In vineyards, control methods alternative to OP pesticides were evaluated under field conditions, namely using IGR, against grape berry moths and vineyard leafhoppers.
Based on previous results and the increased utilisation of bumblebees in the Oeste Region it was considered as an important goal to study these pollination agents' behaviour in greenhouse environment. During 1999, bumblebees behaviour for tomato and muskmelon pollination was studied as well as the impact of bumblebees pollination on the production (weight, commercial grade, quality parameters as pulp weight, number of seeds, sugar and ascorbic acid level).
Studies on bumblees pollination behaviour covered the diary and seasonal pattern of activity on tomato and muskmelon flowers (in comparison with bee), the efficiency with different hive density and the exploration of pollen/nectar exterior to greenhouses and its role in hive duration.
The bioassays with parasitoids planned to quantify their role on the natural control on noctuids larvae and the evaluation of the importance for each mortality factor (parasitism, predation by parasitoid adults, abiotic mortality) on leafminers were not performed due to insufficient and not synchronised collection of male and female pupa of the parasitoid Hyposoter didymator (for noctuids) and, in the case, of leafminer by absence of the pest.
Preliminary biological assays were done to study the influence of the diet in baculovirus efficacy using HaNPVSP1 as an example and H. armigera as insect host.
In pear orchards, fungicide sprays were tested on the control of pear scab following two different approaches, i.e., preventive sprays and curative sprays applied according to the simulation model for pear scab infection. Different spraying technics were also studied.
In stored products, laboratory experiments were undertaken in order to evaluate the potential for combinations of IGRs and silica aerogels as protectants of stored maize grain against Sitophilus zeamais, reducing the application rates of IGRs.
Protecção das Plantas
e dos Produtos Agrícolas Armazenados