Sistemas de produção e outras tecnologias sustentáveis para o manejo de doenças do meloeiro no estado do Tocantins

Abstract

The melon, Cucumis melo L., cultivation emerges in Tocantins state as a promising culture to increase agricultural production in the region, however studies have been performed are scarce, especially with regard to phytosanitary control. The plantations are conducted based on the same cultivation of watermelon, Citrullus lanatus L., well established culture in the region. Nevertheless, the melon plant does not have the same watermelon rusticity, with that the aim of this study was develop technologies to increase the melon productive capacity by choosing the best cultivars, better growing season, cultivation and management of the main diseases aiming to reduce the use of fungicides. In the first chapter were evaluated different cultivars in two growing seasons, dry and rainy, and the application or not of chemical pesticides. In the second chapter were evaluate the handling characteristics of culture, such as spacing, fertilization, disease control with chemicals and thinning of branches and fruits. Finally, the third chapter analyzes the alternative control of D. bryoniae using essential oils of various plant species. Most cultivars analyzed showed good adaptation to growing in the region in the dry season, for cultivation in the rainy season was not possible due thigh severity of gummy blight in all cultivars, even with the application of fungicides. The balanced mineral fertilizer with organic fertilizer brought benefits to culture. Essential oils appear as an effective alternative for controlling gummy blight order to decrease the use of chemicals.