The influence of the El Niño climate phenomenon is causing crucial adjustments in the Brazilian agricultural sector, demanding adaptations in management practices throughout the growing cycle. The field team at Stoller, a Corteva Agriscience company, has been collaborating with producers in recent months to address the challenges presented by this challenging scenario, which includes the intensification of drought in the North and Central-West regions, as well as intense rains in the South and Southeast areas.
Initial projections indicate a harvest of 308.5 million tons of grains and legumes in Brazil in 2024, 2.8% lower than 2023. Additionally, the US Department of Agriculture forecasts 129 million tons of corn, down from the previous 137 million .
Jorge Felício from Stoller highlights the importance of preventive management strategies to protect plants in adverse conditions, aiming for greater profitability. At the same time, Brazil, big producer of corn, notice a reduction in cultivation in the second post-soybean harvest.
Felício from Stoller emphasizes two concepts for corn: Maneje, improving nitrogen absorption, and Nutra&Defenda, balancing nutrition and plant protection. Therefore, these concepts guarantee better resistance to stress and maintenance of high photosynthetic rates.
In the South, where diseases bring challenges, integrated and sustainable management is recommended with strategic use of fungicides, adequate nutrition and technologies for natural plant resistance.
In the Center, North and Northeast regions of Brazil, producers face drought and heat. Consequently, they adopt practices for efficient water management, developing deep roots and tools to retain water in the soil, mitigating climate impacts.
Source: Seane Lennon | agrolink
