ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the transmissibility of F. verticillioides, in corn seeds, when inoculated in different phenological stages. The plants were inoculated with the pathogen at the following stages: V7, V9, R1, R2, R4, and R6. The experiments were conducted in pots, in a completely randomized design, with six replications. The fungus infection rate in the seeds was verified through the health test (Blotter Test). The significance of the contrast between the phenological stages and in the two experiments (rainy season and dry season), and productivity showed plant-seed transmission of F. verticillioides in all phenological stages. The PCR technique was able to reveal up to the lowest level, 1% incidence of F. verticillioides in corn seeds. There was a significant difference between the times of plant inoculation and the incidence of the fungus in the seeds. Plants inoculated in the reproductive phase transmitted F. verticillioides for seeds with the highest rate of infection, in the two experiments, in the rainy season (V7 - 48; V9 - 46; R1 - 77.33; R2 - 84; R4 - 96; R6 - 96.67; and Test - 14.67%), and dry season (V7 - 46.67; V9 - 66; R1 - 75.33; R2 - 95.33; R4 - 98; and R6 - 97.33%). In this way, the present work demonstrated that in the reproductive phenological stages R2, R4, and R6, the corn plant was more susceptible to infection with F. verticillioides, and that it also resulted in a decrease in grain productivity.

Abstract The objective of this work was to associate the use of biofilms to Lippia sidoides (Lippia) and Morinda citrifolia (Noni) essential oils and their respective major constituents in post-harvest quality components. The evaluations in this study were chromatographic analysis the essential oils, fruit mass reduction effect, total soluble solids, peel color and fruit firmness. Regarding the adjustment and viability of the essential oil concentrations to be used in the treatments, a phytotoxicity test was performed. The main constituent found in Noni essential oil was octanoic acid, while for Lippia essential oil was thymol. The concentration of 3% of Noni and Lippia essential oils was the maximum to reach an acceptable level of phytotoxicity on papaya fruit peel. The paraffin + L. sidoides and paraffin + M. citrifolia treatments achieved the lowest reduction in pulp mass. In relation to total soluble solids, treatments did not show a significant difference. The best result for firmness was found in sunflower oil + noni coating. Sunflower oil + noni and sunflower oil + octanoic acid were the treatments that maintained normal yellow color in fruits for longer time.

RESUMO A fruticultura tropical e subtropical tem um papel relevante no cenário econômico do país, e vem sendo prejudicada pelo nematoide das galhas. A jabuticabeira é uma planta bastante cultivada no Brasil e entre os problemas da cultura, estão os nematoides do gênero Meloidogyne. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a hospedabilidade da jabuticabeira cv. Sabará, em diferentes concentrações de inóculos de Meloidogyne incognita e Meloidogyne javanica. Os inóculos utilizados no experimento foram obtidos a partir de raízes de tomateiro cv. Santa Cruz. As jabuticabeiras foram submetidas à inoculação com as concentrações de 2000, 4000 e 8000 ovos + juvenis planta-1, para ambas as espécies dos nematoides. As plantas de jabuticaba cv. Sabará demonstraram resistência em relação ao desenvolvimento dos nematoides de galhas M. incognita e M. javanica com Fator de Reprodução (FR) <1.

ABSTRACT Tropical and subtropical fruit production plays an important role in the country’s economic scenario and has been affected by root-knot nematode. The jaboticaba tree is a plant widely cultivated in Brazil, and among the problems of the crop is the root-knot nematode of the genus Meloidogyne. This study aimed to evaluate the hostability of jaboticaba tree cv. ‘Sabará’, in different inoculum concentrations of Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica. The inoculum used in the experiment was obtained from the roots of tomato cv. ‘Santa Cruz’. Jaboticaba trees were subjected to inoculation with concentrations of 0, 2000, 4000, and 8000 eggs + juvenile plant-1, for both species of nematodes. The plants of jaboticaba cv. ‘Sabará’ showed resistance concerning the development of M. incognita and M. javanica root-knot nematode with Reproduction Factor (RF) <1.

