The effect of nitrogen fertilizer on population changes and growth parameters of red tartar mite on different rose cultivars

The greenhouse spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval, is considered a serious pest on most ornamental plants, including roses in many parts of the world. In this study, population changes and growth parameters of this pest were evaluated at different nitrogen rates (0, 50, and 100 kg/ha) on three roses (red Magic Red, pink Polar Star, and white Delci Vita) at a temperature of 2 ± 27 degrees Celsius, a relative humidity of 5 ± 70 percent, and a photoperiod of 16:8 hours (light:dark). The highest and lowest mite population abundances were obtained at nitrogen levels of 100 and 0 kg nitrogen (control) per hectare, respectively. At all nitrogen levels, red rose had the highest (79.25) and white rose had the lowest (46.75) pest density. The results also showed that on all cultivars, mites at the nitrogen level of 100 kg per hectare had the highest intrinsic population growth rate (rm), finite population growth rate (λ) and net reproductive rate (R0). Following the increase in fertilization rate, the time required for population doubling (DT) decreased and mites completed one generation (T) in a shorter period of time. This study showed that the use of high levels of nitrogen in rose greenhouses can significantly increase the population and reproductive capacity of the greenhouse red spider mite on this plant.