Molecular Identification of Fusarium Species Associated with the Tissue Culture Date Palm Offshoots Wilt Disease and Evaluation of Using Silver Nanoparticles and Trichoderma longibrachitum for its Control
M.A. Fayyadh*, A.O. Manea and Y.A. Salih
Plant Protection Department, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Iraq. *Email of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received:12/1/2023; Accepted: 14/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001225
Abstract
This study was conducted during the period 2019-2021 with the aim of isolating and identifying the fungi associated with the tissue culture date palm offshoots wilt disease planted in permanent orchards. Molecular identification of Fusarium isolates based on amplification and nucleotide sequencing of the ITS1-ITS4 gene region showed that isolate F1 and F7 were identical to isolate F. proliferatum with a similarity reached 100 and 98%, respectively; isolates F3 and F4 were identical to isolate F. fujikuroi with a similarity level of 99.8 and 100%, respectively. As for isolate F6, it was 94.8% similar with isolate F. solani. The sequences of isolates were deposited in the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) under the numbers OM535259, OM535261, OM535264, OM535265 and OM535266, respectively. The results also showed that silver nanoparticles inhibited the growth of all tested fungi, and the inhibition rate range was 50-70%. On the other hand, the bio-control fungus T. longibrachiatum caused growth inhibition of all tested fungi with an inhibition rate of more than 80%.
Keywords
Date palm, wilt, molecular identification, Nanosiliver particles.
Morphological and Molecular Identification of Fusarium tricinctum Causing Fruit Rot of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) in Iraq
A.H. Thanoon
Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq. Email of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 18/1/2023; Accepted: 26/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001241
Abstract
In November 2019, samples of pumpkin fruits with rotting symptoms after harvest were collected from farmers’ stores. The causative fungus was isolated from infected pumpkin fruits. Based on morphological traits, Koch’s hypotheses and molecular diagnostic tests were employed to confirm the infection and identify the causal agent. Molecular diagnosis using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the identity of the causal fungus. The results of electrophoresis using a 2% agarose gel showed the presence of a 550 bp band. The ITS sequences were found to be homologous. to that of Fusarium tricinctum in GenBank database with a similarity ratio of 99%. GenBank assigned the number MH859948 to the Iraqi isolate. This is the first record of F. tricinctum that causes post-harvest pumpkin rot in Iraq.
Keywords
Pumpkin fruit rot, postharvest diseases, Fusarium tricinctum.
First Record of the Capparimyia savastani in Syria
A.F. El-Habib
Plant Protection Department, University of Al Baath, Homs, Syria. Email of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received:18/1/2023; Accepted: 24/7/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001238
Abstract
Larvae of different ages were observed within the buds and fruits of the capper, Capparis spinosa (Capparidales: Capparidaceae) in Al-Makhram area, Homs, Syria in several locations, and whole insects were captured with food traps. Based on the morphological characteristics of the adult insect, the capper fly, Capparimyia savastani (Diptera: Tephritidae) was recorded for the first time in Syria on the capers plant. This report includes morphological characteristics, life cycle, hosts, and geographical distribution.
Keywords
Capers fly, Caparimyia savastani, capers, Syria.
Ecological Parameters of Numerical Diversity of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Soils of Beit Saber and Henna, Rif Damascus Governorate, Syria
Alshadidi1,2*, J. Faddoul2 and A. Basheer1,2
(1) Biological Control Studies and Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Syria; (2) Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Syria. *Email address of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 22/2/2023; Accepted: 15/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001227
Abstract
The diversity and seasonal abundance of entomopathogenic fungi were investigated in soil samples collected from two locations (Beit Saber and Henna) in Rif Damascus Governorate, Syria, during 2020–2021. Soil samples from several agricultural orchard fields were collected and brought to the Biological Control Studies and Research Center laboratory (BCSRC). Fungal species diversity was assessed using two indicators: species richness (S) and Shannon index (H). Results revealed the presence of 18 species of entomopathogenic fungi, belonging to 12 diverse genera. The genus Beauveria was the most frequent and abundant comprising 14.3% of the total number of the isolates. The diversity indices varied between the two studied locations. The highest value of Shannon-Weiner index for diversity was recorded at Beit Saber location (2.75), whereas the lowest value was observed at Henna location (2.64). The maximum similarity index (SQ) between the two locations was 0.91.
