This paper documents pest management practices adopted by citrus farmers in two of the citrus growing regions in Morocco. The survey data propose possible recommendations to ensure sustainable pest management strategies. By variety, the surface area occupied by the Navel and Maroc-late represented 25% and 23%, respectively. 54% of the citrus farmers used certified sour orange rootstocks. 79% of farmers adopted soil plowing using a plow called Cover-Crop. Drip irrigation was widely practiced in the two regions studied. Citrus growers perceived mealybug, medfly, and mites as the most common insects, and Phytophthora rot and dry root rot as the most devastating fungal diseases infecting citrus production. 54% of the respondents used a pre-established treatment schedule. A total of 21 active ingredients of insecticides belonging to 15 different chemical groups were inventoried during the survey. Organophosphates were the most widely used insecticides (28%), followed by pyrethroids (17.9%), and neonicotinoids (16%). For disease control, copper compounds were used by all respondents. The manual-mechanical weed control method was widely practiced. 29% of respondents admitted to having little knowledge about the impact of climate change, 43% reported about a shift in dates of production practices, and 35% experienced pest outbreaks in their orchards. Due to the unregulated management practices, our findings emphasize the necessity of extension services to citrus farmers on the adoption of integrated citrus production. This system will help achieve sustainable citrus production, protect the environment, and optimize citrus yield.

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