Participation of cultural, chemical and biological control in the management of the coffee berry borer

Abstract

The coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, is a very destructive pest of coffee crops that seriously impacts the economy of developing countries that produce coffee. Due to the presence of CBB, coffee producers often overspray crops with highly toxic chemical insecticides. This research was planned to seek efficient strategies, both biologically and economically effective, to control CBB in the field. After previous experiences with new agents and approaches used to control this pest around the world, three basic elements were considered in the implementation of an Integrated Pest Management program: cultural control, referring to the frequent and correct harvest of ripe berries; the use of the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana; and chemical control with only mildly toxic insecticides such as pirimiphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, and fenitrothion. These three components, and some combinations of them, were compared in five coffee farms (randomized blocks). The experimental units in each farm or block were plots of 1500 coffee plants. The response variables were: monthly infestation of CBB per tree. the daily increase of the infestation of CBB in the fíeld. and the infestation of CBB on coffee parchment. Total income and net income were analyzed as complementary information. The results obtained allowed us to conclude: l. not only was the cultural control the main component in the control of CBB, but it also generated a higher economic income, a higher yield, and a higher net income; 2. the Chemical control failed in the absence of cultural control; 3. the use of B. bassiana did not generate economic benefits during this research.