Search

A field trial was conducted at El-Shourouk Farm, El-Beheira governorate, Egypt to determine the effectiveness of the commercial bio-product Dbx 1003, 20% containing the nematode-trapping fungus, Dactylaria brochopaga against rootknot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infesting grapevine variety Superior. Its effects on plant growth criteria and yield production were also investigated. The fungus was introduced to soil by either of two ways; soil was drenched with spore suspension at the rate of 3L/tree and ½ kg of a vermiculite substrate, as a carrier of spores and mycelia, was added around each tree, both as single and twice applications in autumn and spring. All treatments significantly (p ⩽ 0.05) reduced M. incognita 2nd instar juvenile in the soil and number of root galls compared to the untreated control. Significant yield increases were recorded at all treatments. Twice applications of spores' suspension gave highest yield production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepidopteran date palm fruit pests and their associated parasitoid and predatory species were surveyed in two localities, Ireghin and Hakuk, Siwa Oasis, Egypt, during the two successive years 2012 and 2013. Five insect pest species were recorded, i.e., Arenipses sabella Hampson (Pyralidae), Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick (Cosmpterigidae), Ephestia cautella Walker, E. calidella Guenee and Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Pyralidae). Three predatory species; Chrysoperla carnea (Steph) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae); Orius spp. and Xylocoris flavipes Reuter (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) were found associated with the pests in date orchards. Respective average infestation percentages with these pests in 2012 and 2013 were (5.8, 8.27%) in bunch dates and (79.82, 88.89%) in fallen dates at Ireghin, while in Hakuk, they were (6.23, 8.48%) in bunch date and (83.93, 87.86) in fallen dates. Only one parasitoid species Bracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), was recorded during the study. Percentages of parasitism averaged (6.10 and 9.97%) at Ireghin and (6.10, 6.93%) at Hakuk during the two seasons, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]