grains per unit area and grain weight, culminating in greater productivity. Of course, the plant needs to reach its reproductive stage, using the “bank” of photoassimilates created in the vegetative stage. In this way, a protected/healthy leaf until grain filling will provide the search for more productive ceilings.
By choosing the genetics, the sowing time, taking care when sowing, the fertilization in the system and building the soil profile, we directly impact the productivity components, and all of this, at zero or low cost. Productivity protectors (seed treatments, herbicides, aerial part insecticides, aerial part fungicides) only protect the potential previously created. There is almost a consensus among above-average producers that this increase in productivity largely depends on dedication and care in what is done. Daily monitoring and monitoring of the crop helps to make decisions and carry out operations at the right time. The technical basis helps to make assertive decisions. And “liking what you do” helps that all actions taken are designed in favor of culture and the search for productivity. Of course, everything has a cost, but the main thing in the search for high productivity depends only on the human resources in the area.
By Emerson Trogello, Lucas Luís Faustino, Ana Caroline de Araújo, IFGoiano – Morrinhos; Alcir José Modolo, UTFPR
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