Strategies of control of mealybugs (Planococcus ficus) in vineyard of Cafayate-Salta–adaptive research

Abstract

The present work aimed to compare different control strategies for mealybugs (Planococcus ficus). The adaptive research experience was carried out in a vineyard of Tolombón, Cafayate, Salta (Argentina), in 2015/2016 period, in Cabernet Sauvignon variety, in vertical shoot. The treatments proposed: T1) Diffusers of sexual confusion: in 0.9 ha, 350 diffusers; T2) Chemist with monitoring: in 0,9 ha, 2 applications 1° Spirotetramat only, and 2° Spirotetramat + Buprofezin, T3) Conventional to calendar: in 3 ha, 1 application Spirotetramat only and T4) Witness: 0,2 ha, without applications . The variables: number of captured males / trap / week (transformed variable √x + 0.5), and monthly estimate of the degree of damage severity in leaves and clusters (grades 1, 2, 3 and 4) of 30 randomly selected plants. The results showed significant differences in the number of trapped males / trap / week for diffusers of sexual confusion  = 1.66 compared to the other three treatments, chemical = 4.52, witness:  = 5.02 and conventional  = 6.00. While the leaf damage severity was significantly lower for diffusers ( = 1.23), compared to the rest of the treatments. Finally the cluster severity had differences for diffusers ( = 1.17), conventional and chemical had equal behavior ( = 1.34 and 1.38) and the control ( = 1.52) differed from all. The sexual confusion diffusers were those that showed better results, so it is proposed to use this strategy in later trials.