Seasonal and Spatial Distribution of Pest on Olive in District Killa Saifullah, Balochistan

Abstract

The cultivation of Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) has gained significant importance across Pakistan owing to its nutritional and economic value. However, vegetative growth, fruit development and productivity of olive is affected by multiple insect pest infestations. The current study examined the seasonal population dynamics in the different stages of four insect pests, i.e. Bactrocera oleae, Prays oleae, Euphyllura olivina, and Saissetia oleae, and the changes in their population in relation to different physical environmental conditions and crop growth in Qilla Saifullah district of Balochistan. Negative binomial regression was used to analyze the changes in the different stages of the insects. The changes in the insect infestation and climatic conditions were assessed by correlation analysis. The maximum populations of B. oleae and P. oleae were 14.0 flies and 7.2 moths per trap, respectively. The maximum populations of E. olivina and S. oleae were 9.0 nymphs and 9.5 scale per shoot, respectively. Among the abiotic variables, there were very weak and non-significant correlation with the insect infestation, and therefore the populations of insects were predominantly influenced by the biology of the insects, the phenology of the host plant and the conditions of the olive plantation. Insect infestation resulted in reduction in the plant growth attributes, including plant height and leaf area index. and crop yield. The highest infestation was observed in E. olivina, followed by S. oleae, B. oleae and P. oleae. The highest reduction in crop yield was caused by E. olivina. Therefore, climate-smart pest management strategies for olive production should be designed for insect pest management.