Keywords:
Biological diversity, species richness, entomopathogenic fungi.
Field Performance of Selected Insecticides on Cotton Aphid, Aphis gossypii and Side Effects on Lady Beetle, Coccinella septumpunctata
M.H. Khalifa1*, A.R. Khirallah2, F.I. El-Shahawi1, N.A. Mansour1 and H.K. Abou-Taleb2
(1) Pesticide Chemistry and Technology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, El-Shatby, Alexandria 21545, Egypt; (2) Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Sabahia, Alexandria, Egypt. *Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 7/3/2023; Accepted: 5/7/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001234
Abstract
To evaluate some insecticide treatments against adult instar of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), two field trials were conducted during the cotton seasons of 2020 and 2021 in Abees, Alexandria, Egypt. The negative effects of insecticide treatments against the lady beetle Coccinella septumpunctata Linnaeus larvae were also investigated. The study revealed that, in the 2020 cotton season, the neonictinoid insecticides thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid, and the organophosphorus insecticide malathion significantly (P˂0.05) exhibited the greatest initial effectiveness against cotton aphid with initial population reduction of 76.8, 76.8, 74.8 and 73.7%, respectively. Thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, pymetrozine, and malathion had the highest initial cotton aphid population reduction in 2021 of 75.7, 75.4, 75.2, 73.3 and 73.2%, respectively. Pymetrozin, thiamethoxam, malathion, and spiromesifen showed the least residual reduction rates of 81.2, 91.5, 81.6 and 82.5%, respectively. In both seasons, buprofezin significantly (P˂0.05) achieved the least initial toxicity as well as the highest residual toxicity against cotton aphid with reduction rates of 44.8 and 91.9% in 2020 and 52.4 and 87% in 2021, respectively. In addition, other tested insecticides had similar residual toxicity with buprofezin. Whereas, in 2020, imidacloprid and pymetrozin showed residual reduction rates of 89.1 and 91.9%, respectively, whereas in 2021, etophenprox and acetamiprid achieved residual reduction rates of 87.3 and 90.4%, respectively. On the other hand, in 2020, malathion and pymetrozine showed the highest initial toxicity on lady beetle with reduction rates of 27.7 and 25.3%, respectively. Buprofezin also showed in both seasons the least initial side effect against lady beetle and low residual toxicity with reduction rates of 12.1 and 12.2% in 2020 and 15.6 and 14.8% in 2021, respectively. Spiromesifen achieved the highest residual reduction rate (25.6%), significantly followed by malathion (19.2%). Thiamethoxam similar to buprofezin, also achieved the least residual reduction rate against lady beetle (11.4%). In 2021, malathion and spiromesifen showed the highest initial side effects against lady beetle with reduction rates of 26.8 and 26.6%, respectively. Spiromesifen, thiamethoxam, and malathion gave the highest residual toxicity with reduction rates of 22.8, 21.7 and 21.4%, respectively. According to the IOBC classification, all insecticide treatments were considered as harmless against lady beetle, where the reduction rates were less than 50% in the field. The good selectivity feature of these insecticides makes them suitable components for IPM programs against cotton aphids.
Keywords
Cotton aphid, insecticides, IPM programs, lady beetle, natural enemies, selectivity.
Biodiversity and Seasonal Occurrence of insect fauna associated with Brassica Vegetables in Menoufia and Giza Governorates in Egypt
A.R. Elbadawy*, H.M. Hamada and R.A.K. Salama
Department of Economic Entomology and Pesticides, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. *Email of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 8/3/2023; Accepted: 25/5/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001223
Abstract
The present study was conducted to explore the diversity of the insect fauna associated with five brassica vegetables at two locations (Menoufia and Giza) in Egypt. Insects were collected from the two sites, from November 2020 until January 2021. In total, 13 insect species belonging to 12 families and 6 orders were recorded from the two sites: 10 species of insect pests, 2 species of predators and one parasitoid species. Seasonal occurrence of three caterpillars (small white cabbage butterfly, Artogeia rapae L., diamond-back moth, Plutella xylostella L. and semiloopers, Autographa gamma L./Trichoplusia ni H. taking into consideration three weather factors (maximum and minimum temperatures, and relative humidity) were also recorded. The results obtained showed that the small white cabbage butterfly, Artogeia rapae L. and diamond-back moth Plutella xylostella L. preferred cauliflower and cabbage as host plants, whereas semiloopers did not show any preference between cabbage, cauliflower and radish, and they were not recorded on turnip and rocket.
