Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) for Date Palm in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the most important damaging diseases and pests of the date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L. ) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as cited in the publications and reports. The results of this study indicated that the red palm weevil, which was reported in the country for the first time twelve years ago, is the most serious insects pest. This is in addition to the other arthropod pests which include : Oryctes elegans, Pseudophilus testaceous, Batrachedra amydraula, Arenipses sabella, Chrysomphalus dictypermi, Ommatissus binotatus, Parlatoria blanchardi, Oligonychus afrasiaticus, and birds which attack the fruits. The date palm diseases caused by fungi are of great economic importance. The wilt diseases, Khamedj, Al-wijam, and Diplodia diseases are among the important diseases of date palm in some growing areas of the Kingdom. The study suggests the adoption of a comprehensive IPM program that suits the infection of date palm by one or more of the previous pests. This program includes : cultural practices ( such as selection of healthy off-shoots, resistant to pests and free of diseases ) and other cultural practices, physical, mechanical, legestilative, biological, chemical and other control methods that my influence pest behavior and minimize damage that can be caused by these serious pests