Palm Orchards Research Articles

An Estimation of Dates Production Function in Karbala Governorate For The Agricultural Season 2020 (Al-jadual Al-gharby District A case Study)

This study aimed to detect the most important factor that affects dates production. About 108 questionary forms collecttted palm orchard farmers in Karbala to estimate the dates production function in Karbala governorate for the agricultural season 2021 (the district of Al-jadual Al-Gharby). The study distributed those formmmsss for about 10% of the total palm orchards in Al-jadual Al-Gharby district of the holy governorate of Karbala. The study used the method of ordinary Least squares (OLS) to estimate the mathematical model of the function. The results showed that the double Logarithmic function in terms of its estimation of the estimated Coefficients by one unit leads to a corresponding change in the produced quality of dates and the same direction by 0.188 0.808) % respectively, and that the capital variable is more in fluently in production than the work variable. As for the total production elasticity (the sum of the partial elasticities of the resources used), which represents returns to scale, it amounted to about (0.996), which indicates a decrease in the return to scale.

Effects of Spraying with Urea and Seaweed Extract (Tecamin Algae) on Growth and Chemical Content of Date Palm Tree Cv. Zahdi

The following study was conducted in a private date palm orchard in the area of AlFurat, district of Heet throughout the season of 2019-2020 on 20-year-old date palm trees, Zahdi cultivar. The purpose was to study the effects of spraying the Urea compound with concentrations of (0, 1 and 2 g L-1) as well as seaweed extract (Tecamin Algae) with (0, 2 and 4 g L-1) of concentration on the growth and chemical content of the trees. 27 date palms were randomly selected. A factorial experiment with RCBD design was carried out such that it includes 9 treatments with 3 replicas for each treatment. Each tree was treated as one experimental unit. The results demonstrated that treatments of Urea spraying, especially with 2 g L-1 concentration, contributed to achieving the best results for response measurements (Leaf Area, Total Chlorophyll, Total Carbohydrates in the Leaflets, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous), which were (2.61 m2, 10.65 mg g-1, 7.46%, 1.69% and 0.40%), respectively. The content of phosphorous in the leaflets was not significantly affected when sprayed with Urea. On the other hand, seaweed extract spraying had a significant effect on all the response measurements. The 4 ml L-1 concentration gave the highest figures for our responses (total chlorophyll 10.38 mg g-1, Carbohydrates 7.52%, Nitrogen 1.65%, Phosphorus 0.37% and Potassium 0.67%). The concentration of (2 ml L-1) gave the largest area of the leaf at 2.63 m2.

The Influence of Bunches Thinning and Pesticides on Some Traits and the Rate of Infection with Lesser Date Moth in Date Palm

The experiment was carried out in one of the private palm orchards infested with the lesser date moth (Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick) in the village of AL-Bualay AL-Jassim 8 km northwest of Ramadi during the season 2020, with the aim of studying the influence of bunches thinning and pesticides on some of physical and chemical and productivity and rate of infection with lesser date moth on date palm. The results revealed that the thinning factors C1(6 bunch) and C2 (8 bunch) date palm-1 reduce rate of infestation of the lesser date moth after 14 days of spraying pesticides at rates of 20.80 and 23.10% compared to the control treatment (28.30%). The pesticide A2 (Matrixine plus) outperformed in reducing the rate of infection after 7, 14, 21 days with an average of 6.34, 16.10, and 26.10% respectively, these rates were increased in the control treatment (11.88 and 31.30 and 61.90%) respectively. On the other hand, treatments 6 and 8 bunch outperformed the control treatment in terms of fruit setting, increased ripening rate and reduced khalal ratio, with rates of (76.33 and 73.78%), (50.00 and 50.11%), and (50.00 and 50.00%) respectively. The results confirmed that there were no significant differences between the thinning treatments on the total yield between treatments and their interactions. When using the pesticide A2, it caused a significant increase in the rate of ripening and a decrease in the percentage of khalal with rates of 56.22 and 43.78% respectively. The results indicate outperformed of the thinning treatment C2 and pesticide treatment A2 in phosphor, nitrogen, and potassium percent in fruits with an average of (0.0806,0.0820%), (0.4022,0.3989%), and (0.6856,0.6933%) respectively. These values decreased in the control treatment by rates of (0.0766 and 0.0750%), (0.3767 and 0.3767%), and (0.6422 and 0.6356%) respectively.

