Abstract The sweet potato is an alternative energy source, but its sustainability depends on efficient water use. The objective of this study was to evaluate sweet potato morpho-physiological characteristics, and water use efficiency (WUE). Irrigation depths of 50, 75, 100, and 125% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) were applied. The morpho-physiological indicators, WUE, leaf area index (LAI), leaf water potential, leaf temperature, and leaf chlorophyll index (ICF), were evaluated. The WUE of the sweet potato cultivars increased until the 75% water depth of the ETc. The LAI of these cultivars increased with irrigation depth, with higher values at 100% of the ETc. The leaf water potential of the two sweet potato cultivars was lowest with the lower irrigation depth. Leaf temperature was closer to that of ambient temperatures in treatments with greater irrigation depth. The increase of the WUE with the greater accumulation of dry biomass is due to greater CO2 diffusion by stomata. The reduction in the growth of these plants is due to water stress limiting stomatal conductance, transpiration, leaf growth (LAI) and chlorophyll concentration, proportional to soil moisture conditions. The functional relationship between soil moisture and growth is essential to optimize irrigation management at different growth stages.

Resumen El cultivo del litchi, Litchi chinensis, tiene gran popularidad en el mercado internacional. El ácaro del litchi, Aceria litchii (Eriophyidae), es una de las principales plagas de este cultivo, se alimenta de hojas, sobre todo en la parte inferior de las plantas que forman eríneos. El objetivo de esta revisión es presentar los principales métodos de control y proponer técnicas de manejo en el sistema de producción integrado del cultivo de L. chinensis. Se detectaron infestaciones de A. litchii en los huertos de Brasil en 2008 y el uso de insecticidas químicos es el principal método de control de esta plaga. La combinación de métodos de cultivo biológico y químico hace que el sistema sea más satisfactorio en el largo plazo. El control y la prevención del ácaro del litchi son clave para reducir su propagación y establecimiento.

Abstract Litchi chinensis fruits are very popular in the international market. The erinose mite, Aceria litchii (Eriophyidae), a major pest of this crop, feeds on the leaves and on all parts of the plants forming erinea. The purpose of this review is to present the most common control methods and to propose integrated management techniques for L. chinensis production systems. A. litchii infestations were detected in Brazilian orchards in 2008. Chemical pesticides are currently the main control measure for this pest; however, the combination of biological, chemical and cultural methods are more promising in the long term. Controlling and preventing the erinose mite are key factors for reducing its spread and establishment.