MANEJO AGRONÔMICO DA CULTURA DO MILHO SAFRINHA: EMPRESA CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE

Abstract

The agronomist plays a fundamental role in agricultural development, working in the planning, crop management, and management of agricultural production systems to promote greater productivity, sustainability, and efficiency in the use of natural resources. This professional oversees the stages of the production process, from input selection and crop establishment to phytosanitary monitoring, plant nutrition, and harvesting, applying technical knowledge to support decision-making in the field. In this context, the supervised internship represents an essential stage of academic training, as it enables the practical application of knowledge acquired throughout the undergraduate program and the development of competencies required by the profession. This undergraduate thesis describes the activities developed within the context of Corteva Agriscience, through Pioneer, with the supervised internship activities concentrated at Fazenda Armadura, located in the municipality of Querência, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The farm has a cultivated area of 620 hectares, of which 470 hectares were allocated to second-crop maize cultivation using the P3898 hybrid during the 2026 growing season. Throughout the internship, the main stages of crop production were monitored, from sowing to harvesting, including the application of biological inputs in the planting furrow, topdressing nitrogen fertilization, crop monitoring, and phytosanitary management. Sowing took place between February 12 and February 27, 2026, and was affected by climatic conditions characterized by heavy rainfall, which delayed both soybean harvesting and the establishment of the second maize crop. Due to high temperatures and elevated humidity, high caterpillar pressure was observed, requiring four applications of crop protection products at different phenological stages of the crop. Two applications of protected urea were also carried out to supply nitrogen. This experience enabled the integration of theoretical knowledge with professional practice, highlighting the importance of planning, continuous monitoring, and the adoption of appropriate management techniques to achieve high levels of productivity and quality in second-crop maize production.