José Ribamar Gusmão Araújo

Ocorrência de Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) no Maranhão

Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby in citrus and mango crops in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, is recorded. Samples of 2003 and 2004 from several counties were identified and deposited in the Insect Collection of the Laboratório de Entomologia of the Núcleo de Biotecnologia Agronômica, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão.

Dinâmica populacional da mosca-negra-dos-citros Aleurocanthus woglumi ashby (hemiptera: aleyrodidae) em Citrus spp. no município de São Luís - MA

This paper aims to evaluate the populational dynamics of Aleurocanthus woglumi throughout one year, verifying the season with higher density, its populational peaks and citrus blackfly distribution in Citrus spp. in two orchards, in Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil. To study the populational dynamics, 10 plants were selected at random, in each orchard, as well as 20 leaves per plant, from July 2006 to June 2007, and the number of layings, eggs and nymphs was counted. To determine the vertical distribution of A. woglumi, plants were divided into quadrants: North, East, South and West, and 5 leaves/quadrant were removed, totaling 200 leaves per collecting area. Regarding to distribution over the plant, the delineation was entirely randomized adopting a 2 x 4 factorial scheme (dry and rainy seasons x quadrants), with 13 repetitions (number of collections). It accomplished an exploratory analysis of data and averages submitted to Tukey test at a 5% probability rate. It was observed that on the two locations the insect was distributed homogeneous on the tree canopies and that the highest populational levels of A. woglumi occurred in the low precipitation season (from July to December 2006).

Efeito do recipiente e ambiente de cultivo sobre o desenvolvimento de mudas de mamoeiro cv. Sunrise Solo

The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of three containers and three environments of cropping on the development of papaya seedlings (Carica papaya L.) Cv. Sunrise Solo, at the tropical climate of Sao Luis Island, State of Maranhao, Brazil. The used containers were black polyethylene bags of 20 x 32 cm and 15 x 20 cm and polystyrene trays of 72 cells and as environment conditions were used plastic house, black-screen house of 50% sunlight and open sky. The data taken and evaluated were plant height, diameter of stem, and leaf number. In the period of June 14th to July 21st 2004 were monitored precipitation, temperature and relative humidity, using psycrhometers of natural ventilation. According to the results, it was concluded that the seedlings of papaya produced in the polyethylene bag 20 x 32 cm promotes superior performance in all analyzed characters; the polystyrene tray revealed inadequate for the production of papaya seedlings; over 45 days after sowing, the open sky environment, showed more satisfactory conditions to the seedlings development; past 60-days from sowing, the seedlings produced under the black-screen presented a thin and yellowish growing.

Imbibition and position of seed on the germination of seedlings of dwarf-precocious cashew rootstocks

The present work aimed to evaluate the imbibition and the sowing position on the process of seed germination of dwarf cashew-precocious rootstocks. The experiment was carried out on Sao Luis Experimental Farm of the Maranhao State University, Brazil. The experimental model was a factorial design 2 x 3 x 2 in randomized blocks and four replications, with 15 seeds per plot, sowed in plastic bags. The treatments resulted from the combination of two cashew clones (CCP 06 and CCP 76), three treatments of imbibition (water, sucrose and natural) and seed position (hilo and dorsal) before sowing. According to the obtained results, it was verified that up to 22 days after sowing the clone CCP 76 with seeds soaked in water and sowed in the hilo position, presented satisfactory levels of germination (100%), resulting in larger efficiency of the seed germination process and precocity in terms of stabilization of the germination (about 16 days). The treatments of imbibition at hilo position did not present a significant effect on the seedlings emergence of two clones, but they influenced the emergence speed index, in which the treatments using water and hilo position promoted higer index, regardless of the tested clones.

Preferência para oviposição e ciclo de vida de mosca-negra- dos-citros Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby em espécies frutíferas

Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, popularly known as the citrus blackfly is considered A2 quarantine pest in Brazil and causes damage in many fruit crops, especially citrus (orange, lemon and tangerine). Few researches related to biological aspects are carried out in Brazilian environmental conditions. The present research aimed to determine the oviposition preference and duration of the life cycle of A. woglumi on different hosts. The research was carried out in a greenhouse during the period of March 2009 to March 2010. Tests of preference were done with no chance of choice in six hosts, in periods of 48 and 72 hours, beyond the comparative biology in mango and orange trees. A. woglumi showed preference for laying eggs on citrus species (lemon, orange and mandarin), maintaining a pattern of non-preference in cashew and guava trees. The orange and mango hosts did not interfere in the life cycle of the pest.

Abacaxi 'Turiaçu': cultivar tradicional nativa do Maranhão

Objetivou-se caracterizar a biometria da planta e analisar fisica e quimicamente frutos de abacaxi da cultivar Turiacu e proceder a analise comparativa com outras cultivares tradicionais e melhoradas. Trata-se de uma selecao nativa da Amazonia Maranhense que apresenta importância socioeconomica no Estado do Maranhao. As plantas e frutos foram avaliados no periodo de 2007 a 2009, em um experimento de campo, no espacamento de 1,0 x 0,40 m, para o qual se utilizaram mudas tipo filhote com 35 a 40 cm de comprimento. Os dados foram analisados por tecnicas da estatistica descritiva, obtendo-se a media de cada carater e os coeficientes de correlacao linear simples entre nove caracteres priorizados. Os resultados indicam que o peso medio do fruto de 1.620 g, coroa media, o teor de solidos soluveis totais de 16,1 oBrix e a coloracao amarela da polpa configuram um produto que atende as exigencias comerciais. O teor de acidez e baixo, requerendo ajuste no ponto de colheita para aproveitamento industrial. A elevada producao de filhotes por planta assegura a renovacao das areas de cultivo.