Keywords
Population density, Brassicaceae, caterpillars, natural enemies, agroecosystem.
Two Parasitic Wasp Species Ichneumon sarcitorius and I. ostentator in Iraq
A.A. Kareem1*, A. Alsendi2, S. Al-Zurfi1, A. Alamri1 and R.K. Aljaafari1
(1) Plant Protection Dept, Agriculture College, University of Kerbala, Iraq; (2) Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. *Email of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 12/3/2023; Accepted:14/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001226
Abstract
This study was carried out in Karbala and Najaf cities in June 2020. A sweeping net was used to collect the specimens during the survey. Results obtained indicated that the samples collected belong to the Ichneumonidae family (Order: Hymenoptera), one of the large and long Ichneumon wasps. This is the first report on the occurrence of two Ichneumon species, Ichneumon sarcitorius (Linnaeus, 1758) and I. ostentator (Heinrich, 1978), in the Al-Husayniya district of Karbala and Najaf provinces in Iraq. However, more survey is needed to identify their hosts in Iraq.
Keywords
Ichneumon sarcitorius, Ichneumon ostentator, taxonomy, Iraq.
Toxicity of Zingiber officinale Nanoparticles Against the Spiny Bollworm, Earias insulana, and Their Effects on Some Biological and Histological Aspects
R.M. El-Shennawy
Plant Protection Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. Email of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 4/4/2023; Accepted: 19/7/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001237
Abstract
The toxicity of Ginger extract nano-sized particles (Ginger AgNPs) against the spiny bollworm (Earias insulana) larvae, and its adverse effects on some biological and histological aspects were studied under controlled conditions of 26±1°C and 75±5 RH. LC50 treatment of newly hatched larvae produced percentages of larval and pupal mortality rates of 60.0 and 47.06%, respectively, compared to the control treatment (6.33 and 2.0%). Treatment resulted in significant larval and pupal deformity rates (11 and 13.51%, respectively) compared to the control (1 and 3%). Ginger AgNPs greatly reduced the adult emergence rate (52.94 %) with a high rate of malformation (11.11%) compared to 89.0 and 0.0 % for the control, respectively. Treatment sharply affected females’ fecundity (69.67%) with an acute decrease in oviposition periods and hatchability rate (66.67%) in comparison to the untreated control. The LC50 of Ginger AgNPs resulted in different histological alternations in the cuticle and midgut compared to the normal structure of the control.
Keywords
Ginger, nanoparticles, spiny bollworm, biological changes, histological changes.
Effect of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPRs) on Tuber Storage of Two Potato Varieties
N. El Allaoui1,2, A. Douira2, A. Benbouazza1, M. Ferrahi3, E. Achbani1 and K. Habbadi1*
(1) Plant protection research unit, National Institute of Agronomic Research, Regional Center of Agronomic Research of Meknes (INRA-CRRA), Meknes, Morocco; (2) Laboratory of Vegetal, Animal, and Agro-industrial Productions, University Ibn Tofail, Faculty of Sciences, Kenitra, Morocco; (3) Department of Breeding and Conservation of Genetic Resources, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), Morocco. *Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected].
