Evaluating Field Management Protocol of the Invasive Pest Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus at Basra, Iraq
M.M. Alderawii1, A.A. Alyousuf2*, S.A. Hasan3, R.A. Abood1, S.S. Abbas1 and R.T. Abdullah1
(1) Basra Plant Protection Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Basra, Iraq; (2) Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Basra, Iraq; (3) Plant Protection Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Baghdad, Iraq.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 5/1/2023; Accepted: 19/2/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001300
Abstract
Monthly monitoring of the red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus populations was conducted using pheromone traps (RHYFER 700). A six-year evaluation (2017-2022) assessed the effectiveness of a twice-yearly chemical control program. This protocol involved aerial spraying and injection of the insecticides imidacloprid and deltamethrin at Safwan County of Basra, Iraq. The results obtained showed that the infestation levels of RPW across the studied orchards varied in 2017. However, in the year 2022, a noticeable reduction in infestation was observed suggesting that the control protocol used was effective. The captured numbers of RPW adults per pheromone trap exhibited notable fluctuations during the study years. The monthly population of captured RPW showed also significant variation; the highest mean numbers of captured adults per trap were 2.06 and 2.47 weevils/trap in March and April, respectively. However, the lowest average number of captured weevils was 0.51 and 0.54 weevils/trap in January and December, respectively. Consistently, the sex ratio of RPW populations in Safwan County exhibited a bias towards female weevils. The study emphasized the need for continuous monitoring, which is essential for the adaptive pest management strategies of RPW infestations in date palm orchards.
Keywords:
Chemical control, date palm, red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, pheromone trap.
Emamectin Benzoate Residues in Fruits and Fronds of Date Palm Trees Following Trunk Injection
Nasraoui, B* , Y. Al-Fehaid, Z. Musallam, A. Al-Shawaf, E. Al-Matar, H. Al-Touirgui, M. Al-Blikhi, W. Bessadok, A. Al-Shareedi, M. Asiri, M. Al-Nasr and M. Al-Khriji and A. Al-Ghamdi
Red Palm Weevil Prevention and Control Program, Plant Health Department, National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (Weqaa Center), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 4/1/2024; Accepted: 11/3/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001302
Abstract
Red palm weevil (RPW) is one of the most dangerous insect pests of the date palm. It primarily infests the palm trunk and, less frequently, the palm top. This study, conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a continuation of previous work that demonstrated trunk injection with undiluted emamectin benzoate in date palm apically infested with RPW, resulting in approximately 91% complete healing. The same trunk injection achieved a 100% success rate in killing all RPW instars inside the palm trunk. In the present experiment, the same insecticide was injected at various intervals (between 1 and 12 months) into the trunks of healthy date palms, and subsequently, the residues of emamectin benzoate in fruits and fronds of the palm trees were analyzed. RPW larva rearing was conducted in the laboratory inside cut frond bases (karabs) of the injected palms. Results obtained indicated absence of emamectin benzoate residues in the fruits at all maturation stages: early ripening (Bisr) in late-June, mid-ripening (Rotab) in mid-August, and final ripening (Tamr = Date) in late-September. As for the insecticide residues, significant residues of emamectin benzoate (0.054 mg/kg) were detected in karabs after a trunk injection of only one month. In addition, RPW larva rearing inside the karabs, one month after trunk injection, gave a significant high larva mortality rate 83.3%. This study indicated that with the injection of the palm trunk by the undiluted pesticide emamectin benzoate, no pesticide residues were found in the palm fruits, and if the injection was made one month earlier, it provided significant protection to the bases of the fronds from attack by the red palm weevil.
Keywords:
Date palm, emamectin benzoate, insecticide residues, red palm weevil, trunk injection.
