Lack of rain harms the corn harvest in Paraná

This week the period of more than 40 days without rain in part of the State of Paraná ended. Where there has been rainfall, crop conditions are expected to improve, but the losses have already been accounted for. Harvesting work on sugarcane crops progressed last week and is currently interrupted. Corn crops in the North and Northwest have low productivity and areas are completely lost. Data are from the Weather and Cultivation Conditions Bulletin for the period from July 02nd to 08th, released by the Department of Rural Economy (Deral). 

Corn

The corn harvest progressed a lot, only being interrupted on Monday with the return of the rains. With the losses in crops in the North and Northwest of the State, some producers are already requesting agricultural insurance. A small part of the corn is still in grain filling, and these should be harmed by the drought. In the South, on the other hand, yields should remain at or even above average, despite the worsening yields in the areas harvested this week. 

Winter cereals

Wheat: Much of the wheat is in the flowering and fruiting phase. In many of these more advanced areas, there has not yet been significant rainfall after planting. As a result, they have a reduced size, low tillering and reduced leaf area. Despite the above-average temperatures, aphids are at a low incidence, but there are constant reports of caterpillars. 

The presence of rust was also observed in some areas. Among crops already benefiting from rainfall, the rains arrived too late and production potential was reduced. However, in municipalities that are now completing planting or where a large part of the crops are undergoing vegetative development, conditions were more favorable.

Barley: barley crops also suffered irreversible losses due to drought in crops sown longer ago, especially in sandy or shallow soils with inadequate management, resulting in low growth and drying out of the lower leaves. Furthermore, the lack of rain has favored the appearance of pests, especially aphids. Bruzone disease has required control measures from producers, and three applications have already been carried out in some areas.

Producers accelerated the planting of winter cereals, mainly wheat and barley, relying on the rain forecast for this week. The work is practically finished. 

Café

The coffee harvest was also briefly interrupted by rain, and has behaved differently in the State, despite weather conditions having favored progress up to this point. 

Manioc

Cassava producers continue harvesting, but root prices are not encouraging. The drought is hampering the planting of the new crop, making it difficult for cassava plants to sprout and sprout in areas already planted. At the moment, producers are waiting for better weather conditions to continue work.

French Fries

The harvest of most of the potatoes was completed with satisfactory productivity. In areas with irrigation pivots, the crop is undergoing vegetative development and maintaining a good appearance. Producers are finishing onion sowing, while already established crops continue to be irrigated to ensure good development. 

Vegetables

In the cultivation of vegetables, producers are working on preparing the beds, continuing to sow and harvest lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, chard, spinach, radishes, among others, in addition to weeding and fertilizing.

In view of the recent rains, producers are adjusting the management of irrigation lines at the best times, controlling dripping in crops to obtain the best results.

Frosts

To avoid further damage, some vegetable growers spread TNT blankets over their crops. Others reported that, because the forecast did not indicate a strong frost, they chose not to carry out the protection, as it would require a lot of manpower. In the field, superficial damage was found on vegetables. In lowland areas, where there was burning of plant leaves, there were some losses, but nothing significant.