Rain favors wheat cultivation in Rio Grande do Sul

The rains that occurred in recent periods were considered highly beneficial for wheat cultivation in Rio Grande do Sul, whose planting on 1.312.488 hectares has been completed. In general, soil moisture has normalized, as the period is of lower evapotranspiration. According to the Conjunctural Information, released this Thursday (08/08) by Emater/RS, the increase in humidity allowed the adequate management of nitrogen fertilization in coverage, providing the recovery of plant size and an increase in leaf area and favoring the emission of tillers. The predominant phase of crops is vegetative development, with 98%, while 2% are in flowering, and the expected productivity of this harvest is 3.100 kg of wheat per hectare.

The environmental conditions – sunny days after a period of rain – also allowed planting to be completed within the deadline indicated by the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (Zarc), which extended until 31/07. Crop health remains satisfactory. Most are free of foliar diseases, with the exception of some wetter areas, sown at the beginning of the season, or where the increase in leaf area and the recent presence of humidity have favored infestation. Regarding invasive plants, producers are carrying out control as necessary, especially in ryegrass.

In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Ijuí, wheat cultivation is developing satisfactorily, and the plants are producing a greater number of leaves and occupying space better. The emission of tillers is within normal limits, with new, dark green and more vigorous leaves. Producers are finalizing the application of herbicides and applying nitrogen fertilization to cover areas in the tillering stage. Diseases such as powdery mildew and rust are present in areas sown at the beginning of the zoning period. To date, the production potential is considered adequate.

White oats - the crop has continued to benefit from environmental conditions since mid-July, when rains interspersed with great solar radiation allowed the vegetative development of crops to recover. A visual improvement was observed in the color of the leaves, the size of the new leaves and the thickening of the stems. Part of the white oat crops established later received nitrogen fertilization during the period. In general, the phytosanitary status is satisfactory. Emater/RS estimates a cultivated area of ​​365.590 hectares, and productivity is projected at 2.402 kg/ha.

Canola - the recurrence of sunny days interspersed with precipitation favored the development of crops and the recovery of areas that were showing less than expected development. The earliest canola crops, sown in April and May, have lower plant density and production potential below the initial projection, due to untimely rains during germination. Crops sown from June onwards exhibit an adequate plant population, high vigor, good health and satisfactory general development, in addition to the expectation of good productivity. Emater/RS projects 134.975 hectares cultivated with canola, and productivity of 1.679 kg/ha.

In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Santa Rosa, 50% of the 52.509 hectares cultivated with canola are in the vegetative development phase; 37% in flowering; 11% in grain filling; and 1% in the maturation phase. Later crops are beginning to elongate the floral rachis, indicating intense accumulation of aerial biomass. In earlier established crops, filling of the siliques is already observed, especially those located at the base of the rachis.

Barley - in the region where cereal production is concentrated, in the North of the State, the light rains, which occurred on 04/08, favored management activities, especially nitrogen fertilization in top dressing. The cultivation projection is 34.429 hectares, and productivity is 3.245 kg/ha. Currently, in the Erechim region, the crop is predominantly in the vegetative development phase, and 5% of the cultivated area, sown in May, is in flowering. In Sertão, where approximately 4 thousand hectares of barley are cultivated, crops are developing well and maintain the expected initial productivity of 3.600 kg/ha.

Vegetable crops

In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Bagé, in Dom Pedrito, the adverse weather of the previous months still reflects a low supply of vegetable crops, and there is a need to purchase products, both from neighboring municipalities and from Ceasa. In Ijuí, the period was very favorable for the development of vegetable crops and for activities to prepare new areas for planting. The warmer climate and high light accelerated the growth of plants, which emitted new, well-expanded leaves. The development of brassicas stands out, such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, which have larger plants and excellent quality. Producers intensify the harvest of cassava and sweet potatoes.

In Erechim, the return of light has benefited the development of crops, which is normalizing, especially hardwoods grown in protected systems. Producers transplant and harvest hardwoods, such as lettuce, arugula and chicory. Broccoli is being harvested and has good appearance and size. The soil is prepared and the varieties are defined to start growing tomatoes, snap beans, cucumbers, among others. Tomato, pepper and cucumber seedlings are also being prepared. Products are sold not only at farmers' markets, but also to local markets, restaurants and directly to consumers.

Pastures - the plantings replanted after the intense rains in May showed good emergence and initial establishment. The forage plants emitted more tillers, and regrowth was faster, reducing the time it takes for animals to return to pastures. In some places, producers are already preparing areas for sowing annual summer forages. Native pastures continue to have low support capacity, influenced by adverse weather and high crowding. Despite good solar radiation and high temperatures atypical for winter, limited regrowth was observed due to lack of humidity, frost that burned the plants, or intense grazing.

Meliponiculture  - in the administrative region of Emater/RS de Santa Rosa, high temperatures benefited the movement of stingless bees, which went out in search of resources for the hives, especially in the flowering of pitangueira, mulberry, cow's paw, among other species , which, due to the cold alternating with periods of heat, brought flowering forward. Artificial feeding was carried out for some species, so as not to compromise survival. The demand for stingless bee honey (ASF) remains high, being sold in the region with prices ranging from R$80,00 to R$100,00 per kg.