Corn Tour reflects the consolidation of culture in Goiás

The 3rd Corn Tour brought together producers and agricultural technicians for a day focused on innovations and validation results and management of hybrid technologies in BT seeds. On May 24th, the Instituto Goiano de Agricultura (IGA) hosted another meeting to showcase the productive potential of cultivars in the field and provided another opportunity to disseminate information and scientific knowledge.

Participants toured the corn fields and received technical guidance on the positioning and agronomic potential of 37 hybrid varieties from 13 companies. The Tour also provided the public with information about Fall Armyworm Management in Corn Culture, through a lecture given by agronomist specializing in technology development, Paulo Roberto Garollo. According to the researcher, monitoring the pest deserves special attention, from the germination of seeds, through the main actions that technicians and producers have to take and to know the biology of the insect, the management of transgenic technologies (seeds), with an emphasis on the areas of refuges.

 “The presence of the pest still results in significant loss of productivity”, he highlights, remembering that in Brazil, until 2007, around 35% of corn production was lost due to this caterpillar. Still according to Garollo, biotechnology has changed the situation and now the plant produces defense proteins against the caterpillar; “a great advance, but it does not solve the problem completely”.

General coordinator of the IGA, Elio de La Torre is responsible for grain studies at the Institute. Elio explains that corn responds well when managed correctly, which this year was favored by a good level of rainfall, which made it possible to show the potential of hybrids. “It’s the opportunity to find out about the options for the 2019-2020 harvest”, he warns.

IGA agricultural supervisor, Guilherme Sperotto explains that there was pressure from caterpillars and other pests, such as leafhoppers and aphids, but that the materials tested offered good resistance to these attacks. “The producer needs all possible information to choose which variety best suits the conditions of his land”, he ponders.

Recovery

For the president of the Goiano Institute of Agriculture (IGA), Carlos Alberto Moresco, the number of companies approaching and honoring the work carried out by the institute has grown. “The 3rd Corn Tour is the culmination of the work we carried out throughout an entire harvest”, he declares. For Moresco, 2019 represents the recovery of the corn crop, with a good harvest and greater pest control.

President of Aprosoja Goiás, Adriano Barzotto attended the event and assessed the current corn scenario in the state. The producer claims that grain production will exceed 10 million tons in the off-season, but that production problems are often unpredictable. “That’s why the IGA’s work is important. What comes out of here can guide what will be done in other regions”, he considers.

IGA Executive Director, Dulcimar Pessatto Filho highlights that corn is increasingly consolidated in the grain and fiber production system in Goiás, and that there is a lot of attention in the field for the success of each harvest. “Goiás produces around 10% of Brazilian corn. It is a global force in the production of this grain and our objective is to contribute to expanding this market share”, he says.

Participating companies celebrate results

The thirteen main companies supplying hybrid corn seeds exposed the results of their main varieties in the IGA experimental fields.

Nidera presented four different materials, as explained by its representative Fernando Cabral. “The results show that our products have stability and good performance in the Southwest of Goiás”, he summarizes.

Santa Helena Semente presented two varieties, one conventional/BT and the other exclusively BT. Company representative, Vanderlei Cruvinel explains that both showed high productivity and health, and that the IGA conditions benefited the good result. “The information that IGA produces is very important for us”, he highlights. In turn, Jmen Sementes brought three hybrid varieties. José Mendonça presented the results and highlighted that IGA management yielded high productivity and physical tolerance to caterpillars and other pests. “We have stood out in the region,” he says.

Elias Rosetti represented Seedcorp at the event, with four varieties. “We had good stalk quality, a productive ceiling and a low nematode reproduction factor. Management was fundamental and the seed adapted well to the region”, he points out. The company Dekalb was represented by Guilherme Lúcio, who showed three new hybrids arriving on the market. The highlight is the genetics with narrower plants, facilitating the absorption of light and pesticides. “It gains in grain, leaf and stalk health,” he says.

Forseed presented two hybrids with high tolerance to the molicutes complex and viruses. “The plant is resistant to water stress, but maintains good health with high humidity”, explains representative Sebastião Soares. In turn, the company Semeali presented four varieties with a focus on cost-benefit. “Conventional material has lower handling costs and serves a large proportion of producers”, says company employee, Unenys Cabral.

Blue print

Joia Sementes presented the result of a variety, with the insertion of a low ear, dried on the plant itself. “We have had this variety on the market for three years, with good productivity and producer acceptance,” says exhibitor Cleudmar Oliveira.

Syngenta's four varieties highlight their grain and stalk quality, health, low nematode reproduction factor and productive stability. “We have a portfolio for different investments and good entry into the market”, highlights technician Emilton Guimarães.

Rodrigo Castro represented Pioneer with two varieties on the Tour. The company's highlights are its flexibility in planting time and plant population, as well as good productivity in the 1st and 2nd harvests. “It’s the seed most planted in the off-season in the Southwest of Goiás,” he recalls.

João Garollo Neto spoke about the two hybrids from the Morgan company. Highlighting the new technology for pest control. “This year we will also enter the market with conventional hybrids”, he warns.

Sementes Biomatrix presented five hybrids, the highlights of which are leaf health and production stability. Felipe Garcia explains that the company's participation has been growing in the region, with investment in a high-quality genetic bank.

Finally, the company KWS presented three hybrids with Vip3 technology, resistant to caterpillars, glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium. “IGA management proves the potential of our seeds”, argues representative Mauro Fonseca. The partnership between IGA and companies has increasingly contributed to clarifying producers in advance of decision-making, validating technologies and developing management to increase productivity.