The Effect of Some Isolates of Fungi That Cause Melon Root Rot Disease on the Germination of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Seeds and Seedlings
E.A. Slebi* and H.H. Al-Juboory
Department of Plant Protection, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, Iraq.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 9/1/2024; Accepted: 27/2/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001301
Abstract
This study was conducted at the Plant Diseases Laboratory of the Agricultural Pest Control Section, Agricultural Protection Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Baghdad, Iraq, and aimed to isolate and diagnose the common fungi associated with melon root rot disease and test their pathogenic ability to inhibit melon seed germination and infect seedlings. Isolation and diagnosis of fungi associated with root samples from melon plants that showed symptoms of discoloration, root rot and plant wilting from five regions in Iraq: Samarra, Dujail, Balad, Abu Ghraib and Al-Yusufiah, identified 38 isolates (F1 – F38) belonging to the fungi Alternaria alternata, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium spp., Macrophomina phaseolina, Monosporacus sp., Pythium aphanidermatum and Rhizoctonia solani. Results of testing the pathogenicity of the isolates on melon seeds by using water agar (WA) culture medium showed differences among isolates in their ability in reducing the germination rate of melon seeds, with a significant difference to the control treatment. , and the isolates F23 and F24 of M. phaseolina and F8 and F34 of R. solani differed from all other isolates due to their high pathogenicity, as they completely inhibited seed germination, with a highly significant difference from the control treatment, where germination rate reached 93.33%. Testing the pathogenicity of the most pathogenic isolates in pots and under shade conditions confirmed that the two isolates of the fungus R. solani (F8 and F34) produced significantly the highest incidence and severity of infection, reaching 100% for both isolates.
Keywords:
Melon root rot, Fusarium spp., M. phaseolina, R. solani, pathogenicity.
Identification of Physiological Races for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici Causing Tomato Fusarium Wilt in Greenhouses Along the Syrian Coast
Sbieh1, W. Choumane2, M. Matar3 and Q. Al-Rhayeh1
(1) Agricultural Scientific Research Center, Latakia, Syria; (2) Biotechnology Center, University of Tishreen, Latakia, Syria; (3) Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University of Tishreen, Latakia, Syria.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 3/2/2023; Accepted: 29/11/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001283
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the physiological races of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL), the causal agent of tomato Fusarium wilt, in greenhouses along the Syrian coast. The greenhouses in Latakia and Tartous governorates were surveyed during the period 2019-2020. The wilted tomato plant samples were collected during the late stage of plant growth. The pathogenic fungus was isolated from infected plant stems, and the causal agent species was identified according to colony and microscopic characteristics. The pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed on a susceptible tomato hybrid. The physiological races were identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of fungus DNA using specific primer sets (SP13 and SP23). The results obtained showed that all isolates belonged to race 1, and based on our knowledge, this is the first report of FOL race 1 along the Syrian coast.
Keywords:
Physiological races, Fusarium wilt, tomato, greenhouses, Syrian coast.
Thermal Requirements and Seasonal Abundance of Spiny Bollworm Based on Variable Field Temperature Derived from Satellite Images in Qaluobiya, Egypt
M.M. El Hoseny1, H.F. Dahi2*, A.M. El Shafei1 and M.S. Yones3
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, University of Ain Shams, Egypt; (2) Plant Protection Research Institute, ARC, Dokki, Giza, Egypt; (3) National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS), Cairo, Egypt.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 19/4/2023; Accepted: 5/2/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001295
Abstract
The spiny bollworm (SBW), Earias insulana is one of the most serious cotton pests in Egypt and worldwide. The impact of temperature on this insect pest biology was investigated, with a focus on the duration length of the various developmental stages. The rate of development, the lower temperature threshold and the heat unit accumulations needed to complete each life stage (egg, larvae, pupa, pre-oviposition) and generation period of the SBW were determined under laboratory conditions. The insect population, seasonal abundance and field generation forecasting were studied by using remote sensing technique, especially satellite images, to investigate the impact of temperature on insect population growth in the field. Results obtained showed that SBW had four seasonal generations in addition to the overwintering generation for each of the three cotton seasons (2020, 2021 and 2022). The observed peaks and the predicted peaks of generations per season were detected and the predicted peaks were noticed earlier than the observed peaks, as the average deviation days were -3, -7 and -4 days for 2020, 2021 and 2022 cotton seasons, respectively. Earlier prediction of the SBW could be helpful in designing an integrated management program against this pest.
Keywords:
Earias insulana, temperature, thermal requirements, lower temperature threshold, satellite images, prediction.
