Corn productivity depends on well-applied nutrients, says expert

Agriculture does not just depend on planting, irrigation and adequate weather to produce good results. The increase in crop power is currently linked to a need to nourish plants with scientifically tested resources, without harming the environment and providing food security and quality for the end consumer.

In corn crops, which grow every year, two essential nutrients for increasing productivity are sulfur and potassium, as explained by agronomist Samuel Guerreiro. “It is evident that Brazilian agriculture has become increasingly professional and this has been noticed in the production results”, he says.

Guerreiro, who is the technical director of Brandt do Brasil, says that the use of sulfur and potassium in corn yielded an “average increase of 17,68 bags per hectare”, according to research found over 10 years in the United States, where the company’s headquarters Brandt is thirsty. In the following interview, he explains how these two nutrients act on the crop.

Brandt do Brasil has highlighted the importance of nourishing corn plantations with sulfur and potassium. How did the company come to the conclusion that this is efficient?

"Brandt has more than 65 years of experience in agricultural technologies since its creation in the United States. It is present in more than 50 countries, which gives it the advantage of following the development of all new technologies in the sector. We have a team of researchers responsible for the company's Development and Innovation Department, where we create new internal technologies, and also with contributions developed in academic environments added to a network with different innovation companies in the sector. With this, it was possible to understand not only the need that plants have for nutrients such as sulfur and potassium, but also most importantly, how to make the plant actually use what is being applied. In the case of corn, for example, they are extremely important for the crop."

How do these nutrients act on the plant?

"Sulfur helps to increase the supply of proteins and essential amino acids. As a consequence, the use of this resource increases the quality of the grain, improves the plant's natural defense against so-called pathogens; which are disease-causing organisms and also acts on hormonal control for cell growth and differentiation. Potassium regulates the opening and closing of stomata; structures that are found especially in the leaves, carrying out gas exchange and regulating turgidity. Potassium is also responsible for the transport of other nutrients, promotes water absorption , helps the storage and transport of carbohydrates. This element is also an enzyme activator and acts in photosynthesis. Remembering that these functions will be activated by the nutrients that the plant will be able to absorb and translocate, crucial points especially when it comes to applying nutrition via foliar means" .

To know whether or not a product helps to increase productivity, a lot of study is required. How long does a survey of this type take?

"When we talk about nutrition, we are talking about one of the most complex areas of agriculture, which involves the entire metabolism of plants, and some concepts that are still not completely clear even to the most renowned researchers. We have several situations that can span decades of studies and validations. However, thinking about validation research, in which the problem to be solved is already known and the solution has already been developed, we have at least two to three years of validation tests in the field ahead of us, including tests in different countries and regions, and also tests at universities, consultants, official research companies, among others. Thinking about technology development, time is long, and improvement is constant. We have as an example our Manni-Plex and Smart System technologies, which despite being consolidated and world references, we continue to improve, always aiming for greater efficiency in the use of nutrients applied via foliar. With this, we are able to change an important concept for agriculture, when we talk about foliar nutrition: quality exceeds quantity, in other words, there is no point in adding two or three times as much sulfur or potassium to a product that does not deliver the necessary absorption and translocation. of these nutrients. We have countless studies showing superior productivity precisely using two or three times smaller doses of nutrients, but with the right technology to guarantee their use by the plants."

In numbers, is it possible to compare the results presented in plantations with and without the use of products identified by Brandt as efficient?

"Speaking of corn, we have a history in the USA of 10 years of research, in which the average increase was 17,68 bags per hectare where our technologies were used. As an average, this means that in some years the difference was smaller and in other years it was larger. Everything is a matter of a combination of factors such as: hybrid, soil, pathogens, pests, weeds, nutrition and climate. This makes each year different, as many factors are not under our control, especially the climate, which has a direct influence on almost all other factors, which will positively or negatively influence the development of plants and the expression of its productive potential".

Especially in relation to corn planting in the off-season, what do you think rural producers are missing and what are the challenges they face?

"The producer has been doing his homework and dedicating himself more each harvest to off-season corn. As a consequence, off-season corn has grown every year. In 2019, there are already statistics that indicate that 11,2 million hectares are being planted . This number represents an increase of 15,5% compared to last year. Furthermore, the expectation is to harvest 66,5 million tons with this second harvest. This increase in supply is due to the increase in area and productivity, from also the use of increasingly modern technologies, which contribute to increasing the profits of farmers who invest in the correct nutrition of plants and the correct management of pests, diseases and weeds. When traveling through Brazilian cities, it is possible to see that the largest Some rural producers are already aware of the need for nutritional supplements for plants, as a way of enhancing development and productive potential. The national corn producer has been investing more in fertilizers and pesticides in the second harvest, which was not common in the past. . Also as a consequence of this, the off-season became “off-season” and currently the average national productivity of the summer harvest and the off-season are almost equal. Following the application rules indicated in products and not leaving investments aside, even if the production cost increases, are good ways to increase productivity and net income per area".

Brazil is continental in size and the characteristics of each region are very different. To achieve good productivity in each of them, what do you need to keep in mind?

"It is evident that Brazilian agriculture has become increasingly professional and this has been noticed in the production results. Before planting the crop, it is necessary to keep in mind how much you want to produce. From this, the investment to be made will be calculated in genetics (seed), fertilizers and pesticides to achieve the proposed objective. Applying large quantities of a certain fertilizer can harm the development of the plant, in addition to being negative from a financial point of view. On the other hand, using smaller quantities than those indicated and recommended will not produce the expected result. The secret is balance. The products sold are the results of various tests and studies – theoretical and practical – and the recommendation must always be followed strictly, both in the context of nutrition and plant protection Brandt do Brasil, for example, offers some solutions: Manni-Plex K (potassium) is recommended for one to two liters per hectare in corn production, between the first and fourth reproductive stage of the plant. Focus-S-Micros (sulfur) has a greater variation (depending on the specific needs of the crops): from half a liter to five liters per hectare. In addition to other products such as Smart Trio, Smart Cobre, Target N3200, among others. Following the rules of good agricultural practices combined with the recommendations provided by manufacturers of other resources, there will certainly be high performance, both in the off-season and in the summer corn harvest. After all, plants need these elements, which are naturally absorbed in large quantities. Together, they act on plant metabolism, delivering greater yields to rural producers."