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Section 2. Agricultural sciences
https://doi.org/10.29013/AJT-21-9.10-17-22
Prof. Ass. Dr. Skënderasi Besnik, Faculty of Agriculture, Fan S. Noli University, Korca, Albania Dr. Karapanci Nikolin, Agrinet, Korca, Albania Organization Dr. Maho Adrian,
Faculty of Agriculture, Fan S. Noli University, Korca, Albania
E-mail: n.karapanco@yahoo.com
SURVEY AND FIELD MONITORING FOR POTATO PLANT AND POTATO TUBER MOTH (PHTHORIMAEA OPERCULELLA) PEST IN KORCA REGION, ALBANIA YEAR 2020
Abstract. Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller 1873) [1] is already considered one of the main pests of potato crop both in the field and in the storehouse. In order to know better and how much this pest affects the potato production in terms of its storage, monitoring and several surveys were conducted in the two municipalities of the Korca region that cultivate significant areas with this crop.
This monitoring was carried out with the farmers of the Municipality of Korca and the Municipality of Maliq who cultivate about 1370 ha with potatoes. Through questionnaires were interviewed in both municipalities by 30 farmers respectively. Econex sexual pheromones were used to monitor moths. Monitoring and surveys showed that potato moth has been a maj or problem for farmers for three years.
During the monitoring with sexual pheromones in the municipality of Korca were caught, within 10 days, from 112 male butterflies in the first generation, to 218 butterflies in the fourth generation. While in the municipality of Maliq from 120 butterflies caught for 10 days in the first generation to 225 butterflies caught in the fourth generation. During the interview it was found that 98% of farmers in both municipalities had knowledge about this pest. 90% of the farmers of the municipality of Korca and 93% of the farmers of the municipality of Maliq managed this pest through chemical treatments in the field as well as in the storage with the fumigant phostotoxin. Only 3.3% of farmers managed it through irrigation and potato cover.
Keywords: monitoring, survey, pheromone, interview, potato tuber moth.
Introduction
The district of Korca cultivated in 2020 a total of ity of Korca were cultivated 570 ha by 52 farmers 1370 ha with potatoes. From this in the municipal-
and in the municipality of Maliq were cultivated 800 ha by 42 farmers.
Potato culture occupies an important place in the agricultural economy of the Korca region. In terms of area, it ranks first in the region with 3575 ha. In the municipality of Korca this crop is ranked in the fourth place after the crops of wheat, maize and barley, while in the municipality of Maliq it is ranked in the third place, after the crops of wheat and maize.
Potato is one of the main products in the perspective of a griculture (APP, 1995) [2]. Pests and diseases of potatoes, especially moth and potato blight and also the high prices of agricultural inputs are key factors in increasing the cost of potato production. Especially the production damage in the storage from the potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella) (Zeller, 1873) [1] has limited the production and storage of quality potatoes.
However, infested tubers may reduce marketability, and damage can be distinctive in storage, especially in non - refrigerated systems (Arnone, S.; Musmeci, S.; Bacchetta, L.; Cordischi, N.; Pucci, E.; Cristofaro, M.; Sonnino, A. R1998) [3]. Moreover, P. operculella is responsible for about 20-30% infestation in the field, and 100% under storage (Gao, Y. L. 2018) [4]. Other authors cite that losses range goes 30-85% in storage (CIP, 1988;Joshi, 1989; Palacios and Cisneros, 1996; Lal, 1998; Douches et al., 1998) [5; 6] Malakar-Kuenen and Tingey 2006, concluded that the thicker periderm thickness of tubers was responsible to slowdown the penetration of larvae inside tubers.
Horgan et al. 2010 [7] and Mansouri et al. 2013 have indicated that the tuber flesh firmness negatively affects larval developmental.
The first damages appeared in the lowland and coastal area ofAlbania in 1948, with imported potato seed. Korca region did not have big problems with this pest, as the damage from it has been inconsiderable and sporadic. But in 2018 was reported the first serious losses on separate plots. While the years 2019, 2020, 2021 have been dramatic for the farmers
of this region, because almost all the plots planted with this crop were damaged.
During 2019 in the Korca region about 400 ha of potatoes were not harvested due to the damage caused by potato tuber moth and the production in storage was almost totally compromised. Production losses in storage ranged from 40-100%. (CIP, 1988) [5] Other authors conclude about a storehouse loss at levels of30-70-100% of it Rondon et al. 2010 [8] studied potato lines, some of which show promising results for mining control and number of larvae in potato tubers. She confirmed that the tubers of the transgenic clone Spunta G2 were resistant to P. operculella damage. Spunta G2 was developed in early 2000 (Joshi, S. L. 2004) [9].
This monitoring and survey were conducted to assess farmers' perception of potato production as well as the knowledge about potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella), to control and manage it in both field conditions and potato storage.