Received: 4/4/2023; Accepted: 28/8/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001242
Abstract
The potato is a cultivated plant primarily valued for its tubers, which serve as a crucial food source for numerous populations worldwide. Losses due to postharvest diseases are significantly high and need to be reduced. To preserve tuber quality without relying on chemical treatments, the application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has been employed as a means to extend the shelf life of potato tubers. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of eight PGPRs on the conservation of two potato varieties Senna and Bellini. This was carried out in two trials; in the first trial, thirty potatoes of the Senna variety were treated with PGPRs and covered with wheat straw, and in the second trial, 160 potatoes each of the two varieties Senna and Bellini were treated with PGPRs but covered with wheat straw and black plastic. Results obtained indicated that several PGPR strains performed favorably, the most promising of which was the Aureobasidium pullulans (Ach1.1) strain that kept 50% of the treated potatoes healthy for one month in the first trial, and 30% for six months in the second trial, as compared to the negative control where 100% of the potatoes showed signs of rot in both trials. It can be concluded from this study that the Ach1.1 strain of Aureobasidium pullulans could be a promising post-harvest bio-control treatment.
Keywords
PGPRs, conservation, post-harvest, potato, rot.
First Record of a New Species of Green Lacewings, Chrysopa niki n. sp. in Syria
H. Kawas and A. Basheer*
Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Damascus, Syria. *Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 10/4/2023; Accepted: 21/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001230
Abstract
A field survey was conducted in several public and private gardens in Rif Damascus governorate during 2022. Adults of green lacewings Chrysopidae were collected as important elements in biological control programs, from pomegranate, Punica granatum L. (Family: Lythraceae), common jasmine, Jasminum officinale L. (Family: Oleaceae) and Viburnum tinus L. (Family: Adoxaceae). Collected insects were examined microscopically and compared with the global classification keys and confirmed the presence of the species Chrysopa niki n. sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopoidea) for the first time in Syria. A few biological data were studied for adults collected in July 2022 from the same plant hosts mentioned above, placed in containers in breeding cages and fed on sugar solution under laboratory conditions at a temperature of 22-24˚C and a relative humidity of 60±10%. Insects were medium in size, the body elongated, gray in color, the body length ranged between 10 and 14 mm, wingspan ranged between 20 and 28 mm, the antennae were long and thin (threadlike). Wings were translucent, shiny, emerald bluish, multi-veined. The female laid eggs alone on the lower surface and the edges of the leaves. The eggs were elongated, cylindrical, light green in color that turns to bluish green then to gray before hatching, with a short stalk around 9 mm long. Some newly emerged larvae fed on unhatched eggs. The hatching period ranged from 3 to 5 days. Adults age ranged between 21 and 42 days, the number of eggs laid/female was 32-112 eggs, and the hatching rate ranged between 40 and 80%.
Keywords
Chrysopidae, Chrysopa niki n. sp., biological data, Syria.
The Effect of Silica Nanoparticles Addition on Removal of Glyphosate Residue from Aqueous Solutions
W.S. Al-Tharwani*, M.T. Mohammadali and I.M. Abd al-Ridha
Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Kerbala, Iraq. *Email address of corresponding author: wasan.s@s.uokerbala.edu.iq
Received: 10/4/2023; Accepted: 21/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001231
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate glyphosate Tiller 48% SL residues in aqueous water by using silica nanoparticles as adsorption agent to remove glyphosate in aqueous solutions. Results obtained showed that when three concentrations of 10, 15 and 20 ml/L water were used, glyphosate concentration determined immediately after treatment was 3520, 5600 and 7955 mg/L, respectively. The concentration of the herbicide decreased with time and reached 1203 mg/L on the tenth day after treatment. No residues were detected by HPLC 21 days after treatment. The results of the study of the use of Nano-silica as an agent for the removal of glyphosate in aqueous solutions showed that the concentration 200 mg/L nano-silica achieved the highest rate of herbicide removal of 89.37%, outperforming the other two concentrations of 100 and 150 mg/L, which achieved 63.45 and 82.87% removal, respectively.
