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Abstract

This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficiency of Basalt as foliar spray with two doses (1.5% and 3%), in the ground as a fertilizer (1.5%), and as a combined application (1.5%) compared to two botanical aqueous extracts of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) and Nerium (Nerium oleander) (50g/l against Ceratitis Capitata and Phyllocnistis citrella in citrus orchard. Concerning C. capitata, results a repellent effect exerted by used products. Trapped adults mean number in all treated units significantly decreased after first treatment and was maintained at very significant low values compared with control. Regarding P. citrella, alive larvae population decreased considerably after first treatment and reached low values. Larvae mortality rates in treated plots were observed since the first day after first treatment. They increased lately till reaching mean values ranking between 80 and 100% one and two weeks after second treatment. Efficacy rates of basalt were about 60, 51 and 39% respectively for foliar applications at 3% and 1.5% and the combined application. Regarding plant extracts, they were about 50 and 56% respectively for Nerium and bitter orange. These results will help in planning integrated pest management in citrus orchard to control C. capitata and P. citrella in order to ovoid use of pesticides.