Abstract The Cerrado biome increasingly suffers from the environmental impacts of human action. Burning is known as an action used to destroy native vegetation and to clean areas mainly with the purpose of growing soybeans, corn, or raising cattle. In this study we aimed to investigate the influence of low-intensity burning on the chemical composition of a Red-Yellow Latosol in a region characterized as Cerrado sensu stricto. A total of 14 parcels of land were demarcated. In order to analyze the effects of fire on the soil chemical properties, soil samples were collected before and within 24 hours of the burning by means of the same methodology. An increase in organic matter and in the levels of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Mn2+, Zn2+, B+, S, as well in the ratios characterizing the soil (CECt, SB, Ca+/T, Ca+/Mg+, V, and Ca+/K+), was observed. Variables that determine the acidity of the soil, such as pH and H + Al, presented changes, although not significant (p > 0.05).

Resumo Existem poucos estudos relacionados ao impacto de queimadas sobre os fungos habitantes do solo presente no cerrado. Objetivou-se com este trabalho identificar a micoflora presente em amostras de solos, antes e após o processo de queimada em duas profundidades, observando a interferência deste processo na população de fungos habitantes do solo. As amostras foram coletadas em uma área, no município de Jaú do Tocantins, Estado do Tocantins. Foram instalados bioensaios em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições e cinco tratamentos, representados por diferentes concentrações de solução do solo. A identificação dos fungos foi feita, em nível de gênero, de acordo com suas estruturas morfológicas formadas em meio de cultura, através de observações em microscópio ótico. Na área antes da queimada, observou-se a presença de maior diversidade de gêneros e quantidade de colônias fúngicas. O contrário foi constatado na área posteriormente submetida à queimada, que apresentou menor número de colônias fúngicas. Dos gêneros identificados, destacaram-se Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Mucor, Pythium e Trichoderma, que apresentaram maior número de colônias em quantidades representativas. Observou-se ainda uma redução em torno de 45% na população de fungos antagonistas. Foi possível constatar que o uso do fogo na vegetação influenciou negativamente as populações microbianas presentes nas camadas mais superficiais do solo de cerrado.

Abstract There are few studies related to the impact of burnings on soil fungi present in the cerrado. The aim of this work was identifying the mycoflora in cerrado soil samples before and after burning process at two depths; observing the interference of this process in the fungi soil inhabitants population. The samples were collected in area, in the municipality of Jaú do Tocantins, State of Tocantins. Bioassays were installed in a completely randomized experimental design, with four replicates and five treatments, represented by different concentrations of soil solution. The identification of the fungi was made at the genus level according to their morphological structures formed in culture medium through optical microscope observations. In the before burning area we observed greatest diversity of genera and fungi colonies. The opposite was found in the area subsequently submitted to the burning process, showing minor fungal colonies. Among the genera identified, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Mucor, Pythium and Trichoderma were the most representative colonies. We observed a reduction of 45% approximately in the population of antagonistic fungi. It was found that the use of fire in vegetation negatively influenced microbial populations present in the surface layers of cerrado soil.

RESUMO: A ferrugem, causada pelo fungo biotrófico Olivea neotectonae, destaca-se como uma doença importante nas plantações de teca no Brasil. Considerando a importância atual dessa ferrugem e a necessidade de obter informações básicas adicionais sobre seu agente causal para melhor manejo da doença, o presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a morfologia da O. neotectonae utilizando microscopia de luz e demonstrar o processo de infecção em folhas de teca por meio de técnicas de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As características morfológicas observadas em microscopia de luz foram semelhantes às descritas na literatura para essa espécie. A MEV revelou que as estruturas de infecção do patógeno penetraram na folha de teca através do complexo estomático. Este estudo fornece a primeira evidência microscópica do processo de infecção de Olivea neotectonae em folhas de plantas de teca.

ABSTRACT: Rust, caused by the biotrophic fungus Olivea neotectonae, stands out as an important disease in teak plantations in Brazil. Considering the current importance of this rust and the need to obtain additional basic information about its causal agent to better disease management, the present study aimed to analyze the morphology of O. neotectonae using light microscopy and demonstrate the infection process in teak leaves using scanning electron microscopy techniques (SEM). The morphological characteristics observed using light microscopy were similar to those described in the literature for this species. SEM revealed that the infection structures of the pathogen penetrated the teak leaf through the stomata complex. This study provides the first microscopic evidence of the infection process of Olivea neotectonae in leaves of teak plants.