Keywords
Glyphosate, residues, silica nanoparticles, adsorption.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Some Pesticides and Plant Extracts in Controlling the Adults of Southern Cowpea Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus Under Laboratory Conditions
I.Z.A. Kashmar* and M.T. Mohammadali
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Karbalaa, Iraq. *Email address pf corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 10/4/2023; Accepted: 17/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001228
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Coragen, Oxymatrine, and the fruits extracts of black pepper, Piper nigrum and leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulenses against adults of the southern cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, under laboratory conditions. The results obtained showed that the use of Coragen, achieved the highest mortality rates of 80.08, 83.24, and 95.00% at concentrations of 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 ml/L, respectively, 7 days after treatment, as compared to Oxymatrine, which caused a mortality rate of 70.00, 79.83, and 88.58%, respectively, at the same concentrations and after the same time period. Plant extract results showed that the essential oil extract of black pepper fruits caused the highest mortality rate of adult insects at a concentration of 3 ml per liter, achieving 75.00% mortality, compared to the treatment of eucalyptus extract, which achieved 63.61% insect mortality, 7 days after treatment.
Keywords
Oxymatrine, coragen, Callosobruchus maculatus, Pipper nigrum, Eucalyptus camaldulense, plant extracts.
Evaluation of Enhancing Biochar and the fungus Glomus mosseae in the Growth of Common Bean, Phaseolus vulgaris infected with Rhizoctonia solani
R.M. Abed
Department of Biology, Education of Basic Sciences Faculty, Diala University, Iraq. Email address of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 25/4/2023; Accepted: 26/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001232
Abstract
The possible role of biochar and its interaction with the fungus Glomus mosseae in promoting the growth of the common bean plant, Phaseolus vulgaris L., grown under biological stress with the pathogenic fungus, Rhizoctonia solani was investigated. The results showed that the addition of biochar and the treatment with mycorrhizal fungus, and the interaction between them, led to a significant reduction in the seedling mortality and the severity of root rot disease of the common bean plant. The results obtained showed that the mycorrhizal traits, which included infection rate, severity of infection, and number of spores, were affected by the presence of the pathogenic fungus, as all the studied mycorrhizal traits decreased, compared to the treatment of the mycorrhizal fungus in the absence of the root rot fungus. The results obtained also showed that the decrease in the disease had a positive effect on the vegetative and root plant growth and nutrients content. The results obtained encourages the application of biochar as an alternative to chemical pesticides for the control of common bean root rot.
Keywords
BioChar, common bean, Rhizoctonia solani, Glomus mosseae, mycorrhiza.
The Effect of Production Method on Local Honeybee Queens, Apis mellifera L. to Determine the Acceptance Rate of Grafted Larvae and Live Weight of Virgin Queens in Latakia Governorate
M. Asaad1*, M. Omran1, N.Z. Hujeij2 and Khalil Makis1
(1) Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tishreen, Latakia, Syria; (2) Plant Protection research Division, General Authority for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria. *Email of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 1/6/2023; Accepted: 24/7/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001239
Abstract
This research was conducted at the Scientific Agricultural Research Center in Latakia during 2020 season to study the effect of queen production method (with and without queens) on the acceptance rate of grafted larvae and weight of virgin queens emerging from local bee colonies under the conditions of the Syrian coast, using wax and plastic cups with dry and wet grafting. The acceptance rate of larvae was 83.33 and 91.66%, and weights of virgin queens were 0.178, 0.198 g in queen rearing colonies with and without queens, respectively, in the wax cups with wet grafting and with a total number of 16 cups/colony, whereas the acceptance rate of larvae was 86.66 and 80.00 % and weights of virgin queens was 0.178 and 0.169 g, respectively, in colonies without or with restricted queens rearing colonies, in the wax cups with wet grafting and a total number of 20 cups/colony. The difference in the average weights of queens in both methods was significant.
Keywords
Colonies with queens, queenless colonies, bees, Latakia, Syria.
Effect of Standard and Nano-Urea on the Inhibition of the Fungus Aspergillus flavus Growth and Reduction of Aflatoxin B1 Production in the Laboratory
A.H. Hussein1* and H.Z. Hussein2
(1) General Seed Company Between the Two Rivers, Ministry of Agriculture, Baghdad, Iraq; (2) Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Baghdad, Iraq. *Email of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 4/8/2022; Accepted: 19/7/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001235
Abstract
The results of the study showed that the standard and nano urea at concentrations 1, 2, and 3% inhibited the growth of Aspergillus flavus on PDA medium by 54.90, 72.55 and 100% for normal urea, and 60.78, 100 and 100% for nano urea, respectively, compared with normal growth in the control treatment. The results obtained also showed that adding the most effective concentrations of normal and nano urea to corn kernels with A. flavus and stored for 30 days led to the inhibition of Aspergillus flavus growth and reduced aflatoxin production by 73.22 and 78.30%, respectively as compared to the control treatment. In addition, results showed that adding regular urea at a concentration of 3% and nano urea at a concentration of 2% to maize grains contaminated with AFB1 and stored for 30 days led to the reduction of aflatoxin B1 produced by A. flavus by 78.74 and 83.36%, respectively, compared to the control treatment.
