Integrated field control of Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) in Opuntia spp. using Biorational methods

Mohamed.elaalaoui@inra.ma EL AALAOUI¹Said Rammali^2,3Fatima Zahra Kamal⁴Alin Ciobica^5,6,7,8Cristina Albert^9*Vasile Burlui¹⁰Bogdan Novac¹¹Bouchaib Bencharki³Mohamed Sbaghi¹

• ¹National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat principal, 10090 Rabat, Morocco
• ²HumanNutrition, Bioacives and Oncogenetics Team, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 11201, Morocco
• ³Laboratory of Agro-Alimentary and Health, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Hassan First University of Settat, B.P. 539, Settat 26000, Morocco
• ⁴Health Care and Biology-Health Team, 2S2D Laboratory, Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Techniques of Casablanca (ISPITS), Casablanca 20100, Morocco
• ⁵Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Carol I Avenue, No. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
• ⁶Olga Necrasov” Center, Department of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, 010071 Iasi, Romania
• ⁷Ioan Haulica” Institute, Apollonia University, Pacurari Street 11, 700511 Iasi, Romania
• ⁸CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16th Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
• ⁹Clinical Department, Apollonia University, Păcurari Street, 700511 Iasi, Romania
• ¹⁰Clinical Department, Apollonia University, Păcurari Street 11, 700511 Iasi, Romania
• ¹¹Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16th Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania

Abstract Introduction: Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) is a major pest affecting Opuntia spp. plantations, causing significant economic losses. The study was conducted at the experimental domain of the National Institute of Agricultural Research, Zemamra, Morocco from 2022 to 2024. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 19 treatments, including biorational insecticides—mineral oil (MO), black soap (BS), Nicotiana glauca extract (NG)—and the entomopathogenic fungus Alternaria murispora (AM), applied alone or in combinations, with or without pruning, in a randomized complete block design as integrated pest management strategies for D. opuntiae. Methods: Treatments were applied eight times per year at five-week intervals. Data collected included fruit number, cladode number, fruit weight, fruit shape index, phenological phases, infestation level, and visual quality of treated plants. Results: The results showed that the combined treatment MO+BS+NG+AM, particularly with pruning, significantly enhanced fruit production (51.1–113.3 across the three years), cladode production (26.5– 71.4 across the three years), fruit weight (188.2–192.7 g across the three years), and visual quality of treated plants (visual quality scores: 9.8–10.0 across the three years). It also reduced fruit maturation duration (60.9–59.3 days across the three years), fruit development period (122.3–117.1 days across the three years), and D. opuntiae infestation (scale values: 0.2–0.0 across the three years). Pruning played a crucial role in improving the effectiveness of treatments by facilitating coverage and enhancing plant health. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that combining pruning with biological and botanical methods sustainably boosts O. ficus-indica growth and controls D. opuntiae.