RESUMO A produção de mudas de teca é realizada principalmente por sementes, que é um importante veículo de transmissão de diversos patógenos. Objetivou-se com este trabalho identificar e quantificar os fungos associados às sementes de teca, a patogenicidade desses microrganismos às mudas e a transmissibilidade semente-plântula. Para o teste de sanidade foram utilizadas sementes coletadas no estado do Tocantins e outras adquiridas nos estados do Goiás (GO) e São Paulo (SP). Os tratamentos utilizados foram sementes desinfestadas e não desinfestadas, e sementes com e sem mesocarpo. O ensaio foi conduzido utilizando o método do papel de filtro (Blotter test). Para o teste de patogenicidade em mudas, foram utilizados os isolados de Fusarium sp., Botryodiplodia sp., Alternaria sp. e Plenodomus sp. Para a avaliação da transmissão de fungos via semente-plântula foram utilizadas sementes de cada local. Foram identificados os seguintes gêneros de fungos nas sementes: Fusarium, Trichoderma, Botryodiplodia, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Cladosporium, Alternaria e Plenodomus. Foi observada maior ocorrência de fungos nas sementes provenientes dos estados de GO e SP. Fusarium foi o gênero fúngico com maior incidência nas sementes dos três estados. Apenas os gêneros Fusarium e Botryodiplodia foram patogênicos às mudas de teca. Houve baixa transmissibilidade semente-plântula, sendo que apenas o gênero fitopatogênico Fusarium foi transmitido.

ABSTRACT The production of teak seedlings is mainly carried out by seeds, which is an important vehicle for the transmission of various pathogens. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the fungi associated with teak seeds, the pathogenicity of these microrganisms to the seedlings and the seed-seedling transmission. There were used seeds collected in Tocantins state and others acquired in the states of Goias (GO) and in São Paulo (SP) for the sanity test. The treatments used were seeds disinfested and not disinfested, and seeds with and without mesocarp. The analysis was conducted using the paper filter method (Blotter test). To pathogenicity test in seedlings, were utilized the isolates of Fusarium sp., Botryodiplodia sp., Alternaria sp. and Plenodomus sp. To evaluate the fungal seedling-transmission were used seeds of each location.The following genera of fungi were identified in the seeds: Fusarium, Trichoderma, Botryodiplodia, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Cladosporium, Alternaria and Plenodomus. A higher occurrence of fungi was observed in the seeds from the states of GO and SP. Fusarium was the fungal genera with the highest incidence in the seeds of the three states. Only the Fusarium and Botryodiplodia genera were pathogenic to teak seedlings. There was low seed-seedling transmission, with only the phytopathogenic genus Fusarium being transmitted.

ABSTRACT The fungal genus Curvularia is associated with a number of diseases in plants, commonly producing foliar spots in forage grasses. The objective of this study was to characterize the morphological and molecular diversity of the isolates of Curvularia sp. associated with Andropogon seeds, and to assess both their capacity to transmit disease and the pathogenicity of this fungus to crop. Ten isolates of Curvularia sp. were sourced from Andropogon seeds from agricultural producing regions in the Brazilian states Tocantins and Pará. Morphological characterization was achieved by observing fungus colonies and conidia and molecular characterization by DNA extraction and amplification with sequence-specific primers. The disease transmission was evaluated from seed sowing, in which after 40 days typical symptoms of Curvularia sp. were observed. Pathogenicity was evaluated by inoculating conidial suspension into the leaves of healthy plants, and after ten days, inspecting for pathogenic symptoms. Based on morphological and molecular features, the pathogen associated with Andropogon seeds was identified as Curvularia lunata, which, as such, is transmitted through the Andropogon plants via its seeds and is pathogenic to this species of forage grass.

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of lemon grass, citronella grass, Mexican-tea and noni essential oils on urediniospore germination of Olivea neotectonae , the agent responsible for rust in Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.); to evaluate the phytotoxic effect of these essential oils on teak seedlings; and to evaluate the use of essential oils to control rust in teak plants when preventively and curatively applied. We found that the noni and lemon grass essential oils inhibited 100% of urediniospore germination. On the other hand, the essential oils from noni and lemon grass caused phytotoxicity when applied to seedlings at concentrations of 2000 and 1500 μL L-1, respectively. The major constituents found in lemon grass essential oil were Geranial and Neral, while Octanoic Acid was found in noni oil. Lower values in the area below the rust progress curve were observed with the preventive application of lemon grass and noni essential oils.

