Development of soybeans in Rio Grande do Sul is favored by the climate

Soybean planting in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) increased from 98% to 99% of the projected area. The planting estimate for the 2023/2024 harvest is 6.745.112 hectares, and the productivity outlook is 3.327 kg/ha. 

According to the Conjunctural Information, released this Thursday (11/01) by Emater/RS, linked to the State Secretariat for Rural Development (SDR), the reduction in the volume of precipitation and the increase in temperature provided favorable conditions for development of soybean crops, evidenced by the increase in plant size. At the moment, 85% of soybean crops are in the vegetative development stage, 14% in the flowering stage and 1% in grain filling.

From a soybean phytosanitary point of view, there is concern in the Western Region of the State due to the early detection of Asian rust compared to previous years. This situation was worsened by conditions conducive to the rapid spread of spores, resulting from constant rain. During this period, monitoring and preventive application of fungicides continued, in addition to chemical control of spontaneous/competing herbs.

While the staggered implementation of corn crops in RS continues, reaching 94% of the area, the cereal harvest reached 13% of the cultivated area, projected at 817.521 hectares. The decrease in the volume of precipitation in the last two weeks resulted in a reduction in moisture in the grains, bringing them closer to the ideal levels for the threshing process, which facilitated and accelerated the operation. 

Harvest results vary, but, as observed in the harvested areas, they indicate a tendency towards a reduction in initial productivity, predicted at 7.414 kg of corn/ha. The cause of this decrease was excessive rainfall, which resulted in the leaching of nutrients and harmed pollination during the reproductive phase. Effective confirmation of this reduction in harvest will only be possible as the harvest advances to later-planted crops.

The area planted with silage corn in RS increased to 80% of the total projection, which is 364.291 hectares for this harvest. At the same time, the harvest intended for making whole-plant silage reached 25% of crops. 20% of crops remain at the cutoff point; 24%, in the germination and vegetative development phase; and 31%, between flowering and grain filling. The estimated productivity is 39.088 kg/ha.

The implementation of first-crop bean crops continued in the Northeast Region of the State. The environmental conditions facilitated the planting and initial establishment of crops. In other producing regions, the bean harvest continued. For the 1/2023 Harvest, a projected cultivation area of ​​2024 hectares in the first harvest, whose estimated productivity is 29.053 kg/ha.

The Rio Grandense Rice Institute (Irga) projects a cultivation area of ​​902.425 hectares for this rice harvest. Emater/RS estimates the average productivity of 8.359 kg/ha. In the State, sowing is technically closed. It is estimated that 95% of crops are in vegetative development and 5% are in flowering. The crops sown in October and November are regularly irrigated and have an excellent visual appearance, due to the long sequence of sunny days and adequate temperatures. The abundant availability of water facilitates rice irrigation work, which results in better quality weed management, in addition to the advantages that water-saturated soil provides for the crop. As for cultural treatments, monitoring of pests and diseases is being carried out.