Rains reduce water deficit in the rice crop

The rice sowing in Rio Grande do Sul is in the final phase, with less than 5% of the projected area still to be planted, according to the Conjunctural Information released by Emater/RS-Ascar this Thursday (18). According to the agency, "the return of rains in the first half of December was fundamental for the regularization of germination," reducing the need for initial watering and favoring the start and consolidation of continuous irrigation. Despite being uneven, the precipitations also contributed to the replenishment of water sources, reservoirs, and watercourses, increasing the availability of water for the crop's conduction. Emater/RS-Ascar evaluates that, in general, "the establishment of the crops is satisfactory," with good stand and uniform initial growth. In specific areas, however, the excess rain caused flooding and damage to levees, which required repairs to maintain the water level. Still, the development of the already planted crops was not compromised. The report ...