Adequate soil moisture benefits wheat development in RS

The previous week was characterized by cloudiness and rain showers, alternating with sunny days and mild to high temperatures during the afternoon in Rio Grande do Sul. According to the Conjunctural Information, produced by the Planning Management of Emater/RS-Ascar and released on Thursday, September 17, these weather conditions benefited the development of wheat, mainly due to the presence of adequate moisture in the soil, which allowed the absorption of nutrients. The total area sown with the crop in the State already has 3% of crops in the maturation phase; 43% in grain filling; 36% in flowering and 18% in germination.

In the Santa Rosa region, 8% of canola crops are already harvested. The average productivity is 1.208 kilos per hectare, and this reduction is due to the August frosts that significantly reduced the amount of siliques in the upper part of the plants. Producers continue to send reports of losses to carry out Proagro inspections.

Frost damage in the Emater/RS-Ascar regions of Ijuí, Santa Maria, Frederico Westphalen and Soledade show different behavior in white oat crops. In Ijuí, there is great variability in productive potential: approximately 20% of the crops in the region with severe damage are not economically viable, leaving producers to use part for haymaking and other areas as soil cover. The number of producers interested in storing the product on their properties to use as animal feed and seed for the next harvest has increased. In crops little affected by frost, development is excellent and production potential is high.

Barley crops in the Emater/RS-Ascar de Ijuí region show great unevenness due to damage caused by frost, the level of technology adopted and also the physical-chemical conditions of the soil. The reduction in the productive potential of crops can help with the quality of the grains, since the plants have a smaller number of spikelets and, consequently, a smaller number of grains, a circumstance in which all the energy produced by the plants starts to be channeled towards the formation of same.

Summer crops 

Area preparation and planting of corn, first-crop beans and rice continue. The unstable weather condition promoted different behaviors in the State. In some regions, preparation and planting were interrupted, while in others, rain was important to restore soil moisture and boost agricultural activities.

Vegetable crops

In the Pelotas region, in-person sales are actively occurring, and e-commerce is intensifying. High humidity and cloudy and rainy days favored the occurrence of phytosanitary problems in vegetables. However, with intensified treatment, there are no records of major losses. Tomato and pepper transplantation follows to permanent areas. Lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower in increased supply; carrot with little supply and good development of the areas implemented. The prices that changed are shown in the table below; the rest were stable.

Fruit crops

In Bagé, the citrus harvest in Rosário do Sul reached 98% of the bergamot harvest and 85% of the orange harvest. In Caçapava do Sul, winter treatment and foliar fertilization are carried out on olive tree plantations. Some olive groves have already started flowering; Producers are apprehensive about the possibility of frosts in September, which could cause major damage to the crop. In Quaraí, around 70 hectares of wine grapes of different varieties are cultivated: Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Tannat, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Arinarnoa. This year Tempranillo and Marselan are being introduced, with assistance from Emater/RS-Ascar municipal. The vineyards are in the budding phase and have good marketing prospects for Serra and Campanha wineries.