Maurício Ursi Ventura

Raoiella indica (Hirst) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is a small reddish mite, with adults measuring approximately 0.3 mm, visible to the naked eye or with the help of a magnifying glass. These mites live...

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, is the primary vector of Huanglongbing, a devastating disease threatening global citrus production. While chemical insecticides dominate control strategies, environmental and resistance concerns necessitate sustainable alternatives like Integrated Pest Management. This study evaluated the efficacy of commercial entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) formulations (Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Cordyceps javanica) alone or combined with plant biostimulants (PBS; silicon dioxide and chitosan) across six greenhouse bioassays. Under hot, dry stress conditions (34 °C, 35% RH), stand-alone and PBS-paired EPF applications failed to induce significant D. citri mortality, highlighting environmental microclimate limitations. Conversely, under optimal controlled conditions (26 °C, 67% RH), biological treatments significantly increased mortality compared to untreated controls. Notably, the addition of PBS containing silicon dioxide and D-glucosamine into the spray did not exhibit antagonistic effects on fungal performance; instead, it significantly enhanced ACP mortality and survival reduction in several trials. While synthetic chemical control provided the fastest and highest initial mortality, these results demonstrate that tank-mixing commercial EPFs with silicon-dioxide-chitosan biostimulants is a compatible, viable, and highly promising strategy to optimize sustainable vector management under permissive environmental conditions.

The green-belly stink bug (GBB), Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas, 1851) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is a key South American maize (Zea mays L.) pest, feeding on seedlings and causing physiological disorders. Understanding D. melacanthus population distribution and establishing sampling plans is essential to manage this species. Hence, the objective was to determine a distribution pattern, recommend a sampling unit size and develop sampling plans for the GBB, covering maize pre-sow period up to the maize V4 stage. Assessments were carried out in an experimental field and nine crop fields in northern Paraná State. In the experimental field, quadrants of n, 2n, 4n, 8n and 16n (n = 0.25 × 0.25 m²) were tested, thus determining an aggregated distribution with a recommended sampling unit size of 0.5 × 0.5 m². After the nine crop field samplings, a negative binomial distribution was deemed fit to represent GBB in field conditions. Two sampling plans were developed, highlighted is the sequential presence–absence plan, which recommends a maximum of 60 sample points, and a minimum of 25, with at least six presences to make control decisions. For a more assertive sampling, divide the evaluated area into glebes with distinct natural characteristics and employ the sampling plan to each glebe. These sampling plans must be validated before IPM recommendation.

Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas, 1851) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has become a key pest in Brazilian maize production, particularly during seedling establishment. This study estimated its lower and upper developmental thresholds (Tb and Tsup), thermal constant (K), and degree-day requirements, and used these parameters to model the potential annual generations (PAG) across the Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, and São Paulo states. Biological parameters were calculated from controlled laboratory assays, and historical meteorological datasets were combined with regression models and spatial analyses to generate phenology maps of PAG. Results indicated marked regional differences: Mato Grosso do Sul presented the highest potential, averaging eleven generations per year, São Paulo showed intermediate values with nine generations, and Paraná exhibited the lowest, with approximately seven generations annually. Latitude exerted the strongest influence on PAG, while altitude contributed the least. These findings are consistent with the known adaptability of D. melacanthus to warmer climates and highlight its capacity to persist in no-tillage soybean–maize systems and areas with volunteer plants. The results provide a predictive framework for assessing population risk and may support decision-making in integrated pest management. Further studies on host range, phenology, and distribution are required to anticipate future expansions across South America.

Strawberry cultivation in Brazil has evolved rapidly in recent years driven by the demand for sustainable, high-quality production systems that balance profitability and en-vironmental responsibility. This review describes the current knowledge and advances in strawberry cultivation in soil-based and soilless systems, with an emphasis on semi-hydroponic cultivation and the use of protected environments. Certified production systems such as the integrated production of strawberries (PiMo) and organic farming are highlighted for their regulatory compliance, traceability, and market differentiation. Soilless and semi-hydroponic systems enable the precise management of nutrition, fer-tigation, and phytosanitary practices, improving yield and fruit quality, although they require higher technical expertise and investment. Critical aspects include the selection and physicochemical characterization of substrates, the formulation and management of nutrient solutions, and environmental control strategies to optimize temperature, hu-midity, and light conditions. The adoption of protected environments, ranging from low tunnels to high-structure greenhouses, plays a key role in mitigating climatic risks and enhancing crop performance. This study provides a comprehensive technical overview to guide growers, researchers, and policymakers in selecting and managing strawberry cultivation systems best suited for diverse production contexts in Brazil.