Keywords
Maize, reduction ratio, Inhibition ratio, nanotechnology, HPLC.
Identification of Some Species of the Family Coccidae That Infest Fruit Orchards in Syria
A.T. Saleh* and A.M. Basheer
Biological Control Studies and Research Center and Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University. Syria. *Email address of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 3/9/2022; Accepted: 14/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001224
Abstract
Soft scale insects are serious plant pests and are often small and highly cryptic. These pests are economically important in agriculture. Insect samples and infested plant parts were collected during the period April to June 2016 and 2017 from three locations (Al-Sanobar, Daba, and Jaba) and then brought to the Biological Control Studies and Research Center (BCSRC). The following soft scale insects of the order Coccomorpha and family Coccidae were identified: Coccus pseudomagnoliarum Kuwana, in Al-Sanobar and Dabba in Lattakia governorate in Java orange orchards, Saissetia oleae Olivier and C. pseudomagnoliarum Kuwana in Pomelo citrus tree in Daba locality, Sphaerolecanium prunastri Fonscolombe at the third site Jaba, Quneitra governorate, in almond orchards which was the first record in Syria. Identification and characterization of the soft scale insects was based on microscopic characters of adult female using slide-mounted specimens. Identification of pests is essential for the implementation of biological control program.
Keywords
Coccidae, soft scale insects, Syria.
The Efficiency of Some Plant Extracts in Controlling the Larvae of the Cadelle Beetle, Tenebriodes mauritanicus in the Laboratory
N. Al-Saoud
Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Baath University, Homs, Syria. Email address of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 31/10/2022; Accepted: 19/7/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001236
Abstract
The efficacy of four acetone extracts of Melia azedarach, Zingiber pupureum, Thymus capitata and Mentha viridis, was tested as pesticides of plant origins in controlling the 4th instar larvae of Tenebroides mauritanicus (L.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) under laboratory conditions. The extracts were applied at three concentrations 100, 50 and 25%. The results showed that the extract of ginger root had the highest mortality rate (90%), followed by M. azedarach fruits extract (83.33%), when 100% concentration was used. Meanwhile, thyme and mint leaves extracts caused 3.33% and 30% mortality, respectively, when the same concentration was used. The LC50 values for the ginger and the azedarach extracts were calculated on the first day after treatment and were 41.9 and 79.99% for both extracts, respectively. The results obtained indicated that the evaluated plant extracts were effective in controlling the cadelle beetle, which makes it a potential future component for use in integrated pest management programs.
Keywords
Cadelle beetle, LC50, Tenebroides mauritanicus, plant extracts.
Effect of Some Biological Agents on Fungi Isolated from Roots and Soil around it of Cupressus spp. Trees
H.A. Al-Ameri
Biology Department, College of Sciences, Mosul University, Mosul, Iraq. Email address of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 17/11/2022; Accepted: 5/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001233
Abstract
Relative occurrence of fungi associated with six root and six soil samples from the rhizosphere of cypruss trees with root rot, leaf blight or wilt symptoms were investigated. Results of the root samples (average of six samples) showed that the relative occurrence of Fusarium culmorum was the highest (36.81%), followed by F. solani (29.7%), Alternaria. alternate (14.19%), F. oxysporum (10.67%), R. solani (5.51%), Pythium spp. (1.69%), Helminthosporium spp. (0.85%), Bipolaris spp. (0.24%) and Stemphilium herbarum (0.18%). However, the average occurrence in the six soil rhizosphere samples was the highest for F. solani (41.28%), followed by R. solani (19.76%), F. culmorum (16.5%), F. oxysporum (8.77%), Bipolaris spp. (6.17%), A. alternata (3.99%), Pythium spp. (2.70%), Stemphylium herbarum (0.60%), and Helminthosporium spp. (0.27%). Results also showed that Trichoderma harzianum had a high antagonistic efficiency against the three studied fungi isolated from cypress tree roots and the surrounding soil, namely F. culmorum, F. solani and Helminthosporium spp. Based on 1-5 scale, the inhibition level was 1.0 against each of the pathogenic fungi F. culmorum, F. solani, and 2.0 against Helminthosporium spp. The results also showed that the use of B. subitlis as bacterial bio-control agent led to a significant inhibition of the growth of the three isolated fungi, F. culmorum, F. solani and Helminthosporium spp. cultured on PDA medium.