Materials and methods
Interviews with farmers were conducted in the two municipalities ofKorca and Maliq, in March-April 2020. Potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella) was monitored with sexual pheromones in June, July, August and September of each year. In both municipalities were listed to be interviewed a total of 60 farmers, 30 farmers for each municipality which cultivated larger areas with potatoes, from 5-50 ha. During the interview the farmers were asked about problems related to the factors that have influenced at the control of pests and diseases in the potato crop. Econex sexual phero-mone were used to monitor potato tuber moth which can be used for monitoring for about 40 days in a row. In each month three sexual pheromones were used for every three plots in both municipalities. Every two days they were monitored the traps and the number ofmale moths caught was recorded.
Results and discussion
Factors affecting the potato production
Selection of suitable soils, use of high generation seeds, good potato cover during vegetation, irrigation
and measures taken by farmers to treat pest and diseases were some of the factors that led to obtaining high yield. Also, the educational level offarmers is very good, because 80% of them have high school education and 20% have university education, mainly in agriculture.
Among the main factors that affects the production, 85% of farmers surveyed in both municipalities, singled out mainly pests and diseases, 70% of respondents noted high prices of chemical fertilizers ranging from 40-80 $/kv and rent of agricultural
Negative factors such as pest and disease, high price of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and problems with sales, have led to a reduction in the area planted with this crop. (Tab. 1). The selling price of potato production in the market varies from 30-40 $.
land ranging from 70-100 $/two. Retail price of oil ranging from 16-18 $/liter, purchase of potato seed ranging from 1.06-1.2 $/kg. the high price of chemical fertilizers significantly increases the cost of potato production.
Table 1.- Factors that have influenced potato production in both municipalities
Swot Factors Korce Municipality Maliq Municipality Amounts Frequency Average %
Frequency % Frequency %
Positive factors Suitable soil 21 70 24 80 45 75
Seed quality 24 80 21 70 45 75
Mechanization of processes 27 90 30 100 57 95
Possibility for irrigation 18 60 21 70 39 65
Plant protection techniques 18 60 18 60 36 55
Negative factors Diseases and pests 24 80 27 90 51 85
Small plot areas 21 70 18 60 39 65
Problems with sales 18 60 15 50 33 55
High price of inputs 9 30 12 40 21 70
High price of land rent 18 60 24 80 42 70
Storage possibility 9 30 9 30 18 30
Insufficient technical advice 18 60 21 70 39 65
High prices of works with agricultural mechanics 18 60 24 80 42 70
Opportunities Subsidies from the state 3 10 3 10 6 10
Consolidation of agricultural land 6 20 3 10 9 30
Donations from the EU - - - - - -
Agrochemical analysis of soil 2 6.6 1 3.3 3 10
Improving parcel infrastructure 18 60 15 50 33 55
Increased soil fertility 9 30 6 20 15 50
Threats Increasing oil prices 27 90 27 90 54 90
Burning of peat soil - - 9 30 9 15
Increasing air temperatures 18 60 18 60 36 60
Abandonment of agriculture by young people 18 60 15 50 33 55
Prices of agricultural products such as plowing, discarding, milling, cultivation and irrigation have had high tariffs ranging from 10-15 $/dynym. Potato fertilization, realized empirically because 90% of farmers have not done agrochemical soil analysis and only three farmers have done them. Only two farmers in both municipalities have typical potato storage, other farmers have adapted different facilities for its storage. From the interview and monitoring in the potato plots it resulted that in both municipalities the main pests were potato tuber moth (90% of farmers) and Colorado potato beetle (63% of farmers), while the main diseases were Late blight, viruses and fusarium wilt, respectively 63%, 23% and 16% of farmers (Table 2).
Four farmers in the municipality of Korca and 2 farmers in the municipality of Maliq did not apply any control measures for pests and diseases. While applying pest and disease control using pesticides, 27 farmers in the municipality of Korca and 28 farmers in the municipality of Maliq (Table 3). The finding is consistent with DADO (2003) [10] and Joshi et al. (2004) [9]. Only 2 farmers in the municipality of Korca and only one farmer in the municipality of Maliq used other control methods such as planting at depths over 10 cm and regular irrigation with reduced water rates, around 250 m3/ha, ensuring potato production in wire mesh storage and sulfur combustion in storage using 35 gr/m3 ambient volume.
