A new technology for controlling the black stink bug in peanuts will be delivered to the production sector by APTA Regional de Pindorama, from the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply of the State of São Paulo. Based on studies conducted by the researcher at the regional unit of the São Paulo Agribusiness Technology Agency (APTA), Marcos Michelotto, it is possible to reduce the damage caused to peanuts grown in areas infested with the black stink bug by up to 80%. APTA's recommendation is important, as grains damaged by the pest cannot be exported, thus reducing farmers' profitability.
The research will be presented for the first time live on June 21st, at 19pm, on the São Paulo State Department of Agriculture and Supply's Youtube. The event for the delivery of the technology will feature the participation of the APTA coordinator, Sergio Tutui, and the APTA Regional director, Daniel Gomes. The live will be moderated by the researcher from the Agronomic Institute (IAC), Denizart Bolonhezi, and will have a presentation of the technology by researcher Michelotto, in addition to the participation of José Rossato Jr, vice-president of the Coplana Board, and the producer from Planalto (SP), Rodrigo Valochi.
According to Michelotto, studies conducted by APTA in Pindorama and Ribeirão Preto, since 2017, show that the use of treatment of peanut seeds with a fipronil-based insecticide, in addition to the application of sulfur in areas cultivated with peanuts can reduce by up to 80% of the damage caused by the black stink bug to oilseed grains.
"Normally, the producer already treats seeds with insecticides. What he needs to do is use the indicated product and in a slightly higher dosage. Only by adopting this preventive measure can we reduce the occurrence of the pest by more than 70% ", explains the APTA Regional researcher. He adds that the application of sulfur-based fertilizers at sowing also brings benefits to preventing the occurrence of the pest, as does the use of gypsum after 60 days of cultivation.
"We carried out the tests and saw the effectiveness of these actions. It is important to highlight that using the products in adequate doses and at the indicated times, this will not cause problems related to pesticide residue in peanuts. We need to pay close attention to this issue, as peanuts are consumed in natura", says Michelotto.
The researcher explains that this technology package to control the pest will not result in much higher costs for producers, who normally already use these products. "The producer will have a slightly larger investment due to the dosage of the product, but this pays off throughout production, as the recommended actions significantly reduce the damage caused by the pest", he says.
The black stink bug is a soil pest that attacks peanut pods and sucks out the ripe grain. To feed, it injects enzymes and leaves a visible lesion, which damages the grain internally and visually. A survey carried out by APTA Regional shows that the pest is present in practically all areas of São Paulo that grow peanuts, with greater or lesser intensity. The state of São Paulo is responsible for 90% of national oilseed production.
"Around 70% of national peanut production is destined for export, and a large part of the volume is without the skin. The thermal process of removing the skin ends up exposing this stink bug damage to the grain, which becomes stained, with a color that is not commercially viable. The damaged grains are then directed to oil production, a destination that has lower remuneration", explains Michelotto.
The damage caused by the black stink bug is not noticeable in the field. Thus, the producer does not identify the stink bug because there is no damage to the aerial part of the plant, which develops normally. “The companies that benefit the grain are the ones that feel the impact of this damage,” he says.
The research was carried out in partnership with the following companies and associations: Amenco, Balsamo, Beatrice, Cooperativas Casul, Copercana and Coplana, Mars Brasil, TerraNuts, JLA and Agricultural Research Support Foundation (Fundag).
This is another technological delivery from the Research Institutes linked to the São Paulo Agribusiness Technology Agency (APTA), of the Secretariat. These deliveries are part of a program by the Government of the State of São Paulo, which sets as a goal the provision of 150 technological solutions by APTA by 2022. This year alone, there will be more than 50 in the areas of agriculture, livestock, animal and plant health, fishing and aquaculture, economics and food processing.
Service
Date: 21 / 06 / 2021
Working Hours: 19h
Youtube of the Department of Agriculture and Supply of SP: https://www.youtube.com/user/agriculturasp
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