RS 25/26 Crop Season: Rains increase pressure on winter crops

Winter crops are showing mostly adequate development in Rio Grande do Sul, but excess moisture, low sunlight, and frequent rains have increased phytosanitary risks and limited management operations. This scenario affects wheat, canola, carinata, white oats, and barley. Emater/RS has recorded occurrences of blackleg in canola, monitoring of leaf spots in wheat and barley, and increased attention to fungal diseases in white oats and carinata.

In wheat, planting has reached 98% of the planned area of ​​814.220 hectares. Of the total planted area, 98% remains in vegetative development and 2% has entered flowering. High soil moisture reduced the progress of sowing and prevented machinery from entering several regions. This problem delayed weed control and nitrogen topdressing.

The rains also caused erosion, flash floods, temporary waterlogging, and nutrient loss. In fertilized areas, Emater/RS points to a risk of leaching and surface runoff of nitrogen. In Ijuí, localized damage occurred in thalwegs and water accumulation points, with lodging and crushing of plants. The damage remains localized.

In Santa Rosa, the combination of heavy rains, low solar radiation, and high humidity has damaged crops at different stages of growth. The loss of soil and nutrients can reduce yield potential. The humidity also increases the risk of disease. Emater/RS considers any estimate of productivity loss premature.

In the Santa Maria region, excess humidity favors the appearance and spread of foliar diseases. In Soledade, producers are monitoring leaf spots and applying fungicides to parts of the area. In São Gabriel, producers are facing difficulties in controlling ryegrass resistant to the herbicides used.

Canola situation

Canola is showing good development and flowering progress. The cultivated area totals 353.397 hectares, with an estimated average productivity of 1.619 kilograms per hectare. The main phytosanitary alert involves blackleg. The humid weather has increased the incidence of the disease in different regions and requires management to preserve the productive potential.

In Ijuí, symptoms of blackleg have increased in the number of affected fields and municipalities, mainly in the more advanced areas. Producers have intensified monitoring and are waiting for conditions to apply fungicides. In Santa Rosa, the disease has appeared in some fields. High humidity, frequent rains, and low sunlight favor its development and spread.

Emater/RS is also monitoring the diamondback moth in canola crops in the Soledade region. In Frederico Westphalen, no significant phytosanitary problems have occurred. In Passo Fundo, the crops maintain good sanitary conditions.

Carinata's situation

In the *Carinata* species, climatic conditions reduced photosynthetic activity and pollinator activity in the Santa Rosa region. The environment also demanded greater attention to disease management. In Tupanciretã, in the Santa Maria region, crops show vegetative development within expectations and good health. Rainfall hampered topdressing fertilization and weed control. In Frederico Westphalen, 70% of the areas remain in vegetative development, 20% have entered flowering, and 10% have reached grain filling.

Situation of white oats

White oats are showing good overall development, with areas exhibiting tillering, stem elongation, flowering, and grain filling. Phytosanitary conditions remain adequate. Even so, the combination of high humidity, low light, and heavy rainfall necessitates monitoring for foliar diseases.

In Frederico Westphalen, management focuses on preventive fungicide applications, with no reports of significant phytosanitary problems. In Ijuí, the rains caused lodging in areas with higher plant density. In Santa Maria, persistent humidity favors the emergence and spread of foliar fungal diseases. In Soledade, disease management continues.

Barley situation

Barley continues to grow normally, with areas showing tillering and the beginning of stem elongation. Phytosanitary conditions remain satisfactory. However, the humid environment favors foliar fungal diseases and requires continuous monitoring.

In Ijuí, crops destined for the brewing industry show good stand and growth, without symptoms of disease. Climatic conditions hinder nitrogen fertilization as topdressing and weed control. In Soledade, Emater/RS is monitoring leaf spots, favored by high humidity.