Soy void begins in Minas

The soybean fallow period began on July 1st and runs until September 15th throughout the state. During the 77-day period, it is not permitted to sow or maintain live crop plants in Minas Gerais crops. The objective is to prevent the occurrence of the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, cause of Asian rust, the main pest that affects soybeans. Management prevents damage to the plantation and can avoid economic losses for soybean farmers. For prevention, sanitary emptying is carried out before planting the grain.

The Minas Gerais Agricultural Institute (IMA), linked to the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Seapa), monitors compliance with health void determinations mainly in the Northwest, Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba regions, which concentrate around 70% of agricultural production. soy.

IMA's regional coordinator in Uberlândia, agronomist Luiz Carlos de Oliveira, recalls that the pest can cause defoliation in plants and impact productivity. “Sanitary vacuum is a type of management that prevents the survival of the fungus in the off-season and, in this way, breaks the disease cycle, reducing the amount of spores in the environment. The involvement and commitment of rural producers is essential for the success of this measure”, says Oliveira, warning about the important measure for soybean farmers in the region. “The Triângulo, Alto Paranaíba and Noroeste regions are responsible for the largest volume of all soybean production in the state. Given this scenario, we reinforce the importance of soybean farmers adhering to the period of the sanitary void in order to prepare for the next harvest, enabling more productivity and income for their business", he argues.

The elimination of soybean plants that grow voluntarily is an action signaled by IMA's agricultural inspector, agronomist Leonardo do Carmo. “The fungus that causes Asian soybean rust is considered 'biotrophic'. This means that it reproduces in living plants, in addition to dispersing easily in the wind, proliferating the pest in crops”, he explains.

During the sanitary void period, upon noticing the presence of a voluntary soybean plant (guaxa) on the property, the producer must immediately arrange for its eradication. “This is to prevent the survival of the fungus that causes contamination of your crops, in addition to causing economic losses”, adds Carmo.

Conformity declaration

Due to the pandemic, producers can communicate the phytosanitary situation of their property to IMA by completing an online questionnaire available at http://ima.mg.gov.br/comunicados/1562-defesa-vegetal/1778-declaracao-de-conformidade-para-o-vazio-sanitario-da-soja  The participation of the soybean farmer in this process is of fundamental importance to gather relevant information about the status of Asian soybean rust.