Leafhopper Infestation in Brazil’s Second Corn Crop
Brazil
Soybean plants showing symptoms of stem rot and breakage have been observed in the State of Mato Grosso, with the issue spreading to other states. Researchers identified that the fungus Diaporthe (syn. Phomopsis) as the main pathogen recovered from symptomatic plants. In 2024, D. ueckeri and D. longicolla were predominant in sampled areas in the South, distributed across all soybean-farming regions. No isolates of D. aspalathi or D. caulivora were recovered from symptomatic plants in the sampled regions. (Syngenta)
Tecnomyl raised USS 26.3 million through the third Credit Rights Investment Fund (FIDC), a financial tool used to anticipate customer receivables. The funds were originated by Field Asset. (Tecnomyl)
Marcelo Gimenes assumes leadership of Adama’s fungicide strategy in Brazil. (Adama)
Pesticide uses in Brazil will be monitored to control and reduce impacts on human health and the environment. Over three years, 53 active ingredients will be observed by the Ministry of the Environment and Embrapa. The Environmental Monitoring Strategy for PFOS — persistent pesticide-derived products — and pesticides themselves will generate data on environmental contamination. These information will support public policies and promote sustainable agricultural practices. (Embrapa; MMA)
Researchers from the University of São Paulo have developed the patent “Enhanced Efficiency Multinutrient Nitrogen Fertilizer,” designed to significantly reduce nutrient losses in the soil and improve crop yields. The formulation includes urea, micronutrients, and a urease inhibitor, an enzyme that degrades urea. (USP)
Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock presented a study on the impact of ICMS Agreement No. 26/2021 (similar to AVT) on fertilizer prices. The agreement revoked the maintenance of tax credits, altering state taxation on inputs since 2021 and establishing gradual rates until 2025. According to economist Fábio Moraes, who led the study, the measure has increased farming costs by approximately US$ 2.06 billion since its implementation. “The cost impact varied significantly across states due to differences in key regional crops,” said Moraes. Farmers in Mato Grosso paid US$ 458 million over the past four years, while those in Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul bore costs of US$ 232 million and US$ 216 million, respectively. “And this did not result in an increase in national fertilizer production.” (CNA)
Daniel Amaral Ferreira is the new market access director for UPL in Brazil. (UPL Ltd.)
Between January and December 2024, Brazil recorded an increase of 9.2% in the treated area with crop protectio products, totaling over 2 billion hectares. The data comes from a study commissioned by Sindiveg and conducted by Kynetec. The research highlights soybeans as the main crop driving the expansion in pesticide use. The volume of pesticides applied per pest, disease, and weed control rose 8.5% compared to the same period in 2023. The products were herbicides (45%), insecticides (23%), fungicides (23%), seed treatment (1%), and others (8%). (Sindiveg)
COD and the Federal Revenue seized 40 kg of pesticide smuggled from China in Paraná, valued at over US$ 7,019, without regulation. (PMGO)
Yara Fertilizers allocated US$ 78,947 to support soil recovery in the State of Rio Grande do Sul following recent floods, in collaboration with Embrapa. This investment is part of the Recupera Rural RS Program, which includes the transfer of technology and sustainable nutritional solutions. (Yara Fertilizers; Embrapa)
New biological inoculant formulation for corn, containing Azospirillum brasilense, has shown increased productivity by improving plant growth and nutrient absorption. Additionally, the use of the product allows a reduction of 25% in nitrogen fertilizer application without loss of productivity and increases grain yields by up to 12.4% with 75% of the conventional nitrogen dose. (Embrapa)
Federal Police and the State of Rio Grande do Sul Environmental Military Police seized 1,060 L of paraquat, banned in the country since 2020, smuggled from Argentina in an uninhabited farm. (PF)
Cooperative affiliates from the State of Goiás participated in a mission to India from February 8th to 21st, 2025. The delegation included representatives from the Goiás State Organization of Cooperatives, such as Luís Alberto Pereira, and cooperatives like Comiva (Cássio Teodoro), Coapil (Astrogildo Gonçalves), Central Rede (Bruno Ribeiro), and Agrovale (Antônio Carlos Borges). The mission focused on partnerships for nanofertilizer and biomethane technologies. (Sistema OCB/GO)
CropLife Brasil and the University of São Paulo have opened registration for a free course on combating the illegal agricultural inputs market. (CropLife Brasil; USP)
Goplan, an agricultural inputs franchise network, registered a 25% revenue growth in 2024, totalingUS$ 21.93 million. (Goplan)
Phytosanitary Program of the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association emphasizes the importance of jointly combating cotton bollworm, focusing on strategies such as trapping and constant monitoring of pests and diseases that affect cotton, soybean and corn. In a meeting on February 18th, experts such as Paulo Eduardo Degrande and Marco Tamai, as well as farmers and consultants, discussed control actions to guarantee the sustainability and productivity of crops, reinforcing the relationship between phytosanitary defense and profitability. (Abrapa)
Lutheran University of Brazil investigates the use of Negramina (Siparuna guianensis), a plant native from the Cerrado area, to create sustainable bioinsecticides. (Ulbra Palmas)
Farmers of the second corn season in the States of Santa Catarina, Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás are facing a high infestation of leafhoppers (Dalbulus maidis), with areas registering more than 120 leafhoppers per week. (Epagri; Fundação MS)
Brazil’s agricultural aviation fleet has grown 42% in the last 10 years, reaching 4,122 aircrafts. (Sindag; Irga)
Experts from Abapa, Embrapa, Instituto Federal Goiano, SLC Agrícola and consulting companies discussed the use of Bt technologies and integrated pest management to control Spodoptera frugiperda at Agro Rosário, in Correntina, in the State of Bahia. (Abrapa)
BPFRON and the Federal Police seized 600 bottles of illegal agricultural inputs in Medianeira, in the State of Paraná, during a patrol on BR-277. The load, transported in 50 boxes, was found with irregular invoices, which led to the seizure of the products and their referral to the Federal Revenue. The estimated loss is US$ 35,088. (BPFRON; PF)
Latin America
Study by the National University of La Plata, Argentina, analyzed 80 samples of wine from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, finding pesticide residues in 60% of them. Some substances were identified as prohibited or exceeding permitted limits. (UNLP)
Study in Argentina, conducted by biologist Lautaro Gándara, confirmed that even sublethal doses of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides alter the behavior, development, and reproduction of insects, reducing egg laying by up to 60%. The research analyzed over a thousand molecules, including glyphosate and imidacloprid, and found that 57% of them affected significantly fruit fly larvae behavior . The impacts were amplified by increased temperature, suggesting more severe effects with climate change. (Science)
Court of Offenses of Bolívar, Argentina, ordered the permanent closure of a workshop that was illegally handling agrochemicals and imposed a fine of US$ 1,886. (Court of Offenses of Bolívar)
BioHeuris, from Rosario, Argentina, has partnered with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) to conduct herbicide-tolerant sorghum trials in Africa and implement weed control technology. The initiative aims to combat Striga, a weed that causes annual losses of US$ 7 billion on the continent. (AATF; BioHeuris)
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