INCIDENCIA DE ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ Y Bactericera cockerelli EN TOMATE DE CÁSCARA ASOCIADO CON CEMPASÚCHIL

Abstract

INCIDENCE OF 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' AND Bactericera cockerelli IN SHELL TOMATO ASSOCIATED WITH MARIGOL Mexico State is one of the main producers of tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica Lam), however, its production is affected by pests and diseases. The psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, is a pest of economic importance and transmits the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) in tomatillo crops. On the other hand, it has been reported that the Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) repels some insects and attracts other, such as thrips. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of the bacterium and B. cockerelli eggs, nymphs, and adults on P. phyladelphica growing in association with T. erecta. We established different topological arrangements in two plots in the Toluca Municipality of the plants in monoculture and in association. The highest incidence of B. cockerelli occurred in tomatillo plants grown in monoculture as well as those in isolation, while the tomatillo plants grown in association with T. erecta the presence of the psyllid was reduced and T. erecta grown in monoculture had no presence of B. cockerelli. The incidence of CLso was higher in tomatillo grown in monoculture and in isolation, and the yield in those treatments was lower than in the topological arrangements in association with marigold, which had higher yields and lower incidence of the bacterium. The highest yield was in the FCAgri plot, with 47% higher yield compared to Tlacha II. Therefore, we conclude that marigold has the qualities of a repellent plant to B. cockerelli, beginning at its initial vegetative stages, which was reflected as higher yield of tomatillo crops.