Soybean planting in RS reaches 93% of the estimated area

The culture of soybean in Rio Grande do Sul it is still being implemented, reaching 93% of the total area projected for the 2022/2023 harvest, which is 6.568.607 hectares. The estimated productivity is 3.131 kg/ha.

According to the economic information from Emater/RS, the occurrence of irregular rains in part of the territory in recent periods allowed for a slightly greater advance in sowing.

Where rainfall was sufficient to replace moisture in the soil, producers accelerated the operation to get closer to completion in December. Even where rainfall did not occur, some of the producers with more extensive crops planted crops in dry soil, awaiting the rainfall forecast for the end of the period.

In relation to the conditions of the crops, the oldest ones, which received rainfall, resumed growth with the emission of new trefoils, with well-developed leaves and an intense green color. Where it did not rain, or the volume was very low, the symptoms of water deficit remain, such as the wilting of leaves, the halt in growth, the senescence of some lower leaves and, in extreme cases, the death of plants.

In the Soledade region, soybean sowing has practically been completed. Crops in general have good germination and emergence and an adequate plant stand; crops with a shorter cycle began the flowering stage. There are no records of impact on productivity caused by the period of water restriction.

No corn, the estimated cultivation area for the 2022/2023 harvest is 831.786 hectares. The repetition of the weather's behavior, with poorly distributed rainfall and variable volumes, contributed to the maintenance of water insufficiency, which is more serious in the western half of the State.

The implementation of the crop evolved very slowly, and reaches 91% of the area estimated for this harvest. Currently, 30% of the area cultivated with corn is in germination and vegetative development, 20% in flowering, 34% in grain filling and 16% in maturation.

In the Ijuí region, the reduction in corn crop yields varies depending on the degree of stress suffered; losses range from 30% to 100% of crops. The precipitation that occurs is untimely; the plants have already surpassed the productivity definition stages. All that remains is the end of grain filling and maturation; the losses are already consolidated.

There is demand for support from Proagro or agricultural insurance to mitigate economic losses. Producers who have more than 60% losses in their crops are requesting authorization to allocate the green mass for animal feed.

In relation to rice, the area estimated by IRGA is 862.498 hectares, with productivity of 8.226 kg/ha.

The main activity at the moment is irrigation management, which has presented difficulties in part of the largest producing region.

In terms of grapes, in the Santa Rosa region, the crop is beginning to mature, but the lack of rain could reduce the production volume. However, the fruit is of good quality.

The harvest of early varieties in the region is expected to begin in the first week of January 2023. Excessive heat during the day and cold, dry winds with low relative humidity at night have caused some cases of water stress, especially in areas with shallow soils, where part of the vine plants begins to dehydrate. Phytosanitary treatments are suspended for now.