Introducing of the most important poplar (.Populus nigra L) pests in North Khorasan province, Iran

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Corresponding author, Assistant Prof., Plant Protection Research Department, North Khorasan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Bojnord, Iran

2 Assistant Prof., Plant Protection Research Department, Hamedan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Hamadan, Iran

3 Assistant Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

4 Researcher, Plant Protection Research Department, North Khorasan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Bojnord, Iran

5 Researcher, Forests and Rangelands Research Department, North Khorasan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Bojnord, Iran

Abstract

Background and objectives: The production, cultivation, and exploitation of fast-growing species, such as poplar, can serve as a successful starting point for extensive research in crop breeding and production, as well as plant pest and disease control. The goal is to enhance production per unit area in terms of both quantity and quality to supply raw materials for various industries. This study aimed to monitor pests of poplar (Populus nigra L.) in North Khorasan Province, Iran, with the objective of detecting key pests and identifying new emerging damage factors. Access to these findings can significantly aid in the timely prevention of outbreaks and reduction of control costs.
Methodology: Five index stations (Rooieen, Ordeghan, Gerivan, Kohnehkand, and Chenaran) with different poplar plantation stands, locally known as Sepidar, were selected in North Khorasan Province. To study the level of infestation and pest damage, sampling was conducted from May 2019 to September 2022 at each station once a month during the growing seasons. At each sampling, 10 trees were randomly selected, and pests were sampled using direct observation methods, including hand collection, forceps, brush, aspirator, and Steiner trap. Sampling of wood-boring pests was also conducted in the trunks and crowns of suspected trees. The degree of pest damage and infestation was estimated as a percentage per tree unit. The damage degree was determined using a scoring method. Collected samples were labeled (including sampling date, distribution range, and damage degree) and placed in freezer bags before being transferred to the plant protection laboratory at the North Khorasan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center for further study. Larvae and pupae of unknown pests were reared in plastic containers in the laboratory to complete their life cycle until adult insects emerged.
Results: Field observations in this study identified seven important and key pests: Monosteira unicostata (Mulsant & Rey), Chrysomela populi Linnaeus, Melanophila picta Pall, Phyllonorycter populifoliella (Treitschke), Nycteola asiatica (Krulikovsky), Pemphigus spyrothecae Passerini, and Pemphigus vesicarius Passerini. The results from monitoring poplar pests showed that the emergence of some pests was observed as outbreaks in certain monitoring years but not in others. M. unicostata in 2019 at the Rooieen station (61-80%) and P. populifoliella in 2020 at the Gerivan station (81-100%) appeared as outbreaks. Wood-boring beetles were observed in most stations, but significant damage was noted at the Rooieen station (Esfarayen city). C. populi in 2020 and N. asiatica in 2019 had moderate infestations at the Kohnehkand station (41-60%). P. spyrothecae and P. vesicarius had moderate infestations (41-60%) in Gerivan and Ordeghan stations in both 2021 and at the Rooieen station during 2019 and 2022.
 
Conclusion: This observational research revealed that among the identified pests, four (i.e., P. populifoliella, P. spyrothecae, P. vesicarius, and N. asiatica) were reported for the first time from North Khorasan Province. The amount of pest damage and infestation degree varied and fluctuated at each station according to the management method, growth grade, and age of the poplar trees

Keywords

References

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