The effect of different plant nutrients and biostimulants applications to vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) management in vineyards

Abstract Planococcus ficus Signoret (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), commonly known as the vine mealybug, is a globally distributed species and stands out as one of the most destructive pests affecting grapevines. Sustainable approaches for suppressing P. ficus populations are needed. One of the crucial strategies for pest management without disrupting ecological balance is the creation of unfavorable conditions for pests through plant-mediated mechanisms. Plant nutrients and biostimulants applied during crop cultivation can enhance plant physiological status and defense capacity, thereby increasing resistance to diseases and insect pests. In this study, effects of seven different commercial mineral nutrient and biostimulant products were assed on the growth parameters of P. ficus . The life table data of P. ficus in grapevines, treated with key nutrients relevant to grape cultivation, were systematically collected to assess their impact on the population growth rate of P. ficus under controlled conditions. Among the different treatments, mealybugs fed on vines grown with the application of boron ethanolamine (Borfast) have the longest preadult development period, the lowest intrinsic rate of increase ( r ,0.0656 ± 0.004 d −1 ), the finite rate of increase ( λ ,1.067 ± 0.004 d −1 ), and the longest mean generation time (T, 55.49 ± 0.84 d). Among the tested treatments, Borfast, Fyllon Smart, and Idai Cu were grouped within the same statistical category for population suppression of P. ficus , although Borfast consistently produced more pronounced effects across multiple life table parameters. These findings suggest that these treatments hold significant potential for the successful control of P. ficus , thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.