Crop Protection and Nutrition – Weekly Update Brazil & Latin America (09/10/26 – 09/16/26)

The Federal Regional Court for the 3rd Region – TRF3 ordered MAPA, within 180 days of publication of the ruling, to fully implement the conclusions of the environmental re-evaluations of imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, including formalizing the ban on aerial spraying for all crops throughout Brazil and making the necessary changes to product labels and registrations. For fipronil, whose environmental re-evaluation is still underway, the court ordered Ibama to conclude and publish the process within 360 days and MAPA to take the relevant registration measures within 90 days after publication of the conclusions. (TRF3, case No. 5021356-42.2021.4.03.6100)

MAPA cancelled five pesticide registrations and eight registration requests, seven of which were cancelled upon request. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Act No. 55 of September 10th, 2026 – published on September 14th, MAPA)

Research identified Fusarium inflexum for the first time as a causal agent of watermelon wilt in Northeast Brazil. Molecular identification and pathogenicity tests confirmed the fungus can cause the disease, highlighting the need for phytosanitary monitoring. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-70517-2. (UFPB; Scientific Reports)

The Fertilizer Purchasing Power Index decreased 7% in August, from 1.35 to 1.26, indicating a more favorable fertilizer barter ratio for farmers in Brazil. Commodity prices tracked by the index increased an average 6%, while fertilizer prices declined. Sugarcane prices rose 8%, soybeans 5%, corn 4% and cotton 1%. (Mosaic)

Fertilizer imports decreased 43.2% in August, when compared to August 2025, reaching 2.97 million tonnes. Import value declined 35.9% to US$ 1.20 billion, while the average price increased 12.8% to US$ 403.20 per tonne. (Secex/MDIC)

Pre-Salt Petroleum and Petrobras signed a three-year agreement on September 10th for commercialization of natural gas owned by the Federal Government, enabling the first auction expected by October. The policy prioritizes gas-intensive industries, including fertilizer manufacturers. The government estimates the gas could reach industry at approximately US$ 5 per million BTU, compared with approximately US$ 12 currently, a reduction of more than 50%. Available at: https://www.presalpetroleo.gov.br/releases/ppsa-firma-acordo-para-contratar-petrobras-como-agente-comercializador-do-gas-natural-da-uniao/. (PPSA; Ministry of Mines and Energy)

MAPA published 83 pesticide registration requests, including new and equivalent technical products and premixes. (Official Gazette of Brazil, CGAA Act No. 54 – published September 10th, 2026, MAPA)

Rovensa Next secured approximately US$ 8.8 million in financing from the Brazilian innovation agency Finep to expand R&D in biocontrol, bionutrition and adjuvants in Brazil. The company also installed a pilot fermentation plant to develop and scale biological products. (Rovensa Next)

Field research in the State of São Paulo showed that food-baited traps caught more than twice as many pest moths in soybean, at 36.8 moths per trap/month compared with 17.4 for another trap model. An attract-and-kill strategy combining the food attractant with an insecticide also increased lepidopteran mortality, while non-target organisms accounted for less than 2% of total mortality observed. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13744-026-01428-0. (Unesp; USP; Neotropical Entomology)

Research reused rice waste from Trichoderma asperelloides production to cultivate Streptomyces and obtain a biological soil conditioner. In corn pot trials, the material increased microbial abundance, enzymatic activity and soil microbial respiration compared with the control. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42770-026-02039-y. (Brazilian Journal of Microbiology)

Síntese Agro Science is investing approximately US$ 17.7 million to expand the biologicals operation in Brazil, including approximately US$ 11.8 million for a new technology park in the State of Paraná and approximately US$ 5.9 million in funding approved by Finep. The company is developing a microorganism collection for new biological inputs and projects 50% revenue growth this crop season. The facility will have an initial capacity of 5 million liters, expandable to 20 million. (Síntese Agro Science)

T3 Bioscience, a US ag biotechnology company, plans to launch a biostimulant based on a metabolite produced by Pseudomonas species simultaneously in Brazil and the USA in 2027. According to the company, the product was tested in corn, wheat, soybean, tomato, cucumber and cabbage to evaluate effects on germination, early vigor and tolerance to drought and heat. (T3 Bioscience)

Research developed a pelletized organic fertilizer based on nitrogen-rich gliricidia biomass. Composting for 30 days favored greater pellet strength, while longer periods reduced the C/N ratio, increased nitrate formation and promoted material stabilization. Field studies are still required to assess nutrient release and crop recovery. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13165-026-00575-3. (Embrapa Agrobiologia; UFRRJ; UFERSA; Organic Agriculture)

Anvisa published the withdrawal of 7 requests for pesticide toxicological evaluation, covering 3 microbiological products, 3 equivalent technical products and 1 formulated product. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Resolution RE No. 3562 of September 10th, 2026 – published on September 14th, Anvisa)

