Temperature fluctuations harm wheat cultivation in Paraná

After the frosts recorded at the beginning of last week, the subsequent days were marked by stable weather and temperatures above average for the time of year in Paraná. With high temperatures, wheat development was affected, as was productivity. According to the Department of Rural Economy (Deral), in the Weather and Cultivation Conditions report for the period from August 13th to 19th, frosts also continue to worry producers in Paraná, especially in the South and Southwest of the State. 

In these locations, some crops have already shown significant losses, with whitish ears. But the crops will be better evaluated by technicians this week, when the effects will be more visible. In the north of the state, low soil humidity is accelerating the maturation of a large part of wheat crops, in addition to harming the formation of grains. The plots already harvested reveal drops in production. 

For areas that were in the initial phase of development, the plants should show an intensification in tillering, positive for the crop. 

Winter cereals: Among the other winter cereals, oats (black and white) and canola were the most affected where the cold was intense, as most crops were already in full flowering and fruiting. 

Rye and triticale were also affected, but in smaller quantities. Barley suffered practically no damage from frost, as its vegetative development period is longer than that of other winter cereals. 

Vegetable crops: losses were also recorded in vegetable crops. Vegetables grown outside a protected environment were the most affected, especially leafy vegetables, but, even in greenhouses, the cold and frost were intense in parts of the South and Southwest. Additionally, tomato crop losses have been reported. 

In onion production, producers continue working in the beds, collecting seedlings to carry out transplants for the final crop. The crops already established are showing good conditions, producers are already applying top dressing, and the irrigation process continues. 

The 2nd crop potato harvest is underway, with productivity as expected. In the cassava harvest, there are some difficulties in uprooting due to the drought, but agricultural practices continue at a good pace. For the areas that are being planted, there is a need for rain for better development. 

Fruits: for apples, the cold should benefit the crop, as the plant is in dormancy and there is a need for hours of cold to break this dormancy. However, there is a small area of ​​the Eva variety, whose characteristic is earlier, which was already beginning to sprout. 

The strawberry harvest in the warmer region, which normally starts in June, only started in August due to this year's atypical weather. 

Coffee: For coffee, only the late varieties remain to be harvested, well ahead of the previous year's pace, and productivity is hampered by the presence of smaller and lighter beans. Currently, harvesting is occurring more slowly, due to the manual process. The quality is also lower than last year. 

Soy: The areas destined for summer planting are in the preparation phase. In relation to soybeans, some producers have already carried out the first pre-planting desiccation, while the others are waiting for better conditions for application in the coming days. 

Corn: there are only a few areas of 2nd crop corn left to be harvested. Considering the intensity of the drought, some returns have surprised positively, despite the consolidated losses. 

Late frosts also caused concern among producers who planned to start cultivation this week. Many of them changed their plans to start planting only in the second week of September.

Pastures: The long period of low soil moisture and high temperatures compromised the development of pastures in the Northwest and part of the North.