EFFECT OF FOLIAR BIOSTIMULANT FEEDING ON THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF PHYTOPHAGOUS MITES IN APPLE ORCHARDS OF TASHKENT REGION

Abstract

Phytophagous mites are destructive pests in pome fruit orchards, directly limiting apple yield and quality. Modern sustainable agriculture requires integrating crop nutrition with pest management strategies. Field experiments were conducted from 2020 to 2022 in the Tashkent region to evaluate the side effects of three plant growth biostimulants-Biodux liquid (0.1 L/ha), Almerinei E.C. (1.0 L/ha), and Globaril 10% E.C. (1.0 L/ha) on the population density of phytophagous mites via foliar application. Mite counts per leaf were monitored before treatment and on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 post-application. All bio-preparations significantly suppressed mite population growth compared to the untreated control. Biodux (arachidonic acid) demonstrated the highest efficacy, reducing the mean mite count from an initial 22.4 to 8.1 mites/leaf by day 21. Almerinei and Globaril also reduced mite densities to 11.6 and 10.8 mites/leaf, respectively. In contrast, the mite population in the control plot increased from 22.6 to 39.4 mites/leaf due to the lack of protective interventions.