Copaaergs indicates techniques for crops in the summer of 2025

The climate forecast for the months of January, February and March 2025 indicates rainfall between normal and slightly below average in Rio Grande do Sul, especially in February. This is according to the quarterly Bulletin of the Permanent Council of Applied Agrometeorology of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Copaaergs), coordinated by the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production and Irrigation (Seapi). The forecasts presented in the bulletin are based on the statistical model of the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet).

Values ​​recorded in the first half of December indicate cold anomalies in the Central Pacific area and the possibility of slight cooling, which could lead to the evolution of a weak La Niña phenomenon in the next quarter.

For January and March, above-average volumes may occur in the northern and northeastern areas and on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, with slightly lower volumes in the other areas from the center to the west of the state. Drought and drier weather are possible, especially in February and part of March, between the area that goes from Campanha, West, Northwest and Center of the state.

Summer weather will be marked by variability between months, with localized rains and more frequent storms in the North-Northeast and extreme South of the state, while in other areas there may be longer periods of relatively dry weather, especially from the Center to the West-Southwest of the state.

Air temperatures during the quarter are above average, especially in the northern half of the state. They range from normal to slightly above average between January and February, with occasional cold fronts and cold air incursions that ease temperatures, especially in the southern half. Greater warming of the air is expected between February and especially in March 2025.

The Copaaergs bulletin is prepared every three months by Agrometeorology specialists from 16 state and federal entities linked to agriculture or climate. The document also lists a series of technical guidelines for the cultures of the period.

Summer Grains

• To reduce competition for water in the soil, avoid sowing with high plant densities;
• Apply top dressing when the soil has adequate moisture or when rainfall is expected;
• Reserve water for irrigation, prioritizing critical periods of the crop: flowering and grain filling;
• If there is a demand for animal feed, corn can be sown to obtain silage;
• Pay attention to monitoring the corn leafhopper, carrying out control according to technical guidance;
• In late soybean sowing, preferably use long-cycle cultivars and respect the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning;
• Pay attention to disease control, especially Asian soybean rust, especially in periods with mild temperatures and high air humidity and/or leaf wetness.

Irrigated Rice

• Rationalize the use of available water through appropriate management techniques, such as minimal water movement in the frames and maintaining low water depths;
• Depending on the forecast of high availability of solar radiation, adjust nitrogen topdressing fertilization according to technical recommendations for different productivity ranges.

fruit growing

• Maintain ground cover vegetation, whether spontaneous or cultivated, associated with management practices in the row and between the rows, in order to preserve soil moisture and avoid erosion processes, especially in areas with steep slopes;
• Due to the increase in air temperatures typical of the period and the forecast of precipitation that favors the wetting of leaves/fruits, especially in the months of January and March, pay attention to phytosanitary management;
• Control excessive vegetative growth of fruit trees, especially in areas with an imbalance between vegetative and productive development;
• In orchards in production, if possible to irrigate, prioritize localized irrigation methods (drip or micro-sprinkling);
• Considering the variability of weather conditions during this period, pay special attention to monitoring ripening to define the appropriate harvest point.

Vegetables

• The forecast of precipitation close to or below average requires attention regarding the need for irrigation, which should preferably be carried out via a drip system, which offers better water use efficiency;
• Given the forecast of air temperatures close to or slightly above the climatological standard (especially in February and March), it is recommended to proceed with the management of opening the sides in protected environments (tunnels and greenhouses), as soon as possible, avoiding an excessive increase in air temperature during the daytime period in the internal environment of the shelters;
• If possible, use shade or reflective screens over the plant canopy to reduce the incidence of solar radiation and, consequently, the air temperature near the canopy.

Forestry

• Adapt forest management, considering the possibility of rainfall below the climatological average.