Life in three scenarios: Plant controversies between Jamamadi gardens and Hi-Merimã patauá palm orchards (Middle Purus River, Amazonas, Brazil)

Inhabiting the middle Purus river basin, a branch of the Amazon river, Arawá-speaking groups have maintained permanent contact with non-indigenous society only in the last century. Here we provide an account of two Arawá subgroups, the Jamamadi and Hi-Merimã, in order to untangle apparent contradictions between their ways of living, respectively based on the predominance of cultivated plants in gardens and of forest plants. This approach is inspired by three / tree scenarios: the Hi-Merimã’s isolation from indigenous and non-indigenous people undertaken in the 1960′s, the report of a “false contact” that they would have began in 2016 and the Jamamadi’s recent and perhaps temporary decision to move into the forest after knowledge of the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides the apparent distance between gardener and gatherer ways of life, we highlight the proximity and fluidity that both share in terms of entanglements with plants, focusing on forms of sociality between groups, gardens and forests. Inspired by recent discussions regarding archaeological perspectives on plant use, ethnographic formulations of other-than-human relations, and historical ecology, we propose that both are cultural and not necessarily static choices. One is contained within and announces the other, and both are entangled in an oscillating movement of fusion and fission.

Effect of increasing nitrogen fertilization on soil nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching in a young date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. Medjool) orchard

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), an important agricultural crop in arid and semi-arid areas around the Mediterranean Sea, has high nutritional, cultural, and economic values. Date palm cultivation in Israel is practiced in the arid and hyper-arid Jordan and Arava Valleys and is associated with high water and nitrogen (N) fertilization inputs, with rates of up to ~170 m3 water and ~6 kg N per full-grown tree annually, on average. While the palm’s water needs and budget have been intensively studied, the fate of applied N has received little attention to date. Understanding this fate is especially important since high fertilization rates of ~740 kg N ha−1 may have deleterious effects on the environment. Specifically, soil emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and leaching of nitrate (NO3-) are of major concern, due to their impact on climate change and groundwater contamination. We have measured the effect of four levels of N fertigation (fertilization + irrigation), between 0 and 2.55 kg N tree−1 yr−1, on N2O and NO3- fluxes during an annual growth season in a three-year-old date palm orchard located in Israel’s hyper-arid Arava Valley. We used static chambers for soil N2O flux estimations and measured drainage water NO3- concentrations at a 60-cm depth, together with a Cl- mass-balance-based water budget to estimate the NO3- leaching. We observed trivial soil N2O emissions of up to ~0.02% of applied N, while NO3- leaching was estimated to be as high as 36%. Dry areas between the trees, which did not receive any fertilization or irrigation, exhibited even lower N2O emissions than the irrigated areas. Inorganic N, however, accumulated during the dry months in the upper layer of the soil and was later lost at the onset of the winter rains. Our results provide the first-ever estimations of the potential environmental impact of date palm plantations in Israel and the Mediterranean Sea Basin.

Water demand management for date palm orchards: the use of water pricing policy

Groundwater resources are the main source of water supply to the date palm orchards in Saravan County, Iran. The demand function is estimated using the Translog cost function and cost share equations of inputs. Results show that the real price of water is much more than the price paid by orchard owners. The substitution elasticity of water for the date crop shows its strong substitution with other inputs, but its price elasticity with other inputs is weak. In addition, the price elasticity is expectedly negative for water, but it is smaller than one and the demand (– 0.03) is inelastic.

Phenology and abundance of date palm mite Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of management practices, fruit season, host habitats (young and old fronds, date fruits and grasses), and temperature on the phenology and abundance of the date palm mite (DPM). The study was conducted in two date palm orchards (two plots each): a managed and an unmanaged plot. The phenology of DPM was assessed based on adult cumulative mite days (ACMDs), while mean mite density was used to assess the mite abundance on different host habitats. The ACMDs and mean mite density were significantly different between managed and unmanaged plots on different host habitats in both fruiting and off-seasons. The date fruits had highest ACMDs during fruiting season. While young fronds had significantly higher ACMDs than on old fronds an grasses during both seasons in both plots.. The temperature and season type significantly affected the mean density of DPM eggs and adults. There was a significant effect of host habitats mean density of DPM eggs and immatures. Based on the adult phenology and abundance of DPM, the mite overwinters in young fronds and aerial offshoots of infested date palm trees. These overwintering DPM caused the seasonal date fruit infestation, each year. Additionally, different phytophagous and predatory mites, which co-occur with DPM, and were found on different host habitats affected the phenology and abundance of DPM. Moreover, the change in DPM body color was related to the host habitat that they fed in. Exceptionally, the brown color of females collected during the winter season could be due to physiological changes due to low temperature. In DPM males collected from different host habitats throughout the study, some morphological variations in the width of the knob, height of the hook, and the angle between the knob axis and dorsal margin of the shaft were also recorded. The results of this study suggest that young fronds and grasses are the suitable sites for DPM survival and overwintering. Hence, the management practices, early in the fruit season and/or during off fruit winter months, should be directed towards these habitats. These could provide efficient reduction in seasonal infestation of DPM.

