Peanuts contribute to the recovery and enrichment of soil in sugarcane fields

On Saturday (15/04) National Soil Conservation Day was celebrated, a date created by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) in 1989, after the publication of decree law nº 7.876. In addition to all the environmental importance playing a prominent role in combating climate change, well-treated soil is essential for efficient food production. Proper land management can provide greater fertility and, consequently, greater and better production at a lower cost.

When it comes to soil quality, sugarcane producers have a great ally: peanuts. The cultivation of this legume in sugarcane renewal areas brings several benefits, since its grain, rich in nitrogen and other nutrients, contributes to the conservation, recovery and enrichment of the soil and the control of pests and weeds, increasing the productivity. It is worth remembering that this type of farming helps to significantly reduce nematode infestation in planting areas, which can cause losses of up to 50% of sugarcane productivity.

“You also need to put the bill on paper. Peanut planting requires a much smaller investment compared to sugarcane field renovation and can still guarantee a financial return for the producer at the end of the harvest”, comments Rodrigo Chitarelli, CEO of CRAS Brasil.

Recently the company, together with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) and the Agronomic Institute (IAC) of Campinas, presented new varieties and seed lines, the result of genetic improvement programs developed at its Sustainable Peanut Reference Center . Edaphoclimatically adapted, both for the climate and the soil, the new species have a higher concentration of oil in the seed, provide an increase in productivity by reducing the space between plants, have greater resistance to diseases, in addition to requiring a shorter maturation cycle of pods and less cultivation time. Currently, new varieties require around 110 days between planting and harvesting, the ideal time for the sugarcane producer to rotate and renew the area.