The Effect of Temperature on Development and Fecundity of Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella
Mihoub, A. Basheer* and H. Alsayeda
Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Damascus, Damascus, Syria.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 1/5/2023; Accepted: 30/1/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001293
Abstract
Citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillaridae), recently has become a serious pest in Syria, especially in citrus nurseries. Development and fecundity of P. citrella were recorded at four constant temperatures ranging from 20, 25, 30, 35±1°C, 70±10% relative humidity and photoperiod of 14:10 hours (L:D) and on seedlings of Citrus sinensis cultivar Valencia as host. This study was carried out in the laboratories of Latakia Center for Breeding and Applications of Biological Enemies during 2022. Results obtained indicated that the developmental time (egg to adult) of P. citrella decreased with increasing temperatures, ranging from 20.82 days at 20°C to 10.25 days at 35°C. Results also showed significant reduction in the incubation period from 7.58 days at 20°C to 2.66 days at 35°C, and mortality rate increase from 13 to 22% at 20 and 35°C. respectively. The larval period was 9.44, 5.24, 4.48 and 4.0 days and pupal period was 9.22, 6.84, 5.76 and 4.78 days at 20, 25, 30 and 35°C, respectively. The highest mortality rate in egg, larval and pupal periods was observed at 35°C (22.00, 11.50 and 15.94%, respectively). At all temperatures studied the females lived significantly longer than the males. Both females and the males lived longer at a temperature of 20°C (the female 13.3 and the male 11.5 days) and shorter at 35°C (5.8 days for females and 4.5 days for males). The study showed that the preoviposition period was very short. Results showed significant reduction in Oviposition period, ranging from 8.43 to 5.52 days at 20 and 35°C, respectively. The fecundity was found to be 27.74, 46.413, 57.8 and 49.5 eggs/female at 20, 25, 30 and 35°C, respectively. The sex ratio for the offspring was 1:1.2, 1:1.4, 1.0: 1.5 and 1:1 male: female at 20, 25, 30 and 35°C, respectively. It can be concluded from this study that the temperature of 30°C was optimal for P. citrella development.
Keywords:
Citrus leaf miner, Phyllocnistis citrella, development, fecundity, sex ratio.
Laboratory Study of Some Biological Parameters and Life Table of Opuntia Cochineal Scale Insect, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) in Syria
Asaad1*, Z. Chikh-Khamis2 and M. Bufaur3
(1) General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Agricultural Research Center, Hama, Syria; (2) Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Baath University, Homs, Syria; (3) General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Agricultural Research Center, Swedaa, Syria.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 28/7/2022; Accepted: 20/12/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001287
Abstract
Opuntia cochineal scale insect, Dactylopius opuntiae caused rapid serious damage on cactus Opuntia ficus-indica in Syria, after the first report in 2019. This study was carried out to study some biological parameters and the life table of the insect under laboratory conditions. The developmental durations of nymph 1 and nymph 2 were on average 7.39 and 8.47 days, respectively. The development was completed in 15.86 days. The average pre-oviposition and oviposition periods were 15.1 and 36.3 days, respectively. The average fecundity of females was 566.1 individuals. The average eggs incubation period was 33.9 minutes. The hatching rate was 82%. In males, the developmental duration of nymph 1, nymph 2 and pupa were 8.15, 7.39 and 7.91 days, respectively. The insect development was completed in 23.28 days. The adult males lived only 3.3 days (on average) and the sex ratio (males:females) was 1:3. Life table investigations showed that the survival average (lx) was 0.55, the net reproduction rate (Ro) was 188 females/female, the mean generation time (T) was 50.42 days, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 0.104 females/female/day, the finite rate of increase (ʎ) was 1.11 females/female/day and the duration of doubling time (DT) was 6.67 days. Based on these results, it was concluded that D. opuntiae had a potential to colonize the cactus plant rapidly, and the results obtained could be useful to understand pest biology and its dynamics in order to develop appropriate IPM programs.
Keywords:
Opuntia cochineal Scale insect, Dactylopius opuntiae, cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, biology, life table.
