RODENT DAMAGE AND CONTROL IN WHEAT GROWING STAGES, SOHAG GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 RODENT DAMAGE AND CONTROL IN WHEAT GROWING STAGES, SOHAG GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

2 Plant Protection Research Institute, Agric. Res. Cent. Dokki, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Rodent survey and damage of wheat tillers were done, at different growing stages, in three locations within Sohag Governorate, Egypt. The Norway rat, R attus norvegicus, was the common species with 434 individuals, followed by Rattus rattus , with showing 348 individuals, while the A rvicunthus niloticus was 138 individuals. Maximum damage was recorded at wheat maturity stage. Three formulations of zinc phosphide 0.5%  (A- zinc phosphide, B- zinc phosphide mixed with peanut butter and C- zinc phosphide mixed with egg) were applied simultaneously to three growth stages of wheat crop in order to break bait shyness to zinc phosphide and use it several times. The three formulas (A, B and C) caused average rodent population reduction of 73.6 %, 76.36 % and 86.21 %, respectively. Results concluded that zinc phosphide mixed with egg has more potential in enhancing bait acceptance, followed by zinc phosphide mixed with peanut butter. Both baits could be included in rodent control programs.

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