Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
M.Sc. Student in Agricultural Entomology, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran
2
Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jiroft, Kerman, Iran
3
Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran.
4
Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran
10.22073/pja.150404
Abstract
Date palm pollen has received considerable attention among various pollen types due to its high nutritional value, availability, and positive effects on predator performance. However, the nutritional quality of date palm pollen can vary significantly depending on its geographical origin. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of geographical variation in date palm pollen quality on the biological performance of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot. Pollen samples were collected from the same date palm cultivar (Mazafati) at four locations in southern Iran: Bam and Jiroft (Kerman Province) and Rodan and Hajiabad (Hormozgan Province). The shortest pre-adult development was observed on Rodan pollen (6.38 days), and the longest times were observed on pollen from Jiroft (7.71 days) and Bam (7.69 days). Fecundity was significantly higher in individuals fed Rodan pollen (40.62 eggs/female) than those fed other pollens. The highest pre-adult mortality occurred in individuals reared on Bam pollen, followed by Jiroft pollen. The highest intrinsic (r) and finite (λ) rates of increase were obtained on Rodan pollen (0.181 and 1.199 day-1, respectively), while the lowest values were recorded on Bam pollen (0.117 and 1.124 day-1, respectively). Similarly, Rodan pollen exhibited the highest net (R0) and gross (GRR) reproductive rates, while the lowest values were observed on Bam and Jiroft pollens. Rodan pollen had the shortest mean generation time (T) (16.45 days). Rodan pollen also had the highest protein content (43.18%), showing a significant difference compared to the other pollens. Our findings demonstrate that geographical origins of the date palm can directly affect its pollen quality and indirectly affect the biological performance of the predatory mite.
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