Molecular Identification and First Report of Fusarium annulatum Inciting Wheat Root Rot on Bread Wheat in Iraq by Multi-Locus Phylogenetic Analysis
F.R.H. Alshuwaili1*, H.A. Tamur2, Z.M. Abbas2, M.Q. Joodi2, R.A.A. Al Anbagi3
(1) Applied Biotechnology Department, College of Biotechnology, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon, Iraq; (2) Al-Mahawil Research Station, Agricultural Research Directory, Ministry of Agriculture, Babylon, Iraq; (3) Medical Biotechnology Department, College of Biotechnology, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon, Iraq.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 27/6/2023; Accepted: 5/2/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001296
Abstract
Fusarium spp. are very important plant, animal, and human pathogens. In this study, field severe wilt infection in bread wheat was observed in January 2021 in the wheat field of the Muradia Agriculture Station, Babylon, Iraq. Disease symptoms on the roots were observed as brown discoloration and root rot. Pathogen isolation, morphological characterization, pathogenicity, and sequencing of ITS, TEF1-α, TUB2, and ACT regions, and the phylogenetic analysis with multi-gene of the isolated pathogen were performed. The results obtained revealed that the multigene phylogenetic trees using Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analysis in addition to morphological characteristics confirmed the identification of Fusarium annulatum. Phylogenetic analysis utilizing Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood trees based on only ITS sequences and ITS data was not sufficient to distinguish this species among Fusarium spp. However, the results of phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood trees based on TEF1-α region or multigene phylogenetic analysis showed that isolates of F. annulatum were grouped in a distinct species clade belonging to the Fusarium spp. This work is considered as the first molecular identification using 3-gene phylogenetic analysis and first report of F. annulatum as a wheat pathogen in Babylon, Iraq.
Keywords:
Fungal disease, Triticum aestivum, multigene phylogenetic analysis, Fusarium, soil borne disease.
Fumigant Toxicity of Four Essential Oils Against Two Major Stored Date Fruit Insects Andandand Microbial Load
W.K.M. El-Shafei* and L.M. Lewaa
Department of Date Palm Pests and Diseases, Central Laboratory for Date Palm, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 19/7/2023; Accepted: 4/1/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001289
Abstract
Dates are among the most important fruits with high nutritional value. These fruits are exposed to many pests that reduce their market value which include Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in addition to a microbial load. This work aimed to investigate the effect of four crude essential oil fumigants: lavender (Lavandula officinalis), orange (Citrus sinensis), marjoram (Majorana hortensis), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citratus), as a safe alternative to manage these pests. Five concentrations of each oil (62.5 to 1000 mg/l of air) were evaluated at 3, 5, and 7 days after treatment. Results obtained indicated that the fumigant toxicity increased with the increase of oils concentration and exposure time. L. officinalis essential oil had the highest toxic effect against the 4th larval stage of P. interpunctella and the O. surinamensis adults followed by C. sinensis which was much more toxic as fumigant than M. hortensis oil, whereas E. citratus oil was the least effective on the two tested insects. Results obtained also indicated clearly that Surinam adults were more tolerant to the four tested essential oils than the P. interpunctella larvae. The four tested essential oils had high antibacterial and antifungal activity in the treated stored date fruits. This work clearly confirmed that lavender, orange, marjoram and eucalyptus oils can be used to protect stored date fruits due to their ability to control P. interpunctella and O. surinamensis insects as well as their ability to act as antibacterial and antifungal agents on stored date fruits.
Keywords:
Phoenix dactylifera, essential oils, Plodia interpunctella, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, date fruits, microbial load.
Effect of Some Nutritional Supplements on Biological and Productive Characteristics of Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.
Oukasha1, A. Arab1* and H. Al-Roz2
(1) Latakia Research Center, General Authority of Agricultural Scientific Research, Latakia, Syria; (2) Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Damascus, Syria.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 25/7/2023; Accepted: 5/2/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001297
Abstract
The silkworm, Bombyx mori L. is an important silk-producing insect. Mulberry leaves are considered the only nutritional source of carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, fats, and minerals needed for this insect to produce silk. This study was conducted during the summer 2022 at Silkworm Laboratory of the Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Latakia. It aimed to investigate the effect of fortifying mulberry leaves with aqueous extracts of some nutritional supplements: Citrus sp. pollen, probiotic fortified with vitamins, Althaea sp. extract, Azolla sp. extract and Aloe vera extract on biological characteristics and productivity of silkworm B. mori. Fourth and fifth instar larvae were fed mulberry leaves treated with nutritional supplement extracts. The results obtained confirmed the effectiveness of nutritional supplements in improving biological characteristics and productivity compared to the control. The highest larval weight (5.44 g) was for silkworms fed with mulberry leaves fortified with pollen. The highest effective rearing rate (ERR%), cocoon weight and female fecundity rate were 97.70%, 1.81g, 618.2 eggs/female, respectively, in response to probiotics treatment. In addition, all fortified feeding treatments were significantly superior to the control in terms of silk ratio, filament length, weight, and size which reached 19.18-19.88%, 1389-1511 m and 1.85-1.929 denier, respectively.
