The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of castor bean pie on the infestation by Cosmopolites sordidus and on the development of banana plants cv. Terra. To observe the dose-response relationship, each treatment focused on a different dosage of castor bean pie (0 g, 12 g, 15 g, 18 g, 24 g) applied every two months to the banana plants, starting from the planting date. The experimental design was completely randomized with ten replicates. Plant vegetative growth was evaluated by measuring plant height, pseudostem diameter, and counting alive (or green) leaves. The infestation of plants was undertaken by using 25 adults of C. sordidus per plant. Six months after planting, the percentage of damage caused was scored on rhizomes and the number of adults (alive and died), larvae, and pupae was registered. Absorbance related to the leaf chlorophyll content was also determined by a chorophyllometer. In plants treated with castor bean pie there was a low infestation of the banana weevil borer. Vegetative growth and absorbance were also positively affected by applying castor bean pie. Therefore, castor bean pie reduces C. sordidus population in rhizomes of bananas cv. Terra, improving vegetative growth and chlorophyll content in leaves.
Musa sp.; Ricinus communis; organic management
