Abstract

SALAS, Hernán et al. Evaluation of aerial abamectin applications to control citrus leafminer in Tucumán province. Rev. ind. agríc. Tucumán [online]. 2008, vol.85, n.1, pp.09-15. ISSN 1851-3018.

Since 1995, the citrus leafminer has become one of the most important citrus pests in the region. Its short generation time, the availability of new flushes during summer and the relationship between the pest and canker spread, force citrus farmers to make up to six applications for citrus leafminer control. With ground applications it is only possible to apply 4 hectares per hour, whereas by plane, 100 hectares can be treated during the same time span. The aim of this work was to evaluate pest control efficiency of a management program that included monitoring and aerial abamectin applications from 2002 to 2006. Six treated commercial orchards and six untreated commercial orchards were selected in two areas of Tucumán province. The applications were carried out with an Air Tractor plane with micronaires using 20 l of water, 5 l of mineral oil and 1.8 g a. i. of abamectin (Vertimec 1.8%®) per hectare. Application number per year and area varied according to monitoring results. Weekly samplings were made and the percentage of alive larvae was evaluated. At the end of the experience, foliar damage in previously-identified flushes was estimated. Infestation percentage and foliar damage were significantly lower (from 2 to 8%) in orchards treated with aerial abamectin fumigations than in untreated orchards (from 18 to 30%). Pest monitoring allowed farmers to define application number per year and area as part of a rational citrus leafminer management program.

Keywords : Phyllocnistis citrella; Lemon trees; Aerial application; Monitoring.

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