Keywords:
Silkworm, nutritional supplements, biological characteristics, productivity.
Using Cumulative Degree-Days Model for Prediction of Olive Fruit Fly, Bactrocera oleae Generations as an Important Element in the IPM Program in Tartus, Syria
Nameh1*, M. Al-Samara2 and S. Faskha1
(1) Agriculture Scientific Research Center in Tartous, General Authority of Agriculture Scientific Research, Damascus, Syria; (2) Environmental Protection Department, Institute of Environmental Higher Studies, University of Tishreen, Latakia, Syria.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 4/8/2023; Accepted: 12/1/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001292
Abstract
Seasonal population density of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) and its relationship to cumulative degree-gays using McPhail traps containing ammonium phosphate 3% as attractant during the two successive years 2021 and 2022, was studied in an olive field in Tartous Governorate, Syria. The traps were placed from the beginning of May and data were collected on a weekly basis until the olive fruit fly disappeared. Weekly samples of olive fruits were examined for signs of laying eggs until fruit harvest. The results showed that the fly activity started from late May until early December in 2021 and from early July to late November in 2022. The highest density for B. oleae was in July as it averaged 165 and 114.67 insects/trap in 2021 and 2022, respectively. According to the cumulative degree-days, it was found that B. oleae has 4 generations in the two seasons with a fifth partial generation in 2021 and with a thermal constant that reached in the first season 848.75, 956.25, 917.5, 879, 589.75 DD for each generation, respectively, and in the second season 869.5, 909.5, 878, 804 DD for each generation, respectively, without significant differences between the two seasons (x² = 7.21, P = 0.06 and x² = 6.86, P = 0.07), respectively. However, according to the model followed, a simplified table was proposed to calculate the cumulative degree-days instead of using mathematical models, based on the daily maximum and minimum temperatures.
Keywords:
Bactrocera oleae, degree-days, generations, prediction, Tartous, Syria.
The Role of Some Fungi Associated with the Nile Water Hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes as a Biological Control Agents and Assessment of Disease Development Rate
H.H. Al-Juboory1* and A.J.M. Al-Shammary2
(1) Plant Protection Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, Iraq; (2) Integrated Pest Control Center, Directorate of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 8/9/2023; Accepted: 14/2/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001298
Abstract
This study was carried out in the laboratories of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Agricultural Research Directorate, to detect fungi associated with the Nile water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes spread on the banks of the Tigris River in the Zafaraniyah area, Baghdad, Iraq, and evaluate their efficiency as biological control agents and determine the rate of disease development (r). The results obtained indicated that there were thirteen fungi associated with the Nile water hyacinth, namely: Acremonium sp. Alternaria sp., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sp., Drechslera sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Mucor sp., Penicillium sp., Pythium aphanidermatum, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizopus sp. and Ulocladium sp. with relative occurrence of 3.45-50.7 %. The results indicated that the most common fungi were Alternaria sp., F. oxysporum and R. solani, with relative occurrence of 50.7, 34.57 and 30.50%, respectively. This is the first record for the presence of F. oxysporum on the leaves of the Nile water hyacinth in Iraq. The results also showed that the rate of disease development varied from one fungus to another when the weed was treated with fungi in the presence or absence of wounds on the leaves. The fungus Alternaria sp. was the most effective in both treatments. The highest rate of disease development was 0.650, 21-28 days after leaf wounding treatment, and 0.170, 21-28 days after the non-wounded leaf treatment.
Keywords:
Biocontrol, water hyacinth, fungi.
