Sea buckthorn gall mite (Aceria hippophaena Nal.) in the orchards of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) and elements of its control agrotechnology

Abstract

The presented research allowed for covering more features of new varieties of sea buckthorn, demonstrating the bio-ecological potential of their plants against damage by sea buckthorn gall mites, which is no less urgent today among the pests of sea buckthorn orchards. Thus, the species Aceria hippophaena Nalepa (synonym Eriophyes hippophaenus Nalepa), which belongs to the genus Artacris Keifer, 1970, is one of the dangerous representatives of four-legged mites towards plants of the genus Hippophae L. The purpose of the study was to explore the biological and ecological features of the above-mentioned mite and to develop measures for its control in buckthorn orchards. During the research, field and laboratory methods were used according to the methodology for conducting a qualification examination of forest plant species varieties for their suitability for distribution in Ukraine. It was established that the range of sea buckthorn gall mites covers large areas of Western, and Northwestern Europe and the northern regions of Eastern Europe, including Ukraine. In the conditions of the northern part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, bioecological features and the level of damage of sea buckthorn gall mites on plants of the studied crop were explored in the gardens of early-, mid- and late-ripening varieties of sea buckthorn. It was noted that the sea buckthorn gall mite leads a hidden lifestyle, feeding inside the buds and leaves of buckthorn plants. It has been established that this parasite severely damages sea buckthorn plants in the initial stages of their ontogeny. In addition, severely damaged leaves are deformed, dry out prematurely and fall off, which frequently results in their death. It was established that the mite infestation and damage to plants of early-ripening varieties is less than that of medium- and late-ripening varieties. The practical value of the work is that it has been proven that two- or three-fold mechanised tillage in the inter-row and near-stem zone significantly reduces damage to sea buckthorn plants by gall mites