Pests in Cacaotales, Municipality of Siuna, 2011

Abstract

This research was conducted in fifteen cacao productive units, distributed in five communities of Siuna; plague prevalence was evaluated as well as the extent of impact on fruit production, branches and flowers. For the collection of data, the technique used was by samples with systematic transects distributed in 12% by planting in altitudinal ranges under 200, 200 to 300 and above 300 (mosl). The information was collected through direct observation, and the economic losses were quantified. The plague prevalence is 74% and the absence of 26% in heights exceeding 300 (mosl). The batch excels in the 15 plantations, with 50% at ranges under 200 mosl, 38% from 200 to 300 and 64% above 300 mosl, the squirrel with 34%, 39% and 26% in the same altitudes. The affectations on trees were slight; damages to the fruits were more frequent above 300 mosl, with 20%. Economic losses caused to the producer were of C$ 1,962.00 in a productive cycle. There are significant differences in the production affectation in relation to the altitudinal ranges, since at least one treatment is different from the other two, in lower altitudes of 200 and from 200 to 300 mosl the average is 1.70, and the difference in heights exceeding 300 mosl with 2.60 according to the test of significant minimum difference.