Evaluation of effect of biorational insecticides on horticultural indices of the pistachio trees infested with the pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 2016–2017 on pistachio trees (Pistacia vera L., Anacardiaceae) in Kashan pistachio orchards to assess the effects of some insecticides on horticultural characteristics of the pistachio trees infested with the pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt & Lauterer. This research was conducted in the ten-year-old pistachio orchards (Akbari variety) of Kashan, Iran. The treatments were included palizin®, pistagaurd ^®, kaolin (Surround^®) 5%, kaolin 10%, movento^® (registered chemical insecticide to compare) and control. Spraying was carried out three times a year, with one-month interval (4^th of July, August and September). The results showed that in 2016, the effect of treatment in terms of twig length was significant. In terms of number of healthy buds was not significant and in terms of number of lost buds was highly significant. The number of unhealthy flower buds was positively affected by application of kaolin, pistaguard and palizin in 2016. However, no significant effect was recorded in 2017 for all tested pesticides. Kaolin 5 or 10%, was the only pesticide with positive effect on yield traits. These results provide support the potential use of this technology as an alternative pest management tool against pistachio psylla.

Keywords:

• Agonoscena pistaciae
• insecticide
• Kaolin
• horticultural characteristics

Acknowledgements

The work received financial support from Postgraduate Education Bureau of the Shahed University, Iran, which is greatly appreciated.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).