Dry weather reduces soybean planting intensity in RS

The dry weather caused soybean producers to reduce the intensity of the crop's implementation in Rio Grande do Sul. According to the Conjunctural Information, produced by the Planning Management (GPL) of Emater/RS-Ascar, linked to the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development (Seapdr), and released on Thursday, October 22, in some regions, it was even necessary to stop planting, which already covers 5% of the estimated total area. 

Soil moisture was the conditioning factor for the continuity of planting in the Emater/RS-Ascar regions of Ijuí, Soledade, Santa Rosa, Bagé, Frederico Westphalen, Santa Maria, Passo Fundo, Pelotas, Porto Alegre and Caxias do Sul. of Ijuí, sowing practically stopped, being carried out only in areas with irrigation, still not very significant in relation to the total area to be cultivated in the region. 

With several days without precipitation, soil moisture is far below ideal for sowing and seed germination. Therefore, producers do not sow to avoid seed loss. In areas with irrigation, crops are showing good initial development. In rainfed plants, emergence is uneven and seedlings die. 

In the Soledade region, sowing is at a standstill; Some producers sowed during the week with the expectation of the return of rain, under the risk of the seed starting to germinate and not having the humidity conditions to begin vegetative development. In the Santa Rosa region, farmers are waiting for humidity to return to sowing; some have already done so in the expectation that there would be rain, which did not happen. Low air and soil humidity has prevented desiccation of the areas that will receive the oilseed. Producers take advantage of the moment when planting is stopped to intensify the wheat harvest and free up areas for soybean sowing.

The sequence of days with dry weather reduced soil moisture and, in some regions of the State, corn crops are already showing symptoms of water stress. The planting of the crop already reaches 70% of the estimated total area. The predominance of good weather, with average temperatures between 13 and 25°C, allowed rice sowing activities to be carried out, especially in areas with greater drainage difficulties, which now have ideal humidity. Planting of the crop already covers 50% of the estimated total area. In the Emater/RS-Ascar regions of Frederico Westphalen, Ijuí and Porto Alegre, the planting of the first bean harvest was completed. At Frederico Westphalen, 5% of the areas have already reached the grain filling phase. The lack of rain in recent days is harming the development of the crop. Producers carry out top dressing fertilization, fungal treatment and pest and weed control.

Winter Crops – Wheat

The wheat harvest in Rio Grande do Sul was officially opened last Friday (16/10), in Cruz Alta, with more than 30% of the area already harvested, and the dry weather and high temperatures favored the maturation and contributed to the progress of the harvest. 

Crop productivity presents great variability due to damage caused by frost correlated with the sowing period, location of crops and cultivar cycle. In areas planted later, the tendency is for productivity to be reduced due to the lack of rain, which results in small, shriveled grains. Wheat has currently emerged as a good alternative among winter crops, especially when implemented with a view to improving soil fertility.  

Wheat cultivation, integrated into crop rotation systems, effectively contributes to the maintenance and improvement of the chemical and physical fertility of the soil, to the control of diseases, pests and weeds and to greater efficiency of machinery, labor and inputs on rural properties, fundamental conditions for the sustainability of Brazilian agriculture.