A Study of Desertification Using Remote Sensing Techniques in Basra Governorate, South Iraq

Iraq territory as a whole and south of Iraq in particular encountered rapid desertification and signs of severe land degradation in the last decades. Both natural and anthropogenic factors are responsible for the extent of desertification. Remote sensing data and image analysis tools were employed to identify, detect, and monitor desertification in Basra governorate. Different remote sensing indicators and image indices were applied in order to better identify the desertification development in the study area, including the Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Salinity index (SI), Top Soil Grain Size Index (GSI) , Land Surface Temperature (LST) , Land Surface Soil Moisture (LSM), and Land Degradation Risk Index (LDI) which was used for the assessment of degradation severity .Three Landsat images, acquired in 1973, 1993, and 2013, were used to evaluate the potential of using remote sensing analysis in desertification monitoring. The approach applied in this study for evaluating this phenomenon was proven to be an effective tool for the recognition of areas at risk of desertification. The results indicated that the arid zone of Basra governorate encounters substantial changes in the environment, such as decreasing surface water, degradation of agricultural lands (as palm orchards and crops), and deterioration of marshlands. Additional changes include increased salinization with the creeping of sand dunes to agricultural areas, as well as the impacts of oil fields and other facilities.

Spatial variability in nearshore sediment pollution in Lake Tanganyika (East Africa) and implications for fisheries conservation

Climate warming coupled with local disturbances within lakes is an accelerating global problem. This issue is acute at Lake Tanganyika (eastern Africa), where warming and overfishing have resulted in declining rates of pelagic fish catches and structural damage to diverse littoral cichlid communities. This deterioration has fueled demand for alternative livelihoods, and thus conversion of shoreline-adjacent forests to agricultural fields and oil palm orchards, which in turn heightens the threat of siltation on nearshore benthic habitats. The spatial variability of sediment pollution is unknown, however, posing a barrier to effective conservation. This paper assesses the spatial patterns of nearshore sediment accumulation within the Tuungane Project co-managed area of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. Analysis of lead-210 data show that the mean nearshore mass-based sediment accumulation rate is 0.06 g * cm−2 * year-1 (g cm-2 yr-1) across six sites adjacent to deforested watersheds, double the mean rate (0.03 g cm-2 yr-1) at a comparable but undisturbed control site. Spatial variance among rates is best explained by distance to deltaic point sources and bathymetric gradients. Data documenting carbon flux demonstrate that organic matter burial is higher in surface sediments offshore from deforested watersheds, consistent with onshore land use changes that promote erosion. Knowledge of sediment pollution patterns, coupled with maps of rocky benthic habitats, provide the necessary framework for effective conservation planning of fisheries in the present era of accelerated human interactions with the lake and its watershed. Findings provide a model for improved integrated management practices in large tropical artisanal fisheries in other parts of Africa.

Monitoring and Management of Date Palm Borers by Using Light Traps

Date palm borers become a serious threat to date palm plantations in Iraq, which required management program to suppress their population by using different methods; one of them is the light traps which disseminated in Basrah province. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of light traps as a part of pest management tool. In three years monitoring of coleopteran adults, rhinoceros beetles Oryctes spp. and longhorn date palm borer Jebusaea hammerschmidtii infesting the date palm Phoenix dactylifera were reported by using light traps in different regions of Basrah, Iraq. Due to the result of the abundance of the borers, Oryctes spp. were the most dominant and most important causing severe damage for the date palm. Four species of Oryctes (O. agamemnon, O. elegans, O. sahariensis and O. sinaicus) were recorded in Basrah date palm orchards; the seasonal activity of the species was between April and May, reaching the peaks during summer, and the populations decreased gradually till December. The overall sex ratios of all species of Oryctes spp. were male-biased except O. elegans, which had the sex ratio of 1.13 female: 1 male. Results revealed that the light traps exhibit an effective control method to suppress the adult borer’s population and as a physical control and monitoring tool of date palm stem borers.

