© The Authors, 2023, Published by the Universidad del Zulia*Corresponding author: zebsa.rabah@univ-guelma.dz
Keywords:
Orchards
Ficus carica
Bark beetles
Hypocryphalus scabricollis
Algeria
Fig tree xylophagous pest’s eects in the Bejaia region (central-north Algeria)
Efectos de la plaga xilófaga de la higuera en la región de Bejaia (Argelia centro-norte)
Efeitos da praga xilófaga da gueira na região de Bejaia (centro-norte da Ar
gélia)
Abdelmadjid Chelli
1
Aldjia Oudjiane
2
Rabah Zebsa
3*
Sabah Razi
4
Fariza Boussad
5
Soane Boudalia
3
Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2022, 40(2): e234022
ISSN 2477-9407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47280/RevFacAgron(LUZ).v40.n2.12
Crop Production
Associate editor: Dra. Lilia Urdaneta
University of Zulia, Faculty of Agronomy
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
1
Laboratoire de Zoologie Appliquée et d’Ecophysiologie
Animale, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie,
Université de Bejaia, Algeria.
2
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Oued
Ghir Bejaia, Algéria.
3
Laboratoire de Biologie, Eau et Environnement, Faculté des
Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie et Sciences de la Terre et
de l’Univers, Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma, P.O. Box 4010,
Guelma 24000, Algeria.
4
Université Mohamed Khider de Biskra (Algéria).
5
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique d’Alger
(Algéria).
Received: 26-02-2023
Accepted: 05-05-2023
Published: 10-06-2023
Abstract
In response to alerts from farmers in Bejaia region (central-north Algeria)
about the decline of their g trees, a survey was conducted between 2019 and
2021 in the main localities known for g crops. Hypocryphalus scabricollis
(Eichho) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae: Scolytinae) was identied as the
causal agent of g tree decline in the region. This species is reported for the
rst time in Algeria. Here, a morphological description and main biological
traits of this species are given. Distribution of H. scabricollis in the Bejaia
region is illustred, and an overview of its behaviour, symptoms and damage
caused to the host plant, and their potential impact in commercial g
production is discussed. This work aims to provide a preliminary database to
the scientic community about this xylophagous pest of g trees and to alert
regional and national policy makers to take it seriously and address emerging
bark beetle problems before it is too late.
This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.
Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023, 40(2): e234022. April-June. ISSN 2477-9407.2-6 |
Resumen
En respuesta a las alertas de los agricultores de la región de
Bejaia (centro-norte de Argelia) sobre el declive de sus higueras, se
realizó una encuesta entre 2019 y 2021 en las principales localidades
conocidas por los cultivos de higuera. Hypocryphalus scabricollis
(Eichho) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae: Scolytinae) fue identicado
como el agente causal del declive de la higuera en la región. Esta
especie se reporta por primera vez en Argelia. Aquí se describe la
morfología y principales rasgos biológicos de esta especie. Se
ilustra la distribución de H. scabricollis en la región de Bejaia y se
analiza una descripción general de su comportamiento, síntomas y
daños causados a la planta hospedera, y su impacto potencial en la
producción comercial de higos. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo
proporcionar una base de datos preliminar a la comunidad cientíca
sobre esta plaga xilófaga de las higueras y alertar a los responsables
políticos regionales y nacionales para que la tomen en serio y aborden
los problemas emergentes del escarabajo de la corteza antes de que
sea demasiado tarde.
Palabras clave: huertos, Ficus carica, escarabajos de corteza,
Hypocryphalus scabricollis, Argelia.
Resumo
Em resposta aos alertas dos agricultores da região de Bejaia
(centro-norte da Argélia) sobre o declínio das suas gueiras,
foi realizado um levantamento entre 2019 e 2021 nas principais
localidades conhecidas pela cultura do go. Hypocryphalus
scabricollis (Eichho) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae: Scolytinae) foi
identicado como o agente causal do declínio da gueira na região.
