Irga-RS Field Day brings together 1.200 people in Cachoeirinha
RS14 Rice System was launched during the event
Two new soybean cultivars with the innovative technology called Intacta2/Xtend (I2X) are now available to producers, which combines tolerance to the herbicides glyphosate and dicamba and resistance to the main caterpillars and diseases of soybeans. Developed in partnership between Embrapa and Fundação Meridional, BRS 2361 I2X and BRS 2058 I2X have great potential for impact in the 2024/2025 harvest, since they still have a high production ceiling, higher than that of the varieties found on the market.
According to Embrapa Soja (PR) researcher Carlos Lásaro Melo, BRS 2361 I2X is a cultivar with an innovative profile that, in evaluation tests, produced over 5 thousand kilos per hectare (kg/ha), surpassing several cultivars currently available on the market.
“In addition, it is resistant to the main diseases that affect soybeans: stem canker, root rot, and Phytophthora, bacterial pustule and moderate resistance to frog eye spot”, he highlights.
Melo reinforces that BRS 2361 I2X belongs to maturity group 6.1, with an average cycle of 120 days, in the environments tested, and has greater production potential at altitudes above 600 meters in Paraná and São Paulo (REC 201).
“Another highlight is that it allows early sowing, making it possible to sow second-crop corn in the best planting 'window', in the region where the cultivar is indicated”, he adds.
The two cultivars will be launched at a ceremony to be held at Embrapa's Technology Showcase, at the Show Rural Coopavel, which takes place from February 10 to 14, in Cascavel (PR).
The other launch is the BRS 2058 I2X, which offers broad adaptability to the Southern Region, also with high productivity ceilings, surpassing the main competitors in the market.
“This cultivar has excellent yields, especially at altitudes above 650 meters,” highlights researcher Antonio Pipolo. It is a cultivar of maturity group 5.8, with an average cycle of 125 days, and is recommended for Rio Grande do Sul (REC 102 and 103), Santa Catarina (REC 102 and 103), Paraná (REC 102 and 103) and São Paulo (REC 103).
Regarding the sanitary aspect, it is resistant to the main soybean diseases – stem canker, bacterial pustule and root rot. Phytophthora – and moderate resistance to frogeye spot and root-knot nematode M. javanica. “Resistance to Phytophthora is a major differentiator for BRS 2058 I2X, as it is a disease that has been causing many plant deaths in susceptible soybean cultivars in recent harvests, especially in colder regions, where it is indicated and has high production potential”, he reports.
The executive manager of the Meridional Foundation, Ralf Udo Dengler, highlights that the launch of these two cultivars with the I2X platform is an important milestone in the partnership with Embrapa, which recently completed 25 years.
"We are planning a significant seed production in the 2024/2025 harvest and, thus, we will be able to offer a quantity adequate to the market demands. We have high expectations, as BRS 2058 I2X and BRS 2361 I2X have already demonstrated their great production potential, in trials and in demonstration areas. Producers will certainly generate a great demand for seeds and we will be ready to serve them", he highlights.
The Intacta2/Xtend (I2X) technology present in the launches brings together three proteins (Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 and Cry1Ac), which increase protection against six species of caterpillars that affect soybean crops: Helicoverpa armigera, cosmioides spodoptera, false measuring worm (Chrysodeixis includens), soybean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis), apple caterpillar (Chloridea virescens) and armpit drill (Crocidosema aporema).
Researcher Daniel Sosa Gómez explains that the pyramiding of three proteins reduces the likelihood of resistance breaking down. “However, a fundamental aspect to avoid the selection of resistant caterpillar populations in crops with this technology is the planting of structured refuge areas,” he notes.
The current recommendation for refuge for soybean crops is at least 20% of the area with technology other than I2X. According to the researcher, this is a preventive measure that consists of planting part of the crop with other non-Bt soybean options (without the toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)), at a maximum distance of 800 meters from crops with I2X technology.
“The adoption of the refuge area enables the random mating of moths from areas with I2X technology and refuge areas, favoring the maintenance of susceptible populations and delaying the selection of resistant populations,” he says.
Sosa Gómez also emphasizes that pest management in crops with I2X technology follows the premises of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), such as monitoring and control when pests reach the action level, in addition to prioritizing the use of more selective insecticides.
Soybean cultivars with I2X technology are tolerant to glyphosate and dicamba herbicides, which are efficient in managing broadleaf weeds, such as buva, caruru, corda-de-viola, picão-preto, among others.
“Dicamba is a herbicide registered only for application during the pre-sowing of soybeans. It is essential that the information contained in the leaflet is followed, as use in disagreement with the technical guidelines can cause problems in crops that are not targeted for the application of the herbicide,” warns researcher Fernando Adegas.
Adegas states that the integration between management practices involves chemical control, mainly the rotation of herbicide action mechanisms, but also alternative practices such as crop rotation, the use of cover crops in the soybean off-season to generate good straw, the cleaning of agricultural machinery and implements, and the use of quality seeds free of resistant weeds to prevent the reproduction of these species.
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