| The first report of Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks, 1904) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) on semi-greenhouse-grown lemon trees. |
| Paper ID : 1053-IPCA5 (R2) |
| Authors |
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Mohammad Khanjani *, Mohammadbagher Safiarian Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Lemon, a high-value crop widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, is cultivated in greenhouses in some regions of Mazandaran province, northern Iran (such as Juybar, Sari, and Qaem Shahr). This efficient cultivation method helps farmers better withstand climatic fluctuations and significantly increase productivity. However, phytophagous pests such as the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), have caused significant damage to these orchards. The yellow mite, reported for the first time in Mazandaran Province, has quickly become a major pest in the greenhouse lemon cultivation sector. This mite actively infests young shoots, buds, flowers, and fruits of lemon trees year-round, causing fruit stunting, corky skin, and reduced product quality. The extensive damage caused by this pest has reached economic thresholds, making its management a serious challenge for farmers. To accurately assess the damage caused by P. latus, samples of young leaves, shoots, buds, flowers, and infested fruits were meticulously collected from greenhouses in northern Iran and transferred to the Acarology Laboratory of Bu-Ali Sina University. The samples were isolated using a stereo microscope and fixed with Hoyer’s medium. After 12 days, the samples were thoroughly examined under a light microscope (Olympus BX51) at 100x magnification. For precise identification of the mites, the key to Tarsonemidae from China (Lin and Zhang, 1999) and Polviesky (2005) were used, and various morphological characteristics such as body shape, size, and color were meticulously recorded. This comprehensive study confirmed that P. latus has become a significant pest in greenhouse lemon cultivation, requiring immediate management strategies to reduce economic losses effectively. |
| Keywords |
| Crop damage, ICM, Lemon, Mazandaran province, Polyphagotarsonemus latus |
| Status: Abstract Accepted |
