Towards Development Of Integrated Management Of ýCotton Pests In Iraq ýý

Mohamed N. Al-Salty, ⁽¹⁾Nazar N. Hama and Laith Adel Mohamidý ⁽²⁾ ýý
⁽¹⁾Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, Arab League Countries, ýBaghdad, Iraq; Present address: Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Syria ýý
⁽²⁾ State Board for Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Iraq.ýýý

Abstract

Several laboratory and field studies were conducted since fall 2001, such ýas optimum planting date, suitable cotton variety as well as monitoring insect pests ýpopulation and its natural enemies with a main objective to minimize insecticides ýuse and conserve local natural enemies. Ecological similarity between Iraq and ýSyria encouraged the introduction of important egg and larvae parasitoids of spinny ýboll worm Earias insulana Boised from Syria to Iraq. Egg parasitoid ýýTrichogramma principium Westwood was first introduced in October ýý2001and was successfully adapted, while the larval parasitoid was introduced in ýAugust 2002. Following introduction, adaptation, and laboratory mass rearing, the ýparasitoids were field released at different locations in Iraq with proper monitoring. ýTotal area of biologically controlled cotton fields was 20 ha during 2001 cropping ýseason, and increased to 222.5 ha during 2002 cropping season. Cotton yield was ýincreased in all fields covered by biological control, with no insecticide residues ýand black molds. High densities of natural enemies was recorded in all biologically ýcontrolled cotton fields at the end of 2002 season.ý