Soybean planting is completed in RS and production potential continues to be affected by drought

Last week's rains were smaller in scope and volume, but where they fell they provided conditions for the emergence of new trefoils, an increase in size, the closure of rows and an intensification of the dark green color of soybean crops, which had their planting completed and 4% of the cultivated area is already maturing, another 44% in grain filling, 37% in flowering and 15% still in germination and vegetative development.

According to the Conjunctural Information, produced and released this Thursday (17/02) by the Planning Management of Emater/RS-Ascar, linked to the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development (Seapdr), the general situation continues with potential affected productivity, suboptimal plant stand, low leaf area and anticipated completion of the plant cycle, especially in cultivars with a short cycle or those established at the beginning of the recommended planting period. The harvest of earlier cultivars presents results far below those expected, but they still represent very small areas, with no statistical relevance.

With the maintenance of more favorable environmental conditions in the eastern half of the State, corn crops sown more recently showed good initial establishment and more uniform development. In crops implemented until the middle of the period indicated in the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (Zarc), harvesting advanced, reaching 54% of the total cultivated area.

The planting of the crop reaches 99% of the estimated total area, of which 19% remains in the maturation phase, 13% in grain filling, 8% in flowering and 6% in germination and vegetative development. The loss of productivity in these first crops is quite high and consolidates the 53% reduction in relation to what was initially projected.

The weather conditions in the main rice producing regions, with a predominance of dry air and some days with high temperatures, allowed the harvest to advance during the period, expanding to 3% of the cultivated area in the State. This index is expected to rise more sharply in the coming periods, as 19% of the crop is already in the maturation process. Another 35% is grain filling, 31% in flowering and 12% in germination and vegetative development. The large variation in temperatures that occurred during the week can affect crops in the reproductive phases.

Last week, the bean harvest continued, exceeding 60% of the area cultivated in the first harvest. Average productivity is approximately 20 bags per hectare, exceeding 30% losses in relation to the initial yield projection.

Vegetable crops

In the Western Border, region of Emater/RS-Ascar de Bagé, Itacurubi is experiencing a severe drought, and it is estimated that all cassava production for commercialization with a cultivated area of ​​nine hectares was lost, with the areas destined for self-consumption. In São Borja, farmers who participate in the weekly fair have reduced availability of products due to the lack of water to irrigate their crops, with a greater impact on the production of lettuce and arugula. During the Campaign, producers from Bagé who lost a large part of their hardwood production in January due to high temperatures, took advantage of the mild climate of the period to carry out new plantings.

Fruit crops

In the Santa Rosa region, although there was some rainfall in the first days of February, the fruit growing situation remains worrying, with falling leaves and fruits, especially citrus. The water deficit caused a halt in the development of branches and early leaf fall in deciduous species, which harms the accumulation of reserves for the next production phase, a situation that could compromise future fruit production. However, it is observed that in areas where there was good rain, the falling of fruit leaves stopped and, in some cases, new shoots began. In these locations, producers will be able to carry out management by controlling pests and diseases and the necessary fertilization.

In citrus trees in the region, young fruits fall due to water stress and cases of plant mortality. In addition to the drought, the north wind brought an attack of aphids. There is also the presence of mites and leafminers, but at the moment it is not possible to control them. The mango crop is in fruiting, beginning of maturation and harvest, accelerated by the lack of humidity and excessive heat. The cultivation of drip-irrigated watermelon and melon is now complete. The productivity of these crops was affected by fungal diseases in the period of high humidity in October and by the low occurrence of rain from mid-November until today. High solar radiation also caused fruit scald problems.

Weather forecast

The next seven days will have a lot of humidity, but low rainfall in most of the state. On Thursday (17) and Friday (18), the spread of a cold front at sea and the approach of a low pressure area will favor an increase in cloudiness and isolated rain showers may occur, mainly in the East and Northeast sectors. On Saturday (19), the arrival of hot and humid air will increase temperatures, with values ​​exceeding 36°C throughout RS. On Sunday (20), cloudiness will increase, with periods of overcast skies and the possibility of isolated showers of rain, associated with the heat. Between Monday (21) and Wednesday (23), the presence of a trough (elongated low pressure area) will maintain cloudiness and the possibility of rain showers, with a chance of isolated storms in all regions.

The predicted volumes should be less than 10 mm in the Campaign, Central Region and Western Border, in the other regions the totals should fluctuate between 15 and 30 mm. In Alto Uruguai and Campos de Cima da Serra, values ​​may reach 50 mm in some locations.