Ecofriendly control approaches for Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Acari: Tarsonemidae) on tea (Camellia sinensis L.).

Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) is a serious pest to a variety of agricultural crops including tea (Camellia sinensis (L.), Theales: Theaceae) worldwide. In this study, the potential of Amblyseius (Neoseiulus) californicus (McGregor 1954) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) at two initial release ratios, 1:10 and 1:20 (predator: prey), and the effect of the garlic (Allium sativum L., Alliaceae) bulb extract, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., Solanaceae) leaf extract and soft soap in the management of P. latus were assessed. The research was carried out on seedlings of Tuğlalı-10, Muradiye-10 and Gündoğdu Turkish tea clones in Rize province (Black Sea coast, Turkey) during two growing seasons in 2013 and 2014. For each clone, a completely randomized block design was used to compare the differences among the nine treatments and two controls (sprayed and unsprayed). 80 % Micronized Sulfur was used on the sprayed control plot. Results showed that A. swirskii and N. californicus may be effective in reducing P. latus densities at the initial predator: prey release ratios of 1:10 and 1:20 on tea plants under Rize conditions. The tobacco leaf, garlic bulb extracts and soft soap treatments were also found to be promising for controlling P. latus on tea plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]