Práticas fitossanitárias adotadas por produtores de tomate em Tianguá-CE no controle da mosca-minadora: Uma análise de campo

Abstract

Tomato cultivation in Tianguá, CE, stands out for its significant production and socioeconomic importance. However, the intensive use of pesticides, combined with technical assistance mainly provided by local agrochemical retailers, has favored the emergence of resistant pests, leading to increased costs and environmental risks. This study aimed to characterize the production area and describe the level of knowledge and understanding of the phytosanitary management of the tomato leafminer pest by local farmers in Tianguá, CE, through on-site questionnaires. The research was conducted in Tianguá between April and May 2025, using one structured questionnaire administered to 15 local producers. The collected data were categorized for descriptive analysis. To examine the association between products used for pest control, a co-occurrence matrix was constructed, allowing the identification of usage patterns and chemical similarity groupings. Tomato production in Tianguá mainly occurs on small farms with protected cultivation, reflecting progress in production stability. A total of 15 chemical products were reported by the interviewed farmers as pest control agents, encompassing 14 IRAC groups, but only 7 of these products are officially registered for leafminer control. Technical assistance provided by retailers has led to the excessive application of chemical pesticides, particularly insecticides from the same group, in combating the leafminer fly. Such practices may cause pest resistance, making control increasingly difficult. This study highlights the importance of adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to promote the rational use of agrochemicals.