IJMEC_2025v15n1

International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 9-18 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 14 psyllid (Allocarsidara malayensis) will cause the young leaves to curl up and turn yellow, affecting photosynthesis and the tree to grow poorly. Scale insects (Pseudococcidae) suck sap and secrete honeydew, which can easily cause sooty mold and affect the entire plant. Termites (Isoptera) will bite the trunk and roots, causing the tree to weaken or even die. In southern Thailand, there is another common mosquito in plantations - Aedes albopictus. Studies have found that it has varying degrees of sensitivity to some pesticides (such as cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, carbaryl and imidacloprid). Although chlorpyrifos is still effective, the effects of other drugs are getting worse, indicating that pests are beginning to develop resistance, which requires more cautious use of pesticides (Ratisupakorn et al., 2021). 5.2 Disease resistance in durian varieties In addition to insect pests, durian is often threatened by a variety of diseases, among which the most influential are: Phytophthora palmivora, dry rot (Lasiodiplodia theobromae), and leaf blight (Pestalotiopsis spp.). These diseases can cause tree roots to rot, bark to crack, branches to dry, leaves to necrotize, tree health to suffer, and yields to decrease. Studies in Thailand have found that Phytophthora has developed resistance to the commonly used fungicide metalaxyl, but agents such as azoxystrobin and dimethomorph still have an effect on the pathogen (Kongtragoul et al., 2021). Some durian varieties are more resistant to diseases, for example: D. graveolens is relatively resistant to Phytophthora root rot, and Monthong is also somewhat tolerant to leaf blight. Researchers are also introducing these disease-resistant traits into commercial varieties through breeding. In addition to breeding, methods such as selecting disease-resistant rootstocks, scientific pruning, and using probiotic fungi (such as Trichoderma spp.) can also reduce the occurrence of diseases. Disease-resistant varieties can reduce the use of pesticides and ensure yields, which is an important direction for sustainable cultivation (Mooney et al., 2022). 5.3 Sustainable disease prevention and management In order to reduce dependence on pesticides, the durian industry is now promoting the “integrated pest management (IPDM)” approach. This approach combines multiple strategies, including using beneficial insects to control pests; adjusting orchard management methods; using pesticides only when necessary; and regularly monitoring the occurrence of pests and diseases. Healthy soil is also important. Maintaining proper soil moisture, using organic mulch, and intercropping can help enhance durian's disease resistance (El-Saadony et al., 2022; Scortichini, 2022). Future durian breeding will also focus more on disease resistance. Researchers will use modern technologies, such as marker-assisted selection, to screen for more disease-resistant varieties. In terms of environmental protection, microbial fungicides (such as Bacillus subtilis) and plant essential oils have also been widely studied. These methods can reduce chemical residues and have less impact on the environment (Pongpisutta et al., 2023). For the durian industry to develop sustainably, pest and disease management is critical. Growers need to combine natural disease resistance, scientific management, and new technologies to reduce losses, ensure high yields and high quality of durian, and meet the growing market demand. In the Philippines, a participatory research method allows farmers to participate in the formulation of disease control plans. Depending on the situation of different farmers, they can choose management methods with low, medium, or high inputs (Daniel et al., 2014). 6 Case Studies of Durian Variety Adaptation in Global Markets 6.1 Successful cases of domestic durian The durian currently grown in China is mainly golden pillow and blue ni. In recent years, the planting area has grown rapidly, mainly distributed in Hainan, Guangdong and Yunnan. Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County in Hainan is a typical successful example. Through scientific and technological innovation, cultural publicity and the development of the entire industrial chain, the local area has found its own way to develop durian. With the help of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Baoting has solved many technical problems in durian cultivation. They selected good varieties suitable for the local climate and shortened the time

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