Major transformations thatmadeBrazilian tobaccogrowing systemmorecompetitive
over the past years include the introductionof the float system, which consists inproduc-
ing the seedlings in floating trays inside aprotectedenvironment. This systemresults into
betterseedgerminationanddevelopmentoftheseedlingscultivatedingrowingmedium.
“The system solved serious bottlenecks and made the fields more stable”, observes
DarciJosédaSilva,agronomicengineerandtechnicaladvisorattheInterstateTobaccoIn-
dustryUnion (SindiTabaco). Theuseof the float systemwas responsible for an increase in
productivity from7% to 12%at field level. “In the old system, at transplanting, the seed-
lingshadonly30%to40%oftheirroots.Now,theytakerootfaster,because,besideshold-
ing100%oftheirroots,theycomewithgrowingmedium,withoutthestresscausedbythe
directcontactwiththeearthandbetteradaptationtotheirtransplantingplace”,saysSilva.
The cost of producing tobacco is reduced with the new system. “Although, at first
sight, it might seemdifferent, it is necessary to consider that the use of this technology
represented higher productivity, lower use of pesticides and labor, including in replant-
ing,andhigheruniformityinthefields.And,finaly,thisisequivalenttoanexpressivedrop
inproductioncosts”,saysSilva.
The introductionof the float systemturned tobacco into the first supplychain toelimi-
In
trays
Float systemproved to be a good aid in solving bottlenecks
in the 1990s andprovided for advantages that expanded
the competitiveness of the tobacco fields in the Country
natetheuseofmethylbromideinBrazil,andoneofthe
first in the world, in 2006, to completely eliminate the
use of this chemical component banned by the Mon-
treal Protocol (signed in 1989, intended to protect the
ozone layer). Methyl Bromide was included in list of
products scheduled to be completely phased out by
2015, as it depletes theozone layer. It used tobeama-
jor component in pesticides and herbicides. The epi-
sodeprovedtobeverypositiveforthesector.
Themainadvantagesof the float systemareas fol-
lows: the elimination of the need for thinning out the
seedlings, the control of weeds, ease of clipping the
seedlings, field and seedling uniformity, ease of trans-
port to the fields, substantial or total elimination of
seedling replanting, and higher productivity. “These
are advantages which, from an agronomic, economic
and environmental point of view are a factor in keep-
ingBrazil’sleadershipintheinternationalmarket”,says.
Agronomicmodernity
reducescostsand
enhances thequality
traits in the field
