Intensity of application of agrochemicals and its relation with the presence of diseases in the plataniculture

Resumen

Biophysical, socioeconomic and productive conditions were studied in 94 banana farms in
Quindío, Colombia, with the objective of analysing and classifying plantain production systems
according to geographic and technical characteristics. In addition, the frequency of pests and
diseases was evaluated, proving the hypothesis that the intensive systems of management of
the crop would exhibit a higher incidence of these, relating it to a deprotection of the plants by
natural agents. Under a multiple correspondence and cluster analysis, 6 groups were generated,
separating the large farms, in monoculture, use of agrochemicals and greater presence
of pests and diseases, small farms in polyculture, young plantations and application of organic
inputs. It was hypothesized that frequent applications of pesticides, linked to intensive production
systems, make plants more susceptible to pests and diseases