Soil physicochemical properties closely associated with fungal enzymes and plant defense enzymes in Ganoderma-infected oil palm orchards

Ganoderma boninense causes basal stem rot disease of oil palm, a serious problem in many countries producing crude palm oil. Ganoderma penetrates host cells by producing cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) and its mycelia trigger defense responses in the host plant. The soil physicochemical properties affect plant growth and soil microbes. Only limited knowledge is available on the relationship between soil characteristics and occurrence of plant diseases. Thus, this study aimed to determine soil physicochemical properties, CWDEs in rhizosphere soil, PR proteins, and defensive enzymes in plant roots, and to look for potential associations in Ganoderma-infected oil palm plantations. Roots and rhizosphere soil were sampled from Ganoderma infected and non- infected oil palms from the main oil palm plantation area in southern Thailand. Spectrophotometry was used to investigate enzyme activities. Fungal laccase, lignin peroxidase (LiP), and manganese peroxidase (MnP) were positively correlated to organic matter (OM) and organic carbon (OC) concentrations, but these enzymes were negatively correlated to soil pH. Cellulase was sensitive to soil physicochemical properties when compared with laccase, LiP, MnP and xylanase. Regarding plant defensive enzymes, high levels of OM, OC, calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium, nitrogen and zinc in soil were related to chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) synthesis in oil palms. Moreover, POD, PPO and PAL were positively correlated to fungal laccase, LiP and MnP. Our results indicate that the relationships between fungal enzymes, defense related enzymes in host plant, and soil physicochemical properties, are involved in determining basal stem rot disease occurrence in oil palm.

Determination of Actual Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficients of California Date Palms Using the Residual of Energy Balance Approach

As water scarcity becomes of greater concern in arid and semi-arid regions due to altered weather patterns, greater and more accurate knowledge regarding evapotranspiration of crops produced in these areas is of increased significance to better manage limited water resources. This study aimed at determining the actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and crop coefficients (Ka) in California date palms. The residual of energy balance method using a combination of surface renewal and eddy covariance techniques was applied to measure ETa in six commercial mature date palm orchards (8–22 years old) over one year. The experimental orchards represent various soil types and conditions, irrigation management practices, canopy characteristics, and the most common date cultivars in the region. The results demonstrated considerable variability in date palm consumptive water use, both spatially and temporally. The cumulative ETa (CETa) across the six sites ranged from 1299 to 1501 mm with a mean daily ETa of 7.2 mm day−1 in June–July and 1.0 mm day−1 in December at the site with the highest crop water consumption. The mean monthly Ka values varied between 0.63 (December) and 0.90 (June) in the non-salt-affected, sandy loam soil date palms with an average density of 120 plants ha−1 and an average canopy cover and tree height of more than 80% and 11.0 m, respectively. However, the values ranged from 0.62 to 0.75 in a silty clay loam saline-sodic date palm orchard with 55% canopy cover, density of 148 plants ha−1, and 7.3 m tree height. Inverse relationships were derived between the CETa and soil salinity (ECe) in the crop root zone; and between the mean annual Ka and ECe. This information addresses the immediate needs of date growers for irrigation management in the region and enables them to more efficiently utilize water and to achieve full economic gains in a sustainable manner, especially as water resources become less available or more expensive.

Effects of fruit load intensity and irrigation level on fruit quality, water productivity and net profits of date palms

An integrated research coupling a field study with an agronomic-economic model (ANSWER-APP) was conducted to investigate the combined effects of irrigation levels and crop loads on fruit quality, water productivity and profitability of mature date palms. The study took place in Israel’s hyper-arid Arava Valley, where date palm trees are widely cultivated and rely exclusively on brackish water irrigation. Three fruit load intensities (low, FL1; commercial, FL2; high, FL3) and two irrigation levels (W1 and W2, equal to and higher than the local irrigation regime, respectively) were applied in a 22-year-old date palm orchard in 2018–2019. Irrigation amount, fruit quality and yield were measured. Profitability for each treatment was analyzed with the ANSWER-APP. Higher fruit load resulted in higher yield and water productivity, but on the other hand led to reduced fruit physical properties (size and mass), regardless of the irrigation treatment. The improved fruit physical properties and net profits in W2 compared to W1 treatment in each fruit load group resulted from excess salt leaching in the root zone. Notably, trees under W2FL2 treatment were found to have highest net profits. It is concluded that adequate irrigation amounts contribute to net profits in date palm trees treated with high fruit load intensity under saline irrigation conditions.

