Abstract

MAY-LARA, Cesar et al. Effect of moisture levels on growth and water potential of Capsicum chinense Jacq. And their relationship to the development of Bemisia tabaci Genn. Trop. subtrop. agroecosyt [online]. 2011, vol.14, n.3, pp.1039-1045. ISSN 1870-0462.

The effect of soil moisture levels in the growth of Capsicum chinence Jacq plants and survival and development of Bemisia tabaci Genn was evaluated. Four treatments were evaluated, 60%, 50%, 40% and 30% soil moisture levels, which were calculated from the value of the irrigated area and the plant container area. Plant height, stem diameter, total dry biomass, substrate moisture content, water potential and water use efficiency were evaluated. To determine the effect of the plant water status on B. tabaci, the number of eggs laid, egg and nymph mortality and mean time of nymph development were recorded. A direct positive correlation was found between the soil moisture and the plant water potential, the treatment with highest soil moisture provided better moisture conditions for plants. Plants treated with the higher levels of soil moisture showed significantly higher plant height, stem diameter and dry biomass. Higher oviposition rates and lower developmental time of B. tabaci nymphs were observed on plants treated with 50% soil moisture. Eggs and nymph mortality were not affected by soil moisture levels.

Keywords : water stress; soil moisture; Capsicum chínense; Bemisia tabaci.

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