Esta espécie é relatada pela primeira vez na Argélia. Aqui, uma
descrição morfológica e principais características biológicas desta
espécie são dadas. A distribuição de H. scabricollis na região de
Bejaia é ilustrada, e uma visão geral do seu comportamento, sintomas
e danos causados à planta hospedeira, e seu potencial impacto na
produção comercial de gos é discutida. Este trabalho visa fornecer
um banco de dados preliminar para a comunidade cientíca sobre
esta praga xilófaga das gueiras e alertar os formuladores de políticas
regionais e nacionais para levá-la a sério e abordar os problemas
emergentes do besouro da casca antes que seja tarde demais.
Palavras-chave: Pomares, Ficus carica, besouros de casca,
Hypocryphalus scabricollis, Argélia.
Introduction
The g tree (Ficus carica L.) is a globally important crop that has
been cultivated for at least 11,000 years originated in the Middle East
(Cutajar and Mifsud, 2017), and is well-adapted to the Mediterranean
climate. In Algeria, the vast majority of plantations are located in
the Kabylia region which represents 40 % of the national g orchard
(Chouaki et al., 2006), including the provinces of Béjaia (13352 ha)
and Tizi-Ouzou (6387 ha). The g fruit was one of the staple foods
and a source of income for the majority of farming families in the
region.
Fig trees host more than thirty insect pests and diseases (Cutajar
and Mifsud, 2017), and in the last few years, Mediterranean regions
have been invaded by alien wood-boring bark beetles (Family
Scolytinae) (Kirkendall and Faccoli, 2010; Rassati et al., 2016).
Bejaia, a region in north-central Algeria, is not safe from this
scourge, and warning signals have been given by farmers and local
associations due to the weakening of g trees. The decline of g tree
plantations in Kabylie is due to a group of xylophagous beetles in
the subfamily Scolytinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). The majority
of species belonging to this group attack dead wood, while some of
them can attack living and healthy trees (Kirkendall et al., 2015).
After analyzing samples from dierent orchards on infested trees, it
has been found that the bark beetle, Hypocryphalus scabricollis was
responsible for the dieback.
The bark beetle frequently attacks trees weakened by drought,
disease, injuries, nutritional deciencies, and sun scald (Cutajar
and Mifsud, 2017). It was discovered over a century ago in Burma
and Asia, where it is regarded a harmful organism, and it was just
discovered in Malta in 1991 (Mifsud and Knížek, 2009), in Sicily
in 2014 (Faccoli et al., 2016), in the northeast of Tunisia in 2016
(Gaaliche et al., 2018). It seems that this pest is continuously
expanding its range in the Mediterranean region. Confronted with
the rapid progression of g tree dieback caused by this pest and its
potential socioeconomic implications, we carried out surveys in the
main localities renowned for g production in Bejaia, Algeria. Given
that xylophagous pests of g trees have not been documented yet in
this country, this study represents a timely baseline for future work
on g pests.
Materials and methods
Study area
This investigation was conducted in Bejaia province, situated in
the central north of Algeria, in the Kabylia province (gure 1). It is
located 181 km east of Algiers (36°45′00″N 5°04′00″E), and extends
over an area of 3268 km
2
. The area is dominated by mountainous
massifs on 75 % of its surface, and the whole region is drained by the
Soummam River (A. S. W. B., 1996). This area is characterized by a
Mediterranean climate, with mild and humid winters alternating with
hot and dry summers. There is a rainy season from October to May,
and a dry season from June to September. It is subject to high water
conditions due to heavy, often irregular rainfall varying annually
between 600 mm and 800 mm (B. N. D. R., 1980).
Figure 1. Study area and surveyed localities of the g killer bark
beetle. Source: own elaboration.
This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.
Chelli et al. Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023 40(2): e2340223-6 |
Sampling methodology
The bark beetle specimens found under the bark of g trees and
plant parts such as stems and branches were collected from six sites
in the Bejaia region. The sites, which ranged in elevation from 35 to
945 meters, were visited over a two-year period, from March 2019 to
April 2021 (table 1).
Table 1. Geographic data of the surveyed sites in Bejaia region.
