ABSTRACT Intercropping is a method of growing plants that assists in rational use of natural resources. Based on this concept, the aim of this study was to evaluate the response of collard green and radish ‘Cometo’ crops in monoculture and in intercropping under different spatial arrangements through physical production indicators (technical coefficients). The study was conducted in plant beds in a randomized block design (RBD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments involved growing the two crops separately and intercropped under different spatial arrangements: (1:2) one row of radish ‘Cometo’ between two rows of collard green; (2:2) two rows of radish ‘Cometo’ between two rows of collard green; and (3:2) three rows of radish ‘Cometo’ between two rows of collard green. The spatial arrangements adopted did not affect the growth and development of radish ‘Cometo’ and of collard green, and all the arrangements used exhibited high land use efficiency, especially the 3:2 arrangement, which provided the greatest land use efficiency, at 1.69.

RESUMEN La posibilidad de producción sin el uso de insecticidas químicos o la reducción de los mismos, asociada a las exigencias de los consumidores ha motivado a los cultivadores a volver a la práctica de embolsado del fruto, pero es posible que esta técnica cause cambios en las características visuales y organolépticas del mismo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los posibles cambios en las características poscosecha en los frutos de tomate ‘Valerin’ producidos dentro de las bolsas de textil no tejido (TNT) y validar el mejor período para la finalización del embolsado. Los frutos utilizados fueron de una plantación comercial de tomate, ubicada en “Ubajara”, Estado de “Ceará”, Brasil. El diseño experimental fue bloques al azar en factorial 2 × 4, con cinco repeticiones. Los factores considerados se refieren a dos formas de uso de los insecticidas: 1-Plantas tratadas con insecticidas y 2-Plantas no tratadas con insecticidas y cuatro formas de embolsar los racimos con tejido no tejido (TNT): T1-Empaqueta flor, T2-Embolsado de los racimos con frutos de 1,5 cm de diámetro, T3-Embolsado de los racimos con frutos de 3,0 cm de diámetro, T4-Racimos no embolsados (control). Las variaciones en los parámetros de color (brillo y ángulo de tono) y firmeza no comprometieron la calidad del fruto cuando se embolsaba en la etapa de flor (T1) o cuando los frutos tenían 1,5 cm de diámetro (T2). Los otros parámetros (acidez titulable, sólidos solubles totales, carotenoides totales, licopeno y ß-caroteno) no mostraron cambios en comparación con el control. Embolsar racimos de tomate cuando se realizan en la etapa de flor o cuando los frutos tienen alrededor de 1,5 cm de diámetro no cambia la calidad poscosecha.

ABSTRACT The possibility of cultivation without the use of chemical insecticides or reduction thereof, associated with the requirements of consumers has motivated growers to return to the practice of bagging fruit, but it is possible that this technique causes changes in the visual and organoleptic characteristics of fruits. The objective of this study was to evaluate possible changes in postharvest characteristics in ‘Valerin’ tomato fruits produced inside nonwoven bags (TNT) and validate the best period for bagging. The fruits came from commercial cultivation of tomato plants, located in “Ubajara”, “Ceará” State, Brazil. The experiment design used 2 × 4 factorial randomized blocks with five repetitions. The factors considered two types of insecticide use: 1-Plants treated with insecticides and 2-Plants not treated with insecticides, and four ways to bag the bunches with nonwoven fabric (TNT): T1-Bagging flower, T2-Bagging the bunches with fruits with a 1.5 cm diameter, T3-Bagging the bunches with fruits with a 3.0 cm diameter, and T4-Bunches not bagged (control). Variations in color parameters (brightness and hue angle) and firmness did not compromise the fruit quality when bagging was conducted in the flower stage (T1) or when the fruits had a 1.5 cm diameter (T2). The other parameters (titratable acidity, total soluble solids, total carotenoids, lycopene and ß-carotene) showed no change when compared to the control. Bagging the tomato bunches in the flower stage or when the fruits had a 1.5 cm diameter did not change the postharvest quality.

