Effect of Biological Agents in the Management of Phytophagous Mites in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)

Abstract

The occurrence of phytophagous mites in strawberry crops represents one of the main phytosanitary challenges of the culture, due to the high reproductive capacity and rapid dispersal of these pests. In this context, the present study evaluates the effect of different control strategies in the management of Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite) and Tetranychus ludeni (red spider mite) in a commercial strawberry crop. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with five treatments: Chromobacterium subtsugae, Pseudomonas fluorescens + Pseudomonas chlororaphis, Azadirachta indica, abamectin, and a control. Evaluations were performed weekly for six weeks by monitoring the mite population, number of infested leaflets, presence of eggs, leaf bronzing, web formation, and production of commercial and non-commercial fruits. At the end of the experiment, sampling of predatory mites was also conducted. The treatments based on A. indica and C. subtsugae showed lower average infestations of T. urticae and lower levels of visual damage to the plants. For T. ludeni and the variables related to fruit production, no significant differences were observed among the treatments. The results indicate that A. indica and C. subtsugae have potential for the sustainable management of the two-spotted spider mite in commercial strawberry cultivation.