Since March 20th, Brazil has welcomed autumn as the season that marks the transition between summer and winter. With mild temperatures, those characteristic dry leaves and many multicolored landscapes, it also brings important changes in relation to agriculture, and it is important that producers pay attention to the next steps of their crops.
In 2024, with the beginning of autumn, the end of El Niño and the beginning of La Niña also arrive, climate phenomena that directly interfere with agriculture. The first, characterized by higher temperatures coming from the Pacific Ocean, has affected the climate in Brazil in recent months, with above-average rainfall in some regions and less rainfall in others. The second, respectively, brings lower temperatures from the Pacific, and has the opposite effect, potentially signaling a dry period for the country.
The impacts of autumn on agriculture
Among the main impacts of the season on agriculture, we can highlight that the amount of precipitation generally decreases drastically, however, dry air and hot winds increase evaporation. This reduces soil moisture, directly impacting plant development.
The increase in temperature and drought brought by autumn increase the number of pests and insects that require timely and efficient management measures. Especially in this last 2023/24 harvest, there was an increase in pressure from the negative effects caused by pests such as the corn leafhopper and the fall armyworm. Both represent a considerable danger to plantation productivity.
El Niño loses strength, but maintains effects during autumn
According to forecasts made jointly by Inpe, INMET and FUNCEME, temperatures will continue to be above average throughout Brazil even in autumn and El Niño, even in its weakening phase, will continue to influence the rainfall regime and temperatures in the country. Researchers from the aforementioned bodies explain that, with the loss of strength of the phenomenon, which reached its peak between November and December, it is unlikely that extreme rain situations, such as those that occurred in the spring of 2023, will be repeated as a result of El Niño. The forecast indicates that there may be the possibility of important rains in the eastern part of the Northeast and in the north of Roraima, which is experiencing a period of drought.
Last Friday, March 22nd, INPE and INMET published a technical note on the detailed autumn forecast for all regions of the country. Access the full document here.
What measures can be taken to reduce the effects of autumn on Brazilian crops?
Faced with climate change, rural producers need to adapt and seek alternatives to minimize impacts on production. Some important measures are:
Efficient use of water: Adopting efficient irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation, helps reduce water consumption and ensure crop productivity.
Integrated pest and disease management: The use of preventive control methods, such as crop rotation and the use of efficient products, help reduce the incidence of pests and diseases.
Production planning: It is important to choose crops suited to the region's climate and time of year, in addition to diversifying production to reduce risks.
Autumn is clearly a season of change, both climatic and agricultural. Producers need to pay attention to these changes and seek adaptation to guarantee crop productivity and agricultural sustainability. Through appropriate agricultural practices and investment in technology, it is possible to minimize the impacts of climate change and ensure effective food production.
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