Sunflower sowing in Goiás ends on March 31

The deadline for sowing sunflowers in Goiás ends on March 31, according to Normative Instruction No. 01/2022 of the Goiás Agricultural Defense Agency (Agrodefesa). The measure seeks to contain volunteer soybean plants (tigera) that germinate between the sunflower rows, preventing the proliferation of Asian rust, a disease caused by the fungus. Phakopsora pachyrhizi (learn more here).

Sunflower is a second-season crop in the state and its production has grown in recent years. Goiás leads the national ranking, and the 2024/2025 harvest is expected to reach 76,2 thousand tons, an increase of 70,5% compared to the previous cycle.

Planting restrictions are part of a phytosanitary strategy. The emergence of soybean tiger leaf spot in sunflower crops can favor the spread of Asian rust. There are no selective herbicides to control these plants in sunflower crops registered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), which reinforces the importance of adopting preventive measures.

Agrodefesa's Plant Health Manager, Daniela Rézio, explains that defining sowing and harvesting deadlines aims to minimize phytosanitary risks.

The calendar must be followed to ensure that the soybean health gap period is respected, preventing volunteer plants from serving as hosts for the fungus that causes Asian rust.

The regulation also requires the destruction of volunteer soybean plants in the vicinity of sunflower crops. Only those within the crop can remain until harvest.

For crops sown after March 14, the standard determines the use of short-cycle cultivars, with development of up to 105 days. Harvesting must occur by July 15.

In addition, crop registration with the Goiás Agricultural Defense System (Sidago) is mandatory and must be completed within 15 days after the end of sowing. This measure allows production to be monitored and plant health actions to be planned.

The president of Agrodefesa, José Ricardo Caixeta Ramos, highlights that sunflower cultivation has been consolidated in Goiás due to its climate adaptation and low incidence of pests. The growth in production reinforces the importance of sanitary measures to preserve productivity and avoid losses to the sector.