Producer needs more technical support, says professor

Brazilian farmers need to transform technical knowledge into results in the field, but face a lack of structured support for this decision-making process. This assessment came from Professor Ricardo Balardin during the awards ceremony for the winners of the National Maximum Soybean Productivity Challenge, organized by the Brazilian Soybean Strategic Committee (CESB).

According to Balardin, losses caused by pests, diseases, and weeds can reduce productive potential by more than 30 percent. The professor stated that this data only summarizes part of the problem. Each area involves specialists, accumulated information, and decisions about timing, product, and strategy. The challenge, according to him, falls on technicians and producers, responsible for converting recommendations obtained in experimental plots, observations, and field trips into productivity year after year.

Balardin compared the Brazilian reality to the extension service in the United States. There, according to him, universities act as a bridge between research and producers. Each institution has dozens of researchers with doctorates involved in this interaction. The information needs university validation in each region.

In Brazil, the professor stated that this system no longer exists with the same strength. He cited the weakening of state extension services since the 1990s, the difficulties of public research, and budget cuts in universities. In this scenario, industry has taken over a large part of the technology transfer to the field. According to Balardin, companies in the pesticide, biological, and other sectors now bring specialists, training, technologies, and products to producers and consultants.

The professor also presented data collected from forms filled out by contest participants. He explained that the numbers do not represent an absolute rule, but help to form a picture of the field, as they bring together thousands of pieces of information.

Differences in diseases

In the area of ​​diseases, Balardin pointed out regional differences. Rust was more important in the South and less relevant in other regions. For him, this distribution acts as a climate barometer and helps to indicate management needs.

Chemical control emerged as the predominant practice, with 98 percent adoption. Balardin noted that this model has faced difficulties since 2012, with the rise of resistance. He also cited market changes, the entry of generics, and increased concern with quality control processes.

One point stood out: the concentration of applications during flowering. According to Balardin, reducing operations in the early vegetative stages opens a window of 35 to 40 days without protection. He stated that, except for rust, many diseases are not airborne. They come from the seed, the soil, and crop residue. Therefore, many infections begin early.

Weeds

In the area of ​​weeds, the professor cited species present throughout Brazil and others with regional occurrence. Among those mentioned were goosegrass, sourgrass, dayflower, morning glory, and amaranth. Chemical control also predominated among the reported practices. Balardin also mentioned mowing, soil tilling, crop rotation, and biotechnologies.

Weed resistance received special attention. According to Balardin, this problem may surpass disease resistance in age and severity. He compared the situation with the United States and stated that Brazil also faces great difficulty in this area. The survey indicated a concentration of management on post-emergence and highlighted less use of pre-emergent herbicides, a point already discussed in the event's presentations.

Many pests

Regarding pests, Balardin highlighted their widespread occurrence in the country. He cited the brown stink bug as dominant in all regions, in addition to the fall armyworm and the soybean looper. Chemical control also showed success rates above 90 percent. The professor noted that Brazil cultivates soybeans in equatorial, subequatorial, and tropical environments, conditions favorable to maintaining insect populations throughout the year.

Insecticide applications showed a wider distribution throughout the crop cycle. According to Balardin, this pattern differs from that observed with diseases and weeds, as it depends more on the timing of pest occurrence.

Balardin also highlighted the growth of biological products in Brazil. He stated that this advancement occurred in a previously underserved segment: the soil. According to the professor, biological products have begun to contribute to root health. He advocated for special attention to the root system, as a well-formed root system supports the development of the aerial parts of the plant.

The professor cited long-standing problems such as sclerotinia, rhizoctonia, and fusarium. According to him, the use of biological agents is still recent considering the long presence of these pathogens in the production system. Therefore, Balardin assessed that the benefits could grow in the coming harvests.

The survey also indicated inconsistency in the timing of the use of biological products. Balardin stated that this data requires more work, consistency, and dialogue. He believes the biological products industry has an opportunity to adjust recommendations and improve the use of these tools in pest management.