RESUMO: O ensacamento de frutos é uma eficiente técnica de controle mecânico utilizado na fruticultura. No entanto, existem poucos estudos sobre sua eficiência em hortaliças como, por exemplo, o tomate. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência do ensacamento das flores e/ou frutos de tomate com sacos TNT para o controle de Helicoverpa spp., Neoleucinodes elegantalis e Tuta absoluta, avaliar o efeito dessa técnica sobre a produtividade obtida ao final do ciclo e determinar a melhor época para realização do ensacamento. O ensaio foi realizado em plantio comercial de tomateiro ‘Valerin’ estaqueado, localizado no município de Ubajara, CE. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 2x4 (plantas pulverizadas versus não pulverizadas sendo que ambas receberam ensacamento com TNT em diferentes estágios fenológicos [ensacamento da flor, ensacamento do cacho com frutos de 1,5cm, ensacamento do cacho com frutos de 3,0cm, cachos não ensacados (Testemunha)], com cinco repetições. Avaliou-se: número de frutos/cacho, número de cachos/planta, peso/fruto, diâmetro longitudinal e transversal, porcentagem de frutos brocados, produtividade, perda provocada pelo ataque de pragas e ganho real obtido. O ensacamento dos cachos de tomate ‘Valerin’ com TNT foi eficaz para o controle de N. elegantalis e, quando o ensacamento foi realizado em cachos com frutos de 1,5cm de diâmetro, proporcionou incremento de 21,5% de produtividade em relação àqueles não ensacados sendo, portanto, o período mais indicado para o ensacamento.

ABSTRACT: Fruit bagging is an efficient mechanical control technique used in fruit growing. However, to date, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of bagging in the cultivation of vegetables, including tomato crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bagging of tomato flowers and/or fruits using a non-woven fabric (NWF) for the control of Helicoverpa spp., Neoleucinodes elegantalis, and Tuta absoluta, to evaluate the effect of this technique on the final yield, and determine the optimal period for bagging. Tests were conducted in a commercial crop of staked ‘Valerin’ tomato plants located in the municipality of Ubajara, Ceará State, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with a 2x4 factorial design (sprayed versus unsprayed plants, and both plant groups were bagged with NWF bags at different growth stages [flowers bagging, bagging of bunches of fruits with a diameter of 1.5cm, bagging of bunches of fruits with a diameter of 3.0cm, and unbagged bunches (control)], with five repetitions. We evaluated the number of fruits per bunch, number of bunches per plant, weight of each fruit, longitudinal and transverse diameter, percentage of bored fruits, yield loss caused by insect infestation, and final yield. Bagging of ‘Valerin’ tomato bunches with NWF bags was effective for the control of N. elegantalis, and productivity increased by 21.5% when bagging was done in bunches of fruits with a diameter of 1.5cm compared with unbagged fruits; therefore, this growth period was the most suitable for bagging.

RESUMO As moscas-das-frutas são manejadas com proteína hidrolisada, mas, para agricultores familiares, esse produto é de difícil acesso. Objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência de estercos de animais domésticos no controle e/ou monitoramento dessa praga em pomares de goiaba. No primeiro ensaio, avaliou-se a eficiência do suco de goiaba e de estercos bovino, ovino, suíno, equino e de galinha, como atrativos para a mosca-das-frutas. Após definição do melhor atrativo, instalou-se o segundo ensaio, utilizando-se suco de goiaba e extrato de esterco de galinha nas concentrações de 10 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 % e 100 %. No terceiro ensaio, avaliou-se suco de goiaba e esterco de galinha a 10 %, em três períodos de envelhecimento do atrativo (3, 7 e 14 dias após a instalação das armadilhas). A relação custo/benefício do suco de goiaba e do extrato também foi avaliada. Verificou-se que as moscas-das-frutas têm preferência pelo extrato de esterco de galinha a 10 %, com maior captura observada aos três dias após a instalação, o qual pode substituir o suco de goiaba no manejo agroecológico de moscas-das-frutas em goiabeiras, na agricultura familiar, pois é de baixo custo e eficaz.

ABSTRACT Fruit flies are typically managed using hydrolyzed protein, which is difficult for family farmers to obtain. This study aimed at assessing the efficiency of livestock manure for monitoring and/or controlling this pest in guava tree orchards. The first experiment tested the efficiency of guava juice and manure from cattle, sheep, pig, horse and chicken as attractants for fruit flies. Once the best bait had been established, a second experiment was conducted using guava juice and chicken manure extract at concentrations of 10 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 % and 100 %. A third assay analyzed guava juice and chicken manure extract (10 %) at three attractant aging periods (3, 7 and 14 days after trap installation). The cost-effectiveness ratio between guava juice and extract was also analyzed. It was concluded that fruit flies prefer the chicken manure extract (10 %), with greater capture observed three days after trap installation, which can replace the guava juice in the agroecological management of fruit flies in guava trees in family farms, since it is low cost and efficient.