Research article

EFFECT OF ATTRACTOR PLANTS AND PESTICIDES ON THE INTENSITY OF BEMISIA TABACI (GENNADIUS.) DISSEMINATION IN IRAQI OKRA PRODUCTION AREAS

Malik H. Karem

Online First: November 30, 2022


whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is a significant pest of many crops. Throughout its life cycle, it feeds on the leaves and undersides of the host plants, inflicting direct and indirect harm by piercing leaves, sucking sap, and creating honeydew (on which sooty mold forms), as well as changing growth, photosynthesis, and chemical and phenological processes. The present study evaluated the effect of planting different types of plants around the okra plant to determine the spread and numerical density of the white fly on the okra plant, and the effect of the whitefly on plant functions and physiological characteristics. The results showed that planting eggplant around an okra plant gave significant results, in terms of plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll, and number of fruits and yield per plant. It also gave the lowest number of whitefly adults and eggs. These findings might be useful for gaining a better knowledge of B. tabaci effect on plant growth and developing management techniques to successfully control its infestations in a cropping system.

Keywords

Attractor plants; whitefly; Okra; Decrease; Acetamiprid.