Mortality and health of provenances of Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. in the coast of Oaxaca

Abstract

In Mexico, there is a knowledge gap on plant mortality and health of tropical forest plantations. Therefore, a provenances test of Enterolobium cyclocarpum was established in two sites (Pinotepa de Don Luis and Valdeflores) in the coastal region of Oaxaca, Mexico to determine the mortality factors and biotic agents related to the health of this specie. Mortality and plant health were recorded during 18 months; also, differences between sites and between provenances were determined. Orthogeomys grandis (pocket gopher) in Pinotepa de Don Luis (27.9 %) and drought (29.2 %) in Valdeflores caused higher plant mortality. Powdery mildews (Oidum), aphid (Aphis), cottony cochineal (Pseudoccocus longispinus), twig girdlers (Oncideres), borer (Lepidoptera) and defoliator (Lepidoptera) were the biotic agents related to health of E. cyclocarpum. The powdery mildews and the aphids infected the highest number of plants; in Pinotepa de Don Luis, the powdery mildews and the aphids infected 58.8, 29.2 % of the plants, respectively; whereas, in Valdeflores, the powdery mildews and aphids infected 3.3 % and 0.8 % of the plants, respectively. In Pinotepa de Don Luis, plants from Cortijo and Colotepec had the lowest powdery mildews infection, and the aphid infestation was not different in plants between provenances. In Valdeflores, plants from five provenances were free of powdery mildews infection, and the aphids only infested plant from the El Zarzal provenance. The location and precipitation of the sites influenced the levels mortality and infection of E. cyclocarpum plants.