Salicylic acid: resistance inducer to two-spotted spider mite in strawberry crop

Ácido salicílico: indutor de resistência ao ácaro rajado na cultura do morangueiro

ABSTRACT

The strawberry is susceptible to several pests which cause a reduction in productivity. The use of mechanisms which repel or prevent these pests to establish, represent a sustainable environmental technology to reduce the frequency of agrochemical use. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) on resistance induction against two-spotted spider mite in strawberry cultivars (Aromas and Sweet Charlie). Five concentrations of SA (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg L^-1) were tested in order to verify the antixenosis effects. In SA concentration of 50 mg L^-1, a reduced number of mites in the two strawberry cultivars was noticed. For the number of eggs deposited on leaflet, we verified an effect of SA concentration with quadratic adjustment in the equation. Sweet Charlie cultivar was more effective than Aromas in relation to the reduction of mite oviposition on leaflets treated with SA. SA concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 mg L^-1 were the most efficient for the evaluated traits allowed to infer its potential as antixenotic resistance inducer against two-spotted spider mite in strawberry crop.

Keywords:
Fragaria x ananassa; two-spotted spider mite; antixenosis.