Effectiveness of sulfur applied to soil in controle of cicada Quesada gigas (Oliveier) in coffee plant

Abstract

The cicadas (Hemiptera; Auchenorryncha: Cicadidae) that attack coffee plants (Coffea spp.) belong to different species and Quesada gigas (Olivier, 1790) is the most frequently found. Mobile nymphs attack the root of the coffee, and the continuous sucking sap causes plants depletion, which manifests itself in the shoot by stunting, chlorosis and premature fall of the upper leaves of the branches. The symptoms are always more pronounced during droughts. The final consequences of the attack result in a decrease in production and even total loss of the crop, if the pest is not controlled in time. This study aimed to test the sulfur 90% (Sulfurgran® - Produquímica) in control of cicada nymphs Q. gigas when applied to soil surface and in the modalities incorporated into soil under projection of coffee plant canopies at the dosages of 30, 60 and 90 kg per hectare of the commercial product in comparison with the thiamethoxam + cyproconazole (Verdadero 600® WG - Syngenta) applied via drench in the lap of plants. Each plot consisted of ten plants, with eight central the useful part. The evaluation of efficiency was made by opening a trench in the soil, covering the entire region of the roots, and counting live nymphs number in two plants of the useful part of each plot. The results show that Sulfurgran® product controlled the cicada, at all doses in both ways of application, and did not differ from Verdadero 600 WG®.