Brazilian Bioinputs Association detailed four priorities defended by the sector for the decree regulating Brazil’s Bioinputs Law: criteria for registration of new products, access to microorganisms, rules for on-farm production and regulatory transition for the inoculant market. The decree remains under review by the Chief of Staff’s Office. (ABBINS)

Bayer launched nine corn hybrids in Brazil in 2026, three times the previous annual launch number, expanding the portfolio in the country to more than 50 hybrids. The new materials target different regions, growing conditions and planting windows. (Bayer)

Research showed the potential of digestate, a nutrient-rich byproduct generated after anaerobic digestion of grape pomace, as a biofertilizer for calendula cultivation. Moderate rates improved plant development and, in the summer trial, increased beta-carotene concentration in flowers by more than 250% compared with cultivation without the residue. Researchers are still evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of larger-scale use. Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.6c00987. (Unicamp; UFPR; ACS Omega)

MAPA is conducting a ministerial mission to Angola and Morocco from September 14th to 20th, with meetings in Luanda, Casablanca, Rabat and Jorf Lasfar. Brazil’s National Fertilizer Plan includes bilateral agreements for phosphate supply from Morocco and other countries among the strategic actions. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Order dated September 3rd, 2026 – published September 4th, 2026, MAPA)

Port of Açu, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, concluded the first sulfur import operation, with 1.5 K tonnes from the USA to Minas Port’s blending facility located at the complex. The port plans to expand the role as a hub for receiving and distributing the input, which is used in the fertilizer production chain. (Port of Açu)

The National Fertilizer Association – ANDA described the enactment of Profert as a step toward expanding domestic fertilizer production but said additional measures will be required to reduce import dependence. The association called for full implementation of Brazil’s National Fertilizer Plan and separately highlighted tax credits of up to 20% of expenditures on fertilizer and raw material production activities established by Supplementary Law No. 235/2026. (ANDA)

Research by UFVJM showed that humic acid obtained from vermicomposted sweet sorghum residues reduced anthracnose severity in sorghum by 36.84%. The treatment also improved photosynthetic parameters and stimulated plant defense-related enzymes, indicating the potential of humic acids for managing disease-induced stress. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/ioa/5840172. (UFVJM; International Journal of Agronomy)

MAPA authorized travel for Daniela Atta Schlemmer, from Embrapa, from September 13th–19th, and Marina Veras Dourado Pires, from CGAA, from September 13th–October 4th, to attend the Rotterdam Convention Chemical Review Committee in Rome. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Orders of September 10th, 2026 – published on September 14th, 2026)

Banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus), the main pest affecting banana crops, can reduce production by 30% to 80% without adequate management. Larvae attack the rhizome, impairing nutrient uptake, root development and plant stability. Sindiveg recommends integrated management using healthy planting material, rhizome cleaning, biological control with Beauveria bassiana, pheromone traps and registered pesticides. (Sindiveg)

Research from the State University of Londrina evaluated different biological control strategies for diseases and pests. Bacillus subtilis isolates inhibited Fusarium verticillioides growth by up to 61.7% and reduced infection in corn seeds without impairing germination or vigor. In another study, entomopathogenic fungi combined with silicon and chitosan increased Diaphorina citri mortality in some trials, although high temperatures and low humidity reduced control efficacy against the greening vector. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42770-026-02080-x and https://repositorio.uel.br/handle/123456789/18491. (State University of Londrina – UEL; Brazilian Journal of Microbiology)

Dense citrus groves have favored the spread of citrus leprosis mite (Brevipalpus yothersi) and reduced acaricide spray penetration into tree canopies, while acaricide-resistant populations have already been reported, according to Daniel Junior de Andrade of Unesp. He recommends sampling at least 2% of plants and starting control when infestation reaches up to 3% of sampled fruits or branches. (Unesp)

Survey in the State of Rio Grande do Sul showed that prices declined for 18 of 20 fungicides analyzed, with reductions of up to 18.6%. Despite lower prices, average fungicide spending per hectare increased 2.4% between the 2024/25 and 2025/26 crop seasons. (Aegro Insights)

In a UFSCar experiment, inoculation and reinoculation of sorghum with Priestia aryabhattai mitigated water-deficit effects. Under severe water deficit, reinoculation at flowering increased fresh biomass by 17.5% and the number of grains per plant by 81%. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42976-026-00871-4. (UFSCar; Cereal Research Communications)

Rumo and CHS Agronegócio will begin construction in September on a new grain and fertilizer terminal at the Port of Santos, State of São Paulo, through a 50/50 joint venture. With investment exceeding approximately US$ 488 million, the facility will have capacity to handle 10 M tonnes of grain and receive 3 M tonnes of fertilizers per year. (Rumo)

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Latin America

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