La Niña phenomenon demands attention from temperate fruit producers

Embrapa Uva e Vinho and the State Secretariat for Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development of Rio Grande do Sul release the October edition of the Serra Gaúcha Agrometeorological Bulletin, with an assessment of the weather conditions that occurred in August and September, in addition to the climate prognosis associated with phytotechnical recommendations for vineyards and orchards until December. 

According to Amanda Heemann Junges, agrometeorologist and researcher at the Department of Agriculture, according to climate forecasts, spring 2020 will be marked by the occurrence of the La Niña phenomenon, which requires special attention from producers due to below-average rainfall, especially in October and November.

According to phytopathologist Lucas Garrido, from Embrapa Uva e Vinho, it is important to control downy mildew, especially during the flowering period, especially in lower regions or with dew formation. Reduced rainfall will also bring some benefits, with a predicted reduction in the incidence of anthracnose, downy mildew and scoriosis. On the other hand, he advises that it will favor the occurrence of powdery mildew.

The use of green or dead cover to guarantee soil moisture and the use of irrigation, with special attention to the real need, as well as the amount of water to be applied, are some of the recommendations highlighted by experts to be considered by producers to minimize of possible losses.