Diagnóstico do controle de tripes (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) na cultura do alface (Lactuca sativa) nos municípios de Alagoa Nova e Lagoa Seca

Abstract

In Brazil, lettuce is currently the most consumed leafy vegetable, with around 108,603 establishments producing it in the country, with a production of 908,186 tons per year. In the microregion of Brejo Paraibano, lettuce is one of the main vegetables produced and has economic and social importance because it is cultivated mainly by micro and small producers and sold directly at fairs. Several diseases affect the lettuce crop, among which those of viral origin attract attention due to their complexity. The main viruses that infect lettuce are the tospoviruses (genus Tospovirus; family Bunyaviridae) transmitted by thrips, best known for causing the disease popularly known as “vira-cabeza”. Taking into account the lack of research with an emphasis on assessing the damage that thrips can cause to lettuce plants, the present work aimed to provide information that would help producers and contribute to future research. To carry out this research, small research questionnaires were applied in 20 properties with lettuce production, 10 in the municipality of Alagoa Nova and 10 in the municipality of Lagoa Seca. The survey found that 55% of the sampled producers use chemical control, 15% organic and 30% do not carry out any control at all. Producers who carry out preventive control on average have a lower percentage of loss. Producers from Lagoa Seca are more efficient in controlling thrips (32.50%), but suffer more production losses (61%).