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The effect of foliar fertilizers in enhancing the resistance of broccoli plants against the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner)


Citation :- The effect of foliar fertilizers in enhancing the resistance of broccoli plants against the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner). Crop Res. 61: 146-152
HIND IBRAHIM AL-KHAZRAJI AND ENAS HAMED AL-ANI hind.ibrahim@coagri.uobaghdad.edu.iq
Address : Department of Plant Protection, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
Submitted Date : 3-11-2025
Accepted Date : 23-12-2025

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in the fields of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, Al-Jadriya, during 2023-2024 to study the role of foliar application in the improvement of broccoli resistance against the Trichoplusia ni. The experiment was designed using a completely randomized block design. The foliar fertilizers Agro-K Amino, FoliaStim Ultra and Agro- A. + FoliaStim U.  showed significant effect on the infestation by cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni on broccoli plants. Use of foliar fertilizer of Agro- A. + FoliaStim U exerted the most significant effect than Agro-K Amino and FoliaStim Ultra. Infestation reached 9.94 holes per leaf in control but in treatments that sprayed with Agro-K Amino, FoliaStim Ultra and Agro-A. + FoliaStim U.  recorded 4.95, 3.80 and 3.14 holes per leaf on 11/12/2023, respectively. The highest percentage of leaf infestation was 69.78% in control treatment, while it decreased to 33.48, 28.74 and 20.82% for the different treatments, respectively, on 11/12/2023. The treatments also led to a reduction in the percentage of infestation severity and an increase in plant yield. FoliaStim U fertilizers increased the resistance in broccoli plants, (Brassica oleracea var. italica) against the cabbage looper and reduced its damage

Keywords

Cabbage worm crop fertilizer Lepidoptera vegetable 

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