Comportamento de diferentes variedades de Feijão Nhemba (Vlsuà Unauicuiata L.) face ao ataque do gorgulho (Callosobruchus sp.)

Abstract

Peasants interviewed in the outskirts of Maputo City and different agricultural specialists studying cowpea cultivation CViana unguiculata L., have been talking about the unquantified damage caused by weevil (Callosobruchus sp.) in the post-harvest phase, either in family barns or in other types of warehouses. The present work, based on the study of the behavior of 12 varieties of this bean against the attack of the referred pest in 3 places where they were stored, respectively, in the greenhouse-INIA, warehouse of Cogropa and traditional granary-Umbeluzi; it allowed the continuation of a modest research program aimed at learning the research methods used in the post-harvest area. The laboratory test was based on artificial pest infestation, whereas in the traditional warehouse and barn the 12 varieties were left for free infestation. After 120 days, the degree of infestation by variety and by location was evaluated, and the pests found were identified, being the species Callosobruchus rhodesianus Pic. (Col.: Bruchidae) the only one. The variety that behaved best in all trial sites was IT85F-8S7-5, with an infestation level of 24%, about 3.4 times lower than the average infestation of the IT84S- 2140 and INIA-36 varieties. , taken as extreme maximum values. The traditional granary registered a relatively high degree of infestation, estimated at around 64%.(TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)