The secret to high productivity lies in sowing, says researcher

The timing of planting is one of the factors that can define the success of a crop. There is no way to harvest well if the sowing is done poorly. The producer of a certain crop who correctly distributes the seeds can generate an increase in productivity of up to 5 bags per hectare. The number could be even higher, depending on the conditions of the area and appropriate management, explains the specialist in planting large crops, Paulo Arbex, who will speak on the topic during Showtec 2020. 

Arbex argues that the most determining stage in grain production is sowing, as the highest costs and greatest technologies are involved. Therefore, it is important to avoid failures at this stage. “If we make a mistake in seed distribution, we will have a stand with failed and double plants. This can result in a significant loss of productivity”, warns the researcher. 

The reasons for the loss in productivity are varied, but one of them is due to the inappropriate use of seeders which, in many cases, do not have the correct adjustment, due to the lack of knowledge of the producer who purchased them. Consequently, unnecessary expenses are generated with seeds, fertilizers and inputs in general, subsequently causing frustration at harvest time. 

In this sense, the producer must pay attention to plantability, which is the performance characteristic of the seeder, aiming at the correct distribution of seeds in the field, with the correct depth, generating adequate productivity. According to the researcher, to get a sense of the relevance of this concept, data from companies that sell seeds indicate that in a corn crop, for every 10% increase in the Coefficient of Variation in the spacing between one seed and another next to it, it is lost 1,5 bags of grain produced per hectare of planted crops.

Therefore, when starting planting, extra attention is needed. “An adequate plant stand promotes improved system performance and optimization of resources, such as seeds, fertilizers, fuels, labor, among others. Good performance in planting is a decisive factor in the search for sustainability in agribusiness in Brazil”, points out the expert. 

The lecture “Plantability: The Secret of High Productivity” is part of the panel “Preparing Farms for Agriculture” and is scheduled to take place from 10 am, on January 24th, in the Showtec auditorium. The complete program can be seen directly on the website www.portalshowtec.com.br.