Fertilization. I. A Factor of basic importance in Brazilian food production

Abstract

The author studies fertilization as a factor of fundamental importance for the increase of Brazilian food production. This article is based on fertilization experiments carried out in some Brazilian States, namely Pernambuco, São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. The percentual increase in production obtainable with the use of only phosphate, or phosphate plus nitrogen, and phosphate associated with nitrogen and potassium is reported. The crop plants taken as indices were, respectively, wheat, rice, corn and soybean in Rio Grande do Sul, sugar cane and corn in São Paulo, and wheat, rice, cassava and sugar cane in the State of Pernambuco. In the southern States the increases in production reported are between 24-97%, and in Pernambuco they reached 115%, not being considered the production in the Tabuleiros, where without fertilization the production is equal to zero. Phosphorus may be considered the key element in fertilization, followed by nitrogen and potassium. Such results, condensed in eleven figures serve as an indication that a widespread use of fertilizers may result in a substancial output of foods in Brazil, in levels from 20 to 100%. Such wide difference should be attributed to a diversity of crops, their unequal response to fertilizer and other restrictive factors during the year. There do not exist crops or crop management capable to counteract depressing effects of an unfavourable climate. The wheat, rice, corn and soybean production in Rio Grande do Sul in the years 1962 (a profitous year for agriculture) and 1963 (poor crops year) corroborates the author's statement. The author emphazises that the experiments discussed in the present work should be understood as indices only, but show the importance of the problem itself. The presented tables indicate the possibility of a high percentual increase in the gross production of foods in Brazil. Conclusions hereof do not apply to the mentioned crops only, but may include production of beans, Chilean potato, sweet potato and particularly forage crops and parallel production of milk and meat. Without artificial highly productive pastures it will not be possible to maintain an average production of essential foods and counterbalance the hazards of cold wheather and drought on cattle management. But the increase of production by means of technical devices alone, of which fertilization is of major importance, is not the only key for a substantial food production in Brazil. Food storage to safeguarde producer and consumer against the hazards of poor years and a policy of minimum prices, and to commercialize the whole crop, are complementary and urgent measures to be taken. Steps have been undertaken toward the purchase in USA of substancial shipments of fertilizers and the profits from sales of these chemicals would supply the necessary funds to be invested in the installation of fertilizer factories. Such measures, including the establishment of minimal prices in the market for agricultural products might be considered as outstanding to solve the food problem in Brazil. Discussions here into should not be accepted as the last word on the subject. Lime treatment of the soil, mechanization and subsequent motorization of farm practices are supplementary devices, though none of them is so a decisive factor for short therm increase of farm production as a widespread use of fertilizers.