RESUMO: As plantas daninhas competem com culturas agrícolas por água, luz, nutrientes e espaço, além de possuírem um extenso banco de sementes. Entretanto, outra vertente a ser considerada é quanto aos poucos estudos relacionando plantas daninhas como hospedeiras de fungos fitopatogênicos. É sabido que muitos fungos, principais causadores de doenças em plantas, utilizam as sementes como meio eficiente de sobrevivência e de dispersão. Dessa forma, o trabalho objetivou avaliar a sanidade de sementes de plantas daninhas e a patogenicidade dos fungos associados às plantas de importância agrícola. As sementes foram coletadas manualmente em áreas de cerrado localizadas no município de Gurupi, Tocantins, utilizando o método blotter test para avaliação da sanidade. A incidência dos fungos foi avaliada com auxílio de microscópio estereoscópico e ótico. A patogenicidade dos fungos oriundos das sementes de plantas daninhas foi avaliada por meio da inoculação em plantas de interesse agronômico e, quando patogênico, a inoculação foi na própria planta daninha hospedeira do fungo. Foram identificados os fungos dos gêneros Alternaria, Aspergillus, Bipolaris, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Fusarium, Nigrospora, Papularia, Rhizopus e Pythium. As sementes de Acanthospermum australe, Bidens pilosa, Cenchrus echinatus, Digitaria horizontalis, Echinochloa crus-pavonis, Eleusine indica, Ipomoea sp., Pennisetum setosum, Sida rhombifolia, Spermacoce latifolia, Tridax procumbens e Vernonia polyanthes transportam e disseminam fungos que, uma vez inoculados, causam infecção em plantas de importância agrícola, como Oryza sativa, Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna unguiculata, Zea mays e Glycine max.

ABSTRACT: Weeds compete with agricultural crops for water, light, nutrients and space, besides having an extensive seed bank. However, another aspect to be considered relates to few studies pointing out weeds as hosts of phytopathogenic fungi. Many fungi, the main cause of diseases in plants, are known to use seeds as an efficient means of survival and dispersal. The objective of this work was to evaluate the health of weed seeds and the pathogenicity of fungi associated to plants of agricultural importance. The seeds were collected manually in Cerrado areas located in the municipality of Gurupi, Tocatins, Brazil. The blotter test method was used to evaluate seed health. The incidence of fungi was evaluated through an individual analysis of seeds using a stereoscopic and an optical microscope. The pathogenicity of fungi from weed seeds was evaluated by inoculation in plants of agronomic interest and, when pathogenic, we inoculated them in the host plant of the fungus. Weed seeds have been identified in fungi of the genus Alternaria, Aspergillus, Bipolaris, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Fusarium, Nigrospora, Papularia, Rhizopus and Pythium. The seeds of Acanthospermum australe, Bidens pilosa, Cenchrus echinatus, Digitaria horizontalis, Echinochloa crus-pavonis, Eleusine indica, Ipomoea sp., Pennisetum setosum, Sida rhombifolia, Spermacoce latifolia, Tridax procumbens and Vernonia polyanthes carry and disseminate fungi that, once inoculated, cause infection in plants of agricultural importance, such as Oryza sativa, Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna unguiculata, Zea mays and Glycine max.

RESUMO A brusone, causada por Magnaporthe oryzae (Herbert) Barr é uma das doenças mais importantes na cultura do arroz. Várias estratégias de manejo da doença, como o uso de genótipos resistentes têm sido utilizadas, entretanto, o grande número de raças do patógeno dificulta a obtenção de cultivares com resistência durável. Neste contexto, o uso da mistura varietal pode constituir uma estratégia viável e promissora no controle da doença. Assim, objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a reação de cultivares de arroz às raças de M. oryzae e a eficiência da mistura varietal na redução da severidade da brusone em condições de várzea e terras altas no estado do Tocantins. Para avaliar a eficiência da mistura varietal, foram semeados 37 genótipos em linhas isoladas e em mistura. Avaliou-se a severidade da brusone nas folhas, ao longo do ciclo da cultura, a incidência da doença nas panículas e a produtividade. Houve variação na reação dos genótipos estudados frente às principais raças inoculadas. A composição de arroz foi eficaz na redução da severidade da brusone das folhas e das panículas e apresentou um aumento na produtividade, tanto em condições de várzeas como em terra altas.

