EFFECT OF HORTICULTURAL, MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL TREATMENTS ON THE REDUCTION OF MACROTOMA PALMATA INFESTATION IN APRICOT ORCHARDS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

The effect of horticultural (Pruning), mechanical (worming) and mechano/chemical (injection) treatments, as well as the three treat­ments all together was evaluated as means of reducing Macrotoma pal-mats F. (Coleoptera : Cerambycidae) infestation in aprioct orchards at Kalubia Governorate during the period from October, 1991 to October, 1993. The percentage reduction of infestation due to pruning, worming, injection treatments and the three treatments together for one year (1991 - 1992 or 1992 - 1993 seasons) was 7.2 - 9.6%, 21.8 - 23.1%, 33.9 - 34.6% and 56.9 - 59.1%, respectively. The cumulative effect for the two successive seasons had resulted in 17.3, 35.9, 47.5 and 74.8%, respectively. This programme eliminates environmental pollution and magnifies the role of biological control agents.