Diagnose do manejo fitossanitário de pragas do cajueiro em Palhano-Ceará e Pio IX-Piauí

Abstract

The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a dicotyledonous species native to South America with its center of diversity located in the Northeastern region of Brazil. In 2023, the country ranked eighth in the global cashew nut production, with the states of Ceará, Piauí, and Rio Grande do Norte standing out. Although it is considered a hardy crop, adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Northeastern semiarid region, cashew productivity has been compromised by pest incidence. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze the occurrence of major pests in cashew orchards in two key producing municipalities and to evaluate the phytosanitary management strategies adopted. To this end, two questionnaires were administered to assess the characteristics of the production areas, identify the most prevalent pests, and determine the control tools employed. Growers reported production losses of up to 50% due to pest damage, with the tip borer being the most frequently cited species, followed by scale insects and whiteflies. It was observed that most producers do not perform systematic pest monitoring, and the three most commonly used products belong to the same chemical group (pyrethroids). Among the eight phytosanitary products mentioned, only one is registered for use on cashew. It is concluded that the adoption of integrated pest management practices remains limited, which may have environmental impacts and compromise the sustainability of the crop.