Abstract
Safety concerns necessitate the search for alternative ecologically friendly methods of pest management while simultaneously increasing productivity. From this point of view, a field experiment on Eureka Lemon (Citrus limon L) trees was undertaken with the goal of reducing the usage of nematicides and enhancing lemon tree productivity. In this study, ozone was used either alone or in combination with copper sulphate or calcium sulphate to control the citrus nematode, Tylenchulus semipenetrans. The single treatments of the three compounds and the combined applications significantly affected T. semipenetrans infection, enhanced the nutritional status of lemon trees and increased fruit set and yield. The combined applications were more effective than the individual ones, with ozone + calcium sulphate yielding the maximum values of fruit physical (fruit volume, length, diameter and weight) and chemical (TSS, the TSS/acidity ratio and Vitamin C) characteristics while reducing the acidity. There were no significant differences in the impact on citrus nematode between the combined applications and ozone treatment. The application of ozone + copper sulphate significantly reduced the final nematode populations and the reproduction factor. Thus, ozone + calcium sulphate and ozone + copper sulphate are potential alternatives to nematicides for managing citrus nematodes and increasing the yield and quality of Eureka lemon trees.