The aim of this work was to evaluate nutrient omission effect on Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenacea) seedlings, as well as its possible effect on their arthropods. Treatments were: 1) control; 2) complete 1: fertilized with N, P, K, S, B, Cu, and Zn + lime (C1); 3) complete 2: C1 without lime + Ca and Mg as sulphate (C2); 4) C1 without lime; 5) C1 without N; 6) C1 without P; 7) C1 without K; 8) C1 without S; 9) C1 without B; 10) C1 without Cu; 11) C1 without Zn; 12) C2 without Ca; and 13) C2 without Mg. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates. Tetranychus sp. (Acari: Tetranychidae) predominantly attacked treatments 3, 6, 9 and 13, and the greatest damages were detected in treatments 6 and 13. The largest population of Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) was observed in treatments 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 13, preferentially colonizing treatment 4. Phenacoccus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was predominant in treatments 4 and 9, and Insignorthezia insignis (Browne) (Hemiptera: Ortheziidae), in treatment 13. Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) adults were mostly detected in treatments 5, 7, 8 and 13, whereas nymphs, in the last three treatments. In general, treatments 1, 5 and 10 are the least attacked by arthropods. When needed, pulverization must always be directed to the leaf lower surface.
medicinal plants; fertilization; insects; mites
