Consultant warns of problems with whiteflies and nematodes in HF

To promote harmony between increased productivity and optimization of activity time in crops, it is essential that fruit and vegetable producers are equipped with data, strategic information and an excellent level of perception about the main challenges encountered in all the stages of cultivation, from planting to harvesting. For Adama's partner consultant on matters related to fruit and vegetables, Ângelo Yoshimura, the resistance of pests to pesticides applied to crops is a central issue in the daily lives of HF producers.

"Among the main problems related to fruit and vegetable crops, we can highlight the action of whiteflies and the presence of nematodes in several crops. Nematodes can cause direct and indirect damage. Lesions, necrosis and/or root dilations (galls) are damages direct damage that prevents the normal development of the root system and the absorption of water and nutrients. As a consequence, there is the possibility of reduced productivity and even the death of plants. Considering indirect damage, nematodes open 'gateways' for other diseases caused by soil fungi and bacteria".

Another problem faced in the cultivation of fruit and vegetables is the whitefly, which sucks the sap from the plants and allows the development of sooty mold. Furthermore, the whitefly is responsible for the transmission of more than 200 types of phytoviruses in cultivated plants around the world.

"Over the last 25 years, the resistance that this pest has developed to the main insecticides shows us a worrying reality. To combat the whitefly, we have to use an insecticide that has a lethal action on all stages of the insect, in adults, eggs and nymphs. There is no active principle that, in isolation, has a lethal action on the three phases. The combination of different active principles in the ideal balance, of different chemical groups and that act in all phases of the insect's development and without cases of resistance, is, in fact, moment, the best alternative to combat the plague", says Ângelo Yoshimura.

To prevent and mitigate the effects of these pests, producers need to identify in which areas of their crops these resistances are present and choose products that, in addition to being individually efficient, can be associated with biological control through integrated management of all the organisms.

According to the consultant, in addition to issues related to pests and diseases that affect crops, farmers also suffer greatly from the climate changes that have been recorded in recent years. "Irregular temperatures that are incompatible with the corresponding seasons significantly interfere with the good performance of crops, as they drastically alter the natural and favorable conditions for carrying out each stage of these activities", he states.

Challenges and solutions were debated by the researcher during the last edition of Hortitec

In June, Yoshimura was present at the 26th edition of Hortitec, where he held a chat with visitors to the stand of Adama, a global crop protection company. Based on an in-depth look at topics related to these diseases, the conversation brought positive attention to the Trivor and Nimitz solutions, developed and aimed at combating, respectively, the action of whiteflies on crops and the presence of nematodes on plant roots.

"This invitation from Adama to resolve doubts and provide clarifications about these challenges was very gratifying, in addition to collaborating with the presentation of solutions that include effectiveness, versatility in management and adaptation to the best agricultural practices", says the researcher.