Articles
Biosecurity practices and exploratory survey for pests and diseases of avocados in the Gharb-Loukkos region, Morocco
Article number
1422_47
Pages
391 – 400
Language
English
Abstract
Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is a fruit tree native to tropical regions.
Morocco’s avocado tree plantation is recent but the area is growing rapidly.
However, the average yield of this crop remains significantly lower than the yield potential levels.
In addition to abiotic stresses, fungal diseases, insect pests and mites are among the causes of yield reduction.
To diagnose the current situation of biosecurity and pest management in avocado nurseries and orchards of the Gharb-Loukkos region, monitoring tours were conducted and a survey of 45 producers and 12 nurseries of avocado was undertaken between March and August 2021. The avocado tree was attacked by several pests, with the two most significant ones being the leafhopper Penthimiola bella and persea mite Oligonychus perseae. Moreover, the results revealed the presence of lepidopteran pests, thrips, cochineals, and aphids.
Root rot caused by Phytophthora sp. and avocado branch canker caused by a complex of fungi belonging to the family Botryosphaeriaceae, were the main diseases affecting avocado trees.
The survey also revealed the lack of sufficient biosecurity measures in the avocado orchards and nurseries of the region, where only 54% of the nurseries were registered with plant protection services, while 56% of nurseries and 40% of the producers had never applied phytosanitary treatments.
It is necessary to adopt an integrated pest and disease management approach to limit the fruit losses caused by the major pests plaguing avocados.
Moreover, it is important to implement biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of harmful organisms and prevent potential phytosanitary crisis.
Morocco’s avocado tree plantation is recent but the area is growing rapidly.
However, the average yield of this crop remains significantly lower than the yield potential levels.
In addition to abiotic stresses, fungal diseases, insect pests and mites are among the causes of yield reduction.
To diagnose the current situation of biosecurity and pest management in avocado nurseries and orchards of the Gharb-Loukkos region, monitoring tours were conducted and a survey of 45 producers and 12 nurseries of avocado was undertaken between March and August 2021. The avocado tree was attacked by several pests, with the two most significant ones being the leafhopper Penthimiola bella and persea mite Oligonychus perseae. Moreover, the results revealed the presence of lepidopteran pests, thrips, cochineals, and aphids.
Root rot caused by Phytophthora sp. and avocado branch canker caused by a complex of fungi belonging to the family Botryosphaeriaceae, were the main diseases affecting avocado trees.
The survey also revealed the lack of sufficient biosecurity measures in the avocado orchards and nurseries of the region, where only 54% of the nurseries were registered with plant protection services, while 56% of nurseries and 40% of the producers had never applied phytosanitary treatments.
It is necessary to adopt an integrated pest and disease management approach to limit the fruit losses caused by the major pests plaguing avocados.
Moreover, it is important to implement biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of harmful organisms and prevent potential phytosanitary crisis.
Publication
Authors
S.M. Ouaznati, K. El Fakhouri, B. Belkadi, A. Douira, M. El Bouhssini, A. Ouazzani Touhami
Keywords
avocado, insect pests, root rot, biosecurity, Morocco
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