Use of aerial images in agriculture is highlighted in field day

Embrapa and Fundação Meridional will hold the traditional Field Day on Soybean cultivation on February 14th, from 8am to 12pm, at the Embrapa Technologies Showcase, in Londrina (PR). Six technical stations will be held, presenting bean cultivars and eight soybean cultivars: BRS 388RR, BRS 433RR, BRS 476RR, BRS 543RR, BRS 544RR, BRS 1001IRPO, BRS 1003IPRO, BRS 1061IPRO. There will also be a technical station on management strategies for Asian soybean rust (the main disease of soybeans), another station on biological nitrogen fixation and promotion of plant growth and a presentation of different strategies for managing stink bugs (the main pest of soybeans). soy).

Using images for diagnosis

One of the highlights of the field day will be the presentation of the use of aerial images to diagnose the productive potential in soybean crops. Researcher Júlio Franchini will give a practical demonstration of the use of an autonomous aerial vehicle, in soybean crops, followed by the evaluation of images obtained in the field. “The change in point of view in relation to the crops, provided by aerial images, gives us a new perspective of what is happening in the area”, explains Franchini. The images allow us to identify areas with greater and lesser potential within the plots, which guides the work in search of the correct diagnosis of limiting factors. Currently, aerial images are obtained using sensors attached to planes, satellites and drones. “Depending on the type of sensor, we can evaluate the vigor of the plants, different stresses suffered and the potential for productivity”, he emphasizes. 

Block Technology

Another highlight will be the presentation of the soybean cultivars BRS 1003IPRO and BRS 543RR, which have greater tolerance to stink bugs. These Block cultivars, when compared to susceptible cultivars, show less loss (yield, grain quality, among others), when both are subjected to a similar pest population. Producer Cristiano da Cunha, from Marechal Cândido Rondon (PR), for example, celebrates the results obtained with BRS 1003IPRO, a cultivar with high productive potential and with the Block technology differential, tolerance to stink bugs. The productivity achieved in the 2019/20 harvest was 87,10 bags per hectare.

The technology extends crop protection against stink bug attack that sucks the pods and grains. “Stink bugs are currently one of the most important pests for soybean crops, because they interfere with the productivity and quality of grains and seeds”, says Embrapa Soja researcher, Marcos Petek. “Cultivars with Block genetics have greater tolerance to stink bugs, which minimizes the destructive action of the pest. However, the technology does not eliminate the use of insecticides, but allows better coexistence with insects in the field”, he emphasizes. In addition to this difference, BRS 543RR is a highly productive cultivar with associated precocity (maturity group 6.0), characteristics that guarantee excellent performance in early sowing. “It is a very competitive option for producers who adopt the succession system with other crops, which allows the sowing of off-season corn, for example”, explains the researcher. “In addition, it is resistant to the main soybean diseases, including Phytophthora root rot”, reinforces the researcher. Due to its tolerance to glyphosate, BRS 543RR also helps with weed control and can be used as a refuge option for Intacta soybean areas. The new cultivar is recommended for São Paulo, Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, covering the entire soybean macro-region 2 (RECs 201, 202, 203 and 204).

PROGRAMME

8am - 8:30am: reception and registration
8:30 am - 8:45 am: opening

8:45 am - 12 pm - Technical stations
Soybean cultivars
Use of aerial images to support the diagnosis of spatial variability in soybean production systems
Bed bug management
Biological Nitrogen Fixation and plant growth promotion
Asian rust management
bean cultivars

Soy Field Day

Date: February 14th
Time: 8h to 12h
Location: Embrapa Technologies Showcase, Warta/Londrina (PR).