Current Situation of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Northern Africa: The Sustainable Control Methods and Priorities for Future Research

Amine Assouguem, Mohammed Kara, Hamza Mechchate, Yesim Bulak Korkmaz, Safaâ Benmessaoud, Amal Ramzi, Khaled R. Abdullah, Omar Mohammed Noman, Abdellah Farah and Abderahim Lazraq
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Amine Assouguem: Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
Mohammed Kara: Laboratory of Biotechnology and Conservation and Valorization of Natural Resources (LBCVRN) (ex LBPRN), Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
Hamza Mechchate: Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
Yesim Bulak Korkmaz: Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
Safaâ Benmessaoud: Laboratory of Biotechnology and Conservation and Valorization of Natural Resources (LBCVRN) (ex LBPRN), Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
Amal Ramzi: Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
Khaled R. Abdullah: Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sana’a University, Sana’a 13078, Yemen
Omar Mohammed Noman: Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Abdellah Farah: Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco
Abderahim Lazraq: Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30000, Morocco

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: In North Africa, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 represents one of the most destructive generalists among mite herbivores. Unfortunately, it is a source of important annual casualties in crop production. It is a phytophagous mite that can feed on hundreds of host plants and produces significant damage. The control of T. urticae in North Africa has been principally based on acaricide sprays. However, new alternative methods have shown effective results, such as artificial ultraviolet-B, natural enemies, and the introduction of new genetic methods. This review aims to present a synthesis of information surrounding control methods of T. urticae in North Africa. We highlight the principal findings of previous studies. Then, we discuss current control methods and propose new innovative research and sustainable approaches to controlling this pest. The control method can potentially extrapolate in North African regions due to its positive ecological results. Further, studies proved the use of natural enemies, myco-metabolites, bacteria metabolites, and the introduction of a genetic method in an integrated long-term sustainable program that can successfully defeat the populations of T. urticae . We also discuss high-priority research guidelines to investigate new sustainable management strategies. Setting up an integrated long-term ecological monitoring program in different Northwest African countries and incorporating new technologies into monitoring programs is an urgent need to fight this devastating pest.

Keywords: Tetranychus urticae; propagation; environment; crop protection; acaricide; biological control; integrated; management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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