Factors Affecting Horticulturist's Intent to Participate in Controlling Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) (The Case of Arsanjan County, Fars Province)

Carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller, 1839) (Lep., Pyralidae), is the most important pest of pomegranate in Iran. Pest control methods are not effective, unless every farmer decides to participate simultaneously. This research aimed to analyze conditions required for growers’ participation in the control of this pest in Arsanjan. The survey was conducted to gather quantitative data. Statistical population included all pomegranate growers located in the main areas of pomegranate production in Arsanjan, among them, 262 people were selected using stratified random sampling method. The face validity of the questionnaire was obtained through a panel of experts, and its reliability was confirmed through a pilot test, Cronbach’s alphas ranged from 0.61 to 0.93. Our findings revealed that cognitive institutions, normative institutions, social participation, trust to other people, garden acreage and generic competencies were able to explain 55 percent of changes in the subjects’ intent to participate in the pest control.