Ação de tinturas vegetais, microrganismos eficientes e Nosódios homeopáticos no controle do cerococcus parahybensis

Abstract

Cerococcus parahybensis, popularly known as “Vermelho” (Hemiptera: Cerococcidae), is considered the most damaging pest insect for coffee plantations due to the harm it causes to this crop in the Paraíba region. In the mid-1920s, coffee plantations were almost entirely decimated by Cerococcus parahybensis. Among the various productive techniques that enable production with less impact on agroecosystems is the use of beneficial microorganisms that can act as plant biostimulants, known as Effective Microorganisms (EM). Besides the use of Effective Microorganisms, another potential alternative is the use of homeopathy in agriculture, which was introduced through Normative Instruction No. 007, dated May 17, 1999. The instruction recommends the use of homeopathy in plant production for both fungal disease control and pest control. In agriculture, it is a technique that uses natural substances in very small doses to stimulate the plants’ natural defenses against diseases and pests. Additionally, it allows for the elimination of pesticide use. Plant extracts are a sustainable, viable, and economical alternative for pest and disease control in coffee cultivation and ecosystem sustainability. They are prepared from plants with insecticidal and fungicidal properties. The use of plant extracts in coffee cultivation can bring several benefits, such as reducing pesticide use and lowering production costs. These substances provide safety for both the consumer and the worker responsible for the application. Therefore, the objective of this work was to develop strategies and processes for plant protection through the application of solutions based on Effective Microorganisms, plant tinctures, and homeopathic preparations on selected coffee plants to control the Cerococcus parahybensis scale insect. The experiment used three treatments along with a control group: a solution of Effective Microorganisms, homeopathy from nosode, and a tincture of Mimosa tenuiflora at a concentration of 75%, applied via spraying on coffee plants (Coffea arabica L.) infested with Cerococcus parahybensis. Effective Microorganisms and homeopathy showed population control efficiencies of 27.95% and 37.30%, respectively. The tincture of Mimosa tenuiflora at a concentration of 75% proved to be the most efficient for controlling the population of Cerococcus parahybensis, with a control efficiency of 78.44%, demonstrating potential as an alternative control method for the insect.