Document Type : Research paper-English
Authors
1
Date Palm and Tropical Froits Research Center/ Horticultural Science Research Institute/ Agricultural Research, Education and Organization (AREEO), Ahwaz, Iran
2
Date Palm and Tropical Fruits Research Center, Horticultural Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran.
Abstract
The date palm horn beetle, Oryctes elegans (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is a significant wood-boring pest of date palms, causing substantial damage to the tree and fruit through the feeding activity of adults and larvae. This study evaluated the potential of Zarkooh mineral sulfur, a formulation, in mitigating beetle damage and enhancing physiological traits and nutrient absorption in Phoenix dactylifera cv. ‘Piarom’. The research was conducted over 2.5 years (2020–2022) in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and five replications. Treatments included control and three levels of Zarkooh sulfur (below, at, and above the recommended concentration). Results showed no significant effect of sulfur application on pest mortality O. elegans, population reduction (Henderson-Tilton formula), or tree damage across evaluation intervals (9, 20, 51, and 82 days post-treatment). In addition, sulfur did not significantly affect physiological traits (chlorophyll index, electrolyte leakage, relative water content, dry matter percentage, fresh/dry leaf weight) or macro- and micronutrient uptake (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B). These findings suggest that using this fertilizer for pest control in date palm plantations is ineffective, especially when applied without expert guidance, and caution is recommended to avoid excessive or unnecessary applications.
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