Ommatissus lybicus Infestation in Relation to Spatial Characteristics of Date Palm Plantations in Oman

Rashid H. Al Shidi, Lalit Kumar, Salim A. H. Al-Khatri and Najat A. Al-Ajmi
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Rashid H. Al Shidi: Ecosystem Management, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
Lalit Kumar: Ecosystem Management, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
Salim A. H. Al-Khatri: Directorate General of Agriculture and Livestock Research, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, P.O. Box 50, PC 121 Seeb, Sultanate of Oman
Najat A. Al-Ajmi: Directorate General of Agriculture and Livestock Research, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, P.O. Box 50, PC 121 Seeb, Sultanate of Oman

Agriculture, 2019, vol. 9, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: The agricultural ecosystem and its interaction with the outside environment plays a major role in the population of herbivores. The infestation of the Dubas bug, Ommatissus lybicus , has shown a spatial and temporal variation among different date palm plantations in Oman. This study focused on the relationship of infestation with date palm cultivation environments. The infestation and some selected environmental factors were evaluated in 20 locations for four consecutive infestation seasons over two years. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to identify the significant factors and the global relationship. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) was used to determine the spatial relationship. The results showed that GWR had better prediction than OLS. The model explained 61% of the infestation variation in the studied locations. The most significant coefficient was the tree planting pattern, the trees planted in uneven rows and columns (irregular pattern) had a positive effect; the infestation increased as the irregularity increased due to an increase in tree density. This reduced the interaction of harsh outside weather with the date palm plantation microclimate. The proportion of side growing area had a negative effect on insect population; as the percentage of side growing area increased as the infestation decreased, assuming the side growing crops hosted natural enemies. The study concluded that the variation of spatial and temporal infestation was primarily due to the variation of the cultural practices and spatial environment of the date palm plantations.

Keywords: Ommatissus lybicus; date palm; environment; date palm habitat (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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