Frosts require proper management of vegetables in RS

The potential occurrence of frost during the winter in Rio Grande do Sul draws the attention of vegetable growers, who must be prepared to take the necessary precautions to preserve the productivity and quality of their vegetables. Frost causes significant damage to plants, including leaf burn, stunted growth, and even death, especially during sensitive stages like flowering and fruiting.

"Freezing water in plant cells can rupture cell walls, causing physical damage and leading to necrosis," explains Gervásio Paulus, extension agent and state technical coordinator of Vegetable Culture at Emater/RS. "Proper management during this period is essential to minimize the impacts of low temperatures, prevent crop losses, and ensure production continuity," he emphasizes, noting that simple techniques, when properly applied, can make a difference in the sustainability of agricultural activities during the intense cold.

According to Paulus, “at this time of year, excess humidity, frost and low light levels end up affecting plant photosynthesis, hindering their development, which favors the occurrence of rot and fungal and bacterial diseases.”

Vegetable production in the state is spread across several regions, with Campos de Cima da Serra standing out as a major hub for vegetable cultivation. Municipalities such as São Francisco de Paula, Bom Jesus, and São José dos Ausentes are prominent in potato and broccoli cultivation, serving as benchmarks for these crops.

Other regions also have a strong presence in vegetable production. The Serra, South, Northwest, and Northeast regions concentrate onion cultivation, particularly in cities like São José do Norte, Tavares, and Nova Pádua. Tomatoes are produced in Caxias do Sul, Nova Bassano, and Pelotas, while cassava is popular in municipalities like Santo Antônio da Patrulha, Novo Hamburgo, and São José do Hortêncio. Leafy vegetables, in turn, are grown in various areas of the state, most notably in Santa Rosa, Maquiné, and Caxias do Sul.

According to the latest Emater/RS Conjuntural Newsletter, producers in the Santa Rosa region report that vegetation has not yet recovered from the effects of intense frosts and that a large portion of crops are being eliminated to plant undamaged seedlings.

Proper management of vegetables

The occurrence of frost requires the adoption of good practices in vegetable cultivation, making it essential to avoid production losses. Simple techniques, applied correctly, can significantly reduce the negative impacts of low temperatures on vegetables.

Recommended measures include the use of physical coverings, such as tunnels and greenhouses, adequate irrigation at strategic times, and the selection of more cold-tolerant cultivars. The specialized technical guidance provided by Emater/RS extension agents is a crucial ally in helping farmers adapt their management practices to adverse weather conditions, preserving productivity and food quality, and guaranteeing income for farming families.

"In protected crops, the risk of production being affected by weather events is lower because the environment is regulated to between one and two degrees above the outside temperature, which is enough to prevent the effect of frost on vegetables," Paulus highlights.

Some vegetables, such as lettuce, arugula, kale, spinach, and other leafy greens, are more sensitive to sudden temperature changes and therefore require extra attention during frost. Production planning, based on weather forecasts and calendars, is also an important tool for decision-making in the field.

"Emater guides producers and meets demands as requested, focusing on technical support and the dissemination of technologies that enable cultivation in a protected environment, in addition to adequate irrigation management, which is an important factor in this context," adds the extension agent.

Emater/RS has been working with family farmers through in-person guidance, workshops, and technical materials, reinforcing preventive measures in vegetable management. The goal is to ensure food security for families, maintain supply in local markets, and contribute to the sustainability of the activity, even in adverse weather conditions.