The 2025/26 harvest is progressing late and requires strategies to cope with dry soil and short planting windows.

The end of 2025 brought a scenario of moderate optimism to Brazilian agribusiness, marked by good production projections, but also by warning signs in the field. According to the National Supply Company (Conab), the 2025/26 harvest should reach 354.8 million tons of grains, driven by the expansion of the cultivated area to 84.4 million hectares. Soybeans, the country's flagship crop, should occupy 49.1 million hectares, with a forecast of 177.6 million tons.

Despite the large projections, the progress of planting is raising a red flag. In the second half of November, soybean sowing reached 69% of the planned area, a figure lower than that recorded in the same period of the previous harvest. The main factor behind the delay is the irregularity of rainfall, which compromises soil moisture and prevents planting under ideal conditions for germination.

Photo: Daiane Mendonça

The situation reignites a recurring debate among producers and technicians: the importance of early soil preparation and seed quality. In a cycle that begins with drier soil and narrower planting windows, the initial stages of the crop become crucial for the final result. In this context, interest in and adoption of solutions focused on soil health, microbiological stimulation, and seedling vigor are growing.

Among these alternatives, inputs capable of acting from seed treatment to fertigation at the beginning of the cycle are gaining ground. Products based on organomineral compounds, formulated to strengthen the root system and boost the soil microbiota, show potential to improve the uniformity of emergence and increase tolerance to water stress, a critical factor in years of irregular rainfall.

More than simply moving forward with planting, experts emphasize that the challenge now is to prepare the groundwork for a more stable 2026 harvest. In an environment marked by delayed sowing, erratic weather, and dry soil, technical solutions that ensure vigorous emergence and uniform initial development become essential to reduce risks and sustain productivity.