Healthy cotton and corn in the second harvest

The second harvest, known as the safrinha, has been gaining a prominent role in Brazilian agriculture. Its success, however, depends on careful planning that begins in the previous crop.

"Adequate management of the previous harvest is essential to avoid high infestations of pests and diseases in cotton and corn," explains Sérgio Zambon, technology development manager for Brazil at BASF Agricultural Solutions.

Corn in the second harvest

Corn producers face significant weather challenges during the second harvest. Too little or too much rainfall, as well as the possibility of frost, can compromise productivity.

To mitigate these risks, experts recommend practices such as soil correction, use of adapted seeds, crop rotation and adoption of digital solutions.

Climate challenges

The second corn harvest in 2025 will be impacted by the La Niña phenomenon, which could cause above-average rainfall in the North and Northeast regions and drought in the Center-South and South regions.

Water stress caused by lack of rain harms plant development and pollination, reducing productivity. Excessive rain, on the other hand, favors the emergence of diseases and weeds.

To reduce these problems, it is essential to invest in techniques such as direct planting, increasing soil organic matter and choosing more resistant cultivars, explains Sérgio Zambon.

Certified seeds

Using certified seeds adapted to the local climate is essential. These seeds have greater genetic potential, providing better adaptation and productivity.

To choose the right seeds, the producer must consider factors such as vigor, resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance to abiotic stresses and a cultivation cycle compatible with the planting window.

Pest management and resistance

The cigarhopper (Dalbulus maidis) is one of the main pests that affect the second corn crop, and can significantly reduce productivity. Improper management of this pest can lead to the spread of diseases.

The expectation for 2025 is an increase in the leafhopper population due to favorable climate conditions. Constant monitoring of crops and the strategic use of insecticides are recommended to contain the infestation.

In general, pesticide rotation is an essential practice to prevent resistance. The alternating use of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides with different mechanisms of action prevents the selection of resistant organisms, contributing to the sustainability of production.

Cotton in the second harvest

Genetically modified cotton varieties are helping to reduce losses and increase productivity in the second crop. These varieties are resistant to pests, diseases and are tolerant to herbicides, allowing for more efficient management.

Among the examples, FiberMax varieties with Seletio System technology stand out, which combat difficult-to-control weeds and offer resistance to ramularia (caused by Ramulariopsis gossypii) and nematodes, explains Zambon.

Some pests and diseases are likely to pose major challenges to cotton growers. The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis), the caterpillars spodoptera spp. and ramularia are the main threats, which can significantly compromise production.

"The weevil is a pest that attacks apples and flower buds, causing flowers to fall and reducing production, potentially compromising 100% of production. Caterpillars spodoptera spp. cause defoliation and damage to reproductive structures. And ramularia promotes early defoliation, reducing the yield and quantity of fibers", explains Zambon.

Proper management of these threats includes continuous monitoring, use of resistant varieties and rational application of pesticides.

To avoid excessive cotton growth in the vegetative phase, techniques such as the use of variable-rate growth regulators are recommended. This approach allows for more efficient distribution of the input, promoting a more uniform crop.

The use of new technologies and good management practices are essential to face the challenges of the second cotton crop and ensure greater productivity and sustainability.

Final tips for the second harvest

CULTIVAR MAGAZINE - How can insecticide, fungicide and herbicide rotation help prevent pest resistance in corn crops? Could you talk a little about the ideal rotations?

Sergio Zambon - Crop protection rotation is a fundamental practice to prevent or delay the development of pest and disease resistance. Rotating products with different mechanisms of action makes it difficult to select organisms for pesticides. Ideal crop rotations should be defined based on an integrated pest and disease management plan, taking into account the biology of pests and diseases present in the region, the history of use and mechanism of action of pesticides, and technical recommendations.

CULTIVAR MAGAZINE - How can digital agriculture contribute to increasing productivity and sustainability in the second corn crop? Is it an economically viable alternative for the producer?

Sergio Zambon - Digital agriculture offers several tools that can help producers optimize production, such as sensors for monitoring climate and soil, plantability, satellite images for analyzing vegetation, drones for localized application of pesticides, management software, and many others. These tools allow for more accurate and efficient decision-making, increasing productivity and reducing production costs. In addition, digital agriculture contributes to sustainability, allowing for more efficient use of natural resources.

BASF offers digital solutions to support farmers at different stages of the cycle, through Xarvio Digital Farming Solutions, the company's global digital agriculture brand. At the beginning of the second crop, plantability is of fundamental importance, the "plot nutritional management" solution offers an efficient alternative for soil analysis, allowing up to 77% savings, with the same agronomic effectiveness as traditional analysis. At the time of planting, the "sowing maps" facilitate variable-rate planting, which can generate a 5,4% increase in productivity in corn and up to 6,4% in cotton, when used in conjunction with the FiberMax recommendation. In cycle maintenance, digital weed mapping facilitates crop management, with more precise and sustainable control of weed outbreaks, achieving an average of 60% optimization of inputs and resources, such as water.

CULTIVAR MAGAZINE - What is the role of genetically modified cotton varieties in reducing losses and increasing productivity in the second crop? Could you give some examples?

Sergio Zambon - Genetically modified cotton varieties play a fundamental role in modern agriculture, especially in the second crop. These varieties are developed with genes that confer specific characteristics, such as resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance to herbicides and improvement of agronomic characteristics. This technology allows producers to significantly reduce losses caused by pests and diseases, reducing the need for insecticide applications and increasing the effectiveness of control. In addition, herbicide-tolerant varieties facilitate the control of important weeds, optimizing crop management. Recently, two FiberMax cotton varieties were launched with the exclusive Sistema Seletio technology, specially developed to control weeds that are difficult to combat in Brazil, such as crow's foot (Eleusine indica), in addition to resistance to ramularia and nematodes Meloidogyne incognita e Rotylenchulus reniformis.