Effect of kaolin and diatoms on growth, productivity and pests of potato under North Sinai conditions

Abstract EN

The effect of kaolinite and diatom sediments (DS) were applied as crud natural products for soil addition at rates of 2.5 and 5 ton/fed and/or as commercially products for foliar spraying these products are kaolin (Super Nano) and diatoms forms at concentrations of 2.5 and 5% against some potato pests as insects leafminer fly (Liriomyza huidobrensis), and aphid (Myzus persica) as well as early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani, also to study their effect on growth, plant leaves area (cm2) and fresh and dry weight/plant as well as, leaves area index (LAI) and net assimilation rat (NAR) in addition to chlorophyll content measured after 45 and 75 days from sowing, yield and its components (tubers number/plant, average of tuber fresh weight and yield/plant, plot and feddan) as compared with traditional agricultural practices on potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.) Daimond variety.

The experiment was carried out under the desert conditions (Eastern part of Al-Ismailia governorate within Sinai) in split block design.

The results cleared that the diatoms and kaolin (Super Nano) as foliar spraying were the superior effect at 5% concentration on cumulative leafminer, aphid infestations and early blight disease incidence and severity.

The highest reduction of soil additive treatment against leafminer insect was obtained from diatom sediments (DS) at 5 ton/fed, followed by diatom sediments (DS) at 2.5 ton/fed.

In case of aphid leaves infestations as soil additives, the highest reduction was (DS) at 5 ton/fed followed by kaolinite at 5 ton/fed.

The most effective soil additive to reduce incidence and severity of early blight disease was obtained from diatom sediments (DS) at 5 ton/fed, followed by kaolinite at 5 ton/fed.

The interaction between soil additives and foliar spraying decreased significantly infestation with leafminer, aphid and early blight disease.

The most effective treatment was achieved from the interaction between soil additives (DS at 5 ton/ fed) × foliar spraying (diatoms 5% or super Nano 5%) to reduce leafminer and aphid infestations and incidence and severity of early blight disease.

Diatom at 5% as foliar spraying or/and (DS) at rate of 5 ton/fed as soil additive, which had significant positive response to plant growth and chlorophyll content as well as yield and its component.

High significant positive correlations were found between potato yield and either plant leaves area, NAR, no.

of tuber/plant and average of tuber weight.

Regression coefficients indicated that for each increase of one tuber/plant, yield of potato correspondingly increased by 3.64 ton/fed.