Sites Localities
Elevation
(m)
Latitude Longitude
Inra Oued Ghir 35 36°42′25″N 4°57′23″E
Igher n’Deni
Benimaouche
620 36°29′56″N 4°46′47″E
Ait Ouamer 945 36°29′12″N 4°44′43″E
Guenana
Kendira
813 36°32′22″N 5°00′46″E
Tibkert 848 36°33′15″N 4°58′23″E
Ait Sidi Ali Berbacha 480 36°60′74″N 4°99′48″E
Source: own elaboration.
Once a month, adults and larval stages collected from infested
trees were stored in 70 % alcohol for further identication. Plant
parts potentially containing eggs were also picked once a month and
placed in plastic bags, then transferred to large plastic boxes (50 x
30 x 40 cm) covered by ne mesh. These samples were deposited
in the laboratory of the National Institute of Agronomic Research
(NIAR) and maintained at an average temperature of 20 °C and
relative humidity of ~70 %, which will allow the larvae, nymphs, and
immatures present in the wood to reach the adult stage and emerge.
Morphological examination of adult bark beetle specimens
observed was carried out using a binocular magnifying glass and
relevant identication work was related to bark beetles (Faccoli et
al., 2016; Mifsud and Knížek, 2009). Macro-photography used in this
report was done using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 camera. For
the Hypocryphalus scabricollis specimens, a digital camera mounted
on a microscope was used. A total of 30 individuals were deposited at
National Institute of Agronomic Research (NIAR).
External morphological characters were taken from the accurate
descriptions reported by Mifsud and Knížek (2009), Faccoli et al.
(2016) and Cutajar and Mifsud (2017).
Results and discussion
Identication and morphological description
Morphological examination of adult specimens that emerged and
were observed under the bark of trunks and branches of dead and
wilted trees revealed the presence of two dierent bark beetle species
belonging to two tribes and two families of Scolytinae: Hypoborus
cus (Erichson) and Hypocryphalus scabricollis (Eichho). The
former species was already reported on the g tree by Mifsud
and Knížek (2009) along with other species of Scolytinae such as
Liparthrum mori (Aubé) and Hypothenemus leprieuri (Perris). The
latter species, H. scabricollis, is a new record as a g pest in Algeria
(table 2). Both species were found in association with Hypocryphalus
scabricollis under the bark of dead wood in the Beni Maouche
locality (table 2), and also in close association with another species of
Cerambycidae, Trichoferus fasciculatus (Faldermann, 1837) in most
of the surveyed orchards.
Description and identication of the beetle
Proper identication of the main pest causing the damage,
the bark beetle, H. scabricollis, is essential, especially since other
similarly looking bark beetles might be present in the same tree at the
same time (Cutajar and Mifsud, 2017). Females lay small, oval, and
whitish eggs just beneath the outer bark (gure 2A). Hypocryphalus
scabricollis adults are small, hard-bodied, rather squat shape insects
(gure 2D).
Figure 2. Life stages of Hypocryphalus scabricollis on g trees:
(A) Eggs; (B) Larvae; (C) Pupae; (D) Adults. Source: own
elaboration.
Body length is about 2 mm. The colour changes from yellowish
brown (young bark beetle) to dark brown (adult bark beetle). When
viewed from above, the head is partly or completely hidden by
the pronotum. Frons convex, attened above epistoma, strongly
shagreened, nely sparsely punctuate; its eyes are emarginated;
antenna characterised by a 4-segmented funicle and a rounded
antennal club. The pronotum is bicoloured, lighter posteriorly, and
nearly as wide as it is long. The anterior margin of the pronotum is
armed by 5-6 conspicuous and protruding teeth of which the two
central ones are bigger than the others. The elytral surface of H.
scabricollis, instead, is covered with dense but microscopic scalelike
setae and erect sparse hairs. Larvae are whitish (gure 2B), apodous,
robust, arcuate in shape, and may have a dark brown head. Pupae are
o-white and plump (gure 2C). H. scabricollis could be confused
with other bark beetle species such as, Hypoborus cus (Erichson),
where an association with this species is observed in one of the
surveyed localities of the Bejaia region (table 2).