ABSTRACT Blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (Herbert) Barr, is one of the most important diseases affecting the rice crop. Several strategies for the disease management, such as use of resistant genotypes, have been adopted; however, the large number of pathogen races makes difficult to obtain cultivars of durable resistance. In this context, using a varietal mixture may be a viable and promising strategy for the disease control. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the reaction of rice cultivars to M. oryzae races and the efficiency of the varietal mixture in reducing the severity of blast under lowland and upland conditions in Tocantins State. To evaluate the efficiency of the varietal mixture, 37 genotypes were sown in isolated lines and in mixture. The severity of leaf blast was evaluated over the crop cycle, as well as the incidence of panicle blast and the crop yield. There was variation in the reaction of the studied genotypes to the major inoculated races. The rice composition was effective in reducing blast severity on leaves and panicles and showed an increase in productivity under both lowland and upland conditions.

RESUMO A ferrugem, causada por Olivea neotectonae, destaca-se como principal doença da teca, causando desfolha prematura em todos os estádios fenológicos da cultura. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o progresso temporal da ferrugem em plantas adultas de teca no sul do Estado do Tocantins. Avaliaram-se a incidência e severidade da ferrugem (escala de notas) e obtiveram-se curvas de progresso da doença, que foram ajustadas aos modelos matemáticos monomolecular, logístico e Gompertz. Correlacionaram-se os dados de incidência e severidade com as variáveis climáticas coletadas na estação meteorológica, localizada na região do estudo. A incidência da ferrugem atingiu 100% aos 98 dias a partir do início das avaliações (DIA). A maior severidade (igual ou acima de 75%) foi observada aos 147 DIA. Houve correlação negativa e significativa entre severidade e temperatura mínima. O ajuste ao modelo de Gompertz sugere que medidas de controle devem ser tomadas objetivando reduzir a taxa de progresso da doença.

ABSTRACT Rust, caused by Olivea neotectonae, stands out as the main teak disease, causing premature defoliation regardless of the tree’s growth stage. In this study, we aimed to assess the temporal progress of rust in adult teak plants in southern Tocantins State (Brazil). Both rust incidence and severity were evaluated and the disease progress curves were obtained, adjusting to monomolecular, logistic and Gompertz mathematical models. Data from incidence and severity were correlated with climate variables collected by the agrometeorological station located in the study area. Rust incidence reached 100% at 98 days after beginning of the evaluations (DBE). The highest severity (equal or above 75%) was observed at 147 DBE. There was a significant and negative correlation between severity and minimum temperature. The adjustment of the Gompertz model suggests that control measures should be aimed primarily to reduce the rate of disease progress.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se o imunossupressor Sandimmun Neoral favorece a atividade de Metarhizium anisopliae contra a formiga cortadeira Atta sexdens. A vulnerabilidade ao patógeno foi medida ao se comparar a mortalidade de operárias expostas aos seguintes tratamentos: imunossupressor+controle, imunossupressor+M. anisopliae, excipiente+controle, excipiente+M. anisopliae, controle+M. anisopliae e controle. Operárias tratadas com imunossupressor+M. anisopliae apresentaram a maior taxa de mortalidade em comparação às submetidas a todos os outros tratamentos. O uso do imunossupressor juntamente com fungo entomopatogênico controlou as formigas cortadeiras em condições de laboratório.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate if the immunosuppressant Sandimmun Neoral enhances the activity of Metarhizium anisopliae against the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens. The vulnerability to the pathogen was measured by comparing the mortality rate of worker ants subjected to the following treatments: immunosuppressant+control, immunosuppressant+M. anisopliae, excipient+control, excipient+M. anisopliae, control+M. anisopliae, and control. Worker ants treated with immunosuppressant+M. anisopliae showed the highest mortality rate in comparison with those subjected to all other treatments. The use of the immunosuppressant together with entomopathogenic fungus controlled leaf-cutting ants in laboratory conditions.

