[Effect of irrigation in the fluctuating population of the tomatoe mite (Aculops lycopersici (Massee))]

Inglés. The effects of three irrigation levels on the population dynamics of Aculops lycopersici (Massee), during two phenological stages of tomato were evaluated. The number of mites that developed on plants supplied less water was lower than on those given more water. Significant differences were present on two dates during the developmental cycle of the plant. At the lower irrigation level the mite population increased rapidly reaching a higher density, thereby causing greater damage to the plants in this treatment. Significant differences in the number of mites were not present when reduced irrigation was initiated during the two phenological stages. However, it was observed that the mite population tended to increase more rapidly on plants that were maintained at lower irrigation levels when reduced irrigation was initiated during the vegetative stage.

Español; castellano. Se evaluo el efecto de tres niveles de riego en la fluctuacion poblacional del acaro del tomate (Aculops lycopersici [Massee]), durante dos etapas fenologicas de la planta. Se encontro que el numero de acaros tendio a ser menor cuando el riego fue mas abundante, encontrando diferencias significativas en dos fechas del ciclo de desarrollo de la planta. En los niveles con menor riego las poblaciones se incrementaron rapidamente, alcanzando densidades mayores y provocando, en consecuencia, un dano mayor a la planta. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en el numero de acaros cuando se redujo el riego en diferente etapa fenologica; sin embargo, se noto que las poblaciones tendieron a incrementarse en las plantas mantenidas con riegos menores desde la etapa vegetativa.