In the heart of Brazil’s agricultural frontier, researchers have uncovered a promising strategy to boost winter crop yields while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions. A recent study published in *Discover Agriculture* reveals that optimizing irrigation rates for wheat and triticale cultivars can significantly cut soil CO2 emissions, offering a dual benefit for farmers and the environment.
The research, led by Ricardo Gava from the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), explored how different irrigation rates affect soil CO2 efflux (FCO2) and grain yield in various wheat and triticale genotypes. The findings suggest that by applying irrigation at 30% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), farmers can achieve a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to using 90% of ETc, without compromising yield.
“Our hypothesis was that it would be possible to increase agricultural production by applying different irrigation rates and simultaneously reduce soil CO2 efflux,” Gava explained. “The findings obtained show that FCO2 is influenced by the wheat and triticale cultivar, development stage of the crop, and the irrigation rate used.”
The study, conducted during the winter cultivation of 2023, involved a field experiment with three irrigation rates (30, 60, and 90% of ETc) and nine different cultivars. The researchers monitored soil CO2 efflux using a portable EGM-5 system and measured grain yield by collecting and threshing the central rows of each plot.
The results indicated that certain cultivars, such as BRS Gralha Azul and IPR Potyporã, showed better tolerance to water deficit, allowing for lower irrigation rates and minimizing CO2 efflux. This discovery could have significant commercial implications for the agriculture sector, as it offers a practical approach to enhancing sustainability and profitability.
“Yield of wheat and triticale cultivars is related to the irrigation rate, where cultivars 3 and 9 show better tolerance to water deficit, allowing for lower irrigation rates and minimizing the CO2 efflux,” Gava noted.
As the agricultural industry grapples with the challenges of climate change and the need for sustainable practices, this research provides a valuable insight into how precision irrigation can play a pivotal role. By adopting these strategies, farmers can not only improve their yields but also contribute to the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The study’s findings were published in *Discover Agriculture*, with Ricardo Gava from the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) as the lead author. This research opens up new avenues for future developments in sustainable agriculture, offering a beacon of hope for a more environmentally friendly and productive farming future.