The effects of cultural management on the lesser date moth (Batrachedra amydraula Myer) infestation

This research has been carried out in Khuzestan province of Iran, to evaluate the effects of cultural practices on the lesser date moth infestation in date palm. Incidentally cluster-sampling and survey research method were applied. Sampling society divided to 30 plots then one sample was selected randomly in each plot. Fifteen trees were selected randomly in each plot and their infestations were evaluated. Different cultural management factors including tillage, fertilization, irrigation, pruning, chemical control, bunch covering and bunch arrangement were evaluated using questionnaire data. Correlation analyses were performed, and then management factors that had significant correlation with pest infestation were used for further multiple regression analysis. Based on correlation analysis, it is found that, bunch remnant pruning (r = -0.61), bunch covering (r = -0.55) and chemical control (r = -0.51) had suitable effects on decreasing the lesser date moth infestation. Multiple regression analysis showed that the effect of chemical control (cc), bunch remnant pruning (bp) and bunch covering (bc) increased respectively and sum of effects decreased the pest infestation. The ultimate formula of the model is % infestation = 1.664-0.464cc-0.427bp-0.234bc (and Durbin-watsonstatistic=1.73). Integrated effects of all three factors together are better than the effects of each alone. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]