A diversificação da vegetação reduz o ataque do bicho-mineiro-do-cafeeiro Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)? / Does vegetational diversification reduce coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) attack?

The effects of increasing plant diversity on the population of the coffee leaf-miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) were investigated in two organic coffee production systems. One system consisted of coffee intercropped with banana trees (shaded system) and the other one of coffee intercropped with pigeon pea (unshaded system). The increase in plant diversity on both systems was achieved via introduction of green manures such a perennial pea nut, sunn hemp and Brazilian lucerne. The population of L. coffeella, predation and parasitism of L. coffeella mines were biweekly evaluated during eight months. The increase in plant diversity on both systems did not affect the attack of L. coffeella on coffee leaves and the mine parasitism rate. However, there was a positive and significant relationship between increasing plant diversity and coffee leaf mine predation by wasps on unshaded coffee system and a negative relationship on shaded coffee system.

Percepciones, conocimiento local y expectativas de campesinos cafetaleros en puriscal, Costa Rica / Perceptions, lcaal knowledge and expectations of peasant coffe farmers in purriscal, Costa Rica

El propósito de este estudio fue sistematizar las percepciones y saberes locales emitidos por una comunidad campesina de Costa Rica, principalmente en cuanto a su visión del estado actual y las expectativas para el futuro de la actividad cafetera. Se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad para indagar la percepción sobre el estado actual de la caficultura y las expectativas para el futuro. Las entrevistas se desarrollaron en 39 fincas cafetaleras del cantón de Puriscal, Costa Rica. El estudio tomó elementos de los procedimientos y técnicas de enfoques cualitativos como grounded theory y sistematización de experiencias. Los temas abordados fueron enfocados hacia tres tópicos: estado actual y futuro de la actividad cafetera; opiniones sobre la caficultura orgánica, y expectativas y necesidades de capacitación. A pesar de que el mayor número de enunciados sugiere una actitud pesimista frente a la crisis de esta actividad, casi la mitad de ellos denotan una actitud optimista frente a esta actividad. El mayor número de enunciados sistematizados evidencia una actitud optimista frente a la producción orgánica. La mayor parte de expectativas denotan la necesidad de capacitarse en manejo de abonos orgánicos y control de enfermedades.

This study aims to systematization ofcapture the experience of both perceptions and local knowledge of a Peasant community from Costa Rica, mainly, about his on their vision and expectation on the coffee growingth activity. Interview iIn- depth interviews were done carried out to inquiry perceptions on current state of coffee production systems and expectations at regarding future of coffee productiongrowers. Interviews were applieds in 39 coffee farms of Cantón of Puriscal, Costa Rica. This study used methods and techniques from qualitative approaches such as like the grounded theory and the systematization of experiences. The issues treated were related with to three topics: present and future state of coffee production systems; opinions on organic coffee production systems, and training expectations and requirements of training. Even though the most statements suggested a pessimistic attitude in frontregarding the crisis of coffee productionactivity, almostready half of producers noted an optimistic attitude towardsin front of the future. The mMost of the systemized statements evidenced an optimistic attitude regardingin front organic coffee production system. The mostmajority of expectations systematized indicate the need requirements of training in about both management of organic fertilizers management and disease control of diseases.

Características visuais da embalagem de café no processo de decisão de compra pelo consumidor / Visual characteristics of coffee package on consumer's purchase decision process

Conduziu-se este trabalho, com o objetivo de investigar, usando grupos de foco, atitudes, opiniões, conceitos e pensamentos de consumidores sobre embalagens de café torrado e moído que refletem na sua decisão de compra. Três sessões de grupo de foco de 90 minutos foram realizadas (duas em Viçosa/MG e uma em Londrina/PR), num total de 24 participantes. Foram apresentadas cinco embalagens de café (sendo quatro orgânicas, em razão da maior preocupação em obter dados sobre café orgânico) para estimular a conversação, sendo seguido um roteiro de perguntas. Os dados obtidos foram estudados, considerando palavras utilizadas pelos consumidores, sem análise estatística, em razão da característica qualitativa de grupos de foco. Foi observado que os principais fatores considerados no processo de decisão de compra são: preço, cor da embalagem e marca. Muitos participantes mostraram-se fiéis a marcas e outros admitiram pagar mais por um produto orgânico, dependendo do preço do mesmo. Foi sugerido que na embalagem de café orgânico deveria ser salientada a definição do produto para aqueles que não conhecem tal técnica de produção.

Focused group technique was used in this work with the aim of investigating consumers' attitudes, opinions, concepts and thoughts related to coffee package, which may affect their purchase decision. Three focus group sessions of ninety minutes were carried out (two sessions in Viçosa/MG and one session in Londrina/PR), totaling 24 participants. Five coffee packages were presented (four being organic coffee packages due to the necessity of obtaining more information about organic coffee). In order to stimulate discussion all consumers (participants?) were asked to fill in a questionnaire after each session. The obtained data were studied taking into account statements made by consumers without performing any data statistical analysis due to the focused group's qualitative nature. The main observed factors presented on coffee package during the purchase process were price, package color and brand. Many consumers were loyal to brand and others admitted to pay more for an organic product, depending on its price. It is suggested that on the organic coffee package labeling should be emphasized the product identification for those who don't know anything about organic production technique.

Caracterização de lavouras cafeeiras cultivadas sob o sistema orgânico no sul de Minas Gerais / Characterization of coffee crops cultivated on organic system in the south of Minas Gerais

As exigências do mercado por cafés de melhor qualidade estão sendo responsáveis pela difusão e adoção de novas tecnologias de produção e preparo de café. Entre os cafés especiais, o café orgânico é um dos que mais vem se destacando neste segmento. Desta forma, objetivou-se nesse trabalho, a avaliação das características agronômicas de lavouras cafeeiras (Coffea arabica L.) sob o sistema orgânico de produção, localizadas no Município de Poço Fundo, sul de Minas Gerais. Foram caracterizadas em 21 lavouras cafeeiras orgânicas as cultivares utilizadas, a população cafeeira, o tipo de colheita e secagem adotadas, a produtividade e qualidade do café, a fertilidade do solo e o estado nutricional do cafeeiro. Através dos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que os cafeeiros conduzidos sob o sistema orgânico de produção apresentam potencial para produzirem cafés de boa qualidade. Em relação à fertilidade do solo, os baixos valores de pH e o desequilíbrio das relações entre K, Ca e Mg observados na maioria dessas lavouras, sugerem que esses fatores podem afetar o crescimento, o desenvolvimento e a produção dos cafeeiros submetidos ao manejo orgânico do sul de Minas Gerais.

The market demands for coffee of better quality are being responsible for diffusion and adoption of new production technologies and coffee preparation. Among the special coffee, the organic coffee is one of the most important in this group. So, this paper had the aim of evaluating the agronomical traits of coffee crops (Coffea arabica L.) on organic system production, located in Poço Fundo district, South of Minas Gerais. One obtained information about the management of 21 organic coffee crops, like: cultivars, coffee tree population, harvest and drying adopted systems, yield and coffee quality, soil fertility and coffee nutritional status. Based on the obtained results, it is possible to conclude that coffee trees conducted under organic system production showed a potential to produce a good coffee quality. In relation to soil fertility, the low pH values and the relationship disequilibrium among K, Ca and Mg observed in most of the crops, suggest that these facts can affect the growth, development and coffee tree yield submitted to organic management in the south of Minas Gerais.