Importance of root structure in off-season corn production

The 2019/2020 grain harvest is still being harvested, but it is already a record, with 251 million tons – 10 million tons more than the previous one. This advance is driven by several crops, including corn, which exceeded 100 million tons.

“Corn is the second largest agricultural crop in Brazil, behind only soybeans. This grain is of great economic importance, not only for maintaining the supply of food for humans and animals but also for the production of bioenergy, as the share of cultivation in the composition of ethanol increases year after year”, highlights the market development technician from Brandt in Brazil, Pedro Afonso.

For corn numbers to remain constantly growing, special attention is needed to plant structures. Among them, the root plays a fundamental role in development, health and productivity. “This happens because the root system, in addition to fixing the plants to the soil, absorbs water and essential nutrients for the plant”, explains Pedro Afonso.

“A well-developed root structure allows plants to more easily overcome adverse environmental conditions, such as summer weather, as well as having the potential to capture more water and nutrients”, he highlights.

Temperature, salinity, humidity and soil compaction, among others, are factors that can hinder corn root development, as well as the quality of germination and initial vigor. Some herbicides, explains Pedro Afonso, can also cause permanent damage to the roots. “Which can open doors to diseases and pests, impacting the cycle and harming production,” he says.

In this scenario, it is very important to keep the roots in full development “as the amount of water and nutrients available to the plants is directly proportional to the portion of the soil explored by the roots, which will enable the crop to express its productive potential”, points out the specialist. from Brandt. For him, the care and investment for growth needs to be intensive in the structural base of the plant. With this in mind, Brandt presents producers with two solutions that can help root development

With free amino acids that are highly absorbed and have a quick effect, Brandt Genesis contains zinc and molybdenum, micronutrients that act, respectively, in the growth of new roots and in the metabolization of nitrogen.

Smart Trio, in addition to important nutrients, such as boron, manganese, zinc, nitrogen and sulfur, with Smart System technology, which guarantees high absorption and translocation of these nutrients, in addition to mitigating the harmful effects of some herbicides. “Research carried out in Brazil and the United States indicates that this product can generate high returns in productivity, as was the case with world record holder David Hula, who harvested 644,5 bags per hectare in an area prepared for competition”, concludes Pedro Afonso .