Table 2.- Main pests and diseases in potatoes in the Municipalities of Korca and Maliq. 2020 Year
Pests and diseases Korca Municipality Korce Municipality Amounts Mean%
PESTS Frequency % Frequency %
Potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella) 28 93 26 86 54 90
Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) 24 80 22 73 46 63
Aphids 6 20 4 13 10 16
Wireworms. (Agriotes lineatus) 4 13 6 20 10 33
Nematodes 3 10 2 6.6 5 8
Turnip moth. (Agriotis segetum) 2 6.6 4 13 6 10
Field rats. (Microtus arvalis) 2 6.6 12 40 14 23
DISEASES
Late blight. (Phytophthora infestans) 16 53 22 73 38 63
Fusarium wilt. (Fusarium oxysporum) 4 13 6 20 10 16
Black scurf. (Rhizoctonia solani) 6 20 2 6.6 8 13
Common scab. (Streptomyces scabies) 2 6.6 3 10 5 8
Dry scab. (Spondylocladium atrovirens) 3 10 1 3.3 4 6
Dry rot. (Fusarium solani) 2 6.6 5 16 7 11
Black leg. (Pectobacterium carotovorum) - - 3 10 3 5
Mosaic. (Potato virus X. Solanum virus 1) 3 10 4 13 7 23
Bacterial ring rot. (Corynebacterium sepe-donicum) 1 3.3 3 10 7 13
Alternaria blight. (Alternaria solani) 2 6.6 2 6.6 4 13
Table 3.- Data on the application of control measures against pests and diseases
Municipality No were applied control measures % of farmers Yields Kv/ha Applied the use of pesticides % of farmers Yields Kv/ha Other control methods were used % of farmers Yields Kv/ha
Korca 2 6.6 220 27 90 400 1 3.3 260
Maliq 1 3.3 230 28 93 450 1 3.3 275
Amounts 6 51 3
For 10 days in the Fabula potato cultivar more butterflies were caught in the municipality of Maliq and from generation to generation their number increased significantly. In the municipality of Korca, from 112 butterflies caught in the first generation, 218 butterflies were caught in the fourth generation in September. While in the municipality ofMaliq, in the first generation, were caught 120 butterflies and in the fourth generation were caught 225 butterflies (Table 4).
Table 4.- Number of male butterflies
The capture of more butterflies in the municipality ofMaliq is explained by the fact that the vegetative mass of potato culture in this municipality is greater and the lands planted with potatoes are very close to each other.
Pheromone has been suggested as an effective means of monitoring and controlling moths in stored potatoes (Chandla et al. 1994) [11]. This was the first census from the area and given the farmer's response, there is a need for a detailed survey throughout the district.
captured by pheromones for 10 days
Date Korca Municipality Maliq Municipality
20-30June 112 120
20-30 July 153 162
21-31 August 192 203
22 september - 1 october 218 225
Conclusions
• Seed quality and taking chemical control measures for diseases and plant pests are two of the main factors influencing high potato yields;
• Potato pests and diseases negatively affected about 10% of farmers in the municipality of Korca and 7% in the municipality of Maliq, because they did not use any control measures. Their yields were 220 kv/ha and 230 kv/ha, respectively;
• Potato tuber moth, Colorado potato beetle and Late blight are the main threat to potato production for farmers ofboth municipalities;
• 90% of farmers in the municipality of Korca and 93% of farmers in the municipality of Maliq were relied on the use of pesticides to control potato pests and received good yields, respectively 400 kv/ha and 450 kv/ha while 3.3% of farmers for each municipality used other control measures for potato pests and the realized yield was respectively 260 kv/ha and 275 kv/ha potatoes;
• The number of male moths caught within 10 days, increases from generation to generation, reaching its peak in the fourth generation.
References:
1. Seyed Mehdi Hashemi. Influence of Pheromone Trap Color and Placement on Catch of Male Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella. (Zeller, 1873).
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3. Arnone S., Musmeci S., Bacchetta L., Cordischi N., Pucci E., Cristofaro M., Sonnino A. Research in So-lanum spp. of sources of resistance to the potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller). Potato Res.- 41. 1998.- P. 39-49.
4. Gao Y. L. Potato tuberworm: Impact and methods for control-Mini Review. CAB. Rev.- 13. 2018.-P. 1-3.
5. CIP. 1988. Annual report. International Potato Centre. Lima, Peru.
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7. Horgan F. G., Quiring D. T., Lagnaoui A., Salas A. R., Pelletier Y. Periderm- and cortex-based resistance to tuber-feeding Phthorimaea operculella in two wild potato species. Entomol. Exp. Appl.- 125. 2010.-P. 249-258.
8. Silvia I. Rondon. The Potato Tuber worm: A Literature Review of Its Biology, Ecology, and Control. 2010.
9. Joshi S. L. Status of potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) as an insect pest on potato crop and its reaction on different varieties of stored potato. Paper presented at the Fourth National Conference on Science and Technology, 23-26 March 2004. Kathmandu, Nepal. 2004.- P. 1-5.
10. DADO. Annual report. DADO, Sukedhara Kathmandu, - Nepal. 2003.
11. Chandla V. K., Trivedi T. P., Misra S. S., Sharma D. C. and Kashyap N. P. Potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella in Himanchal Pradesh and its management. In: G. S. Shekhawat, S. M. Paul Khurana, S. K. Pandey and V. K. Chandla (ed). Potato: Present and Future. Indian Potato Association, Shimla. 1994.- P. 239-241.
