Assessement of control strategy by spraying low doses of sugars on apple orchard against Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758.)

Abstract

Codling moth (Cydia pomonella [L.]) is the most serious pest of apple worldwide. Its control still relies largely on insecticide applications. To deal with this situation, it becomes essential to design eco-friendly control systems to minimize chemical treatments. In this context, the effect of spraying of fructose (100 ppm), glucose (100 ppm) and insecticide (Deltamethrin), on the Golden Delicious variety against C. pomonella larval damages, was studied in an orchard located in Batna province (Algeria). The results of this study showed that codling moth own four generations in the study area. It is a very important pest with about 59.19 ± 1.15 % of damaged fruits at harvest. The spraying of glucose alone, fructose alone and the chemical insecticide alone causes a significant increase in the percentages of healthy fruit at harvest compared to the untreated control. The use of fructose and glucose has significantly reduced the percentage of damaged fruits at harvest followed by the spraying of the insecticide which produces the lowest percentage. The Abbott’s efficacy of glucose treatments was 23.75 ± 2.6 % compared to the insecticide 37.6 ± 2.55 %; and fructose 15.54 ± 3.01 %. The use of sugars is a completely innovative way in the field of plant protection. These first results demonstrate a promising alternative to conventional programs.

Keywords

• codling moth
• glucose
• fructose
• Deltamethrin
• ‘Golden Delicious’