Rat damage to certain vegetable crops and population density of Arvicanthis niloticus (desmart)‎ with its number of active burrows in qalubia and fayoum governorates

Abstract EN

Experiments were carried out during two successive years 2017 and 2018 in Qalubia (Kaha City-Tokh district) and Fayoum (Tamia district) Governorates.

The aim was to study the correlation between the Field Nile Rat Arvicanthis niloticus (Desmart) population density and its active burrows per 100 m., in and around the field both and its damage to each of tomato, green pepper (Rumi), peas and squash in February and March.

Results proved that the Field Nile Rat, Arvicanthis niloticus (Desmart) damage percentage, population density and number of the active burrowsper 100 m., in and around the field differs from crop to crop, from Governorate to Governorate and from month to anther during the repine stage.

Also, the results obtained proved that there is a positive correlation between the rat damage percentages and each of population density of Rats and their active burrows per 100 m., in and around the field.

The highest percentage of damage, number of active burrows and rat population density was recorded on tomato crop during March in Fayoum Governorate.

Meanwhile, the lowest figures for Arvicanthis niloticus (Desmart) damage, population density and number of active burrows per 100 m., was recorded on green pepper (Rumi) during February in Qalubia Governorate.