According to Faccoli et al. (2016), H. scabricollis can be
distinguished from other species by the body length, antennae and
pronotum shape. Indeed, H. cus is usually smaller (1-1.3 mm in
length) than H. scabricollis, with a pronotum covered by long,
recumbent, white scale-like setae. Moreover, H. cus has entire eyes,
which are instead emarginated in H. scabricollis. Lastly, in H. cus,
no teeth occur along the anterior margin of the pronotum.
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Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023, 40(2): e234022. April-June. ISSN 2477-9407.4-6 |
of adult individuals on dead branches surveyed in March and April
as well as in August and September. The large number of individuals
found in the branches of trees prospected in spring and summer
explains perfectly what was observed in the laboratory. In fact, under
laboratory conditions, we have assisted two major emergences of
adults. The rst emergence of young adults in the plastic boxes began
on the 25th of March and extended to the rst fortnight of April, and
the second one starts around the 20th of August and continues until
the rst week of September. These records indicate that this bark
beetle has more than one generation per year in the Bejaia region.
The spring generation probably occurs in early spring when the
temperatures start warming, allowing mature adults to emerge from
the tree. After emergence, adults may re-infest the same tree or, in
most cases, disperse to attack other new susceptible trees (gure 3B).
After mating, this bark beetle drills a small entrance hole in a branch.
Females dig a gallery and lay eggs just beneath the outer bark. After
hatching eggs, the larvae mine galleries that branch out from the egg-
laying gallery. The last larval stage will end in pupation giving rise
to immature adults, which, after a maturation phase of a few days,
emerge at the end of the summer, forming the autumn generation
(gure 4).
The females of this generation will in turn lay eggs in early
autumn. Thus, the eggs laid will give rise to young larvae that will
develop during this season and probably hibernate in the last larval
stage or as pupae. Nevertheless, some older adults are noted inside the
branches analysed in December, January and February; they seem to
be able to survive the winter and participate in the production of the
spring generation (gure 4).
Host plants and damage importance
In its native area the Asian thermophilous regions, H. scabricollis
appears to be quite polyphagous and has been found in association
with many tropical trees, including Intsia bijuga (Colebr.) Kuntze,
1891(Fabaceae), Madhuca longifolia (L.) J. F. Macbr. (1918)
(Sapotaceae), Bombax malabaricum DC. (1824) (Malvaceae),
Canarium euphyllum Kurz (1872) (Burseraceae), Excoecaria
agallocha L. (1759) (Euphorbiaceae), Ficus elastica Roxb. ex
Hornem., 1819 (Moraceae) (Wood and Bright, 1992). In the
Mediterranean region, it has only been found on plants of the genus
Ficus. In Malta, it was initially recorded from Ficus retusa (Mifsud
and Knížek, 2009); subsequently, it has been mainly found on wild
and cultivated g trees (Mifsud and Knížek, 2009). In Sicily (southern
Italy), this bark beetle has been found on both wild and cultivated
varieties of the common g (Faccoli et al., 2016). However, in the
Maghreb region, in the Mornag area (north-east of Tunisia) (Gaaliche
et al., 2018), and recently in the Bejaia region (north-central Algeria),
it was only found on F. carica. Whether in Malta, Italy, Tunisia or
Algeria, H. scabricollis has only been found on plants of the genus
Ficus. The majority of the orchards studied, H. scabricollis attacks
dead or dying trees, but in other localities, it attacks healthy trees,
causing dieback or mortality. This was observed at the Ait Ouamar
site, one of the orchards in the Beni Maouche locality. When looking
at the g tree from afar, the rst apparent symptom of attack by this
bark beetle is the partial desiccation of some branches, which will
eventually lead to the death of the whole tree (gure 5A).
Table 2. Identication of bark beetle species and the infested
section of g trees in Bejaia region.
Family Sub-family Tribe Species Location
Infested
plant part
CURCULIONIDAE Latreille,
1802
Scolytinae
Latreille,
1804
Hypoborini
Nüsslin,
1911
Hypoborus
cus Erichson,
1836
Benimaouche
(Igher
N’Deni)
Dead
branches and
twigs of Ficus
carica
Scolytinae
Latreille,
1804
Cryphalini
Lindemann,
1876
Hypocryphalus
scabricollis
(Eichho,
1878)
In all
surveyed
localities of
the Bejaia
region
Usually under
the bark of
dead wood of
F. carica, and
often on the
main trunk
and branches
of suering
trees.
