Grain yield losses due to leaf miner (Liriomyza cicerina R.) in winter- and spring-planted chickpea in Morocco

Abstract Chickpea leaf miner ( Liriomyza cicerina R.) is one of the main insect pests damaging chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) in the Mediterranean region. This study assessed yield losses caused by the chickpea leaf miner on four improved kabuli varieties using two planting dates, winter and spring, with insecticide treatment at two locations. The grain yield losses caused by this pest were on average 20% for winter planting and 42% for spring planting. In addition, infestation by leaf miner was about 25, 43 and 3% for untreated winter planting, untreated spring planting and treated plots, respectively. The chickpea leaf miner could be effectively managed using several integrated pest management options such as winter planting and use of resistant varieties.