THE EFFECT OF INFESTATION OF TERMITEMicroceritermes diversus (SILVESTRI) (INSECTA:ISOPTERA)ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SOME DATE PALMSCULTIVARS IN IRAQ

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the termite Microcerotermes
diversus (Silvestri) on the productivity of some date palm cultivars in 5 governorates
of Iraq: Babylon, Waset, Kerbela, Qadesyia and Basrah. It was found that the
percentages of infestation in general for the following cultivars: 32.6% for Hellawy,
for Zehdy was 29.5% and then infestation decreased gradually within cultivars and
lowest percentage was 6.1% for Berhy, The percentages of infestation for
governorates level were the highest in Waset for Zehdy was 45.5% and lowest for
Berhy, was 6.1% in Basrah. This confirms that Zehdy was more susceptible than
other cultivars for infestation by termite M. diversus, many factors are interference
to increase the percentage of infestation, like shortage of agricultural practices also
never performance protection control and controlling when the infestation happen
and carelessness to orchard by owners or by renters that affect on average the
production of date palm tree then on general production of orchard and lead to death
numerous of date palm trees.