Influence of pre-harvest foliar spray of fungal culture filtrates on post-harvest biology of date fruit harvested at Khalal stage

Abstract There is a high prevalence of saprophytic fungi in date fruit and date fruit products. Some of these fungi isolated from the infected plants in date palm orchards were identified as Aspergillus niger and Rhizophus oryzae. These fungi cause fruit loss during later stages of maturation and are responsible for severe post-harvest losses of date fruit. They may also deteriorate the overall health of plants. The fungal culture filtrates (FCF) from A. niger (ANFCF) and R. oryzae (ROFCF) were prepared and used as elicitors for the experimentation. These FCFs were foliar sprayed on the date palm plants in the field after the fruit set. Various quality attributes such as weight, firmness and total soluble solids and biochemical properties like total sugars, total proteins, total phenols, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity of fresh date fruit (khalal stage) harvested from the FCF treated and untreated plants were studied. The fruit harvested from plants treated with ROFCF showed enhanced levels of total sugar, total proteins, ascorbic acid, and DPPH scavenging activities followed by the fruit from plants treated with ANFCF in comparison to fruit collected from untreated plants. The shelf life of fruit from plants treated with ROFCF and ANFCF increased beyond 14 d at room temperature while the fruit from untreated plants started to deteriorate after 7 d from harvest. The study indicates that the use of fungal culture filtrates as elicitors can help the plant to build up its defense mechanism by elevating the activity of protective enzymes like, Peroxidase (POX), Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL). It also enhances the growth of plant and improve the quality as well as increases shelf life of fruit.

USING Rhabditis blumi SUDHAUS AS BIOLOGICAL AGENTS TO CONTROL THE PALP BORER, ARABIAN RHINOCEROS BEETLE, Oryctes agamemnon arabicus

This study was aimed to use pathogenicity of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) Rhabditis blumi Sudhaus (Nematoda: Rhabditida) against palm borer Arabian Rhinoceros Beetle (ARB), Oryctes agamemnon arabicus was evaluated in the lab. And date palm orchards during 2015 - 2017. In the lab tests, EPN was used against the larvae and adults as a direct spray and as treated food (pieces of fresh tissue of the frond bases) at a rate of 0, 500, 1000, 1500 Infective Juveniles (IJs) per mL of R. blumi. Results indicated that EPN caused 89%, 61% and 25%, 20% mortality when used as a direct spray and as treated food on larvae and adults of ARB, respectively. Results of field experiments showed that injection of 50 mL per palm tree with a concentration of 1500 IJs/mL of R. blumi inflected about 45.5% mortality in ARB larvae infesting the tree. Meanwhile, the Population density of ARB larvae reduced to 45.8%, 59.6% during the first and second year of treated date palm trees by injection method respectively. The results of this investigation illustrate the possibility of using EPN R. blumi as a biocontrol agent for managing borers in date palm orchards under field conditions.

First use of radio telemetry to assess behavior of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) in the presence and absence of pheromone traps

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (RPW) is a destructive insect pest of palm trees, destroying thousands of date palm trees in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and other countries. Radio telemetry has provided beneficial knowledge on the movements, the habitat preference, and reproductive behaviors of numerous species of animals. In this study, we tracked the movements and habitat preferences of RPW in date palm orchards in KSA using radio telemetry with and without the use of pheromone traps. This study is the first to track individual adult RPW using radio telemetry in production date palm orchards. Small radio transmitters (LB-2X, HOLOHIL) were glued on wild-caught adults and released in date palm orchard in late April and early May 2019. Our results indicated that wild-caught adult RPW with attached dummy transmitters were able to fly normally, whereas laboratory-reared adults were unable to fly successfully with attached transmitters. The flight behavior of the RPW adults was influenced by pheromone traps. The average flight of the RPW was 69.1 m (7.7–213 m) in the presence of pheromone traps and only 24.4 m (10–90 m) without pheromone traps. The mean distances females and males covered were 95.80 m and 42.40 m in the presence of pheromone traps and 32.47 m, 16.30 m in the absence of pheromone traps, respectively. The percentages of tagged adults that dispersed more than 50 m were 50% and 8.3% in the presence and absence of pheromone traps, respectively. Time required for taking-off from the release point was 5–20 min and 0.5–6 h in the presence and absence of pheromone traps, respectively. The aggregation rate was 33.3% and 75.0%, in the presence and absence of pheromone traps, respectively. Only a single flight was taken by each adult in the presence or absence of pheromone traps. Adults showed high preference in selecting habitats. RPW adults were attracted to infested or previously infested male palm trees, surface water of drip irrigation systems, and pheromone traps. In conclusion, radio telemetry appears to be a suitable technique to track RPW in date palm orchards when wild-caught adults are used.

