Impact of Planting Dates and Climate Changes on the Number of Generations of Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller and The Economic Feasibility Study

Abstract

A Field experiment was applied at El-Ayat district, Giza Egypt, during two successive seasons, 2021&2022 and 2022&2023. The experiment aimed to Impact of planting dates and climate changes on the number of generations of potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller and the economic feasibility study (var. Spunta) four dates were selected for the planting, with a 20-day interval between each: November 21, December 11, January1 and January 21. The statistical analysis indicated that there were significant differences between the different levels of infestations by P. operculella according to four different planting dates during two seasons. The highest mean number of P. operculella was recorded on the last planting date while the lowest seasonal mean number was recorded on the first planting date. Referring to the effect of different planting dates during the study period, the relationship between the population density of P. operculella Zeller larvae and the crop yield of potato was negative and highly significant. Data revealed that the second planting date was the most planting date caused by increasing weight of potato yield with low mean weekly number of the pests during the two successive seasons. Economic evaluation parameters indicate that the second planting date (December
11) achieved the highest return per acre, amounting to 191.2 thousand pounds per acre. According to the study, P. operculella matures its life cycle more swiftly at higher temperatures. The current climate (2021–2022) slows down the maturation of all generations. But in the event of future warming: The pest's life cycle shortens at +1.5°C (2021–2040), allowing it to produce more generations annually.
Development is further accelerated at +2.0°C (2041–2060), which increases infection frequencies and has a bigger impact on agriculture. According to the tendency, rising temperatures may make insect load on crops worse, necessitating the development of flexible pest management techniques. The findings showed that the Tracer SC (85.15%) was the most effective control in terms of the mean percentage of Phtorimaea operculella zeller larva population reduction.