Em busca de soluções que aumentem a eficiência da água e fertilização na agricultura o uso de sistemas de irrigação por gotejamento vem se destacando. Apesar da alta eficiência, os sistemas por gotejamento possuem o problema do entupimento dos gotejadores o que compromete seu desempenho. Este problema é maior quando se utilizam fertilizantes que ainda não são difundidos na fertirrigação, como o bokashi. Este estudo teve o objetivo de verificar o desempenho de um sistema de irrigação por gotejamento com a utilização de bokashi. O sistema de irrigação por gotejamento foi instalado em condições de campo, realizando 25 ensaios para cada concentração de bokashi (5 g L-1, 10 g L-1 e 15 g L-1) e irrigação (controle). A uniformidade foi determinada pelo Coeficiente de Uniformidade de Distribuição (CUD) e monitorada pelo gráfico de controle de Shewhart. A interpolação espacial das vazões dos gotejadores foi realizada pelo método do Inverso da Distância. Concentrações de 10 e 15 g L-1 apresentaram elevados teores de sedimentos, que ocasionaram entupimentos e diminuíram a uniformidade, com 70.08% e 59.97%, respectivamente. A concentração de 5 g L-1 apesar de alguns parâmetros fisico-químicos com alto risco de entupimento, obteve uma boa uniformidade, com CUD de 88.47%. Maiores variações de vazão foram observadas ao longo das linhas laterais, com aumentos e diminuições para 10 e 15 g L-1. Devido à sua menor sensibilidade, o gráfico de controle de Shewhart não apresentou pontos fora do controle para as concentrações de 5 e 10 g L-1, e apenas alguns pontos finais para 15 g L-1, apesar da alta variabilidade do processo.

The Neotropical brown stink bug (Euschistus heros) is one of the main pests affecting soybean crops, accounting for up to 60% of insecticide applications in the field. Strategies to reduce the use of chemical insecticides hold great theoretical and practical interest, especially for sustainable agriculture. Mass trapping as a pest control strategy has been studied using different traps. Thus, this study aimed to determine the attraction and capture of E. heros using different attractants and traps to control the Neotropical brown stink bug. The study was conducted during two soybean seasons (2021/22 and 2022/23) in Sertanópolis and Londrina, PR, Brazil, respectively. The results indicate that both the PET-type and spherical-type traps can be used for mass trapping stink bugs with equal efficiency in soybean pest control. The most effective attractant was the bovine urine-based compound. However, the commercial attractant from Agribela® can also be used despite its lower attractiveness. Although Agribela® attractant can be more expensive, it is easier to acquire and use, especially when bovine urine is unavailable. The traps should be installed before the colonizing population reaches the fields, preferably at the beginning of the soybean reproductive stage. These traps thus become an additional management alternative for stink bugs and can be easily adopted, particularly by small-scale and organic soybean farmers.

Phosphorus (P) is a critical nutrient for sugarcane productivity, but its efficiency depends on the applied source and the cultivated variety. This study evaluated the effect of five P₂O₅ application rates (0, 60, 120, 240, and 360 kg ha⁻¹) and two sources (Single Superphosphate – SSP and Triple Superphosphate – TSP) on two sugarcane varieties (IACSP01-5503 and RB975033) regarding the shoot dry mass of pre-sprouted seedlings (MPB). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications, arranged in a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial scheme (sources × varieties × rates). Data were subjected to ANOVA, Tukey’s test, and polynomial regression analysis. The RB975033 variety outperformed IACSP01-5503 by 47% in shoot dry mass, while TSP increased production by 12% compared to SSP. The estimated optimal dose was 367 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅ for the combination of TSP and RB975033. It is concluded that selecting the RB975033 variety in combination with TSP maximizes productivity in soils with low phosphorus availability.

Regulation and certification in organic production systems are needed to guarantee the quality of organic products around the world. This study aims to understand the new provisions established by the most recent technical regulation for organic production systems, Ordinance 52/2021, and to assess the main implications of the new regulation for farmers. Starting from 1994, the debate for regulating organic agriculture in Brazil was officially recognized in May 1999. Still, only in 2003, when Law 10,831 was instituted, the country reached an effective milestone on organic production, both internally and externally. Since the regulation, the legislation has undergone many modifications, constantly reviewing and adjusting. The current study examined the institutionalization of organic production in Brazil and how the current regulations can be used as a reference for those interested in this sector. The recent update of Organic legislation had a direct impact on farmers because, among other points, it restricted the use of cultivation on the ground and the use of conventional seedlings and seeds. A case study on the production of strawberries and edible mushrooms in an organic system is presented and discussed. Also, we discussed how the next legislation updates can incorporate scientific and technical information to improve agroecosystem sustainability and the quality of organic products. Keywords: organic certification; organic farming; agroecology; organic products; organic strawberry.

The aim of the study was to compare horticultural variables of radish cv. Quiron using bokashi, boiled chicken manure (BCM), and a mineral fertilizer. Experiments were conducted in a plastic greenhouse with the following treatments: fertigation with BCM concentrations in water (2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10%), bokashi, mineral fertilizer in substrate, and control (water). The agronomic variables evaluated were: storage root biomass, storage root volume, leaf biomass, and chlorophyll index. Bioactive compounds, total polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, and nitrate contents in storage root were also quantified. All agronomic variables were influenced by the treatments. For storage root biomass, the highest averages were obtained with bokashi and mineral fertilization, surpassing the other treatments. Root volume significantly increased with all treatments except for BCM 7.5%, with bokashi application resulting in the highest mean, followed by mineral fertilization. Leaf biomass was significantly enhanced by BCM 5.0%, BCM 7.5%, bokashi, and mineral fertilizer, with the latter showing the highest mean. The chlorophyll index increased with bokashi and mineral treatments. Total polyphenol contents significantly increased with all treatments, with bokashi, mineral, and BCM 5.0% and 7.5% showing the highest averages. Both DPPH and nitrate levels significantly increased with all treatments, with bokashi having the highest mean, followed by mineral fertilizer. FRAP levels were significantly elevated by all treatments, with bokashi and mineral fertilizer resulting in the highest means.