Effect of Traps Directions on the Density of the Peach Fruit Fly, Bactrocera zonata in Gezira State, Sudan
R.E.H. Fadul1, F.E.E. Salah1*, H. Abdelgader2, A.A. E. Omer1 and A.B. Dafaallah1
(1) Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan; (2) Crop Protection Center, Agricultural Research Corporation, Wad Medani, Sudan.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 8/9/2023; Accepted: 6/12/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001284
Abstract
In Sudan, the production of horticultural crops is affected by fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) that may play a major role in reducing production and limiting the exportation capabilities. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of trap direction on the density of peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata in Gezira State, Sudan during 2016/2017 growing season. Three locations were selected in the study area and three sites were selected at each location. An orchard was randomly selected at each site and five directions for each orchard were determined. Methyl Eugenol trap was used to estimate the seasonal abundance of the fly among locations, sites and directions. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and regression analysis. There were significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences in the density of the fruit fly (Bactrocera zonata) among the directions in Alkamleen location. However, there were no significant differences in the density in Wad Medani and Elhagabdallah, Gezira State locations during the 2016/2017 growing season. In general, the highest density of the insect (13.14 insects per trap) was recorded in the west direction followed by the east direction (12.74 insects per trap), south direction (10.39 insects per trap) and center direction (10.11 insects per trap), whereas the lowest density (8.74 insects per trap) of the insect was recorded in the north direction. These findings could be useful in monitoring fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) in the agro‐ecological system of Gezira State, Sudan.
Keywords:
Abundance, Bactrocera, direction, methyl eugenol, fruit fly
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Treating Wheat Flour with ECO2-Fume Fumigant, Gamma Irradiation and Microwave Heating in Controlling Adults and Larvae of the Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis and the Effect of These Treatments on Some Flour Components
E.L. Ayad* and H.T. Abd Elhalim
Plant Protection Research Institute (PPRI), Agricultural Research Centre, 12611, Dokii, Giza, Egypt.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 27/9/2023; Accepted: 11/12/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001285
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treating wheat flour with ECO2-Fume® fumigant (mixture of phosphine and carbon dioxide), gamma irradiation, and microwave heating in controlling adults and larvae of the Suriname sawfly beetle. Wheat flour was exposed to ECO2-Fume in Shona Qalyoub (Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt), and flour samples were exposed to gamma irradiation at the National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, and microwave oven under laboratory conditions. ECO2-Fume fumigant at a concentration of 25, 30, 40 and 50 g/m3, with exposure for three days was used. The mortality rate was 100% for adults and larvae, when applied at a rate of 50 g/m3. The decline rate in the number of adults in the first generation was 100%, and there was no emergence of adults when treatment was made at the larval stage. Gamma irradiation was used at doses of 200, 400, 600, and 800 Gray. The highest mortality rate was 100% when adult insects were exposed to 800 Gray, ten days after treatment, and the larval mortality rate was 100%, five days after treatment at the concentrations of 800 and 600 Gray. In addition, population decrease rate (%) of adults of the first generation and larvae was 100% with all concentrations used. Microwave energy was used against adults and larvae of the Suriname saw beetle by exposing it to three different microwave powers, namely 180, 300, and 450 watts, for different exposure durations (20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 seconds). The death rate reached 100% within 120 seconds with 450 watts. Regarding the effect of previous treatments on the main chemical components of wheat flour, the results generally showed slight differences in the protein, carbohydrates and fats content in wheat flour treated with gas at 50 g/m3 and gamma rays at 800 Gray. Whereas, in the case of microwave treatment at 450 W, significant differences in protein, carbohydrate and fat content were recorded when compared with the control treatment.
Keywords:
Stored products, insects, fumigant, radiation, microwave.
The First Record of the Caper Bug, Stenozygum coloratum on Figs, Ficus carica in Syria
A.F. El-Habeeb
Faculty of Agriculture, Bath University, Homs, Syria.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 30/9/2023; Accepted: 18/12/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001286
Abstract
The caper bug, Stenozygum coloratum (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) was observed for the first time on all vegetative parts (leaves, fruits, branches and stems) of fig trees, Ficus carica (Moraceae), Khudayri variety in Homs Governorate, Syria, at a very high density (25 insects/fruit). Symptoms appeared in the form of silver mottling of the fig leaves with black residues on the upper surface of all vegetative parts of the plant. This report includes morphological description, life cycle and damage caused by the pest.