ROLE OF THE AGRICULTURAL INITIATIVE AND SUPPORTING AGENCIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PALM GROVES IN DIWANIYA AND MUTHANNA PROVINCES

The aim of this research is to identify the role of the agricultural initiative and the supporting devices in the development of palm orchards in Diwaniyah and Muthanna provinces. The aims of the research a questionnaire was prepared consisting (62) items distributed over (7) roles. The provinces of Diwaniyah and Muthanna were chosen for conducting the research. The owners of palm orchards benefiting from the agricultural initiative in the development of palm orchards in the provinces of Diwaniyah and Muthanna were (623) borrowers: including (294) borrowers for the establishment of modern palm groves and (329) borrowers for the development and service of existing palm orchards. A random sample 20% was selected from the research society, with a sample of (125) namely: (59) for the establishment of a modern palm grove and (66) for the development and servicing of existing palm orchards. The results of the research found that the numbers of palm orchards established through the agricultural initiative reached (294) and the numbers of orchards developed and served were (329). The numbers of palm trees planted through the establishment of modern palm groves on agricultural initiative loans amounted to (113978) palm trees. Also, the results found the extension agencies carried out (288) extension activities related to the development of palm orchards in the research area during the agricultural initiative period. The average percentage of the extension role paragraphs was 73%. But, the average percentage of the prevention role paragraphs was 69% in the field of modern palm groves. However, 70% in the development and service of existing palm orchards and the average percentage of the follow-up role paragraphs reached 75%. The research recommends the continuation of the agricultural initiative through the launch of a new initiative for the development of palm orchards such as the comprehensive agricultural initiative to promote the palm sector.

Molecular characterizations of the entomopathogenic nematodes, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Oscheius myriophilus from Iraq

A survey was conducted in three main regions of Iraq to isolate and identify entomopathogenic and insect parasitic nematodes. Soil samples were collected from 15 sites across 3 provinces from grassland, date palm, and citrus fields, and tested for the presence of nematodes. Out of 100 samples collected, 2 isolates of nematodes were recognized. The collected specimens were characterized first morphologically and then by molecular studies to characterize and identify the isolates based on ITS and 18S rDNA genes. Both isolates were recovered from soil samples of citrus and palm orchards located in 3 regions in the city of Baghdad. The isolates were identified by analyzing sequenced results and then by DNA sequences that were blasted against the NCBI database in GenBank. The 2 isolates were separated into 2 genera, assigned as IRQ.1 and were identified as Heterorhabditis and IRQ.2, that was identified as Oscheius. Molecular analysis and phylogenetic relationship of both genera were analyzed, using the DNA sequences of 2 loci. The Heterorhabditis species was assigned as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, while the Oscheius species was identified as Oscheius myriophilus. These species were the first to be reported in Iraq.

Evaluation of Five Recommended Acaricides Against the Old World Date Mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychi-dae) Infesting Date Palm Under Field Conditions in the New Valley, Egypt

The date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae) is one of the most important fruit trees cultivated in the New Valley Governorate, Egypt. The old world date mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor, 1939) is considerd as a major pest of date palm orchards in the New Valley Governorate

Molecular Identification and Disease Management of Date Palm Sudden Decline Syndrome in the United Arab Emirates.

Date palm orchards suffer from serious diseases, including sudden decline syndrome (SDS). External symptoms were characterized by whitening on one side of the rachis, progressing from the base to the apex of the leaf until the whole leaf dies; while the internal disease symptoms included reddish roots and highly colored vascular bundles causing wilting and death of the tree. Although three Fusarium spp. (F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum and F. solani) were isolated from diseased root samples, the fungal pathogen F. solani was associated with SDS on date palm in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Fusarium spp. were identified based on their cultural and morphological characteristics. The internal transcribed spacer regions and large subunit of the ribosomal RNA (ITS/LSU rRNA) gene complex of the pathogens was further sequenced. Pathogenicity assays and disease severity indices confirm the main causal agent of SDS on date palm in the UAE is F. solani. Application of Cidely® Top (difenoconazole and cyflufenamid) significantly inhibited the fungal mycelial growth in vitro and reduced SDS development on date palm seedlings pre-inoculated with F. solani under greenhouse conditions. This is the first report confirming that the chemical fungicide Cidely® Top is strongly effective against SDS on date palm.