EN 
PT_BR Embrapa Soja (PR) and Caramuru Alimentos are launching the BRS 579 soybean cultivar, which combines high yield potential with an alternative for weed management in conventional cropping systems.
The new variety is recommended for producers in the north-central region of Mato Grosso (soybean edaphoclimatic region REC 402) who are looking for medium- to late-cycle cultivars, which corresponds to maturity groups (MG) between 7.0 and 9.0+. The cultivar belongs to MG 7.9 and, therefore, has "a cycle consistent with the region's production system, and can be used for staggered harvesting and for sowing at the beginning of the season," explains researcher Roberto Zito, from Embrapa Soja.
BRS 579 stands out for its health, with moderate tolerance to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) and resistance to races 3 and 14 of soybean cyst nematode, important pathogens in the growing region.
Genetic shield
The BRS 579 also features STS (Sulfonylurea Tolerant Soybean) technology. Sulfonylureas are a chemical group of herbicides that inhibit the ALS (acetolactate synthase) enzyme. Herbicides in this category are already registered and used in soybeans with restrictions, especially regarding dosage, as they can cause phytotoxicity to the crop, which does not occur with STS soybean cultivars, such as BRS 579.
Researcher Fernando Adegas, from Embrapa Soja, explains that phytotoxicity is damage that a herbicide causes to soybeans. It can occur due to various factors, such as dosage errors, adverse weather conditions, plant stress, among others. Possible damage includes: yellowing, necrosis, deformities, and delayed plant growth.
STS technology acts as a "genetic shield." While soybeans can suffer severe yield losses when exposed to sulfonylurea herbicides, STS varieties have a natural tolerance to these molecules. "This allows the farmer to apply the product post-emergence (when the soybean is already grown), eliminating weeds that compete for nutrients and light," Adegas points out.
"With this new technological solution, we deliver to the producer not just a seed, but productivity associated with a management tool capable of bringing more peace of mind and profitability at the end of the harvest," adds Zito.
For researchers, the great advantage of STS soybeans is that they offer an alternative to the exclusive use of glyphosate, the main herbicide used in transgenic cultivars currently on the market. The technology allows for the effective control of difficult-to-manage plants resistant to other products in the field, maintaining vigor and growth while ensuring high productivity. "This new cultivar can be integrated into different management systems, being an essential tool for the rotation of active ingredients, which prolongs the useful life of technologies available on the market," reinforces Adegas.