Keywords:
Caper bug, Stenozygum coloratum, figs, Syria
Effectiveness of Some Insecticides Against Thrips (Thrips tabaci) on Three Onion (Allium cepa L.) Varieties
Q.H. Majeed* and M.S. Mansour
Plant Protection Department, College of Agriculture and Forestry, Tikrit University, Iraq.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 30/9/2023; Accepted: 20/12/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001288
Abstract
Thrips (Thrips tabaci L.) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is one of the important insect pests which attack the onion crop. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of different insecticides on thrips management by using three onion varieties “Red” (Red Grano), “Yellow” (Yellow Creole), and “White” (White Grano). Four insecticides were used at the full and half recommended concentration. Experiments were carried out using randomized complete block design with six treatments (three varieties, two doses (3 and 1.5 ml/L), and three replications for each insecticide. The results obtained showed that the number of thrips was statistically significant between treatments. The dose 3 ml/L was more effective than the 1.5 ml/L for all varieties, 14 days after treatment. The efficacy rate of Vertimec® insecticide reached 27.37, 27.34 and 26.73% at the dose 3 ml/L for the three varieties, respectively. The efficacy of Actara® insecticide reached 53% with the yellow onion variety at the concentration of 3 ml/L. The Pinto® insecticide was more efficient on the red onion variety at the same concentration. The highest efficacy of Decis® insecticide was obtained on yellow onion variety 44.3%, using the same concentration of 3 ml/L.
Keywords:
Allium cepa L., onion, thrips, Thrips tabaci, insecticides.
Biological Efficiency of Calotropis procera Extracts Against the Growth of Selected Fungal Plant Pathogens
Asfere, A. Kebede and M. Muthuswamy*
School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 24/10/2023; Accepted: 15/1/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001291
Abstract
Plant secondary metabolites and plant-based fungicides appear to be one of the better alternatives as they are known to have negligible environmental impact and health hazard to consumers, compared with synthetic pesticides. This study aimed at assessing the antifungal activities of crude extracts obtained from leaf, stem bark, and roots of Calotropis procera against the fungal pathogens Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Fusarium solani. The stems, roots, and leaves of the selected plant species were shade-dried and ground to powder, and the bioactive components were extracted using ethanol (99.5%), hexane (99.8%), and distilled water. The antifungal activity of the extracts against the three selected pathogens were evaluated using the agar-well diffusion method and inhibitory zones were measured in millimeters at four different concentration levels (30, 40, 50, and 60 mg/ml). Carbendazim and sterile distilled water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Among the selected plant materials, stem bark extracts showed the highest yield (10.45%) in ethanol crude extracts, whereas, the lowest yield (1.45%) was for water crude extract from the roots. The bioassay studies revealed that the crude extracts of ethanol, hexane and water had antifungal activity on all three fungal species at all concentrations and with all solvents. Ethanol extracts had the highest growth inhibitory effects as compared to those of the hexane and water crude extracts. In this study, the selected solvent crude extracts had fewer antifungal activities than carbendazim. A. niger, F. oxysporum, and F. solani growth was highly affected by ethanol leaf extract as compared with hexane and water extracts. Conversely, stem bark hexane extract showed higher antifungal activity only against F. oxysporum. In this study, among the selected plant parts of C. procera, leaves showed the highest antifungal activity compared with stem bark and root extract.
Keywords:
Antifungal, Calotropis procera, organic solvents, plant pathogens.
Evaluating Host Preference and the Population Dynamics of Insect Pests and Spider Mite and Their Associated Predators on Solanaceous Crops
F.A.M. Abou-Attia1, H.S. Hamouda1, S.A. Kassem2 and O.M. Rakha1
(1) Economic Entomology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kafr El-Sheikh, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt; (2) Vegetables Pests Research Department, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Kafr El-Sheikh Egypt.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 2/11/2023; Accepted: 4/1/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001290
Abstract
Experiments were carried out at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kafr elsheikh University, during 2020 and 2021 summer seasons. The objectives were to observe population fluctuations of some arthropod pests and their preference to three solanaceous crops: eggplant, tomato and pepper. The study also examined the correlation between predators and certain pests. In addition to the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch and Tuta absoluta, five piercing-sucking insects infested each of the vegetable crops; Aphis spp., Thrips tabaci Lindeman, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), Empoasca spp. and Phenacoccus hirsutus Green. Results obtained revealed that eggplant was the most preferred solanaceous host that harboured 81.17% out of total aphids, B. tabaci (87.07%), Empoasca spp. (53.51%), P. hirsutus (65.78%) and T. urticae (95.33%). The second preferred host was tomato that had 58.17 and 88.83% out of total populations of T. tabaci and T. absoluta, respectively. Pepper plants were mostly the least preferred host. Five predatory species were found associated with the above mentioned pests. These arthropod predators were spiders, Scymnus spp., Orius spp., Chrysoperla carnea and Coccinella spp. Highly significant positive correlations were found between aphids and each of Scymnus spp. and Coccinella spp. In addition, the correlations between T. tabaci and Orius spp., and between Empoasca spp. and spiders were highly positively significant. Results highlighted that eggplant was the most infested by the piercing-sucking insects and the spider mite T. urticae compared to tomato and pepper.
