For the researcher and substitute director of the Agronomic Institute (IAC-APTA), of the São Paulo Agency for Agribusiness Technology (APTA), linked to the Secretary of Agriculture of the State of São Paulo, Regina Célia de Matos Pires, it is essential to have a date for the awareness of climate change. "We experience the consequences of these climate changes in our daily lives and they generate reflections in agriculture. Comments. Several studies by the IAC and other institutions have shown an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events," he says.

The scientist explains that it is observed in research the occurrence of climatic extremes, such as very high or low temperatures associated with the occurrence of periods of intense and/or long drought.

At the IAC, studies developed under the coordination of researcher Gabriel Blain verified the delay in the onset of precipitation in the rainy season in several regions in the State of São Paulo. In this scenario there is also the occurrence of intense and frequent rains in large volumes, which causes problems for society in urban and rural areas. Studies involving data recorded over long periods show a tendency to increase in extreme weather events, such as air temperature, for example.

To contribute to the confrontation of these challenges, the IAC maintains research with genetic improvement of plants. In this program, one of the objectives is to mitigate extreme weather effects, such as printing characteristics for greater resistance to water deficiency.

The research aims to develop cultivars that present greater efficiency in the use of water, in addition to defining strategies for the rational use of water in irrigated agriculture. "The purpose is to contribute to productivity with sustainability. We evaluated and indicated genetic materials with greater resistance to water deficiency, as well as those with better performance under water availability," he says.

According to Regina, from the water point of view, it is essential to take care of the monitoring of climate and water in irrigated agriculture, adopting rational use.

The IAC makes indications for the different scenarios and edaphoclimatic conditions of cultivation. These researches are fundamental for agricultural development because they generate technologies that oppose these challenges. "We used images to monitor plant growth and the water state of crops, as well as soil conditions in search of management strategies and decision-making tools," he explains.

The IAC also works with technologies involving the reduction of greenhouse gases, seeking sustainability and sources of supplies for plants in order to contribute to environmental sustainability.

Source: RPA news