Keywords
Bio-control agents, F. culmorum, F. solani, cypress trees.
Study of the Biology of the Cochineal Scale Insect Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell)
W. El-Houthy, A.N. Basheer* and Z. El-Naser
Biological Control Studies and Research Center, Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Damascus, Syria. *Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 30/11/2022; Accepted: 25/7/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001240
Abstract
Prickly pear cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) is one of the most important pests of prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica in different regions of the world. This research was conducted with the aim of studying the biology of the insect on the Indian prickly pear plant. The work was carried out during the 2021 season, using a random design. Samples were collected from Qatana, Syria, and the biology of the insect was studied within a breeding room at controlled weather conditions (temperature 25±1°C, relative humidity 45±10%). The incubation period was evaluated in a cohort of 100 eggs and the life cycle was described from a cohort of 150 individuals. Individual females were used as experimental unit (n=40 females) to determine insect fecundity. The average eggs period was 20.76±0.77 minutes, and the average period of the first nymph was 12.66±0.53 days in females, and 14.03±0.62 days in males, and the second nymph was 25.16±2.42 days for females, and 8.72±1.67 days for males. The average period for pre-pupal and pupal stage of males was 12.9±1.63 days, and the average period of one generation from egg laying until the appearance of the adult insect was 85.85±2.09 days for females, and 56.68±0.98 days for males. Average Fertility was 226.75 eggs/female, with daily egg laying average of 17.9±0.63 eggs/female. The maximum daily fertility average was 16.6±0.35 eggs, and the average hatching rate was 87.86±3.92%. Whereas the average egg mortality rate ranged between 21.05 and 22.05% in the reptilian stage.
Keywords
Biology, prickly pear, egg incubation, nymph, fertility.
Diapause Termination of Eggs of Silkworm, Bombyx mori Using Hydrochloric Acid and its Effect on the Insect’s Biological Characteristics
I. Okasha1, A. Arab1* and H. Al-Roz2
(1) Latakia Agricultural Scientific Research Center, Buka, Syria; (2) Faculty of Agriculture, University of Damascus, Syria. *Email address of corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 28/12/2022; Accepted: 19/6/2023
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001229
Abstract
The study was carried out in the summer and fall of 2022 at silkworm laboratory of the Latakia Agricultural Scientific Research Center to study the effectiveness of hydrochloride acid in preventing embryonic diapaus and eggs hatching of silkworm, Bombyx mori L., and its effects on the insect’s biological characteristics. The eggs were treated with hydrochloric acid solution during the summer breeding season, at 1, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after oviposition. The silkworm eggs were also treated in the fall season after cold storage for 45, 60 and 90 days at 5°C and 70-80% relative humidity. The results obtained showed that the highest hatchability rate was 96% when the eggs were treated at the age of 24 hours for 30 minutes. The results also showed that the highest effective rate of rearing (ERR) was 98.79% in eggs of 12 hours age. The highest average weight of the cocoon and shell was 1.64 and 0.33 g, respectively, when eggs were treated at the age of 1 hour for 30 min. Results also revealed that the effectiveness of hydrochloride acid in preventing diapause of stored eggs and the highest hatching rate was 95% of eggs stored for 90 days, and the ERR was 92.98%, 96.34% and 95.1% of eggs stored for 45, 60 and 90 days, respectively.
Keywords
Silkworm, eggs, hatchability, storage, hydrochloric acid.