Status of CaLsol vectors that infect solanaceous plants in the American regions, implications for Cuba, II: Host plants, damages and management

Abstract

Bactericera cockerelli Sulc, the potato / tomato psyllid (Solanum tuberosum and S. lycopersicum), is recognized as a threat to the production of solanaceous crops because it is an efficient vector of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CaLso) in the American continent, Europe, and New Zealand. The biological and genetic characteristics of the insect make its management difficult, and so do the high number of host, refuge. and feeding plants in which it can be found. Furthermore, the influence of climate change has caused psyllid populations to establish and colonize new areas and countries. At present, the psyllid vectors of microorganisms that cause diseases in plants are widely distributed, and studies are being carried out to understand the impact of their populations on intensive agricultural production systems. In the last decade, studies on the application of new biological control and management techniques have also increased aiming to count on fast and efficient alternatives for reducing the effects on crops and economy. A total of 74 scientific papers related to the host plants of these insect vectors, their biological and chemical control strategies, and the novel alternatives for their management were analysed. In order to maintain surveillance over the vector, the present status of the identification of these species in Cuba, the situation concerning the presence of the cultivation system. -psilid-CaLso in the world and the American and Caribbean regions, as well as the possible implications of the presence of these species for the Cuban agriculture were studied in depth.