Key fruit flies species (Diptera, Tephritidae) reported in Africa and presenting a biosecurity concern in Morocco: An Overview

Fruit crop species are from the most widely cultivated crops in Morocco. However, the sustainability of this lucrative business is threatened by infestations of invasive fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) that may inflict heavy economic losses to the country if their invasion occurs. At this time, Medfly is the main fruit fly which causes a high loss and is a phytosanitary concern to fruit species. The distribution and abundance of the major frugivorous tephritids are influenced by host presence, climatic factors, and their potential of invasion. Two types of economic impact of fruit flies are distinguished, direct losses in the yield and indirect losses due to the loss of markets caused by quarantine restrictions imposed by importing countries to prevent the entry of exotic flies in their territory. The most important invasive tephritid fruit flies present in Africa and that may constitute a risk of invasion into Morocco are Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae. Also, the indigenous species within genera Ceratitis ((Ceratitis quinaria, C. anonae, C. catoirii, C. cosyra, C. silvestrii, C. ditissima, C. fasciventris, C. rosa, C. quilicii) and Dacus (Dacus latifrons, D.vertebratus, D.bivittatus, D.punctatifrons,  Dacus ciliates) may present a risk of introduction to Morocco. These fruit fly species are characterized by having a wide range of host plants and a wide distribution throughout Africa. The risk of spread is enhanced by the lack of control and the weakness of the identification process of the present and newly introduced species. This review presents the status and the distribution of major fruit fly species present in Africa, gives an overview of their host plants, new invasions and means of detection and phytosanitary measures to implement in Morocco to avoid any invasion originated from other African countries. Keywords: Africa, Fruit fly, Distribution, host plant, Invasion, biosecurity, and Morocco

Effect of proximity to Jujube (Ziziphus lotus and Ziziphus jujube) trees on medfly (Ceratitis capitata) populations in citrus orchards of Moulouya Perimeter

Moulouya Perimeter is one of the most important zones of Citrus production in Morocco, with an area of 22.000 ha and 360.000 tons of Citrus production. Medfly “Ceratitis capitata, Wiedemann 1824” is a pest with an important economic impact for Citrus, because of its impact on yield losses and phytosanitary concern linked to its presence. In Citrus orchards of Moulouya perimeter, adjacent wild jujube (Ziziphus lotus and Ziziphus jujuba) trees may have an impact on Medfly populations. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of adjacent jujube trees, growing in windbreaks and noncommercial orchards, on medfly captures in the traps located in citrus orchards and to determine the amount of increase of punctured fruits caused by medfly oviposition considering the distance ranges to the jujube trees (10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250 and 275m).To achieve this purpose, 180 traps were placed in 15 orchards and monitored for medfly captures weekly, from April to November 2019, within three locations (Aklim, Chouihia, and Reggada) representing Citrus producing area of Moulouya Perimeter. The monitoring of C. capitata adults was conducted using “Maghreb med” traps with trimedlure (tbutyl-4(or5)-chloro-2-methyl-cyclohexane carboxylate) male-specific para-pheromone as attractant and dichlorvos as a toxicant. Five orchards per each location were selected and 12 traps were hung in every orchard in fixed distances from the jujube trees and fruits were checked for punctures. The influence of each jujube tree in citrus orchards in his vicinity is higher within distances inferior to 75 m. Then, its impact could approach 2,25 Ha on average, and in this area, C. capitata population densities were twice to five times as high as in other distances. Furthermore, Citrus trees located at distances inferior to 75m from the jujube trees showed an increase in the percentage of punctured fruits compared with distances higher than 75m

THE EFFECT OF IRRIGATION DOSES ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF Citrus clementina variety “Fina Berkane”, A VARIETY OF CLEMENTINE PRODUCED IN TRIFFA PLAIN, NORTH EASTERN MOROCCO

Morocco is a Mediterranean country with an economy based on exporting agricultural products mainly to Europe. However, the ongoing climate change characterized by the frequency and the intensity of drought, along with the regularity of the rainfall is undeniably affecting the productivity of major agricultural products in Morocco. Citriculture is one of the key pillars of agricultural products in Moroccan conditions and the productivity of citriculture is tightly related to water management. To reduce this dependency under climatic change, a pilot study, over three years, has been launched to assess the effect of water stress on the production of clementine (Citrus clementina 'Berkane Clementine'). This study was carried out on the clementine, variety "Fina Berkane" at the Triffa plain, Northeastern Morocco. This variety was grafted on Volkameria rootstock with a density of 3m x 6m. Experimental variety was planted during October 2012, in loam-clay soil equipped with a drip irrigation system. Four doses of water irrigation (60%, 80%, 100%, and the conventional irrigation dose⩾120%) were tested based on the real water demand of the studied plant. Throughout the three-year monitoring, the effect of used water amount on the various parameters including yield, fruit size, and fruit quality have been studied. Results of the study revealed that the treatment 100% ETc provided a high number of fruits, yield, and a good quality ratio. It was also well reported that adopting a dose of 80% ETc could save a significant amount of irrigation water (more than 40% ETc) compared to the conventional irrigation dose (⩾120% ETc) without significantly affecting either the yield or the desired caliber profile (marketable standard)