2.4 South America

In Argentina and Uruguay, most winter crops were planted and most of the late maize was harvested over the reporting period; soybean and maize fields are in their fallow periods. In the south of Brazil, the second maize crop is growing, while most of the main maize crop has been harvested and most wheat was planted.

For the whole MPZ, rainfall (RAIN) showed a 13% increment, while radiation (RADPAR) was 4% below average and temperature was average (TEMP, 0.1°C). Temperature was above average during the last two months in the southern half of the region, probably promoting wheat growth during the winter. Precipitation is showing a continuity of data below average (a pre-condition for dryness) at the end of this period in the center and south of Brazil's main cropping areas. Precipitation in the south of Brazil was above average during May, which reduces the dry condition for this area that would otherwise be expected for the end of this reporting period.

BIOMSS for the MPZ showed an increment of less than 1% compared to its five-year average for the zone at this time of year. This indicator is showing positive departures in the south (most of Argentina), probably associated with the high temperatures observed for that area and the lack of precipitation anomalies. At the same time, lower than normal precipitation could be the cause of lower BIOMSS values in Brazil.

Arable land is cropped over most of the MPZ with 1% increase compared to the five year average of the Cropped Arable Land Fraction (CALF). An exception to this occurs in the central Pampas, where water logged soil may subsist locally due to the high rains from last season.

Over the reporting period, soybean--the main crop in the region--is not present in the field; changes in VCIx could reflect both the condition of the present crop (that is, wheat in Argentina and Uruguay and maize in Brazil) and changes in planted area with respect to average years. South of Buenos Aires province, the main wheat production area shows high VCIx values, which can be more accurately associated with good crop condition. 

Low VHIn values in the central Pampas and the south of Brazil could result from the high temperatures observed there and are not necessarily associated with poor growing conditions as they are occurring in winter.

Figure 2.3a. Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles (left) and profiles of rainfall departure from average (mm) (right), April-July 2017

Figure 2.3b. Spatial distribution of temperature profiles (left) and profiles of temperature departure from average (°C) (right), April-July 2017

Figure 2.3c. Maximum VCI, April-July 2017

Figure 2.3d. Cropped and uncropped arable land, April-July 2017

Figure 2.3e. Biomass accumulation potential departure, April- July 2017

Figure 2.3f. VHI minimum, April-July 2017