Corn-brachiaria consortium is a safe alternative in years of frost

In addition to the problems caused by the pandemic in the daily lives of producers, the lack of rain impacted the soybean harvest in the south of Mato Grosso do Sul. The drought was so severe that it even damaged pastures. At a time when farmers are planting safrinha corn, a new scenario emerges and with it new expectations.

Frost forecast

Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste published, on January 19, the Media Disclosure Article (ADM) entitled “La Niña could once again favor the occurrence of frosts in Mato Grosso do Sul” (https://bit.ly/3oTy8Qv), authored by researchers Danilton Luiz Flumignan, Éder Comunello and Carlos Ricardo Fietz. It revealed the 75% probability of at least one frost occurring in June 2022, and it could be of any intensity. The intensity of frost, as presented in the publication, is classified according to the minimum temperature recorded. Light frost is considered when thermometers register between 4ºC and 3ºC; moderate frost, from 3 ºC to 1 ºC and strong frost when temperatures below 1 ºC are observed.

Danilton explains that the increased possibility of frost in June is due to the influence of the La Niña phenomenon, which is occurring in Mato Grosso do Sul. “The La Niña phenomenon is characterized by the cooling of the waters of the equatorial Pacific Ocean and, when this happens, Given the strong interactions that exist between the ocean and the atmosphere, global climate conditions are now influenced by this momentary reality”, he adds.

Corn-Brachiaria Consortium

The adoption of corn-brachiaria consortium technology can contribute to reducing possible negative impacts on the safrinha corn production system, if the forecast of frost in June is confirmed.

Gessí Ceccon, analyst at Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, highlights the importance of farmers paying attention to soil preparation, carrying out rational fertilizer management (investments in nitrogen and minimum fertilizers). Other important factors are seed quality, the choice of early corn hybrids and pest control management, such as stink bugs and leafhoppers.

He also highlights that this year it is essential to adopt the corn-brachiaria consortium and explains “no matter how much frost occurs, if it is confirmed, it causes losses in the corn and even burns the brachiaria, it will resprout and protect the soil for soybean planting, in the second half of 2022”.

Ceccon emphasizes that “soil cover is essential for crop productivity, especially in Mato Grosso do Sul. We are at a time when it is necessary to invest in soil cover”.

He explains that there is a myth related to brachiaria and the corn leafhopper and clarifies: "The corn leafhopper does not contribute to its proliferation and does not multiply in brachiaria, and care regarding this pest must be carried out with greater rigor in corn”.