Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Palm Hearts from three Iranian Date Palm Cultivars Affect Physiological Responses of Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, 1790) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae)

Articles in Press
Authors
F. Khodadai Esfichar 1
M. Pahlavan Yali 2
P. N. Namvar 3
1 MSc Student, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
2 Corresponding author, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Plant Protection Research Department, South Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Jiroft, Iran
Abstract
The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) is a serious insect pest of date palm trees worldwide. In this study, we aimed to assess the energy reserves and antioxidative defense response of R. ferrugineus larvae on palm hearts of three date palm cultivars (Piarom, Mazafati, and Kalute). Furthermore, the specific biochemical and mechanical properties of the palm hearts were evaluated. The insect was reared in a growth chamber at 29 ± 2°C, 80 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) and the experiments were conducted using the seventh instar larvae. The results revealed that the highest contents of sugar and lipid in R. ferrugineus larvae were on Piarom and Mazafati palm hearts, respectively. The antioxidant enzymes activities in R. ferrugineus larvae were significantly different on the tested palm hearts. According to the mechanical analysis, the Mazafati palm heart had the lowest tissue hardness. Biochemical analysis revealed that the total sugar content was high in Mazafati and Kalute palm hearts, and low in Piarom palm heart. The concentrations of phenol and flavonoid were also different in the tested palm hearts. Moreover, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling showed that alkaloids, terpenes, acids, and amides were the major volatile components of the tested palm hearts. Based on the results, Piarom showed traits associated with reduced larval performance, suggesting its potential use in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

Keywords

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