From the meeting that the provincial government held with the Nation, different organizations and entities were called to form a committee in order to deal with the “chicharrita” crisis that affects a large number of provinces.
The meeting was held at the Ministry of Production and Sustainable Development, with the presence of Minister Martín de los Ríos with his technical advisors, the Secretariat of Agricultural Development, INTA, SENASA, representatives of the CREA groups and the Lajitas group, authorities of the Salteña Rural Society, PROGRANO and agricultural producers.
On the occasion, the Minister stated that it is about working in coordination and “applying agronomy” for strategic management of resources and announced that the Government is managing emergency financing through Banco Nación for producers who are going through this situation and , in some cases, with total losses.
The producers raised the need to eliminate withholdings on corn, which would be of great help to face the crisis.
For its part, INTA presented the characteristics of this pest, the environmental conditions for its development, feeding and propagation: “The core of the problem for control is that the leafhopper survives in other plantations, although they do not feed on them. “They use it as a shelter during the winter season,” said María Guillermina Socías, from the Entomology sector of INTA.
The way to monitor crops was also indicated and the need to regionalize the problem was raised in order to put together zonal management strategies.
Joint work is planned with the surrounding provinces so that producers become aware and take the relevant measures, such as shortening the planting window and avoiding staggered planting.
Control guacho corn, that is, those corn plants that grow out of season and that serve as a refuge for the “leafhopper” on cold winter days, so they can continue their cycle until the next season.
Crop rotation and sanitary voids are another of the recommended measures.
“In conclusion, we believe that it is essential to inform yourself and take conscientious action,” they said.
A headache in the region
Corn stunting, caused by the bacteria Spiroplasma kunkelii, is a disease transmitted by the leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) during feeding. It mainly affects corn in the north of the country, although in the current campaign it became a headache in areas where it was not a problem before. Its potential for damage is worrying: yield losses can exceed 70%.
According to data from the Aapresid Pest Management Network, already in the years 2021/2022 the pest was concentrated in the north of Santa Fe, north and east of Santiago del Estero, west of Chaco, east of Catamarca, Tucumán, and Salta . In the current campaign, reports were received that indicate an advance towards the south of those areas.
