This soybean planting season is characterized by unstable and irregular climatic conditions, which have resulted in significant temperature and humidity differences across productive zones in Argentina. These variations foster the development of diseases like Septoria glycines (brown spot) and Cercospora kikuchii (purple spot/foliar blight), which can considerably impact harvest yields. As these diseases thrive in moist conditions, the timely management of these threats is crucial to maintaining optimal crop performance.

Juan Pérez Brea, the soybean crop manager at Basf Agro Argentina, highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between weather patterns and the occurrence of diseases. He emphasizes that critical growth periods for soybeans, particularly when sufficient moisture is critical starting from R3 growth stage, can unintentionally favor the proliferation of diseases. Thus, maintaining a careful watch on environmental factors along with disease history is essential for effective crop management.

The introduction of a new fungicide represents an important advancement for soybean producers facing these challenges. This innovation is expected to help mitigate the adverse effects of these diseases on their crops, ensuring better yield potential in a season marked by unpredictable weather. By utilizing this new protective measure, growers can enhance the resilience of their soybeans against the stresses posed by disease in fluctuating climatic conditions, ultimately supporting the agricultural economy.