Second harvest: root system, the plant's connection to the soil

Plant roots are extremely important for their growth and development, as well as for absorbing water and nutrients. The plant's connection with the soil, and with its nutritional, physical and biological properties, is mediated by the root system and therefore, it is essential that we guarantee conditions for its good development. 

In crops called second harvest or off-season, there is a need to promote conditions for the plant to establish itself very well in the area, since in many situations the so-called cultivation window is quite restricted and sometimes it is not possible to maintain it. . Planting outside this window can subject the plants to difficult climatic periods, with water deficits for example. The ideal is for the culture to be able to use the available resources with less negative impact that adverse environmental conditions may bring.

In this sense, having a soil without compaction or a dense layer and good aeration, providing deep root development and volume, are important points. The insertion of technologies that aim to biostimulate root development and biological activation of soil microorganisms is extremely positive in this production scenario. With a view to making better use of nutrition and health resources.

Investment in crops during this growing season was quite restricted. However, with the current good price of bags of soybeans and corn, and the high value of the dollar against the Brazilian currency, experts indicate that the scenario for the 2021 harvest could be different. Producers will probably be able to cultivate in larger areas and with greater investments in this cycle.

Therefore, promoting soil conditions for water storage combined with better root development can be basic premises for achieving successful corn cultivation in this second harvest.

Dorotéia Alves Ferreira, Agricultural Engineer, PhD in Soils and Plant Nutrition and Market Development Coordinator at Fertiláqua