Soybeans are making good progress in Western Bahia, despite the whitefly

The soybean harvest in Western Bahia has advanced at a rapid pace, benefiting from a stable climate and sunny days that allow for healthy crop development, according to information from Aiba.

Although a fraction of the areas are still at the beginning of the reproductive period due to the staggering of the physiological periods of this harvest, the expectation is that the harvest will accelerate in areas with forecast isolated rains, contributing even more to the increase in productivity.

Field sampling surveys are underway to monitor the harvest and carry out quantitative sampling, aiming to determine crop productivity using the PMG methodology. Even with the adversities faced at the beginning of the harvest, the productive architecture and pod filling in soybean crops are showing satisfactory results.

Summer corn and climate challenges

On the other hand, summer corn areas are exhibiting regular performance, moving towards the end of the cycle in various reproductive stages. Phytosanitary aspects, combined with previously mentioned climatic factors, have been fundamental for the projection of a possible reduction in the productivity of this cereal in the current harvest.

The whitefly threat

One of the biggest phytosanitary obstacles faced this harvest is the growing whitefly population (Bemisia Tabaci), a pest that has caused concern in several productive regions. The high temperatures and the prolonged dry period created an environment conducive to the multiplication of the insect, which feeds on plant sap, significantly affecting its physiology.

Whitefly control has become increasingly challenging, with the costs of applying insecticides rising exponentially due to the need for multiple applications to keep the pest under control, Aiba sources report. Monitoring indices for this harvest indicate levels above tolerable levels, which has required producers to make an additional effort to manage this threat.