At present, Brazil is among the world's largest tomato producers. This production is directed both for the industry and for fresh consumption. Among the different tomato groups, production of mini-tomatoes has grown in recent years because of their high commercial value and mainly greater price stability. However, there are few studies investigating the proper management of this group, as it is recent in the country. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the viability of mini-tomato hybrids in different training systems, in greenhouse conditions. The experiment was set as a randomized block design in a 2×2×4 factorial arrangement with two numbers of stems (one and two stems per plant), two training systems [conventional (vertical) and horizontal], and four hybrids [AF 18196 (Sakata Seed); AF 13106 (Sakata Seed); Nina (Takii Seed) and Cocktail Mascot (Agristar/Top Seed Premium)], with three replicates and four plants per plot in the usable area. The evaluated variables were production per plant, fruit weight, transverse and longitudinal fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of fruits per cluster, precocity, production cycle, chlorophyll index, soluble solids, and crop cycle. The most promising hybrids are AF 13106 (2.71 kg/plant), AF 18196 (2.63 kg/plant) and Mascot (2.38 kg/plant), managed with two stems (2.63 kg/plant), in the vertical system (2.94 kg/plant).

This study reports the occurrence of the phytophagous mite Tetranychus marianae McGregor, 1950 (Tetranychidae), in species of the genus Piper (P. hispidum Sw., P. marginatum Jacq., P. montealegreanum Yunk., P. peltatum L., P. reticulatum L., and P. tuberculatum Jacq.) (Piperaceae) and the predator mite Amblyseius tamatavensis Blommers, 1974 (Phytoseiidae), in species and cultivars of Piper nigrum L., from the Piperaceae collection of Embrapa Amazônia Oriental in Belém, Pará.

Respostas de cultivares de rúcula à adubação nitrogenada mineral e orgânica aplicada via coberturaArugula cultivars responses to mineral and organic nitrogen fertilization applied via cover

Aceria guerreronis Keifer and Steneotarsonemus furcatus De Leon are phytophagous mites that attack coconut fruits. These mites establish their colonies under the bracts in the perianth where they feed, causing necrosis and a loss of fruit quality and commercial value. Phytoseiidae is considered the most important family for the control of pest mites. With 256 species documented, the Phytoseiid fauna in Brazil is highly diversified. They are distributed across all Brazilian biomes, including the Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado, Pampa, Atlantic Forest, and Pantanal. Regardless of the fact that the Amazon biome occupies an estimated 49% of the Brazilian territory, its acarofauna remains unexplored. In this region, coconut is one of the most cultivated crops, although the variety of mites in this crop in the Amazon is yet unclear. This information is essential since there are potential predatory species that can play an important role in the biological control of coconut pests. Thus, the present study investigated the diversity and seasonality of mites in coconut fruits in the Eastern Amazon production region throughout the year. Data were collected monthly and analyzed to determine the diversity and seasonality. The faunistic indices were calculated using the program ANAFAU, and the abundance and diversity of phytoseiids were analyzed using the software EstimateS. As the fruit ages, the quantity of injured fruits increases. The mites collected belonged to the families: Oribatida (20), Rhodacaroidea (14), Eriophyidae (473,904), Phytoseiidae (147), Tarsonemidae (133), Ascidae (122), Bdellidae (110), Tydeidae (59), Cunaxidae (7), Eupodidae (7), Cheyletidae (5), Blattisociidae (4), and Cryptognathidae (1). Throughout the collection period, A. guerreronis and S. furcatus were detected on fruits with and without damage, with A. guerreronis being the most prevalent. Predatory mites of the Phytoseiidae family were sampled from 12 collections, totaling 147 specimens distributed across eight species. Amblyseius aerialis (Muma) was the predominant predator species. The peak population of A. guerreronis and S. furcatus occurred in different periods, although both species were sampled during periods of high precipitation, suggesting adaptation to the climatic conditions of the region. Temperature was strongly correlated with mites of the Phytoseiidae family. The occurrence of these mites was more common in months with higher temperatures. The mite A. aerialis was discovered in 12 evaluations, with a greater occurrence in October 2019 and August 2020. Understanding the diversity, abundance, and population fluctuations of pest mites and their natural enemies in coconut plants is critical for developing integrated pest management strategies.

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The aim of this note is to report the parasitism of Aleurodicus pseudugesii Martin, 2008 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) nymphs by Aleuroctonus marki Hansson & LaSalle, 2003 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in coconut palm Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae) in Santa Izabel do Pará, a municipality in the Eastern Amazon. This is the first recorded instance of a parasitoid species in A. pseudugesii.

We report the occurrence of scale insect Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret, 1869) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in two Piper species (Piperaceae). Hemiberlesia lataniae specimens were collected from leaves and stems of Piper cernuum Vell. and Piper reticulatum L., in a greenhouse, in the city of Belém, state of Pará. The species is reported for the first time within Piper species in Brazil.

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