RESUMO Uma das mais importantes doenças que atacam o melão (Cucumis melo L.), é o Crestamento Gomoso do Caule, causada pelo fungo Didymella bryoniae que é altamente agressivo em condições de temperatura e umidade elevadas. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia de fungicidas associados a inseticidas no controle do crestamento gomoso do caule do meloeiro em condições de campo naturalmente infestado. O trabalho foi realizado em dois ensaios, sendo que no ensaio I, foi utilizada a cultivar Eldorado 300, com os tratamentos de inseticidas seletivos e não seletivos em mistura com fungicidas. Para o ensaio II, foi utilizado o híbrido Hibrix, com parte dos mesmos tratamentos do ensaio I. De acordo com os resultados, os tratamentos sem fungicida e as misturas de fungicida, inseticida seletivo e não seletivo com o uso de monitoramento de pragas e doenças, apresentaram níveis elevados de incidência do crestamento gomoso do caule do meloeiro e valores inferiores de produtividade de frutos. Ao contrario foi observado para os tratamentos com fungicida ou a mistura de fungicida com inseticida, mostraram maior eficiência no controle da doença, resultando em maiores índices produtivos.

ABSTRACT One of the most important diseases that attack melon (Cucumis melo L.) is gummy stem blight, caused by the fungus Didymella bryoniae, which is highly aggressive under conditions of high temperature and humidity. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fungicides associated with insecticides in the control of gummy stem blight in melon plants under naturally infested field conditions. The experiment was conducted as two assays; in assay I, the cultivar Eldorado 300 was used with the treatments of selective and non-selective insecticides mixed with fungicides. For assay II, the hybrid Hibrix was used with part of the same treatments used in assay I. According to the results, the treatments without fungicide and the mixtures of fungicide and selective and non-selective insecticides, with the use of pest and disease monitoring, showed high levels of gummy stem blight incidence and lower values of fruit yield in melon plants. On the other hand, treatments with fungicide or the mixture of fungicide with insecticide showed greater efficiency in controlling the disease, which resulted in higher fruit yield.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto de extrato oleoso de nim, Azadirachta indica, no afídeo Aphis gossipii e em seu inimigo natural Cycloneda sanguinea, na melancia. Ensaios de toxicidade foram conduzidos com o produto comercial (DalNeem(r)) (1.475 g L-1 de azadirachtina) 0,0037 µg i.a. mL-1, 0,0074 µg i.a. mL-1 and 0,0148 µg i.a. mL-1, Malathion 1 µg i.a. mL-1, e água destilada como tratamento controle. Os produtos foram aplicados em discos de folhas de melancia e os insetos foram expostos ao resíduo dos produtos. Foram calculados padrão de crescimento instantâneo da população de A. gossypii e sobrevivência das larvas de C. sanguinea expostos aos diferentes tratamentos. Houve uma diminuição no padrão de crescimento instantâneo da população de A. gossypii com aumento da concentração de nim. Afídeos não se reproduziram nos discos de folhas tratadas com malathion, devido ao rápido efeito letal em adultos, menor que 24 horas após a exposição. Larvas de C. sanguinea expostas ao malathion sobreviveram por 24 horas. Sobrevivência do predador exposto a diferentes concentrações de nim também foi significativamente reduzida quando comparada a exposição à água. Entretanto, experimentos de laboratório podem ter superestimado o efeito do nim em predadores porque eles não mostraram comportamento de escape causado pela repelência do nim.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of oil extract of neem, Azadirachta indica, on the watermelon aphid Aphis gossypii and its natural enemy Cycloneda sanguinea. Toxicity bioassays were conducted with the commercial product DalNeem (1,475 g L-1 azadirachtin) at 0.0037 µg a.i. mL-1, 0.0074 µg a.i. mL-1 and 0.0148 µg a.i. mL-1, Malathion at 1 µg a.i. mL-1 and distilled water as a control treatment. The products were sprayed to watermelon leaf discs, and the insects were exposed to the product residues. The instantaneous population growth rate of A. gossypii and the survival of C. sanguinea larvae exposed to the different treatments were calculated. A decrease in the instantaneous population growth rate of A. gossypii with increasing concentrations of neem was observed, and the aphids did not reproduce on the leaf discs treated with malathion during the first 24 hours of exposure due to its rapid lethal effect on adult insects. The larvae of the predator C. sanguinea exposed to malathion survived only for 24 hours. The survival of the predator exposed to different concentrations of neem was also significantly reduced compared to the predators exposed only to water. However, laboratory experiments may overestimate the effect of neem on predators because the individuals cannot employ escape behavior caused by neem repellency.