Soy void begins on June 15th in Mato Grosso

The Agricultural Defense Institute of the State of Mato Grosso (Indea) informs that the period of sanitary void for soybean cultivation has already been scheduled in Mato Grosso. From June 15th to September 15th, soybean farmers in Mato Grosso will be prevented from planting or keeping soybean plants alive at any stage of development.

The period, defined by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) by ordinance no. 781 released yesterday (10.03), will last 90 days. This measure, adopted annually, is taken to prevent the multiplication of Asian rust during the off-season, caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi.

The defined period of the sanitary void, according to Indea's Plant Health Defense coordinator, Silvana Amaral, helps to reduce the incidence of the fungus. She explains that the 90-day period minimizes the quantity of fungal spores that cause the disease and delays the occurrence of the disease in the following harvest.

Damage

The direct effects of Asian rust on soybeans are the yellowing and tanning of the leaves and their premature fall, preventing the full formation of grains. The earlier defoliation occurs, the smaller the grain size and the lower the yield and quality of the harvested product.

Inspection

During the sanitary void period, Indea carries out inspections on properties, and if necessary collects samples to be analyzed by the Plant Health Laboratory. The producer who fails to comply with the phytosanitary measure is subject to a fine and the destruction of live soybean plants.

In the 2022/2023 harvest, a total of 13.699 properties with soybean planting were registered with Indea, with a declared area of ​​more than 10,5 million hectares planted and the number of 8.220 producers.