Biological method of apple tree protection against green (Aphis pomi Deg.) and grey (Dysaphis devecta) apple aphids in the conditions of Western ForestSteppe of Ukraine

Abstract

It was established that the investigated systems of biological protection of apple tree in the conditions of Western Forest Steppe of Ukraine showed high efficiency against green and grey apple aphids. The highest efficiency was obtained when using protection system No. 3 (Biospectr BT; Metarizin BT + Boverin BT; Bitoxybacillin BT + Biospectr BT): the efficiency against green apple aphid was 76.4–85.3%, and against gray apple aphid — 65.2–79.0%. The biological system of apple tree protection No. 1 (Aktophyt BT; Biospectr BT; Bitoxybacillin BT) showed effectiveness against green apple aphid 61.2–69.1%, and against gray apple aphid — 58.7–63.4%. When using the biological protection system No. 2 (Bitoxybacillin BT; Actofit BT + Bitoxybacillin BT; Boverin BT), the effectiveness against green apple aphid was 61.5–74.3%, and against gray apple aphid — 52.5–73.3%. The yield of apple fruits when using the biological protection system No. 1 was 13.6 t/ha, including 6.1 t/ha of the 1st grade, 5.9 t/ha of the 2nd grade and 1.9 t/ha of non-standard fruits. The yield when using the biological protection system No. 2 was 13.9 t/ha, of which 6.8 t/ha of the 1st grade, 5.3 t/ha of the 2nd grade and 1.8 t/ha of non-standard fruits. The yield when applying the biological protection system No. 3 was at the level of 14.0 t/ha, including 7.1 t/ha of the 1st grade, 5.4 t/ha of the 2nd grade and 1.5 t/ha of non-standard fruits. When using biological system No. 1 profitability was 389.8% and the income from its use was UAH 8,754.0/ha. From the application of system No. 2, they received a notional net income in the amount of UAH 10,686.0/ha and a profitability of 322.5%. By using system No. 3, conditional net income was obtained in the amount of UAH 11,692.0/ha, and the profitability of protective measures when using it was 353.4%.