| Agriculture

Diversification increases profitability and reduces risks in soybean production

Studies by Embrapa Soja show that more diverse systems improve fertility and guarantee greater economic returns

12.06.2025 | 11:22 (UTC -3)

Cultivar Magazine

The low diversification in soybean farming systems is a concern for researchers. Simplified arrangements predominate in Brazil, such as second-season soybean and corn in warm regions; and soybean and wheat or idle areas in the fall-winter in colder regions. This limitation compromises soil health and increases production costs, warns Embrapa Soja researcher Henrique Debiasi.

According to Debiasi, repeated crops degrade the biology and structure of the soil. The result is more diseases, nematodes and compaction. This reduces root growth, limits water infiltration, increases herbicide costs and compromises productivity. "Less diversity creates more risk, especially in dry years," he says.

Even in the face of this evidence, diversification is progressing slowly. Debiasi attributes this to the short-term vision of some producers. Different systems, although sometimes less profitable in a single harvest, bring consistent gains after four or five years. “We need to think about the system as a whole,” he emphasizes.

Studies by Embrapa confirm the economic viability of diversification. An experiment in partnership with Copacol, started in 2020, evaluates different production models at the Cafelândia (PR) experimental station. The corn-brachiaria consortium, for example, increased the profitability of the system by 11%. The increase did not come from corn or soybeans alone, but from the whole. “Brachiaria improves the soil, which favors the soybeans grown next,” he explains.

Other models also showed positive results. The introduction of wheat as a third crop increased profitability by 7%. The use of black or white oats increased profitability by 10%. Losses due to frost, such as that which affected wheat in one of the years evaluated, do not offset gains in the full cycle. “Even with specific risks, the balance is positive,” the researcher points out.

The research also shows that, in the conditions of western Paraná, it is possible to carry out up to five harvests in two years, combining soybeans, corn and wheat or oats, with a focus on grains or straw. In addition to economic gains, the intensified and diversified models improve the physical and biological fertility indicators of the soil.

Debiasi recommends that producers start with small areas. “Two, five or ten hectares. The important thing is to learn little by little,” he suggests. He emphasizes that Brazilian agriculture is already advanced, but can evolve further with different systems. “Diversifying is not about acknowledging mistakes, it is about seeking efficiency and sustainability,” he concludes.