When Numbers Mean Money: Pest Precision Sampling in High-Density Mango Crops

Abstract

The development of sampling plans is essential for assertive decision-making in integrated pest management programs. The present study aimed to develop a plan for monitoring major mango pests in high-density mango crops in Brazil. For this purpose, the influence of the position of the branch to be sampled in the canopy (internal and external) and the ideal number of plants to be evaluated per area were assessed. Regarding the position, the number of insects in the plants' first and second vegetative flush was surveyed. To define the number of points per area, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 plants/ha were evaluated. The studies were conducted in a commercial mango production area in the Submiddle São Francisco Valley, northeast Brazil. An area of 3 ha was used for the experiment, with high-density cultivation of the ‘Palmer’ variety. The second vegetative flush showed a higher incidence of scale insects and thrips in the first harvest, whereas no difference was observed in the second. According to the sampling plan developed, there was no variation in the population of thrips and scale insects between 12 and 32 plants/ha. Considering the cost, 12 plants/ha of high-density mango crops should be sampled based on the second vegetative flush of the plant for scale insects and thrips.