Control of citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso) on three grapevines varieties and its effect on fruits quality

Abstract

Grape mealybug consider the most universally important vineyard insect pest. Insecticides are the main strategy to grapevine insect control. The result showed that the recommended rate of Imidacloprid is succeeded in controlling of mealybug since its initial reduced of the infestation were 89.26, 84.21and 85.71 % for first season and 82.71, 82.94 and 83.56 % for second season for Flame seedless, Early sweet seedless and Sugraone seedless, respectively. Meanwhile, the total mean of reduction after 3,7, 14 and 30 days were 95.79, 64.83 and 72.82 % for first season and 85.20, 66.33 and 69.84 % for second season on Flame seedless, Early sweet seedless and Sugraone seedless, respectively. On the other hand, the total mean of reduction after 3,7, 14 and 30 days were 72.56, 80.40 and 82.50% for first season and 68.88, 76.13 and 75.56% for second season on Flame seedless, Early sweet seedless and Sugraone seedless, respectively. In addition, all of them are above 70% reduction. From these results, it should be suggested using some effective alternatives such as Palmito compound in controlling mealy bug incompatible program with chemical insecticides instead of conventional individuals' insecticides. The grapevine variety, Early sweet seedless showed the significant superiority in the quality traits. Under conditions of this investigation, the grapevine variety, Early sweet seedless was recorder the highest values for yield per vine, TSS and total sugar% in both seasons.