In protected crops, the survey of winter plant hosts of mirids and studies about how and when mirids colonise greenhouses continued during 1999. The survey of Bemisia tabaci continued in the Oeste and Montijo-Palmela regions. This species was not found yet in these regions.
Risk assessment procedures for protected crops (lettuce, tomato, green beans, sweet pepper / aubergine and cucumber / melon) which were tested and adapted during last three years were published in a Technical Manual, as a part of an IPM programme developed for the Oeste Region.
The use of pheromone traps for risk assessment of the most important noctuids was studied in 3 greenhouses. It seems that pheromone traps are not effective inside greenhouses but this study will be continued in 2000 with other pheromone releases.
In order to develop reliable and accurate monitoring methods based on pheromone traps and to define accordingly the principles of management tactics for maritime pine bast scale M. feytaudi and the citrus mealybug P. citri, a study was initiated in several maritime pine stands and citrus groves. The relationship between male catches obtained by pheromone traps, using different pheromone doses and trapping periods, and population densities of scale insects was studied by regression analysis. The results showed to be consistent with those obtained in the same research project by other reasearch teams in France, Italy and Israel, using the same experimental design. These studies will continue in 2000 in order to find an overall model.
In pear orchards, the simulation model for pear scab infections was evaluated using meteorological and biological data. The results suggest the existence of 21 potential periods for infection. Validation of the simulation model for ascospores maturation of pear scab was initiated.
In what concerns stored products, surveys were undertaken in warehouses and food processing factories in Portugal and Cape Verde Islands. Distribution of insect species of economic importance is now well known.
Lasioderna serricorne and Ephestia elutella were detected in field conditions in three regions of Portugal and their distribution and relative abundance were determined by using pheromone traps.
In mycological investigations performed in Cape Verde Islands Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus sp. were identified in stored maize and rice grains.
Protecção das Plantas
e dos Produtos Agrícolas Armazenados