Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning defines new regions for canola cultivation in Brazil

The new Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (Zarc) for canola cultivation expanded the indication for cultivation beyond southern Brazil. The ordinances  were published in the Official Gazette of the Union this Thursday (11/11), indicating the sowing periods and municipalities suitable for canola cultivation, in the rainfed system for the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Goiás , Federal District and Bahia, in addition to the irrigated system for São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Federal District, Bahia and Mato Grosso. 

Canola hybrids began to be introduced in Brazil in 2004, starting the collection of information by Embrapa aiming at the necessary adjustments for the development of production systems for this oilseed in the country. The first Zarc for canola was published in 2008, with indications for cultivation in Rio Grande do Sul, then, exclusively for rainfed cultivation, it was extended to Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás.

The current Zarc innovates by expanding the federation units covered, reanalyzing the old zoning and including the irrigated system, which can be an alternative for the states in the Southeast, Central-West and Northeast regions, such as Western Bahia.

After 16 years of working with canola phenology data in 22 locations and 158 different sowing dates, cross-referenced with the network of 3.500 meteorological stations at Embrapa's Zarc base, the new Zarc canola allowed more precise guidance on risk management in the cultivation of this crop. oilseed in the 2021/2022 harvest. “Currently, canola production is still concentrated in the South of Brazil, but it is up to research to explore the growth potential of the crop by showing where it is possible to produce this oilseed under measured risks. And that’s what the new Zarc brings,” says Embrapa Trigo researcher Gilberto Cunha.

Risks to canola

The incidence of frost and water deficit are the main risks associated with canola cultivation in Brazil. Although canola is a cold climate species, the plants are sensitive to intense frosts, especially during crop establishment (first 30 days) and during flowering. “Although canola has a great capacity for acclimatization, adapting well to low temperatures, sudden drops in temperature can kill the plants”, explains Embrapa Trigo researcher Genei Dalmago.

In Zarc for rainfed canola, the first risk factor was the diagnosis of frost risk in the 30 days after sowing the crop and in the 20 days after the beginning of flowering, covering the three risk levels (20%, 30% and 40%) of occurrence of the event, depending on the sowing period and the cultivar group used.

“Although the risk of frost also exists in other growing regions, it is in the South Region that losses are most frequent. This is because temperature variations are common from autumn to spring, when consecutive days of high temperatures are abruptly interrupted by waves of intense cold and the formation of frost. The rain regime also alternates several days with precipitation and water deficit, in addition to the occurrence of strong winds at critical moments for the crop”, says Dalmago, highlighting that, despite these adversities, canola originates in a temperate climate and is found in the region South the best adaptation in Brazil.

Water deficiency can harm canola. The risk of losses is greatest at two moments: at crop establishment and at flowering/grain filling. The problems directly affect the final crop yield. In the water analysis, Zarc took into account rainfall variability, potential evapotranspiration, the crop cycle and critical phenological phases, crop coefficients and available water storage capacity depending on the soil type. 

Zarc Plantio Certo app 

Rural producers and other agribusiness agents can access Zarc's official information via tablets and smartphones in a more practical way, facilitating guidance on the federal government's agricultural policy programs. The Zarc Plantio Certo mobile application, developed by Embrapa Informática Agropecuária (Campinas/SP), is available in application stores: iOS e Android    

Zarc results can also be consulted and downloaded through the platform “Risk Indication Panel”.