Aspectos fitossanitários para a produção sustentável do meloeiro no Estado do Tocantins

Abstract

Phytosanitary issues for sustainable production of muskmelon in the Tocantins State The introduction of a crop in a new growing region requires prior knowledge of biotic and abiotic agents that can interfere with the performance of the culture in this new location. The muskmelon, Cucumis melo L., has been expanding its acreage in Cerrado areas of Tocantins State, however there are no reports of the impact of pollination services performed by bees, the influence of phytosanitary control and the growing season in the productive performance of this vegetable crop. This study was conducted in order to provide information for the implementation of sustainable management of melon grown in the Cerrado with a view to the preservation of pollinators and their interaction with the management of plant pathogens. The studies presented here are divided into three chapters. In the first chapter it evaluated the diversity of bees, their behavior and foraging periods of visitation to flowers, as well as their potential contribution in the performance of six cultivars of melon.In the second chapter it was verified that the quality of pollination is affected after application of four treatments containing pesticide (insecticide, fungicide, insecticide mixture / fungicide and botanical insecticide). Finally, the third section was found that the best time (dry, wet or transition) of melon cultivation based on the incidence and severity of gummy stem blight (Didymella bryoniae). Five species of bees (Apis mellifera, Halictus sp., Plebeia sp., Trigona pallens and T. spinipes) were identified visiting the flowers of cultivars in the morning. All species of bees showed potential pollinator because a moderate correlation between the intensity of visitation bees and fruit weight. The application of synthetic botanical insecticide and adversely affected the quality of pollination to fruit production of lighter weight and fewer fruits per plant, respectively. The lower levels of incidence and severity of gummy stem blight were observed in the dry season. For the melon production in the Brazilian Cerrado feasible it is necessary that agricultural practices favor the presence and maintenance of bees in the vicinity of crop areas and the integration of integrated pest management tactics are implemented.