Investigating the developmental biology and management possibilities for two mesquite species [Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) J.F. Mac.] and [Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.]

Dwarf mesquite [Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) J.F. Mac.] is an invasive weed most commonly infest non-irrigated areas along the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Whereas common mesquite [Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.] was introduced to Sudan in early 1900's and currently become an invasive weed causing a major threat to cropland and natural ecosystems. In the present research, temperature requirements for seed germination of the two mesquite species were determined. As a result, optimum temperatures were found to be 35C and 30C for P. juliflora and P. farcta, respectively. Moreover, the effect of some mechanical and physical treatments such as pre-chilling, preheating and seed cutting on the germinatability of these two mesquite species was studied. In addition, the phenological growth stages of dwarf mesquite have been determined when the vegetative growth, development and reproductive phenology of this plant were precisely studied. As an attempt to combine the results obtained from the weed biology and management studies, the efficacy of different herbicides on P. farcta and P. juliflora was investigated by conducting several greenhouse and field experiments. . According to the results obtained from the greenhouse experiments, all tested herbicides provided effective control for the two species. However, under the field conditions, only application of 2,4-D+picloram has demonstrated an acceptable effect on dwarf mesquite. Furthermore, as an alternative management option, impact of indigenous seed-feeding insects on dwarf mesquite was investigated. In biological control studies, five insect species of Bruchid family were identified and they were considered potential biological control agents for management of dwarf mesquite.