Sistema Farsul and Fundação Pró-Sementes publish results of the ECR Soja 2020-2021

The Farsul System and the Pró-Sementes Foundation released, this Thursday (15/7), the results of the Network Cultivar Trial - ECR for the 2020-2021 soybean harvest. The main objective of the soybean trial network is to provide producers with additional information and technical assistance. The survey indicates a production potential of up to 122 bags per hectare (scs/ha), while the average for Rio Grande do Sul is 57,2 scs/ha.

In the 2020/2021 harvest, the trials were conducted in 11 municipalities, within the three soybean microregions in the state. The research was carried out in Pelotas, Cachoeira do Sul, Cacequi, São Gabriel, Bagé, São Luiz Gonzaga, Júlio de Castilhos, Santo Augusto, Passo Fundo, Lagoa Vermelha and Vacaria in two sowing seasons. 39 cultivars were evaluated, defined by the largest representation of hectares approved for seed production and which are indicated by the Agricultural Zoning of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) for the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

According to the Research & Development Manager at Fundação Pró-Sementes, Kassiana Kehl, the weather conditions in the 2020/2021 harvest were quite variable in Rio Grande do Sul, but overall it was a good year for soybean farming in the state, considering that climate models estimated low rainfall throughout the development of the culture. The months of November, February and April were months of little rain, which hampered the establishment of trials in some regions such as Bagé, Cachoeira do Sul, Cacequi and São Luiz Gonzaga and in the maturation stage, filling grains in group materials longer maturation in colder regions such as Passo Fundo, Lagoa Vermelha and Vacaria.

In microregion 101, the highest productivity was with the cultivar 95R90IPRO, with 122 scs/ha in the second sowing season in the Pelotas trials. In the first season, the highlight was 95R51 with 109 scs/ha in São Gabriel. In microregion 102, Neo 610 IPRO reached 122 scs/ha, in Santo Augusto, in the first season. In the second season, first place went to the BRS 5804 cultivar, but with a productivity of 103 scs/ha, in Passo Fundo. In microregion 103, three cultivars shared first place, BRS 5804 RR, DM 57I52RSF IPRO, both in the first season, and DM 5958 RSF IPRO, second season, with 85 scs/ha, in Vacaria. All results are relative to the early cycle.

To exemplify the importance of choice, Kassiana used Passo Fundo as an example. The difference in productivity between the highest and lowest yielding cultivars was 27 scs/ha. With an average price of R$150,00 per bag of soybeans, the definition could mean R$4.050,00 of impact on the producer's income.

The president of Sistema Farsul, Gedeão Pereira, guaranteed the continuity of the trials due to their importance for agriculture in Rio Grande do Sul. "We make an effort every year and we will continue to do so, as this is one of the best tools we have to decide what to do in relation to soybeans in Rio Grande do Sul", he assesses.

The vice-president of Farsul and coordinator of the Federation Grains Commission, Elmar Konrad, highlighted the publication that brings the results as an important tool to help producers. "Information on the differences between one cultivar and another brings a result that is equal to the profitability of a crop", he defines.

The superintendent of Senar-RS, Eduardo Condorelli, evaluates the study as "absolutely fundamental in the life of any soybean producer in Rio Grande do Sul". He remembers that the research is not a competition between seeds sold in the state. "There is no best or worst material for Rio Grande do Sul, there are different materials for different regions. This (the publication) today is a guide to define genetics", he explains.

The technical and administrative director of the Pró-Sementes Foundation, Alexandre Levien, recalled the partnership between the Foundation and Farsul that has spanned more than a decade and reinforced the importance of sponsors for carrying out and improving research. "May we continue to continue bringing information and improving. Our objective is to always improve the work", he reveals.

Konrad also highlighted the participation of new sponsors who joined Senar-RS in financing the studies. For Bayer, the regional manager, Marcos Puhlmann, highlighted not only participation in the research, but also the current situation in agriculture. "We are happy to be here precisely during this harvest that will mark the history of Rio Grande do Sul", he celebrates. The executive manager of Rural Insurance at BrasilSeg, Daniel Nascimento, recalled the company's position in relation to agribusiness and its role in the survey. "It's always a pleasure to contribute to agriculture in Brazil and, especially, here in the state", he says.

The test

The Network Cultivar Trial - ECR brings together data on the performance of different cultivars in the main soybean producing regions of Rio Grande do Sul. It has been carried out for more than a decade by Sistema Farsul and Fundação Pró-Sementes.

As the experiments are implemented and conducted in a uniform manner, in all locations, it allows the user of the information a better visualization of the set of cultivars recommended for their region, thus contributing to achieving greater profitability in the business. Another important foundation is the commitment to making the results available as soon as possible, thus allowing, in a timely manner, to assist in decision-making in choosing the cultivar to be planted in the following harvest.

The results of all Network Cultivar Trials are available for consultation on the Farsul websites (www.farsul.org.br) and Fundação Pró-Sementes (www.fundacaorosementes.com.br). In addition, the Farsul System distributes printed publication of the results to Rural Unions for each harvest.