Effect of integrated control methods on carob moth damage and pomegranate yield in Isfahan and Qom provinces

The carob moth (CM) is the key pest of pomegranate fruit in Iran, and it causes damages up to 45% on the pomegranate yield in both the field and storage stages. In the present study, control of CM was investigated by integrating the control methods in two different provinces, Isfahan (Shahreza county) and Qom (Jafarabad county) during 2021-2022. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with two treatments, including integrated control of CM and check (without any control operation) in 4 replications. Integrated control treatment included two stages of stamen elimination of the flowers in June (the first and second half), four times spraying of Sepidan processed kaolin with 5% concentration (the middle of June, July, August and September), two times of collecting infested fruits (end of June and August) and maintaining the green cover of orchard. The results showed that infestation was decreased 51.0% and 61.7% in Isfahan and Qom compared with control respectively. In addition, the yield was increased 119.8% (3.69 kg/tree) and 34.15% (3.73 kg/tree) in Isfahan and Qom compared with control respectively. By integrating the control methods, a profit equivalent to 5 times more than the costs were obtained. The findings of the present study indicated that the integrated management of CM would results in desirable economic, social and environmental outcomes.