Experts warn about soil protection against La Niña phenomenon

Climate event that causes cooling of Pacific waters could cause damage to Brazilian crops

12.08.2020 | 20:59 (UTC -3)
Agrourban Communication

Directly linked to the climate is agricultural production. In this sense, the climate phenomenon of cooling Pacific waters, known as La Niña, could bring unpleasant consequences to some regions of Brazil. Opposite to El Niño, the La Niña phenomenon brings excessive rainfall in some regions and drought in others. The climate is influenced by several elements, such as temperature and air mass, making it susceptible to changes in these elements.

Updates to recent climate prediction models from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), located in the USA, continue to point to the formation of a La Niña in the spring, which will last until the summer of 2021. This factor may, once again, interfere with the soybean harvest in southern Brazil, which in 2020 was already affected by drought.

Therefore, experts warn of the importance of preparing and nourishing the soil, for productive stability and guaranteed quality in farming. To achieve this, the solution in many crops in southern Brazil has been the use of granulated calcium sulfate. Several producers have noted the benefits of using calcium sulfate in granulated form, which acts not only as a mineral fertilizer, source of soluble calcium and sulfur, but also as a soil conditioner.

Calcium sulfate acts on both the superficial and deeper layers of the soil, combating toxic aluminum and improving the root environment, helping to build the profile. In granulated form, it presents great gains for the producer in terms of cost reduction and quantity of application, as explained by SulGesso specialist and researcher, Jussara Cristina Stinghen. “Management that seeks to build a soil profile and a crop that is more resistant to drought demands soil care over long periods. That is why it is important for producers to invest in and take care of their greatest asset, the soil, throughout the year; With the help of calcium and sulfur - nutrients present in calcium sulfate - the soil becomes more permeable, allowing the roots to nourish themselves more easily”, explains Jussara.

According to the researcher, study results prove that good management with cover crops in winter, together with the use of soil conditioners, such as granulated calcium sulfate, guarantee a summer crop that is more resistant to drought.

Soil conditioning in winter, using granulated calcium sulfate, stimulates rooting in grasses and leaves the soil more aerated, providing greater absorption and concentration of water in depth. With the soil decompacted, plant roots reach greater depths, having access to water and nutrients, increasing resistance to drought. “It is important to highlight that granulated calcium sulfate can be applied to winter and summer crops, with proven benefits”, explains the specialist.

Even with the likely occurrence of La Niña, it is possible to minimize the damage caused by water stress. “Granulated calcium sulfate acts to increase soil porosity, promoting its decompression. Well-nourished plants with a well-developed root system stand out in conditions of water stress”, concludes the expert.

Cultivar Newsletter

Receive the latest agriculture news by email