Eficiência de métodos de controle de pragas do tomateiro (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), na região de Presidente Prudente - SP

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate five methods for the control of the pests that infest the culture of tomato: a) Conventional method for the application of phytosanitary products commonly, used by farmers; b) Integrated pest management method (IPM) using the control levels (CL) of each insect-pest determined by the research; c) IPM with the use of extract of Azadirachta indica at 5% (v/v) concentration of solution (Neem); d) Sacking the tomato bunches right after flowering. e) Control plants, without any treatment against pests. Both the conventional and IPM methods were both efficient in controlling the pests of the tomato and resulted in reduced number of viral infected plants, and as a consequence, increasing in productivity of the culture by 156% and 165%, respectively. The number of pulverizations was reduced in 66.7% with the IPM method compared to the conventional. The IPM-Neem method showed low control of the sucker insects and lepidopterous and did not differ significantly from the control. The practice of sacking the bunches of tomato fruits represents a promising alternative in the production of fruits without the employment of pesticides, however, it is necessary a protection against sucker insects transmitters of viral illnesses and demands the utilization of protecting materials with better efficiency.