Properly planting a new crop, with the help of available tools, is essential for the good development of any crop, as it is one of the steps that can guarantee high productivity. In soy, this is no different. To help rural producers understand this scenario at the beginning of the 2022/23 cycle, the Mato Grosso Agricultural Research Support Foundation (Fundação MT) will hold on October 4th, the live “It’s Time to Plant – Caring for the Plantio”, through its YouTube page, starting at 19pm in Mato Grosso.
Unlike other years, in which the institution promoted lectures in person as part of the MT Foundation's Technology Diffusion Program, now the events resume in an online format.
“The objective is to provide the producer with important and relevant information for a crucial moment of the harvest, planting. Information such as seed treatment, weed control and use of pre-emergents, as well as aspects linked to planting quality”, highlights Luis Carlos, marketing and relationship manager at the institution.
The chat is free and will cover essential topics such as pests, plantability, with the researcher, Marcelo Franchi and also desiccation of weeds and use of pre-emergents with fellow researcher and doctor, Lucas Barcellos.
The entomologist and researcher at Fundação MT, doctor Lucia Vivan, highlights the soybean mealworm (Myochrous armatus), as one of the initial soybean pests that deserves attention from the producer. The coleoptera has occurred frequently in the last five years in areas of Mato Grosso, with a higher incidence in the regions of Rondonópolis, Itiquira, Primavera do Leste and Campo Verde, but there are already reports of attacks in other regions.
According to the researcher, the attack by adults generally occurs a few days after the emergence of soybean plants, and is also related to the period when the rains begin.
“It is important that the producer pays attention to areas where the insect has a history of presence, as they concentrate on the stem and cause seedlings to fall over and die. Therefore, the main damage caused by this pest in the initial stages of crop development is the reduction of plant stands, which can directly impact productivity”, says Lucia.
One of the recommended and essential tools for controlling mealworms is seed treatment, as it offers initial protection for soybean seedlings in the critical phase of insect attack. Furthermore, the entomologist highlights that in areas with high infestations, foliar applications are generally necessary to minimize damage from this pest.
Another pest that can occur at the beginning of the crop's implementation in sandier areas and, especially, if there is a summer period, is the elasm caterpillar (Elasmopalpus lignosellus). Attention should also be paid to soybean corós, Phyllophaga cuyabana e P. capillata, which, if present, will consume the roots, affecting plant development. According to Dr Lucia, seed treatment is equally important for these.
Some regions of Mato Grosso have an incidence of caterpillars Helicoverpa armigera in soybean stages V2 to V3, mainly in areas with the soybean-cotton system. Therefore, “it is important to always monitor the areas and carry out management when necessary to avoid colonization and compromise from the R1 stage onwards”, explains the MT Foundation entomologist.
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At the age of 28, Eduardo Burck became the big winner of the National Challenge for Maximum Soy Productivity, established by the Soja Brasil Strategic Committee