Source: own elaboration.
Biology and behaviour
Globally, the life cycle of a bark beetle is organized, in each
generation, around a basic life cycle in 4 phases: reproduction,
development, maturation, and dispersion. Like all other bark beetles,
H. scabricollis spends most of its life under the bark of dead or dying
g trees where it passes through four successive stages: egg, larva,
pupa, and adult (gure 3A).
Figure 3. Illustration of the life cycle of Hypocryphalus scabricollis
(B) and its interaction with the g trees (A) in Bejaia
region, Algeria. Source: own elaboration.
Based on our monthly in-situ observations in the orchard of
the National Institute for Agronomic Research (NIAR) and of the
dierent emergences of adults from the branches placed in the boxes
under laboratory conditions, we can say that H. scabricollis develops
at least two annual generations in the Bejaia region. Indeed, our
various eld surveys have given us an idea of its life cycle. In the
eld, the presence of the species as larvae and adults on dead wood
and dying tree branches is almost always noted throughout the year.
However, we noted the presence of eggs over two distinct periods.
The females seem to lay eggs in May and September. Our monthly
eld observations have also allowed us to note a remarkable presence
This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.
Chelli et al. Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023 40(2): e2340225-6 |
Figure 4. Diagram illustrating the succession of generations of
Hypocryphalus scabricollis on g trees. Source: own
elaboration.
Figure 5. Signs of Hypocryphalus scabricollis attacks on g trees
in the dierent localities of the Bejaia area. Source: own
elaboration.
A closer examination of the branches and trunks of aected trees
reveals numerous small round holes of about 2 mm in diameter (gure
5B). On the branches and at the base of the trunk, the bark cracks and
may peel o in some places (gure 5C). Scraping of the bark at the
entry point shows damage to the tissue just below the bark (gure
5D). By lifting the bark, we can observe adults associated in some
cases with larvae and characteristic gallery patterns if the infestation
is not too recent (gure 5E-H). The proliferation of these galleries
weakens attacked branches or trees, eventually leading to death in
high-pressure situations (gure 5I). Damage initially limited to one
or more branches can spread more or less rapidly to the whole tree
and kill it if there is no rapid intervention. Such harm is caused by
both adults and larvae killing the tissue just under the bark, and the
tree quickly succumbs if the attack is very severe. This conrms the
information reported by Mifsud and Knížek (2009) in Malta, as well
as by Gaaliche et al. (2018) in Tunisia.
No statistics are currently available to calculate the number of
trees aected by this pest. However, in the Béjaia region, during
our eld surveys, we noted the presence of this insect in all the
localities known for g production, and the degree of infestation
varies considerably from place to place, especially depending on the
degree of orchard maintenance and the trees’ physiological condition.
Nevertheless, the orchards of Beni Maouche and those of Kindera are
the most aected by this pest, and mortality rates averaged around
10 %. In contrast, Faccoli et al. (2016) stated that over an eight-year
period, more than 50 % of Maltese island g trees were destroyed by
this bark beetle. According to the testimonies of some farmers in the
Beni Maouche community (Bejaia), this plague has been intensifying
for about three years, and these attacks are undoubtedly linked to
global warming because, in recent years, the North African region
has had a succession of heat waves and hot, dry summers following
abnormally mild winters (Khelifa et al., 2021), which seem to
have favorably inuenced outbreaks of this beetle. Several authors
studying bark beetles associated with certain forest trees observed
and conrmed this pattern, indeed, these current climate changes are
highly susceptible to inuencing plant-insect interactions (Raa et
al., 2008; Rassati et al., 2016), and chronic water stress over long
periods of time due to climate warming is generally the main cause of
observed forest diebacks (Allen et al., 2010; McDowell et al., 2013).
In any case, there seems to be a correlation between drought phases
and attack intensity.
