A Survey of Spider Mites Tetranychus spp on Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in Different Areas of Khartoum State

Abstract

The study was carried out at eight different sites in Khartoum state these are, WadRamli, El Fakey Hashim, Elnuba, Shambat and Selait Scheme (North Khartoum), El Gezira Islanj (North Omdurman), Gamoaia Scheme (South Omdurman) and Toti Island (Khartoum). The aim of this study is to determine the host range of the spider mites on vegetables and weeds, in addition to estimating the infestation percentage (%) of this pest on eggplant in 5 sites (WadRamli, Selait scheme, Shambat, Gamoaia scheme, Toti). The cross method was used to determine the infestation (%) in each site in the period from early April to the end of May, 2016. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to the farmers to measure their awareness about this pest, types of infested crops, history and date of pest appearance, methods of application, number of sprays per season and number of days between each sprays. Crop loss, and the season of high infestation of spider mites. The questionnaire was statistically analyzed and the results showed that the highest (%) of infestation was in Toti (100%), and the lowest infestation percentage was reported in Shambat site at (56.7%). Also results revealed that most farmers (92%) known about spider mites, 40% of them saied that (SM) appeared more than two years ago, but in Shambat it was observed and recorded since 1972. From these results, spider mite was recorded in 22 host plants (such as, Eggplant, Tomato, Potato, Okra, Onion, Chili, Cowpea, Pumpkins, Cucumber, Bean, Peanut, Squash, Cabbage, Cotton, Ushar, Sakran, Gubbien, Nageela, Seida, Defra, SannMakka, Marmeet). Results showed that farmers were using more than 15 pesticides for controlling (SM), most of them are insecticides and not Acaricides and more than seven sprays per season, the crop loss (%) reached more than 70% in most sites of the study. The results also showed that eggplant was highly infested (67%) by spider mites in winter season when compared with other seasons. Based on the discussions with the farmers, it concluded that there is a shortage of knowledge and deficiency in agricultural extension services in most study areas, therefore our recommendation concentrate on increasing of farmers awareness through an extensive agricultural extension program including (workshops, field days, farmer's schools and etc…).