Soybean development benefits from the climate in Rio Grande do Sul

With soybeans practically sown in Rio Grande do Sul, with appropriate levels of moisture in the soil, high temperatures and exposure to solar radiation accelerated the growth of the crop, which expresses characteristic vigor in the plants. As a result of previous rains, a significant improvement was observed in the conditions of soybean crops throughout the State and a reduction in water stress symptoms in some areas. Currently in RS, 62% of soybeans are in germination and vegetative development, 30% in flowering and 8% in grain filling.

According to the Conjunctural Information, released this Thursday (25/01) by Emater/RS, linked to the State Secretariat for Rural Development (SDR), the majority of soybean crops have already concluded or are in the process of closing the rows, highlighting a synergistic interaction between culture and recent climate conditions. The plants present well-developed new leaves, with longer internodes from the middle third towards the tips, in addition to the occurrence of lateral shoots in the lower third. In areas with early cultivars, the pod formation period has begun, and establishment should be satisfactory, given the favorable environmental conditions.

Due to regular rains, disease monitoring has been constant, with shorter intervals being adopted between spraying. In the west of the state, there are reports of the presence of stink bugs in crops. However, producers have been advised to use insecticides only from the pod formation stage onwards, as, in the vegetative and flowering stages, the impact of this insect on the crop is low. These precautions regarding the stage of the plants promote the rationalization of the use of insecticides, as well as avoiding the risks of mortality among pollinating insects.

The incidence of widespread rain throughout the State was fundamental for the development of corn crops, despite having caused the temporary suspension of harvesting operations, which reached 25% in RS. The results continue to vary, and productivity is below the initial projection. The winds, on 16/01, caused greater damage in some areas, causing lodging in crops. Planting progressed minimally, reaching 97% of the area projected for this harvest.

In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Ijuí, the area of ​​corn harvested reached 40%, but the process occurred at a slow pace, due to the high humidity in the soil and the delay in losing moisture from the grains, resulting from large volumes of rain. and cloudy days, which prevailed during the period. Productivity was below initial expectations, due to the corn leafhopper attack and bacterioses.

Corn silage - the cultivated area reached 94% of the previously planned area. The harvesting process continued for the production of whole-plant silage, covering 39% of crops. For the 2023/2024 Harvest, 364.291 hectares of cultivated area are planned. The estimated productivity is 39.088 kg/ha. In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Erechim, the area cultivated with forage covers 21.400 hectares; 80% already harvested and 20% in the grain filling phase. Current productivity is approximately 35 thousand kg/ha, reflecting a percentage reduction close to 20% in relation to the initial expectation of 43 thousand kg/ha.

Beans 1st harvest - planting, in the Northeast region of the State, was completed. The projection of cultivation in the first harvest in RS is 29.053 hectares. The harvest continued in the other producing regions, and the productivity estimate is 1.775 kg/ha. In the administrative region of Emater/RS of Caxias do Sul, in Campos de Cima da Serra, the planting process was completed. The first crops were sown in early December and are entering the flowering phase. The remaining areas remain in vegetative development, presenting a satisfactory health aspect and promising yield expectations.

Rice - rice crops in general did not suffer major impacts from the storm that hit the State on 16/01. There are only reports of occasional damage to the rammed earth structure of some crops due to the intensity of the precipitation. The crop is in the vegetative phase and shows good tolerance to lodging, a condition that tends to change in the coming weeks, due to the increase in areas in the reproductive phase, when exposure to strong winds can cause significant damage. However, rice growers of crops in the flowering stage are attentive to decreasing temperatures, adopting the strategy of increasing the height of the irrigation depth to increase tolerance to harmful cold - especially below 15 °C.

Vegetable crops 

The weather event between the 16th and 17th of January caused several losses to horticulture in some municipalities: in the Lajeado region, there was damage to greenhouses in Santa Clara do Sul and Teutônia; in Porto Alegre, in Gravataí, 01 greenhouses were affected, and there were losses in relation to the production and quality of vegetables; in Santa Maria, in Restinga Seca, greenhouses were damaged; and in Soledade, in Lagoa Bonita do Sul, two greenhouses suffered damage.

Garlic - in the administrative region of Emater/RS of Caxias do Sul, the harvested bulbs are sent to warehouses, where they undergo the curing process; The quality of the harvest was well below expectations. An estimated reduction in crop productivity of between 40% and 50%. The start of commercialization should be delayed in relation to initial expectations, and should only begin in February. The price remains undefined, although there is a positive outlook due to the low volume harvested this harvest. Producers are concerned about the possible deliberate entry of Argentine garlic into Brazil. It's the off-season, and there is no commercialization.

Fruit crops 

In the Emater/RS administrative region of Erechim, the orange harvest was closed. Producers carry out phytosanitary management. The harvest of orange e Bergamot will be lower due to fruit fall. The culture of peach, with 64 hectares in the region, has low productivity due to hail. It remains to harvest some production of the Eragil and Chiripá varieties. The producer price is R$5,00/kg. Fig presents fruits in development and in harvest; there is intense bird attack. The harvest of grape is ongoing, and the fruits are of low quality, in addition to small bunches and fewer than expected at the beginning of the harvest, a consequence of excessive rain and hail. Productivity should be around 10 t/ha. The price varies from R$2,70 to R$6,00/kg.

Beekeeping  

In the Emater/RS de Bagé region, the current period is unfavorable for beekeeping, due to cloudy days and intense rains, which prevent bees from foraging and reduce the availability of nectar and pollen from flowers. In Caxias do Sul, beekeepers carried out management practices, involving mowing, making boxes and frames, placing honeycomb wax, in addition to adding honey supers or nests. In Erechim, beekeepers observe a decrease in bee activity in hives, as well as a reduced supply of beekeeping resources. To date, the harvest is still in its infancy. In Ijuí, honey production is much lower than expected, and there are small swarms and low food stocks in the hives. In Passo Fundo, the swarming process remains at a slow pace, presenting challenges for capturing and forming new hives. In Pelotas, in Piratini, honey extraction was hampered due to excessive rain. In Santa Rosa, there is a record of constant activity by workers collecting honey and pollen. In Soledade, honey purchases are showing a positive reaction, although the price paid to the beekeeper remains stable.