The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of leaf extracts of bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spetabilis L.) and of four o'clock flowers (Mirabilis jalapa L.) plants and Trichoderma spp., alone or in combination, on viruses management and lettuce production. The tests were conducted in a producing area in Pinhalzinho-SP. The experimental design was randomized blocks with ten treatments in comparison with conventional chemical control. Reductions of 18% and 32% in the bacterial population of the lettuce rhizosphere treated with IB18/22 isolate and bougainvillea extract + Trichoderma spp. isolates, respectivelly, were observed. Four o'clock plant leaf extract stimulated growth of CFU / g number of fungi population. However, no significant change in fresh mass and size of lettuce was observed, and despite the inoculum pressure and high population density of virus vector insects in place, the occurrence of viruses was not found, except for big-vein syndrome which was higher in control than in treated plants. Economically, 27.8% net profit and 38.5% gross profit margin were verified, indicating that the use of ecological tools in lettuce crops is feasible. Moreover, the products are easy to obtain, safe to apply and safe for environment and human consumption.
Lactuca sativa L.; biological control; antiviral; plant viruses; medicinal plant
