The effect of kaolin on physiological parameters and almond seed wasp (Eurytoma amygdali) in some almond cultivars (Amygdalus communis L.)

Objective: Effect of Kaolin on Physiological Parameters and Almond Seed Wasp pest (Eurytoma amygdali) in Some Almond (Prunus amygdalus L.) Varieties Material and Methods: The study will be carried out in the Fruit Collection Garden and department laboratory at Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture. In the study, 4 different varieties, 2 local and 2 foreign varieties, will be found. In total, the study will be carried out with 10 trees of each variety, and each variety will include 2 control plant, 3 kaolin-applied plants, 3 kaolin+insecticide-applied plants, and 2 insecticide-applied plants. Results: Within the scope of the experiment, analyzes were made regarding phenological, morphological and physiological parameters on 2 local and 2 foreign almond varieties trees. According to the phenological observations obtained from the study, parameters such as earlier bud swelling and burst flowering were observed in foreign almond varieties compared to local varieties in every 2 years. Since the temperature in 2023 was lower than in 2024, the dates of bud swell, bud burst, full flowering and leafing occurred 2.3 days later. According to morphological parameters, kaolin application ranked first according to stem diameter, variety*application interaction. In physiological parameters, chlorophyll density was observed to be higher in various foreign origins. According to the YOSI value, variety*application interaction ranked first in local varieties of Nurlu almond in both years. According to the variety*application interaction averages based on electron leakage values, Nurlu almond insecticide application came first in domestic varieties, and Ferragnes variety came first in kaolin application among foreign varieties. In the fight against almond seed wasp pest, the highest value was observed in the control application, and the lowest value was observed in the kaolin application. Conclusion: Nowadays, it is recommended to use kaolin, a particle film coater, more effectively in almond cultivation. We observe that kaolin reduces the effects of biotic and abiotic stress conditions in some varieties. In addition, when kaolin clay was used against the almond seed wasp pest, a very low rate of pests were detected in the fruits.