Top Strategies to Combat Leafhopper in Corn Fields: Expert Advice and Techniques

2024-04-10 21:57:49

Losses due to the leafhopper in corn continue to grow as the cereal harvest progresses throughout the country.

Now, the Rosario Stock Exchange (BCR) recalculated its estimate of corn production to 50.5 million tons, 6.5 million tons less than a month ago, with a harvest progress of 22% of the 7 million hectares planted. Along these lines, last week the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange had already lowered its cereal projection to 52 million tons.

This decline in the corn harvest puts the government on alert because cultivation is one of the main generators of foreign currency. According to Indec data, in 2023 corn led the ranking of exports in volume, with 23.9 million tons. And it came in second place in revenue, with US$6.2 billion.

Now, taking into account the current values ​​of corn, of US$ 180 to US$ 190 per ton, About US$ 1.2 billion stop entering the country for the leafhopper.

“A month ago we were warned regarding the disease, buthe high population level of the vector, the leafhopper, is unprecedented even in the provinces where this pest has been established for years. The level of evolution that is observed week by week in the crops is disconcerting,” the Rosario entity stated.

The leafhopper is an insect that persistently and propagatively transmits the bacteria Spiroplasma kunkelii, causing a disease that has shown a recurring incidence in the north of the country; However, in recent weeks the situation began to become more complex across the entire agricultural area.

This pest causes serious losses in yields, generating serious economic and productive consequences. Its presence is manifested in the rapid degradation of crops, with a marked decrease in their growth and yield.

“The phenomenon continues to expand and evolve, exhibiting strong symptoms in areas far from the endemic zones; such is the case of the center of the country. This disease put corn production in checksince Argentina began to plant 65% of the total cultivated area late due to problems of lack of water,” explained the Rosario Stock Exchange.

In this sense, Chaco is the most affected province. Until a month ago, good results were expected, but beyond the repeated controls (up to five applications) and the implementation of all the usual protocols carried out to minimize the impact of the pest, which is usually in the order of 5 % damage at most, this year the damage skyrocketed. “There are specific localities, like Gancedo, where between 50 to 70% of the planted area is being considered lost,” the BCR specified.

Given this adverse context, the National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa) expedited the approval times for insecticides to combat the pest. It will be carried out on the procedures of two insecticides whose applications were submitted and are recommended for the control of the spiroplasma insect vector.

In turn, based on insecticides already authorized for use on corn and with a history of approval for leafhopper control in other countries, Senasa will prepare a list of phytosanitary products so that they are immediately available. In addition, a work table is being formed for its comprehensive management.

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