Emergence and Initial Growth of the Seedlings of Euterpe oleracea Mart. Seeds of Different Ecotypes in Function on the Substrate

In Brazil, the assai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is a native palm of the Amazon biome, being exploited in an extractive and predatory way to obtain palm heart and processed pulp. In recent years, there has been an increase in the exploitation of commercial plantations in the country, since extractivism and management of native areas are not able to meet growing demand. In this way, companies of the sector and public institutions have invested in new technologies, such as the improvement of plants, which has increased the demand for good quality seeds, coming from natural ecotypes. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate seeds of E. oleracea from three ecotypes regarding the emergence and initial growth of the seedlings in different substrates to guide future plant selection. Seed lots from three assai berry ecotypes were evaluated for water content, seedling emergence, first count, seedling emergence speed index, seedling length and dry mass. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four repetitions of 50 seeds, sown on different substrates. In the physiological characteristics of the seeds and seedlings, there are differences of the three E. oleracea ecotypes. These ecotypes make it possible to identify and select assai palm’s mother plants of Luiz Domingues (IG) and Maracana (V) natives of areas of the igapo and varzea, respectively, as producers of better quality seeds and seedlings in an alternative substrate (composed of sand, agricultural soil and cattle manure in a proportion of 2:2:1) and, commercial substrate (FORTH® compound of pinus and gray bark), respectively.

Occurrence of Purpureocillium lilacinum in citrus black fly nymphs

Black fly is a pest of Asian origin that causes direct and indirect damages to citrus, damaging the development and production of plants. For the development of efficient management strategies of the pest, the integration of control methods is necessary, and biological control is the most appropriate. Among the agents that can be used, entomopathogenic fungi are considered one of the most important and wide-ranging use. This work investigated the occurrence of Purpureocillium lilacinum (Thom.) Luangsa-ard et al. (= Paecilomyces lilacinus), attacking nymphs of citrus black fly, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). The fungus was isolated from infected Black fly nymphs, present on Citrus spp leaves in the municipality of Morros, Maranhão. After isolation, purification and morphological and molecular characterization, pathogenicity test was performed with A. woglumi nymphs. Morphological and molecular correspondence was verified between inoculum and the reisolated, proving the pathogenicity of P. lilacinum.

REACTION OF PAPAYA GENOTYPES TO TARGET SPOT AND ACTIVITY OF PLANT EXTRACTS AND Bacillus spp. ON Corynespora cassiicola

1Master in Agroecology, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão / São Luís MA. Email: dannielle.paz@gmail.com. 2Agronomist, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Departamento de Fitotecnia e Fitossanidade, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão / São Luís MA. Email: gusmao@elo.com.br 3Agronomist, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Departamento de Fitotecnia e Fitossanidade, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão / São Luís MA. Email: aacrodrigues@ outlook.com 4Agronomist, PhD in Phytopathology Universidade Estadual do Maranhão / São Luís MA. Email: erlenkeila@yahoo.com.br 5Agronomist, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão / São Luís MA. Email: nb.diniz@hotmail.com Abstract Papaya target-spot, caused by fungus Corynespora cassiicola presents a wide geographic distribution, causing leaf spots in several hosts. The aim of this research was to evaluate the behavior of papaya varieties and/or selections to the natural occurrence of target spot, and test the fungi toxic effect of neem, citronella and eucalyptus extracts, and fungi static effects of Bacillus isolates on the fungus C. cassiicola in vitro. To evaluate the natural occurrence of the disease in field, symptoms on leaves of 11 papaya varieties and/or selections have been assessed. The pathogenicity of isolates was verified by inoculation of plants in greenhouse. Neem, citronella and eucalyptus extracts were prepared at concentrations of 10, 15 and 20% and poured into Petri dishes containing C. cassiicola mycelium discs. For Bacillus, nine isolates were used, and the antagonistic potential was evaluated by the pairing of pathogen and isolate colonies by the circle method. Papaya varieties and/or selections presented all leaves with injury, and Canaan Sunrise Solo and Canaan Golden selections showed the greatest number of injuries per leaf, showing that papaya varieties and/or selections respond differently to the phytopathogen. All plant extracts tested showed inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth of C. cassiicola in vitro. Bacillus isolates showed an antagonistic potential on the mycelial growth of the fungus, with B. methylotrophicus (Iso 31 and Iso 41) being the most promising as a biological control agent. The results indicate that forms of alternative control of diseases are promising in the management of papaya target-spot.

CHARACTERIZATION OF MANGABEIRA TREES AND FRUITS IN THE SAVANNAH-RESTINGA TRANSITION ZONE

Brazil is the third largest fruit producer in the world, but many native fruits remain underexploited, as is the case for mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes). Little is known about general aspects of this species in its naturally occurring environment. Thus, this study aimed to characterize plant and fruit morphologies from native mangabeira selections in the Savannah-Restinga vegetation transition zone. The experiment was carried out in Patizal, Recanto and Recurso villages located in the Morros municipality, Maranhão State, dominated by extensive Savannah-Restinga vegetation transition zone with naturally occurring mangabeiras. Forty five mangabeira trees were randomly chosen from native selections in the three villages. Data collected were plant height, stem height, stem diameter, canopy volume, number of main and secondary branches and number of fruits. Twenty fruits were collected per plant to determine the mass, length and diameter, pulp and skin mass, pulp yield, seed number and seed mass. There was a high degree of variability for all assessed variables except for the pulp yield (average = 86.69%, minimum = 76.75% and maximum = 91.11%; CV= 3.51%). Significant and positive high magnitude correlations were noted among the variables of fruit mass and pulp mass plus skin with seed number (r=0,01; ρ≤0,78 e ρ≤0,74, respectively).