Effect of Different Nutritional Conditions on The Activity of Citrus Leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on Citrus Trees in Northern Iran Orchards

Abstract

Citrus leaf miner, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is one of the most important pests of citrus in nurseries and young orchards of the world and Iran. In this study, two separate experiments, the effects of nutrients-nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium compounds-on the activity of citrus leaf miner moths were investigated during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 growing seasons in Mazandaran province, Iran. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with 4 and 6 treatments, and 4 replications that was carried out in Bessat citrus orchard in the city of Sari. The results of the first experiment showed that in the first year, effect of different treatments was signified in the number of leaf buds, total leaves, and uninfested leaves and the highest numbers were related to soil application and foliar spraying with averages of 6.24, 5.79 and 5.77, respectively. The results obtained in the second year also showed that effect of different treatments on the number of branches was not significant. However, the highest number of leaf buds, total leaves and uninfested leaves were obtained by soil application + foliar spraying with averages of 6.12, 6.01, and 5.85, respectively. In addition, the results of the second experiment showed that in the first year, the highest number of leaf buds, the total leaves and uninfested leaves with averages of 2.52, 12.59, and 12.34, respectively, were observed in calcium nitrate treatments. In the second year, the results showed that the highest values of the growth traits were obtained in calcium nitrate treatment with averages of 19.51, 96.14, and 94.29, respectively.

Keywords

• Calcium
• Citrus leaf miner
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potassium

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