Regional and national decision-makers must take this alarming
situation caused by the emergence of this bark beetle seriously to
avoid scenarios such as the one recorded in Algeria in the 1980s
on Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill., 1768) (Pinaceae) by the
pine procession caterpillar Traumatocampa pityocampa (Denis &
Schiermüller, 1775) (Notodontidae) (Kadik, 1987). The failure to
manage this problem in due time has favored the pest’s geographic
expansion, leading to large areas of infestation in the early 2000s.
Control means
In general, there are no eective methods or treatments available
to control bark beetles. Control is dicult because the insect spends
most of its life cycle under the bark, sheltered from potential insecticide
treatments. No chemical treatment is currently registered to control
this bark beetle on living trees. Since infested trees cannot usually be
saved, preventive rather than curative control is preferable. Measures
such as avoiding water stress in summer (watering), fertilizing and
amending the soil, or installing pheromone traps to prevent adult
beetles from colonizing healthy trees are promising. Currently, farmers
are advised to quickly fell, remove, and burn the infested trees from
the orchard. In the biological control of Hypocryphalus scabricollis,
research should be focused on the natural enemies, predators, and
parasites associated with this bark beetle, and promising solutions
may emerge from the work of Belokobylskij and Maeto (2009) and
Mifsud et al. (2012). These researchers have identied parasitoid
species from the genus Ecphylus Foerster, 1863 (Braconidae) on bark
beetles. According to Belokobylskij and Maeto (2009), all species of
the genus Ecphylus are larval ectoparasitoids of Scolytinae and rarely
of Bostrichidae and Cerambycidae. However, Mifsud et al. (2012),
identied thirty-ve specimens of Ecphylus caudatus Ruschka, 1916
This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.
Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2023, 40(2): e234022. April-June. ISSN 2477-9407.6-6 |
(Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) from dead branches of F.
carica infested with the bark beetle, Hypoborus cus. According to
these authors, it is important to recall that this parasitoid, E. caudatus,
was recorded by Belokobylskij in the Mediterranean basin and in the
Maghreb region, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. This ectoparasite
deserves to be tested on the larvae of H. scabricollis. This approach
may prove successful in the coming years. Finally, various chemical
studies should also be initiated to identify and synthesize the
pheromonal molecules of this species. An attempt will then be made
to use them as a means of detecting and capturing this pest.
Conclusions
The investigation report on the phenomenon of g tree decline
in some localities of the Bejaia region has allowed us to provide
some answers to the distress and expectations of local farmers. The
eld survey revealed that the wilting and dieback of trees are due
to a new xylophagous pest recently introduced in Algeria. This is
Hypocryphalus scabricollis, a bark beetle known in the countries
where it occurs as the “g tree killer”. The eld survey showed that
this new bark beetle prefers to attack old and weakened trees, but
in some cases, young trees are not spared. The damage committed
by this pest in the various g tree plantations is probably the result
of two essential complementary factors: on the one hand, inadequate
management of the orchards; and on the other hand, the existence of
receptive trees, i.e., decreased tree vitality due to water stress caused
by successive droughts, which favours infestation and increases the
degree of tree decline. This new alien bark beetle seems to develop
at least two generations per year in the Bejaia region’s climate: a
spring generation and an autumn generation. In Algeria, if the g
tree is well known botanically, much remains to be done on the
phytosanitary aspect. The problem associated with the emergence
of this bark beetle should be addressed seriously with the intention
of integrated management by the relevant services. Following this
account dedicated to this bark beetle found in Bejaia area. Further
research should be carried out in the coming years to obtain even more
information on its biology and behaviour, and focus on parasitoids
and predators potentially associated with this bark beetle in order to
use them as biological agents for its control.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all the people and colleagues the National
Institute of Agricultural Research from who helped us during the
various surveys and eld trips. Finally, we thank Meziane Youcef
president, and the vice-president, Ait Haliali Mohand Zine of the
Figure growers’ association of Sedouk who assisted and oriented us
towards the plantations aected in Beni Maouche area. This research
was supported by Ministry of Higher Education and Scientic
Research (MESRS) Algeria.
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