Fruit bagging is an efficient mechanical control technique used in fruit growing. However, to date, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of bagging in the cultivation of vegetables, including tomato crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bagging of tomato flowers and/or fruits using a non-woven fabric (NWF) for the control of Helicoverpa spp., Neoleucinodes elegantalis, and Tuta absoluta, to evaluate the effect of this technique on the final yield, and determine the optimal period for bagging. Tests were conducted in a commercial crop of staked ‘Valerin’ tomato plants located in the municipality of Ubajara, Ceará State, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with a 2x4 factorial design (sprayed versus unsprayed plants, and both plant groups were bagged with NWF bags at different growth stages [flowers bagging, bagging of bunches of fruits with a diameter of 1.5cm, bagging of bunches of fruits with a diameter of 3.0cm, and unbagged bunches (control)], with five repetitions. We evaluated the number of fruits per bunch, number of bunches per plant, weight of each fruit, longitudinal and transverse diameter, percentage of bored fruits, yield loss caused by insect infestation, and final yield. Bagging of ‘Valerin’ tomato bunches with NWF bags was effective for the control of N. elegantalis, and productivity increased by 21.5% when bagging was done in bunches of fruits with a diameter of 1.5cm compared with unbagged fruits; therefore, this growth period was the most suitable for bagging.
Objetivou-se avaliar a influência da idade (tamanho) das larvas de Ceratitis capitata utilizadas na criação de Diachasmimorpha longicaudata sobre o parasitismo, a razão sexual e a longevidade das fêmeas da progênie, quando as fêmeas mães foram mantidas sozinhas ou competindo pelo mesmo hospedeiro. Para isso, foram oferecidas larvas de cinco, seis, sete e oito dias de idade às fêmeas do parasitoide em "unidades de parasitismo", no interior de gaiolas adaptadas, contendo uma ou duas fêmeas do parasitoide de sete dias de idade. O número de fêmeas do parasitoide dividindo a mesma "unidade de parasitismo" não afetou nenhum aspecto da qualidade do parasitoide. O tamanho do hospedeiro influenciou significativamente no número de parasitoides emergidos. Larvas hospedeiras menores (cinco dias) provocaram uma redução no parasitismo em relação às larvas de seis, sete e oito dias de idade. Houve maior emergência de parasitoides machos de hospedeiros com cinco e seis dias de idade, enquanto mais fêmeas emergiram de larvas com sete e oito dias de idade. As fêmeas de D. longicaudata provenientes de larvas com seis, sete e oito dias viveram mais do que as fêmeas obtidas de larvas com cinco dias de idade. Larvas hospedeiras maiores, quando utilizadas na criação de parasitoides de moscas-das-frutas, aumentam a porcentagem de parasitismo, o número de fêmeas na progênie e a longevidade das fêmeas da progênie, podendo proporcionar vantagens econômicas quando utilizadas para liberação aumentativa no campo.
The Caatinga is characterised by deciduous plant species. The practice in this ecosystem is the production of firewood which, when carried out with no technical criteria, contributes to a reduction in the biodiversity and degradation of the biome. Forest Management Planning has been approved by the Ministry of the Environment; a lower impact on the environment is expected, as there is still little information on the effect on biodiversity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diversity of soil fauna in areas that adopt a Forest Management Plan. Five areas were selected that adopt Forest Management Planning: Area T1, unexploited for six months; Area T2, unexploited for 2-3 years; Area T3 unexploited for 5-6 years; Area T4, unexploited for 10-11 years; and the Control Area (unexploited). Four pitfall traps were installed in each area. The Shannon-Weaver (H’) Index, the Pielou Uniformity Index (e) and the Species Richness Index were calculated for the purpose of estimating the existing biodiversity. Total richness varied from 7 to 14 groups for the different collection periods and between the treatments; the highest value for the Shannon Index (0.72) was found during the dry/rainy transition period in the area that had been exploited 5-6 years earlier. The number of specimens is influenced by the various stages of wood exploitation.
Fruit flies are typically managed using hydrolyzed protein, which is difficult for family farmers to obtain. This study aimed at assessing the efficiency of livestock manure for monitoring and/or controlling this pest in guava tree orchards. The first experiment tested the efficiency of guava juice and manure from cattle, sheep, pig, horse and chicken as attractants for fruit flies. Once the best bait had been established, a second experiment was conducted using guava juice and chicken manure extract at concentrations of 10 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 % and 100 %. A third assay analyzed guava juice and chicken manure extract (10 %) at three attractant aging periods (3, 7 and 14 days after trap installation). The cost-effectiveness ratio between guava juice and extract was also analyzed. It was concluded that fruit flies prefer the chicken manure extract (10 %), with greater capture observed three days after trap installation, which can replace the guava juice in the agroecological management of fruit flies in guava trees in family farms, since it is low cost and efficient.
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