Joint International Conference on Long-term Experiments ...

THE DYNAMICS OF THE POPULATIONS OF CEREAL PESTS AND
PATHOGENS IN THE ROMANIAN WESTERN PLAIN
Elena Bucurean, Nicolae Csép
University of Oradea, Faculty for Environmental Protection Oradea
SUMMARY
In a given agroecosystem, the exact determination of pest species, meaning primary,
occasional, potential and migrating pests, the identification of harmful plant pathogens,
requires particular attention: these species are different for each crop or zone, an aspect
that imparts certain characteristics to the fighting schemes.
Over the years, it has been noticed that the damages made by pests and diseases in
the western part of the country are not always of equal magnitude: these damages
greatly depend on the environmental and biotic factors’ influence on the species present
in the area (Bucurean, 2004; Csep, 2006). Consequently, there are some species that are
present and cause damages every year, species of both cyclical and seasonal economic
importance and there are other species that are simply part of the area’s fauna.
The spectrum of plant-specific pathogens also undergoes changes, especially under
the influence of the regime of temperature and humidity during the crop’s vegetation
period. Performing the meteorological observations and establishing the inoculum
reserve holds special importance in the application of environment-friendly
technologies.
Key words: wheat, pests, diseases, damages.
INTRODUCTION
Taking into account the fact that winter wheat is cultivated in over 45 countries, feeding
35–40% of the world’s population, as well as the fact that it ensures about 40% of the
total need of calories in human diet, it is absolutely imperative to be aware of the
entomofauna and pathogens present in cereal crops every year, in order to foresee and
then prevent the appearance of pest invasions (Ghizdavu et al.,1998; Perju et al.,1993)
and epiphytotic infections due the harmful pathogens. This aspect also stands with
regard to other local crops, with the addition that it is necessary to be aware of the
populations’ tendencies and the reserve of inoculum, in relation to the evolution of the
abiotic (temperature, humidity, soil, air currents etc.) and traffic factors (food and the
relations between predators, parasites and host pests).
RESULTS
a.) Pest populations: In cereal crops, the tendency of the existing pest populations in
the area is of slight increase in cereal bugs (Eurygaster spp, Aelia spp), wheat thrips
(Haplotrips tritici), wheat chafer (Anisoplia spp), cereal leaf beetle (Oulema
melanopus), cereal green aphid (Schyzaphis graminum) and various species of
phytophagous diptera (Oscinella sp, Agronyza sp, Phytomiza sp), wire worms (Agriotes
spp) as well as Continental field vole (Microtus arvalis), whose attack however has a
cyclical and seasonal character.
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