Neutrality of the La Niña phenomenon should favor the development of off-season corn

The expectation of normal climate conditions is a source of encouragement for farmers in the Center-South region who invest in growing their second corn harvest. This condition is expected for mid-March and even April, when the plant is developing. In an interview with the podcast “Fala, Agro!”, produced by Ourofino Agrociência, João Castro, meteorologist at Climatempo specializing in agribusiness, explains that La Niña brought irregular rains, but that it will lose strength and reach neutrality. On the other hand, the humidity, which is so welcome, also positively influences the development of pests, diseases and weeds. Therefore, management must be careful and strategic.

According to specialist Lenisson Carvalho, marketing manager for large crops at Ourofino, one of the problems that the farmer has to know how to deal with is the corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis), but this is not a unique concern: stink bugs, Aphids and caterpillars are also relevant pests, which severely harm productivity in cornfields. Therefore, it is recommended to combine agricultural pesticides that act in different ways and are effective in dealing with resistance.

From the industry's portfolio alone, there are several options, including Goemon, which has an innovative molecule, unprecedented on national soil until the launch of the product, which took place in the second half of last year. For the management of resistant caterpillars, such as Spodoptera frugiperda, considered one of the main agricultural pests of corn, the solution offers a broad spectrum of control, high efficiency, selectivity and stability throughout the Brazilian territory.

“In Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the recommendation is to use the product when the pest reaches the level of economic damage, with the rotation of action mechanisms being important, thus offering high efficiency and selectivity to natural enemies”, explains Carvalho , which adds: “originating from a partnership with the Japanese company ISK, the product also acts against the helicoverpa caterpillar (Helicoverpa armigera)”.

The expert points out that pests can cause losses of 80% in crops when care is not carried out as indicated. Another insecticide, this one aimed at sucking pests such as the green-bellied stink bug (Diceraeus melacanthus) and the corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis), Vivantha is a suitable tool for this rotation mentioned by Carvalho. “It is a high-performance product in the field, which, among other benefits, stops pest attacks and reduces the transmission of viruses.”

As for weeds, they represent a risk due to the weeds' competition for nutrients, sunlight and water, according to the professional. For him, with all the work carried out and the consolidation of climatological expectations, farmers can have good results, but it is essential that there are good humidity conditions for growth and development. “This is a critical period because it defines the productive potential of the crop”, he reinforces.