Alternativas para el control de picudo negro (cosmopolites sordidus g.) en el cultivo de banano convencional

Abstract

The banana crop is important for Ecuador's economy, after oil, is the main item of national agricultural production, the money it generates contributes effectively to the country's accounts. One of the most important phytosanitary problems affecting production is the black weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus G), which can cause losses of between 40 and 60%. In the control of this plague nematicides, cypermethrins and chlorpyrifos have been used in conventional banana plantations, the use of these chemicals affects the health of people, animals and contaminates the environment. The main objective of the study was to evaluate alternatives for the control of black weevil in conventional banana cultivation. The research was carried out in the Finca ''Fela Lema'', which is located in Corralitos, El Retiro parish, Machala canton, province of El Oro. The experiment used a completely random design with 13 treatments, 3 repetitions and 3 replicas: T1 (Stump trap + Baukill), T2 (Stump trap + Molasses with Baukill), T3 (Stump trap + Picudin), T4 (Stump trap + Fruit essences), T5 (Sandwich trap + Fruit essences), T6 (Sandwich trap + Baukill), T7 (Sandwich trap + Picudin), T8 (Sandwich trap + Molasses with Baukill), T9 (Ramp trap + Pheromone Cosmolure), T10 (Ramp trap + Fruit essences), T11 (Ramp trap + Picudin), T12 (Ramp trap + Molasses), T13 (Raised sandwich trap + Picudin). The variable evaluated was the number of blackbills captured by treatment at collection frequencies of 24, 48 and 72 hours; the same variable was also evaluated in striped weevils (Metamasius hemipterus L). The results obtained show that the populations of black and striped weevils do not decrease in an effective way only applying a chemical control, being necessary to complement it with other management alternatives for these pests, avoiding effects on the ecosystem. Within the study it was determined that the stump trap is more efficient in captures of black weevil in T1 with an average of 24 captured insects and the most efficient trap in captures of striped weevil is the sandwich type in treatments T7 and T13 with 35 and 34 captured insects respectively, as well as T8 with captures of 29 insects, these findings show that it is necessary to opt for this type of controls, being an option for banana producers in the province and the country. It should be noted that the traps have a low level of contamination both for the staff who set them, as for the surrounding environment. The frequency of collection of black weevil in 24 and 48 hours is lower and increases with time being more effective at 72 hours, while the frequency of collection of striped weevil is more effective at 24 hours and decreases its effect at 48 and 72 hours. The calculated cost benefit indicates that it is profitable to use stump traps and sandwich traps with a manufacturing cost of 30 cents in the T1 and a manufacturing cost of 32 cents in the T7 and T13 treatments respectively, for the T8 it is recommended to use native microorganisms and replaceable sources of molasses to reduce its manufacturing cost of 69 cents. The installation of the traps is very versatile and easy to implement, which considerably reduces labor.