Martínez-Méndez, Heriberto

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    Efectividad de nematicidas biológicos y nematodos entomopatógenos en el control de fitonematodos y picudo negro (Cosmopolites sordidus germar) en plátano
    (2016) Martínez-Méndez, Heriberto; Chavarría-Carvajal, José A.; College of Agricultural Sciences; Robles-Vázquez, Wilfredo; Macchiavelli, Raúl E.; Department of Crops and Agro-Environmental Sciences; Acosta-Martínez, Jaime
    Plantain (Musa acuminata X M. balbisiana, AAB) is the most economically important crop of Puerto Rico. During the fiscal year 2009-10 the farm gate value reached $69.14 million, equivalent to 8.76% of the local gross agricultural income. Plant-parasitic nematodes (Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus coffeae, Meloidogyne incognita, Rotylenchulus reniformis and Helicotylenchus multicinctus) and the insect commonly known as black weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus Germar) are the pests more restrictive for the local production of plantain. Traditionally, the control of nematodes and black weevil has been made by the intensive use of insecticide-nematicide of chemical origin. However, some of these products have been removed from the market because of their adverse effects on the environment, humans, and wildlife. In recent years Puerto Rico has begun the marketing of a series of products derived from plants or bio-control organisms: MeloCon  WG (Paecilomyces lilacinus), DiTera  DF (Myrothecium verrucaria), Sesamin  EC (Sesamum indicum), Capsanem  (Steinernema carpocapsae), and Entonem  (Steinernema feltiae). However, locally no previous studies are available indicating the effectiveness of these products for the control of nematodes and black weevil. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of these products on populations of plant-parasitic nematodes, black weevil and agronomic traits, a field experiment was established at the Agricultural Experiment Sub-Station of Corozal, College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. The experimental design consisted of splitplots in a RCB with three replications and twelve treatments. The treatments were: 1. MeloCon  WG; 2. MeloCon  WG + EPN; 3. DiTera  DF; 4. DiTera  DF + EPN; 5. Sesamin  EC; 6. Sesamin  EC + EPN; 7. Vydate  L; 8. Vydate  L + EPN; 9. Mocap  15G; 10. Mocap  15G + EPN; 11. EPN Control; 12. Absolut Control. The results showed that the chemical nematicides were the most effective controlling plant-parasitic nematodes and reducing damage by black weevil. Also, the biological products were effective reducing populations of plant-parasitic nematodes and improving bunch weight (Kg). Commercial formulations of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), Capsanem  (Steinernema carpocapsae) and Entonem  (Steinernema feltiae) were effective reducing the number of galleries and the percentage of damage caused by black weevil, at harvesting. Plants from plots treated with Vydate  L significantly obtained the top bunch weight with 15.09 Kg, in contrast with 8.31 Kg in plants from untreated plots.