Epamig researcher participates in symposium on biological coffee management

The 3rd Brazilian Symposium on Biological Coffee Management, which will take place in Franca (SP), on the 5th and 6th of October, will feature the participation of the Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), represented by the coordinator of the State Research Program in Agroecology, Madelaine Venzon.

Venzon participates in the panel “Agroecological Management of Pests in Coffee Culture”, which takes place on October 6th, starting at 8am, accompanied by fellow EPAMIG researcher, Elem Martins, and a PhD student in Entomology at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Jéssica Martins.

Vegetable toppings

In her exhibition, Madelaine will bring the latest results of research into biological control of coffee pests, which involves the maintenance of natural predators and parasitoids that eliminate, among others, the leaf miner, the coffee borer, mites and mealybugs. The researcher highlights the importance of managing vegetation cover in plantation areas, so that there is a proliferation of species that prey on unwanted pests. “We will bring recent discoveries about new plants and shrubs, with special emphasis on species of the genus Senna, baleeira herb and more results about Ingá. We observed that they offer large amounts of nectar and pollen to feed the natural enemies of coffee pests,” he highlights.

The practice integrates so-called conservative biological control which, unlike augmentative biological control, does not release natural enemies of pests directly onto coffee plantations, favoring techniques that modify the agricultural landscape in the medium-long term. This causes natural enemies of pests that already exist in the area to increase their populations and other species are attracted to the greater food supply.

“These natural enemies, which parasitize or eat pests, also need other sources of food, such as nectar and pollen, as they contain carbohydrates and proteins. This is because there are phases of the insect, called 'free life', in which it does not prey and only feeds on pollen and nectar. So if we don't have plants that provide these substances, it is not possible to increase the number of these beneficial organisms”, highlights Madelaine. Among the main beneficial insects are lacewings, ladybugs, predatory wasps, predatory ants, parasitoids and some species of predatory mites.

In addition to favoring the appearance of these species, the diversification of plantations, using these multifunctional plants, also favors microorganisms, such as fungi, which regulate pest populations and form associations with other plants, making coffee simultaneously more resistant and protected against diseases. This favors more sustainable control of coffee, as it generates significant reductions in the use of agrochemicals.

bioinputs

Conservative biological control will not be the only subject addressed by the team of researchers during the Symposium. The event will also be an opportunity for Madelaine and her team to present recent discoveries in the area of ​​biological inputs for coffee cultivation. Also known as bioinputs, these substances are necessary when the natural balance has not yet been reached in the plantation, causing the insertion of external compounds.

“In recent research, we were able to find the ideal concentrations and the correct way to use inputs such as phytoprotective mixtures and botanical insecticides. This is extremely important so that the producer knows how to manage the coffee appropriately, otherwise it could harm the beneficial insects that fight pests. We will focus mainly on the results we obtained from the study of lime sulfur,” explains the researcher. Among the most common practices currently are the use of fungi-based inputs, in addition to the insertion of predatory mites and lacewings to control coffee pests.

Associated producers give testimonials

Madelaine highlights that, in addition to the broad scientific dissemination of research in the area of ​​agroecological coffee cultivation, the Symposium also offers a space for coffee producers to share positive experiences lived on their properties. “Four Cases successful during the event, two from producers who grow coffee in demonstration units associated with EPAMIG, located in the Cerrado region of Minas Gerais: Marcelo Urtado, from Fazenda Três Meninas, located in Monte Carmelo, and Lucimar Silva, from Fazenda Guima, in the municipality of Varjão de Minas”, celebrates the researcher.

Registration for the 3rd Brazilian Symposium on Biological Coffee Management can be made via link.