Articles
Oman Botanic Garden’s advancement of IPM and biological control strategies for sustainable pests and diseases management in apricots: a case study from the northern Biome
Article number
1450_31
Pages
239 – 248
Language
English
Abstract
The Al Hajar mountainous habitat in Oman is identified as a global biodiversity hotspot, hosting around 33% of Oman’s native species, that are mostly located at elevations above 1,500 m.
This habitat accommodates unique horticultural crop species such as apricots and plums, thriving despite Oman’s hyper-arid conditions.
However, apricot cultivation faces significant challenges from pest outbreaks exacerbated by climate change.
Therefore, adopting sustainable pests and diseases management practices, particularly biological control methods, has become imperative.
This study investigates the application of biological control techniques within Oman’s botanic garden (OBG) biome, focusing on pests and diseases management in fruit cultivation.
In a glass enclosure featuring state-of-the-art technology, apricot trees have been cultivated to replicate the ancient apricot plantation of Al Hajar mountain range.
In conjunction with integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, the efficacy of various biological control agents, including predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, was assessed against the identified key pests.
Various biological control agents, such as ladybirds (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Cheilomenes sexmaculata), and predatory mites (Amblyseius swirskii and Amblyseius montdorensis), predatory gall midges (Aphidoletes aphidimyza), lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea), were effectively utilized to manage a diverse range of pests.
Furthermore, entomopathogenic nematodes, specifically Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, have demonstrated efficacy in controlling the larvae and pupae of black root weevil Systates omanicus. While copper-based agrochemicals and systemic fungicides have demonstrated efficacy in the management of soil-borne diseases, leaf spots, rusts, and mildews.
These findings contribute to the advancement of integrated pest management (IPM) and biological control strategies for sustainable agriculture practices for OBG, benefiting not only apricot cultivation at OBG but also fruit production in Oman’s northern mountainous region.
This habitat accommodates unique horticultural crop species such as apricots and plums, thriving despite Oman’s hyper-arid conditions.
However, apricot cultivation faces significant challenges from pest outbreaks exacerbated by climate change.
Therefore, adopting sustainable pests and diseases management practices, particularly biological control methods, has become imperative.
This study investigates the application of biological control techniques within Oman’s botanic garden (OBG) biome, focusing on pests and diseases management in fruit cultivation.
In a glass enclosure featuring state-of-the-art technology, apricot trees have been cultivated to replicate the ancient apricot plantation of Al Hajar mountain range.
In conjunction with integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, the efficacy of various biological control agents, including predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, was assessed against the identified key pests.
Various biological control agents, such as ladybirds (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Cheilomenes sexmaculata), and predatory mites (Amblyseius swirskii and Amblyseius montdorensis), predatory gall midges (Aphidoletes aphidimyza), lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea), were effectively utilized to manage a diverse range of pests.
Furthermore, entomopathogenic nematodes, specifically Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, have demonstrated efficacy in controlling the larvae and pupae of black root weevil Systates omanicus. While copper-based agrochemicals and systemic fungicides have demonstrated efficacy in the management of soil-borne diseases, leaf spots, rusts, and mildews.
These findings contribute to the advancement of integrated pest management (IPM) and biological control strategies for sustainable agriculture practices for OBG, benefiting not only apricot cultivation at OBG but also fruit production in Oman’s northern mountainous region.
Publication
Authors
S. Al Rijeibi, A. Al Jaradi, M. Al Jabri, Z. Al Alawi, A. Al Hosni, K. Al Farsi
Keywords
Prunus armeniaca, sustainability, biocontrol agents, integrated pest management
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