IMPACT OF THE SEVERITY OF Aceria guerreronis KEIFER (ACARI: ERIOPHYIDAE) DAMAGE ON COCOICULTURE (Cocos nucifera L.), THE MUNICIPALITY OF MOJU, PARÁ
necrosis mite; severity of damage; damage note; degrees of resistance
Varied uses of coconut fruits allow it to be of great relevance to the domestic and international markets and especially to producing countries. However, the attack of the necrosis mite (Aceria guerreronis) (Acari: Eriophyidae), which is one of the main pests, causes damage to fruits that contribute to the reduction in size, liquid and solid albumen and commercial value. The objective of this study was to analyze fruit yield losses, with the evaluation of the following variables: solid (pulp) and liquid (water), almond, fiber and endocarp albumen; identify damage scores and damage severity in 6 commonly used commercial hybrids and based on damage severity select the most resistant hybrid; perform economic analysis of losses and correlate yields with mite attack levels. The experiment was carried out in a commercial area of SOCOCO® Ltda, in Moju, Pará, during 5 months, in dried coconut fruits, harvest point. The evaluated hybrids were: PB121, PB111, PB141, PB 123, PB 132 and PB113. The design was in randomized blocks. For the quantification of fruits and determination of the percentage of severity index in each level of attack was adopted the standard visual scale of grades from 1 to 3. The quantification of losses in production was by weighing the fruits. The economic analysis was based on gross revenue obtained from the simulated sale of the variables (fiber, water and solid albumen) according to each score of the visual damage scale, each month and for each hybrid. The results showed that hybrids have different severities and damage scores over the months evaluated. The hybrid PB 113 stood out with higher albumen and water production compared to the others. Economic analysis has shown that the greater the damage, the less revenue will be obtained. Fiber, water and solid albumen yield was higher during November and with the hybrid PB 113 for water and albumen and PB 132 for fiber. The percentage loss of income was 21, 59 and 37% for fiber, water and solid albumen, respectively, when comparing the highest and lowest revenues for each damage score.