Keywords:
Arthropod pests, solanaceous plants, pest preference, piercing-sucking insects, predators.
Mitogenomic Variation of Five Apis mellifera Subspecies Populations Using Mitochondrial Protein-Coding Genes
P.S.A. Bebane
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Science, Charmo University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 11/6/2023; Accepted: 30/1/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001294
Abstract
Honeybee, is essential to both the preservation of biodiversity and the security of the world’s food supply. Identifying genetic variation is a crucial step in preserving diversity. The current study used thirteen mitochondrial coding protein genes to characterize molecular genetic variation among populations of five Apis mellifera subspecies. The results obtained showed that the populations of both subspecies, Apis mellifera mellifera and Apis mellifera jemenitica, had a higher mean in genetic diversity features such as nucleotide diversity, the number of pairwise differences, and polymorphic sites. While the Apis mellifera ligustica subspecies population had the lowest mean of the same parameters. The patterns of genetic differentiation and gene flow revealed that Apis mellifera scutellate, Apis mellifera capensis, and Apis mellifera mellifera populations were the most closely related in terms of their mitogenomic sequences, whereas Apis mellifera jemenitica and Apis mellifera ligustica populations were the most distant mitogenomically within and between populations. Phylogeny, PCA, and haplotype network analysis revealed that some individuals in different subspecies had the same haplotypes. These findings imply that the genetic integrity of native honeybees is threatened as individuals from several subspecies that share the same mitogenomics.
Keywords:
Genetic diversity, honeybees, introgression, mitochondrial DNA.
Susceptibility of Some Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Varieties to Soft Rot Disease Caused by Enterobacter cloacae and its Relationship to the Biochemical Contents of its Tubers
H.R.D. Al-Aboudi* and F.A. Al-Rikabi
Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Kufa, Iraq.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 7/12/2023; Accepted: 19/2/2024
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001299
Abstract
This study investigated the susceptibility of 30 potato varieties to soft rot disease caused by the bacterium Enterobacter cloacae and its effect on the starch, potassium, and ascorbic acid content of tubers. The results obtained showed that the Elmundo variety was the most susceptible to the disease, with the diameter of inhibition zone reaching 8.90 cm within 6 days, followed by the Burren variety (7.87 cm), with a significant difference to all other varieties. The varieties most resistant to bacterial soft rot disease were Lady Rositta and Amarin, with a significant difference from all other tested varieties, as the inhibition zone reached 0.33 and 0.37 cm, respectively. The results obtained also showed that the tubers of the “Lady Rositta” variety were significantly superior in starch content, which reached 23.02%, whereas the lowest starch content was in the “Donata” variety, which reached 4.52%. The “Universa” potato variety had significantly the highest potassium content, which reached 4.645%. The “Lady Rositta” potato variety had the highest ascorbic acid content, which reached 0.84%, with a significant difference from all other varieties. The “Fandango” variety had the lowest content of ascorbic acid of 0.06%. Increase in starch, ascorbic acid and potassium content in the tubers has a role in giving their cell walls strength and rigidity and make them resistant to infection with bacteria that cause the soft rot disease. In addition, potassium is an important nutrient for plant growth in general and has a major role in increasing the thickness of the cell wall, which makes the latter resistant to harsh conditions.
Keywords:
Potato, soft rot, starch, potassium, ascorbic acid, Enterobacter cloacae.