RS 2024/25 Harvest: rains alleviate water stress in soybeans and corn

The rains on January 23 and 24 brought temporary relief to soybean and corn crops in Rio Grande do Sul, allowing planting to resume and plants to partially recover. However, the volumes were insufficient to end the drought. And part of the losses in production potential have already been consolidated, especially in areas without irrigation.

Phytosanitary conditions require intensified monitoring, especially in view of the increase in humidity, which favors fungal diseases and the incidence of pests. The information is from Emater/RS.

Soybeans with partial recovery

The resumption of planting in areas of corn stubble without irrigation and replanting in places with gaps in the stand maintained the sown area at 99% in the state.

Currently, 29% of the crop is in grain filling, 41% in flowering and 30% in germination and vegetative development. Despite the improvement in water levels, phytosanitary management requires increased attention, especially in late crops.

With the increase in soil and air humidity, there was an increase in the pressure of fungal diseases, such as Asian rust, which led producers to intensify preventive applications of fungicides. Some regions also recorded a higher incidence of insect pests, such as stink bugs and thrips.

The impacts of the drought are still being felt in crops sown in late October and in early-cycle cultivars, which are already showing consolidated losses in their production potential. The reduction in plant size and the number of lateral branches compromises yield, especially in the Center-West of the state. In the eastern regions, more stable climate conditions favored the development of soybeans, reducing the impact of pests and maintaining production potential close to expectations.

Corn with good productivity

The rains also benefited corn crops, especially those in vegetative development and at the beginning of the reproductive period.

Soil moisture has improved, favoring the resumption of second-crop planting, especially in areas of tobacco and bean stubble. However, pest monitoring has been reinforced due to the increase in moisture.

The corn leafhopper remains one of the main concerns, as its presence can intensify the spread of stunt disease, compromising productivity. In addition, there are reports of caterpillar attacks in some regions, requiring specific applications of insecticides.

Harvesting is progressing and has already reached 38% of the projected area in the state. Yields are satisfactory, with some crops exceeding initial expectations. However, losses caused by the drought in January affect 19% of crops in grain filling, with a greater impact in regions where rainfall was irregular.

In the Western Region, the restored humidity helped the plants recover, but did not completely reverse the accumulated losses. In the Eastern Region, rainfall was more consistent and benefited the crops at this phenological stage.